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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.
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).
The research is this Unit has been conducted through the Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement Research Group (SHAPE). Dr Sunderland's unique research in this Unit has challenged and changed both academic thinking and real-world practices relating to heat acclimation and performing in hot environments.
This research has made, and is making, a significant impact across the world improving both physical and cognitive performance across a range of sports from elite to recreational level. Examples include: providing a fitness training manual now being used by all international hockey umpires; acclimation and cooling strategies for international hockey players; acclimation for international athletes, international netball players and recreational and charity runners.
Reach and Significance
The beneficiaries of this work include international bodies and their players (e.g., GB Hockey, England Hockey, Wales Hockey, Scottish Institute of Sport, The International Hockey Federation [FIH], International Netball Players and the Australian Cricket Team); as well as national and recreational athletes (Marathon des Sables athletes, Loughborough Students Hockey Club, recreational and sporting clubs, players and athletes).
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:
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.
This case study examines the long-term and ongoing relationship between an industrial collaborator (Chas A Blatchford & Sons Ltd) and researchers at the University of Roehampton. This systematic programme of biomechanical research on how prostheses perform in activities other than walking has had two significant outcomes. Firstly, this work has significantly improved prosthetic design, with four new prosthetic designs marketed worldwide. Secondly, it has increased awareness of — and importantly increased engagement with - exercise therapy for amputees among healthcare professionals (prosthetists and physiotherapists) and amputees themselves. This research has reached a wider audience including amputee charities and healthcare professionals, with whom we focus on mobility and movement rather than the prostheses.
Tart cherries are rich in phytochemicals that include compounds that contain anthocyanins and melatonin, which possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and consequently have the potential to enhance recovery following strenuous physical activity. Our research has examined novel applications of tart Montmorency cherry juice, specifically in recovery from exercise and managing exercise-induced inflammation, oxidative stress and sleep; this has led to extensive reach to the scientific and wider community and has seen significant increases in the sales and its routine use by athletic (Olympic and professional sports) and general populations who report positive effects on the global effects of recovery following training, competitions and injury.
Research by Alison McConnell and colleagues has underpinned the creation of a new category of exercise training and rehabilitation; "breathing training" improves exercise tolerance and reduces perceived exertion. McConnell invented the market-leading POWERbreathe® breathing trainer, and since joining Brunel (2000), has led further new product developments via Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) and consultancy. Research by McConnell and her team underpins marketing by POWERbreathe® and several "copycat" products serving UK and overseas markets. Impacts include: 1. physiological benefits to individual users globally, from elite athletes to patients; and 2. commercial benefits to POWERbreathe International Ltd., its supply chain, and to new international businesses serving the breathing training market created by POWERbreathe®.