Summary of the impact

The Centre for Sports Engineering Research (CESR) has developed new methods to allow accurate 3D measurement. These methods have evolved from lab-based to in-situ systems allowing real world measurements using multi-camera systems, object tracking, signal processing and planar calibration. This research has had four main types of impact:

• the implementation of camera-based analysis systems embedded within Olympic teams in preparation for London 2012 and Rio 2016;
• the implementation of systems at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to allow that organisation to monitor the game of tennis and set its rules;
• the transfer of knowledge and systems to the commercial and health sectors;
• dissemination to the research community.

Summary of the impact

This well established research conducted by members of Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport (Loughborough University) is seen as an integral part of the support provided for Paralympic wheelchair athletes and has impact in 3 key areas:

1. To help identify the fundamental characteristics of elite wheelchair athletes and assist with athlete profiling by supporting the Paralympic `performance pathways' to refine their talent identification and confirmation procedures
2. With the refinement of the testing and monitoring procedures used to assess the physiological and biomechanical demands of wheelchair sport performance
3. Supporting the education of high-performance coaches by enabling them to gain a better understanding of the technical variables that affect wheelchair mobility performance

Summary of the impact

Salford Business School researchers were commissioned by PA Sport, the sports division of the Press Association, the Football Association Premier League (FA), and FootballDataCo, which handles the rights to football data for the FA, to develop the quantitative analysis and models for an objective index of football player performance. The official player ratings system of the English Premiership, Championship and the Scottish Premiership and first of its kind:

• The EA Sports Player Performance Index (previously ACTIM) analyses player contributions to match outcomes;
• The Index informs squad selection, supports the refinement of team performance and Index statistics are presented worldwide, in print, online, and on television, and;
• The index is used in football gaming software and the English Premiership's official application for the Fantasy Football League, engaging fans across the world with quantitative analysis and generating statistics driven debate through connecting with their passion.

Summary of the impact

Research by Loughborough University academics has influenced the development of elite footballs used in numerous global tournaments including FIFA World Cups, UEFA European Championships and Olympic Games. Research findings have led to increased design freedoms that have allowed adidas to produce balls with improved commercial appeal resulting in a tenfold increase in sales whilst maintaining product performance in line with the highest certifiable level of FIFA standards.

Summary of the impact

The impact of this research has been to improve the performance of elite athletes and safeguard the well-being of Paralympians. It has affected the management of athletes' dynamic physiological responses and advanced the regulatory frameworks of sporting bodies. This has changed the strategies of the USA Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee and the British Paralympic Association. The indirect impact of this primary research has been to change the routine training practices of recreational athletes and influence the advice on exercise given to military personnel and people with disabilities.

Summary of the impact

Research related to the economic and social impact of major events and festivals conducted by the Sport Industry Research Centre (SIRC) has provided a catalyst for the logical evaluation of hosting events. SIRC staff have provided national level research leadership culminating in the launch of an event evaluation framework (www.eventIMPACTS.com) in 2010, which is widely viewed as representing the `gold standard' by which the impacts of events and festivals are evaluated. The website has helped public and private organisations to assess and forecast the value of events, thus justifying public investment in events as well as benefiting their planning of events.

Summary of the impact

A total of 34 British Olympic Gold medal triumphs in Beijing (2008), Vancouver (2010) and London (2012), [redact 14 words] relied to a greater or lesser extent on research in fluid dynamics, instrumentation and [redact 4 words] originating from the University of Southampton's Performance Sport Engineering Laboratory (PSEL). Global media coverage of the science behind these victories has raised the profile of British engineering. PSEL was awarded a 2012 Queen's Anniversary Prize for its sustained contribution to the competitiveness of the UK's sailing and motorsport industries worldwide through its research, specialist consultancy services and its high-quality engineering graduates.

Summary of the impact

This case exemplifies leading-edge practice in the coaching and management of elite sports teams in the UK, USA and Australia. Professor Bill Gerrard is one of the first to apply statistical analysis to the management of `invasion'/tactical team sports. This original contribution has been to practices in both the boardroom and the locker room. The approach affects day-to-day decision-making in a range of areas, including recruitment of players, training priorities, team selection and game tactics. Application of the approach now extends to three continents and is applicable to all invasion team sports including football/soccer, rugby union and rugby league.

Summary of the impact

Sports Integrity is focused on supporting the development of infrastructure by governments, sports bodies, betting operators and law enforcers, internationally, for identifying and addressing vulnerability to corruption in professional sport, demonstrating the following impact:

• Informing the development of nationally consistent approaches to and codes of conduct for deterring and dealing with match fixing;
• Facilitating networks for information sharing between governments, sports bodies, betting operators and law enforcers to improve integrity in sport;
• Supporting international policy development to combat corruption in sport.