Sport and Exercise Science

Our research concerns basic and applied questions that further understanding of health and the performance benefits of exercise, nutrition and psychological interventions. The area has received over £250,000 of capital investment in the last three years equipping it with state of the art facilities for research into human performance in particular environmental physiology. We have access to clinical imagining facilitates (via Brighton and Sussex Medical School).

Three vibrant research themes exist in the area.

Research from the Environmental Impacts on Exercise theme makes use of our environmental chamber and hypoxia facility to assess the impact of extremes in environmental conditions (e.g. heat and simulated altitude) on exercise and sport performance. Interventions are devised and evaluated to elevate these negative effects that occur.

Researchers from the Physical Activity Health and Wellbeing research theme have improved our understanding of the exercise and nutritional changes that reduce health risks for sedentary, disabled or overweight, often diabetic, people. This work extends to improving quality of life, through suitable exercise, for people recovering from heart diseases.

The Endurance and Fatigue theme investigates the reasons underlying a drop in exercise and sports performance. A broader aim is to reduce fatigue in athletes and explore potential health benefits for clinical populations.