Knowledge Exchange Sport aims to provide a location for a variety of Continuing Professional Development, Short Courses, Consultancy and access to world class facilities in the School of Sport. As well as a direct link to a large and dynamic multidisciplinary research team in SPARC.
There is a growing recognition that universities have a vital role to play in the economic prosperity, quality of life and cultural enrichment of their communities. Here in the School of Sport we want to engage with as many people and organisations as possible, leading to benefits including:
- Making a difference to society by helping people achieve their goals
- Testing the practical application of research
- Help to accessing the latest technology and facilities in sports science
- Developing mutually beneficial links with leading external contacts
- Helping increase the employability of students
- Providing opportunities for student projects and placements
- Improving the health and wellbeing of the local area
This activity can include (but is not limited to):
- Collaborative research projects
- Consultancy services
- Commissioned/contract research
- Providing specialist University facilities, equipment and testing services to companies
- Continuing professional development and training (CPD)
- Events with external audiences
- Secondment and placement positions
Please contact Knowledge Exchange Sport Lead, Dr Ross Cloak for more information.
Human Performance
Widely available technology allows endurance athletes to collect huge amounts of data and even claims to analyse and interpret that data to inform training. Unfortunately, this can often be complicated and unhelpful, or even misleading.
For many athletes, time constraints also mean that they are looking for the maximum return on time invested. Properly supported laboratory testing represents not only value for money but also provides clear and practical advice to maximise the benefits from training.
In addition to collecting accurate data, we provide comprehensive advice tailored to the needs of the individual. The schedule of services below is designed to make long-term support affordable and convenient as we feel that this offers the maximum benefit to athletes.
To discover our offerings, find out more and book tests, check out the information below.
DXA / Body Composition Scan - The advanced body composition assessment provides accurate information on the distribution of fat, lean mass, bone and fat mass index.
For further details, please view the summary - Healthscan
Please contact our Healthscan facility manager Kerry Matthews for a package price at Healthscan@wlv.ac.uk.
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Meet the team
Dr Ross Cloak is an Associate Professor in Sport and Exercise Science. Having worked with various sports teams in a support capacity he has remained keen in the practical application of sport science to improve performance. His applied work has been conducted with professional football teams including Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Walsall FC. As well as working as a consultant physiologist to GB Judo on the lead up to Rio and Tokyo Olympics, and a number of track and endurance athletes.
TBC
Professor Andrew Lane is a Professor of Sport Psychology at the University of Wolverhampton. He is Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society. He has authored more than 100 peer refereed journal articles and edited five books. His applied work has involved a number of clients including the London Boxing Association. A former amateur boxer, he remains active in sport as a runner.
Professor Matthew Wyon is a Professor in Exercise Physiology at the University of Wolverhampton, UK. He is the course leader for the Professional Doctorate in Health and Wellbeing and Director of Studies for a number of dance science and medicine doctoral candidates. He was the President of International Association for Dance Medicine & Science between 2015-17 and is a founding partner of the National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science (NIDMS), UK. He is the scientific lead for NIDMS and set up and guides the Institutes physiological testing screen for dancers. He has worked with numerous dance companies as an applied physiologist and strength and conditioning coach. He has published extensively on performance enhancement for dancers and injury epidemiology including BASES Guidelines for testing dancers and Strength and Conditioning for Dancers.
Kerry Matthews is the facility manager and senior diagnostic radiographer in HealthScan. Specialising in DXA scans for bone health and body composition she works with a range of service users including NHS patients and professional athletes. As well as providing support and expertise for research studies utilising DXA scans in bone health and body composition.
Professor Tracey Devonport is a Professor of Applied Sport and Exercise Sciences. She is registered as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist with the Health Care Professions Council, a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society, a Chartered Scientist, and also accredited with the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) for providing scientific support (Psychology).
She has over 20 years of experience in providing services as an accredited sport psychology consultant. Her applied work has predominantly been undertaken with junior national athletes across a range of sports including Athletics, Tennis, Swimming, Badminton, Judo, Hockey, and Netball. She has also provided support to Olympians and senior national teams. In recent years she has become increasingly involved in helping individuals (young to older adults) to reap the benefits of a physically active lifestyle. Services provided typically involve the development of psychological skills in order to support personal goals, be that improved performance, or enhanced well-being. For example, improving self-talk, using mental rehearsal, enhancing goal setting, developing a range of coping strategies, establishing ways of managing emotions (e.g., stress, anxiety), or developing training and competition routines.
Mark Niemz is a Senior lecturer in Strength and Conditioning and programme leader for the MSc Strength and Conditioning. He is an experienced S&C practitioner with a background of working in high performance sport, including 6 years with the English Institute of Sport delivering S&C support to elite athletes across several Olympic sporting programmes, including GB Triathlon, GB canoeing, GB Water Polo and British cycling. Mark is also a tutor and assessor with the UK Strength and Conditioning Association, and brings a wealth of experience and applied insight to his teaching across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
Dr Tina Smith is a Senior Lecturer in Biomechanics, passionate about the application of biomechanics to the applied environment. Dr Smith’s research and applied work includes the use of specialist biomechanics equipment to provide detailed analysis of movement that can inform subsequent rehabilitation, training and performance. This has applications for athletes wanting to improve performance, and individuals seeking to improve their quality of life while performing day to day activities, such as walking.