Monthly Archives: November 2013

PESP aims to develop community for researchers

Working in collaboration with students at the University of Lincoln, PESP members Dr Mark F Smith and Danny Taylor are launching a new research community initiative.

PESPConnect is an open-network  platform that’s purpose is to bring together academics, students and the wider community to explore and evolve shared research interests in the broad field of health, exercise and sport physiology.

Specifically focusing on the connection between mind and body, and group’s research objectives are to further our understanding of the psychophysiological  enhancement of health and performance though exercise and sport. PESPConnect aims to establish, nurture and grow a supportive and inclusive research community that can disseminate and share their research impact across a wide community thereby benefiting health, well-being and sport performance.

PESPConnect meets on a weekly basis within the University of Lincoln School of Business cafe affording opportunities to informally share research ideas, discuss research studies and develop ways in which research within the group can be disseminated across the University community and to encourage public engagement.

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Interactive Workshop is a success!

The PESP Research group delivered an interactive workshop to a group of students from Skegness Academy during a recent visit to the Human Performance Centre at the University of Lincoln. Delivered by Dr Mark F Smith, the workshop explored the importance of cognitive function and exercise exposing the students to a number of different theories and practical tasks. Collecting data during a live experiment, Dr Smith comments:

“students were given a opportunity to undertake a practical session that our Undergraduates would normally receive. This offered them all a real insight into the fun and engaging delivery that takes place within our centre”.

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Paul Murgatroyd travels to Portugal with GB Orienteering Squad

In late October, senior lecturer Paul Murgatroyd, travelled with the GB junior orienteering squad to the European Youth Orienteering Championships in Portugal, where he worked in a coaching and sport science support capacity with the team. Focussing on pre-competition preparation, Paul’s role was to assist the athletes in maximising their state of readiness for the weekend’s races, which included two individual events and a relay event for the under 16 and under 18 teams. Working on their physical and psychological warm-up procedures, the experience built on other support work provided at squad camps throughout the year and was a culmination of the athletes’ seasons. Results were positive, with many of the athletes recording top twenty positions against some strong international opposition, and the weekend culminated in a podium placing for the Men’s Under 16 relay team.

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Sport and Exercise Science showcase

A new video, produced by Dr Mark Smith and presented by colleagues Daniel Bishop and James Mccarron – aims to showcase to potential students the benefits of studying the Sport and Exercise Programme at Lincoln University. The video outlines just some key equipment used by PESP in our everyday research and gives an overview of the environment in which we study.

 

 

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New equipment furthers PESP research output

New equipment obtained by the PESP group, will for the first time allow us to examine the impact of cognitive loading on our ability to pace during exercise performance. Research lead by Dr Mark F Smith and James Mccarron will use functional near-inferred spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure the flow of oxygen within selected regions of the brain whilst participants both exercise and complete a series of cognitive challenges. The findings of this research hope to shed further light on the importance of central brain processes in the regulation of a pacing strategy during exercise performance.