Using the extensive BASES accredited facilities, equipment and expertise based at Kingston University, the Human Performance Laboratory provides sport science consultancy to athletes of all standards; from amateur to elite. Staffed by highly experienced sport scientists, we offer laboratory and field-based sport science consultancy in biomechanics, heat acclimation, nutritional analysis and exercise physiology.
Our staff also provide lab tours and visits for local schools and colleges teaching GCSE, A-level and BTEC sports-related qualifications
Past clients range from club to international athletes and a number of teams, including:
Biomechanics is a specialised area of Sports Science examining the way in which the body moves and how effective this can be for sporting techniques. With the use of 2D and 3D measurement systems the majority of sporting techniques can be analysed within our laboratory to gain a full insight into the movement patterns and effectiveness of the action. This can identify both large and small changes that can be made to the technique allowing for an improved performance.
Through the use of Biomechanics we can also exam the forces which are acting upon the body during certain activities and in turn how the body copes with the stress for injury prevention. With the use of specialised equipment we can perform a series of muscle assessment measures to identify any areas of weakness and therefore a potential site of injury. This may be looking at a bi-lateral variation or looking at the muscles in their natural pairings to check that you are of a sound body for your sport.
The Human Performance Laboratory heat chamber can be used by athletes and also by external groups for all research, consultancy and media interests. Our sport science support services enable individual athletes to prepare for extreme environmental conditions through climatic simulation. Central to our facilities is a purpose built heat chamber that can control ambient temperature (10 to 40oC) and relative humidity (20 to 90%), thereby allowing us to provide heat acclimation strategies and pre-cooling manoeuvres to help athletes with their preparation for and competition in hot, humid conditions. When exercising in these conditions we can accurately monitor core and skin temperature and calculate sweat rate to help optimise hydration levels. Guidance on fluid replacement strategies can also be given specific to different sports or activities
Sports Performer
Within this area we offer advice to the sports performer by assessing their current nutritional habits via the use of dietary analysis software, and will offer suggestions regarding methods of supplementation, dietary adjustment, hydration and re-hydration to optimise performance and use of ergogenic aids.
Healthy lifestyle
Exercise plays a key component in our general well-being and health, and therefore warrants integration within our day-to-day lifestyle. Within this section of the sports science consultancy service, we aim to provide physiological screening to people who participate in physical activity for health rather than for competitive sport training. The aims of such support are to:
- Maximise awareness of healthy living and improve fitness of clients
- Provide dietary analysis and make recommendations on existing diet if required
- Advise on appropriate exercise prescription to achieve health and fitness goals
Support for such a framework can be undertaken via individual consultancy or group-based workshops/seminars and laboratory or field-based sessions.
Support
Physiological support within sport is becoming increasingly popular for both athletes and coaches as a scientific means of improving sporting performance of individuals and squads/teams. The aims of such support are to:
- Select key physiological tests specific to the sport
- Monitor and advise on performance enhancement via regular, intermittent physiological testing
- Monitor physiological responses in real-life training or sporting situations
- Develop a physiological performance profile of the athlete(s)
- Plan effective training programs with coaches to maximise physiological adaptation and performance
Testing
Physiological testing for athletes can be either laboratory of field-based in nature and using the expertise and equipment of the Human Performance Laboratory, we are able to offer both laboratory and field-based testing.