Two students working in our Sports Science Laboratory on Main Campus.
Placements built in since 1975

Choose your year of study

2026
2027
Start date(s)
September 2026
Location
Horsforth Campus
School
Health and Life Sciences
UCAS tariff points
48
Study mode
Full-time (4 years)
Study abroad
Yes
Call us now - 0330 058 4266
Apply now

This course is available in Clearing 2026.

Have your final results? Apply today.

Apply through Clearing Call us now - 0330 058 4266

Are you fascinated by the science underpinning athletic performance and exercise? Do you want to work with athletes and clients, helping them to reach their performance potential?

Studying Sport and Exercise Sciences gives you the opportunity to understand the science behind all aspects of athletic performance and exercise.

This four-year course includes an initial full-time Foundation Year and offers an alternative route into university and gaining a degree.

This route is for you if you do not have the necessary qualifications or don’t yet feel ready to begin degree-level study, or are returning to education and would like some support to get up to speed with learning in a university setting.

The Foundation Year in Sport and Exercise will allow you to develop your academic skills and confidence as well as introduce you to key concepts, debates and skills that will support and inform your subsequent years of undergraduate study.

Following successful completion of your Foundation Year, you’ll progress onto Year 1 of our Sport and Exercise Sciences BSc (Hons) degree.

About this course

During your Foundation Year, you will undertake modules to enable you to enhance your academic skills and equip you with the tools you’ll need to study with confidence. You’ll carry out a personal project so you can study an area of interest related to your chosen future subject specialisation.

You’ll be introduced to multi-disciplinary perspectives on sport, exercise, physical performance and rehabilitation therapies including physiological, psychological, biomechanical, tactical, pedagogical and rehabilitation concepts. You'll investigate the role exercise plays in health from a multi-disciplinary perspective, exploring theories including health and wellbeing, behaviour change and working with clients.

Following successful completion of the Foundation Year, you’ll progress onto the first year of our Sport and Exercise Sciences BSc (Hons) degree.

You’ll study the core components of sport and exercise sciences, exploring a range of theories and concepts relating to physiology, biomechanics and psychology. You’ll develop key laboratory skills in a range of disciplines which will help you to improve the performance of athletes.

From your first year, you can choose to further develop your knowledge and specialise in sports nutrition and strength and conditioning.

Whatever path you choose, you’ll put theory into practice by completing professional work placements. We’ll also give you first-hand experience of working with athletes through Trinity Performance, our sport and exercise science enterprise service that offers coach education, consultancy and health assessments to professional athletes and clients.

By the time you graduate, you’ll not only be ready for a successful career in the sports industry, you’ll also have been able to develop highly transferable business and management skills that will prepare you for a wide range of graduate roles.

Endorsements

This course is endorsed by a number of professional bodies. You can find out more about each endorsement below.

Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Logo

CASES

Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Logo

This course is endorsed by the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES) - the professional body for sport and exercise sciences in the UK.
CIMSPA Endorsed Professional Standards Logo

CIMSPA Endorsed Professional Standards

CIMSPA Endorsed Professional Standards Logo

This course is also endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), the professional development body for the UK’s sport and physical activity sector, for the Health Navigator, Gym Instructor, and Personal Training professional standards. Students who successfully complete this course will have met the Health Navigator, Gym Instructor, and Personal Training professional standards and will be eligible for CIMSPA membership, while also gaining a degree endorsed by an organisation recognised in the professional sector.

Why study with us?

  • Build your self-confidence, academic skills and core subject knowledge in preparation for progression onto degree-level study.
  • Work with athletes during your degree, applying theory to real-world scenarios.
  • Access excellent facilities, including a Sports Science Laboratory, Movement Analysis Suite and Strength and Conditioning Suite.
  • Complete professional work placements and gain relevant experience in preparation for your career 
Student taking part in sport activity.

Course modules

You will study a variety of modules across your programme of study. The module details given below are subject to change and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

Foundation Year

During your Foundation Year, you'll study four core modules.

