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Lower-limb amputation (LLA) is associated with significant mobility, quality-of-life (QoL) and socioeconomic burdens. Research undertaken at the University of Hull relates to the early rehabilitation of amputees and their risk of falling. The research has influenced practice nationally and internationally by prompting clinicians to use these evidence-based recommendations for muscle strengthening and balance training and has informed policy at national levels. It inspired the British Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Amputee Rehabilitation (BACPAR), to implement standardised recommendations in the BACPAR Toolbox of Outcome Measures in prosthetic rehabilitation. The findings of the Hull Early walking aid for rehabilitation of transtibial Amputees — Randomised controlled Trial (HEART) study, the first RCT comparing the biomechanics and clinical outcomes of early gait re-training with different Early Walking Aids (EWA), has made a significant impact on current healthcare practice and guidelines.
This case study focuses on the development and usage of self-help material designed to aid people in feeling and performing better. It has achieved impact through raising awareness via mass media and professional outlets. Research informed self-help materials are available for open access via media links, academic organisations, service organisations (NHS), commercial organisations (London Marathon), national governing bodies (Research Councils), and professional bodies (British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences). An on-line project, run in conjunction with BBC Lab UK, developed and tested self-help interventions with 75,000 users each receiving personalised feedback from former Olympian Michael Johnson.
This case study illustrates the development of novel research materials designed to improve quality of life and performance in different populations. Impact has been achieved through the use of research findings in professional practice, formulation of health-related policies and in the development of new indicators of health and well-being. RCSEP research has been used by international and national health-service organisations (e.g., European League Against Rheumatism, Evidence NHS), industrial establishments (e.g., ArtEZ Conservatoire, Netherlands; Royal Ballet), national governing bodies (British Heart Foundation), and professional bodies (e.g., Dance UK, International Association of Dance Medicine & Science).
Pioneering research at the University of Chichester lead by Professor Harris provided in 2006 first evidence on the effectiveness of beta-alanine supplementation in augmenting carnosine content in human skeletal muscle. Subsequent studies demonstrated the performance-enhancing effect of beta-alanine supplementation, particularly in high-intensity exercise. The research was exploited by a US company through a number of worldwide patents based on Harris' work achieving sales and license revenues of $4.8M in 2013 fiscal year alone. Beta-alanine supplementation has emerged as a legal means to enhance performance taken up at amateur and elite level sport worldwide; it is having global impact on the sports nutrition industry.
The Human Performance Research Group at Aberystwyth University developed a novel high- intensity "warm-up" regime, known as "priming exercise". Performing this type of exercise can provide an ergogenic effect during subsequent exercise or competition. This research has impacted upon professional practice of sports scientists and coaches tasked with preparing elite athletes for competition. Specifically, previously warm-up exercise was performed prior to exercise, whereas now many practitioners apply priming exercise regimes. In addition, this practice has a direct impact upon the performance of both elite and amateur athletes.
A 20 year collaborative programme of research and physiological monitoring between the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and the University of Chichester (UC) has significantly impacted upon training and competitive strategies adopted by the RYA to maintain world class sailing performance within the REF period. Research conducted in the period 1993-2004 provided the first empirical evidence base to underpin training for dingy and boardsailing. This provided the foundation to develop training guidelines for youth and elite sailors, contributing to successful sailing performances in the past five Olympic games. The guidelines are now freely accessible online for recreational sailors.
Functional electrical stimulation (FES) to the ankle dorsi-flexors is an assistive technology that aims to counter foot drop, a common symptom in people with neurological impairment. Our research has facilitated a better understanding of the clinical potential of FES as a means to enhance walking capability and ultimately the quality of life of people with gait abnormalities associated with "dropped foot". The production and dissemination of this research has directly had an impacted on local NHS clinical treatment practice and NHS clinical service evaluation/re-design in support of self-managed care of people with long-term conditions such as Cerebral Palsy, Stroke, and Multiple Sclerosis.
The domestic horse is often managed in sub-optimal conditions that provide inadequate forage and high levels of starch leading to respiratory, metabolic and behavioural disturbances. Research at the RAU over the past five years has had a significant ameliorative impact upon these welfare reducing phenomena via the development and marketing of the following products:
In addition, impact of both nutritional and behavioural data has been maximised via thorough dissemination of findings to the horse owning populace via scientific reviews and lay publications.
The sport and exercise science team at Southampton Solent began its work only in 2007, with little or no previous scholarly history. The new team focussed on the area of strength and conditioning within the area of sport, exercise and health. The overarching approach to strength and conditioning training methodology defined in the work of Fisher et al (2011) is momentary muscular fatigue (MMF) whereby training is undertaken to maximal exertion. Using MMF the research team have demonstrated public benefit, and thus interim impact, through improving performance within client groups suffering from chronic low back pain (CLBP). Thus, we hope to show interim impact and reach using this methodological approach improving performance in those with CLBP.
Biocatalysts provide unique activities that facilitate chemical transformations that are simply not possible using abiotic methods. Northumbria University researchers with expertise in enzymes and biocatalysis have provided biocatalysis services to the pharmaceutical, fine chemical, food and biofuels industries through our business facing innovation unit Nzomics. This has generated significant contract research, collaboration and licence agreements to companies, including the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline and the services-led company Almac. Biocatalysts produced as a result of Northumbria University research and technology transfer are sold worldwide and benefit business through their use in research and development activities, such as the production of intermediates in drug synthesis.