Nottingham's sports research takes centre court

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06 Jun 2012 10:40:16.407

PA 130/12

Ever wanted to know more about how exercise can increase your pain threshold, how sport can be used to improve a child’s self-confidence, or why Barack Obama has an apparent obsession with basketball?

Researchers from The University of Nottingham plan to answer these questions and many more during a free event at Nottingham Tennis Centre on finals day of the AEGON Trophy.

Members of the public will be invited to take a break from the tennis to hear nine researchers give eight minute presentations about the impact that work taking place in the city will have on some of the summer’s biggest sporting events – including the Olympics.
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Nottingham at its best

Rebecca Dowsett, Researcher Training and Development Manager at the University, believes that both the tennis and the Researcher Sports Relay – starting at 2pm on Saturday 9 June – will showcase Nottingham at its best.

She said: “The University of Nottingham produces high quality research in numerous fields and it is something we are proud of as an Institution.  As a sports fanatic myself, and with the Olympics just around the corner, I was curious to find out what research was conducted here into the advancement of sport. 

“I have been fascinated by what I uncovered and would encourage anyone with an interest in sport to come along and attend what promises to be a very exciting afternoon.”

Pioneering research in Nottingham

The presentations cover a wide range of sporting topics from using sport to improve children’s self-confidence and reduce obesity to increasing your pain threshold through rowing and the ins and outs of designing Team GB’s Olympic kayaks.

This is all geared around bringing the University’s best and brightest sports research to a wider audience.

Professor David Greenaway, Vice-Chancellor at The University of Nottingham, is very proud of the sports-related research being carried out. He said: “2012 is a very exciting year for sport in the UK and this event has been designed to reflect this by celebrating the wide range of global research being undertaken at the University.

“You will hear from a wide range of disciplines, where research has impacted on understanding athletic performance, enhancing the design of new equipment and the benefits of sport for individuals.

“Sport continues to be an important part of life for our students, creating a well-rounded University experience.  From my own personal perspective, the guidance I received last year when I under took a cycle ride from John O’Groats to Land’s End, for the University’s Impact: The Nottingham Campaign, was invaluable. The team profited hugely from the research that had gone into the physical and technical aspects of such an arduous journey.”

Game, set and match

The AEGON Trophy seemed the ideal choice when it came to pairing up with a sporting event in the city to showcase the University’s contributions.

Paul Hutchins, LTA Men's Tennis, Team Leader 2012 Olympics, said: “As a father of four children, I know the importance of sport to individuals and families and accurate research that is backed up with evidence is really interesting and starts a good debate.

“With The University of Nottingham’s strong reputation in this field, this day at the Nottingham Tennis Centre – which is holding the AEGON Trophy and AEGON Challenge pre-Wimbledon grass court tournaments – should be really interesting.”

Sporting subjects

The full list of speakers and their presentation titles are:

  • Luke Hogarth - Steps to Active Kids
  • Stuart Morris - Olympic kayak designer’s quest for gold
  • Madalina Stalniceau - Barack Obama and Basketball
  • Dr Donal McNally - The Mystery of Spines, Sports and Stress Fractures
  • Francisco Fallucchi - Information and Competition
  • Kishen Rengaraj - Making the affordable racing bike
  • Dr Ashley Simpson - Rowing increases your pain threshold
  • Omar Tayari - How effective are antibacterial materials?
  • Oliver Croad - Bungee jumping into muscle proteins
The Relay Sports Relay is a ticketed event with limited availability. To get your free ticket and reserve your seat, please register at www.researchersportrelay.eventbrite.co.uk

Story credits

More informationis available from Rebecca Dowsett,Researcher Training and Development Manager, Graduate School at rebecca.dowsett@nottingham.ac.uk

Harry Waddle

Harry Waddle - Students Communications Officer

Email: harry.waddle@nottingham.ac.uk Phone: +44 (0)115 823 2353 Location: University Park

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