Academic Skills and Studying with Confidence – Core

We'll help you develop core academic skills such as using electronic resources, planning and note-taking, communication skills related to essay and report writing and delivering presentations.

You'll learn to manage your time, prioritise tasks and manage stress, and become more confident in engaging with collaborative learning, debates, discussions and critical reflection.

Project – Core

Study areas of interest related to your chosen future academic specialisation in this highly personalised module.

You'll have 25 hours of workshop tuition to explore how you will be assessed and the form your project could take, which could be a written report, a presentation, a film or a series of blog posts.

You'll also explore topics your project could focus on, and get peer assessment of your ideas.

In the first semester, you'll get support through personal tutoring and learning hub liaison.

You'll also explore careers and employability pathways in sport and health with the Graduate Recruitment Team and the School of Health, Sport and Life Sciences.

In the second semester, you'll produce your negotiated assessment, focussing on existing academic literature and other secondary sources.

You won't undertake primary empirical research.

Scientific Principles within Sport – Core

You'll study multi-disciplinary perspectives on sport, exercise, physical performance and rehabilitation therapies including physiological, psychological, biochemical, tactical, pedagogical and rehabilitation.

You'll be introduced to the basic key theories to illustrate these perspectives, followed by practical-based activities for hands-on understanding.

A range of methods will be deployed for evaluating sport, exercise and physical performance, including interpretation, presentation and reflection upon data.

Promoting Exercise, Physical Activity and Health – Core

Study multi-disciplinary perspectives of the role of exercise and physical activity with the context of health. You'll gain knowledge on the basic key theories such as health and wellbeing, behaviour change, health and safety, intervention design and working with clients through a range of activities.

You'll build your knowledge through a combination of interactive lectures and workshops as well as in practical settings which may include lab sessions, field-based activities and practical workshops.

Year 1

During your first year, you'll study four core modules.

Foundations of Physiology and Nutrition – Core

You’ll be introduced to the fundamental principles of anatomy, physiology, and nutrition within the context of sport and exercise science.

Explore key body systems and processes, including the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and endocrine systems, alongside energy metabolism and its application to performance.

The module links theoretical knowledge to applied practice and develops foundational research skills, including literature searching and the use of academic sources.

Fundamentals of Biomechanics and Human Movement for Strength and Conditioning – Core

You’ll be introduced to the fundamental biomechanical principles and their application within strength and conditioning.

You’ll explore human movement through concepts such as planes and axes of motion, kinematics, Newton’s laws, and the force–velocity relationship, alongside flexibility, posture, and movement analysis.

Practical skills are developed through motion analysis, performance testing, and the design of strength and conditioning programmes informed by biomechanical principles.

Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology – Core

Develop your understanding of sport and exercise psychology as a core discipline within sport and exercise science.

Explore key psychological principles, behaviours, and demands associated with sport and exercise, with links to mental health, wellbeing, and performance.

Examine evidence‑based psychological interventions and their application by practitioners in sport, exercise, and rehabilitation settings.

The Sport and Exercise Scientist – Core

Explore contemporary issues in sport and exercise science, drawing on current professional publications to develop your research and applied knowledge.

You’ll gain insight into the sport and exercise sector, including roles, stakeholders, and employment opportunities, while developing skills in consultation, reflection, and interdisciplinary working.

The module integrates theory with practice through interactive learning and includes a professional development element to support career readiness and applied experience.

Year 2

During your second year, you'll study five core modules.

Working in Sport and Wellbeing – Core

Apply your knowledge and skills in professional settings beyond the academic environment, supporting the development of reflective practice.

You’ll enhance employability skills through engagement with sector‑relevant activities, including communication, interdisciplinary working, career planning, and placement preparation.

The module includes completion of required SST accreditation hours, contributing to overall programme requirements and supporting the development of professional competence through practical experience.

Contemporary Issues in Sport and Wellbeing – Core

You’ll be introduced to key research methodologies and paradigms, including qualitative and quantitative approaches to data collection and analysis.

