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This impact case study describes the development and application of models of training and performance in elite cycling. These models have been used by elite medal winning teams in their search for competitive advantage in the UK (by British Cycling and British Triathlon, including the GB Olympic Cycling and British Triathlon Teams and the British Paralympic Team) and internationally (by the Australian Institute of Sport). These new cycling models have provided the basis for the development of new training processes that are influencing the way in which many nations prepare their elite riders. This work has contributed directly to enhance elite sports science practice in the field of cycling and the competitive advantage for British teams to which it contributes is envied around the world. The adoption of the underlying algorithms for the `Wattbike' software has given our work a wider impact on sports practice and training methods, and it has been adapted for the `Map My Tracks' website which is used by sports enthusiasts worldwide.
John Gerrard's cinema scale simulation Exercise (Djibouti) 2012 emerged from research he carried out as the Legacy Fellow at the Ruskin School of Drawing & Fine Art. The output of the research has created impact by engaging new audiences with contemporary art and increasing its appreciation and understanding among the general public. Further, the project has stimulated debate about the relationships between politics, competitive sport and military warfare and helped to change existing perceptions of the role and function of contemporary art in society and culture. Exercise (Djibouti) 2012 has inspired a creative legacy for future generations, contributing to the success of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad and the London 2012 Festival, and it has delivered creative synergies and developed new working practices through innovative collaborative partnerships with non-academic organisations.
High intensity training: Impact can be evidenced on multiple levels ranging from adding to the public debate on exercise duration and providing information to the sports industry. This includes publication of the findings/applied recommendations of this research in lay magazines (e.g. Men's Health), books (e.g. The High Intensity Workout Dundee University Press 2012) and television shows (e.g. Horizon). In addition, the research has informed coaches (ice hockey and rugby union) and people working in the fitness industry (personnel trainers), and has contributed to the debate on exercise for health (Scottish Government).
The Case Study focuses on the work of Ibrahim Akubat, an exercise physiologist lecturer who joined the department in 2010. Based on his research, Akubat has enabled a range of clubs to monitor accurately players' training loads and understand their footballers' training outcomes. Akubat's research shows the superiority of the new individualised training load monitoring method over existing methods of monitoring internal training load and exercise dose in intermittent sports. This has led to coaches from numerous professional clubs, including those from the English Premier League, attending workshops to seek guidance on modifying their approaches to training load monitoring.
The impact of the research by Professor Gleeson on immune responses to exercise and predictors of infection risk in athletes has altered practice of sport science support personnel, coaches and athletes in several areas including: immunoendocrine monitoring procedures, training prescription and the use of nutritional interventions to reduce exercise stress responses and minimize risk of infection. In this way, the research conducted during 2008-2013 at Loughborough University has impacted internationally upon the ways in which sports scientists operate, and athletes and games players are prepared for competition.