You’ll engage with case studies and contemporary literature to critically evaluate research and its application to practice across relevant sectors.

The module also emphasises ethical considerations, evidence‑based decision‑making, and effective communication of research findings.

Sport and Exercise Psychology – Working with Stakeholders – Core

Building on your first year of study, you’ll  further develop your understanding of sport and exercise psychology and its application across a range of settings.

You’ll examine evidence‑based and ethical practice, exploring how practitioners and support staff can use psychological principles to enhance wellbeing and performance.

Emphasis is placed on translating research into practical, accessible intervention strategies for diverse stakeholders.

Biomechanics and Human Performance for Strength and Conditioning – Core

You’ll build on foundational biomechanics and advance your understanding of techniques relevant to strength and conditioning.

Explore linear and angular kinetics, applying measurement tools such as force plates and EMG to analyse movement, strength, and power.

Practical sessions emphasise the application of biomechanical principles, including jumping and landing mechanics, balance and gait analysis, and fluid dynamics, within real‑world performance settings.

Integrative Physiology and Biochemistry – Core

Examine the physiological and biochemical responses to exercise, nutrition, and environmental and health‑related stressors in relation to sport and exercise performance.

You’ll explore key nutritional principles, including digestion, metabolism, energy balance, and the role of macro‑ and micronutrients, applying these to dietary planning for exercising populations.

Practical skills are developed through the use of specialist software and performance testing, alongside critical evaluation of research methods used to analyse and enhance performance.

Year 3

During your final year, you'll study two core modules and will be required to choose two option modules.

Case Studies in Sport and Exercise Science – Core

Apply a range of sport and exercise science skills and understanding to address the ‘whole person’ needs of a sports performer or exerciser.

You'll bring together knowledge of and reflections on sport and exercise science sub-disciplines to identify, address and reflect on the needs of individuals in case studies drawn from sport and exercise.

You'll need to apply more than one sub-discipline to articulate the needs of the individual, demonstrate how the application of a collection of disciplines in sport and exercise science helps better address these needs and offer critical comment on the challenges associated with such a way of working.

Case studies will cover scenarios such as injury prevention or rehabilitation, development of technique, establishment of competition strategy, and managing weight in sport or exercise settings.

Sport and Wellbeing Project – Core

You’ll conduct independent research, applying appropriate methodologies to explore a topic aligned with your field of study.

Core content will support the development of your project, covering project planning, critical analysis, ethical considerations, and reflective practice.

Formative feedback and tutorials will guide you to a final project submission and presentation.

Applied Strength and Conditioning – Optional

You'll cover applied topics in strength and conditioning, developing and monitoring training programmes, and career development in strength and conditioning. The module will also explore how practitioners apply evidence-informed approaches within real-world performance environments. Students will be encouraged to consider professional communication, reflective practice, and the evolving demands of the strength and conditioning industry.

Advanced Nutrition for Sport and Exercise – Optional

Develop your understanding of nutrition for sport and exercise.

We'll cover energy systems and substrate utilisation in aerobic and anaerobic exercise, carbohydrate loading, food supplements and ergogenic aids in aiding exercise performance, fluid balance and sports drinks for optimum sports performance, nutritional beliefs and attitudes of exercises and sports performers, advanced dietary analysis, dietary management and meal planning for participants across different sports.

Advanced Performance Analysis for Sport – Optional

Explore advanced performance analysis techniques used in sport, focusing on the application of observational and notational analysis to develop performance profiles and key performance indicators.

You’ll gain practical experience using video analysis, GPS, and wearable technologies to collect, interpret, and communicate performance data.

Examine effective feedback strategies, data visualisation, and the ethical and research considerations underpinning evidence‑based performance analysis in sport contexts.

Health Promotion and Exercise Referral – Optional

Explore behaviour change, psychosocial factors, and health inequalities in promoting physical activity across special populations and the lifespan.

You’ll examine the clinical and functional implications of chronic conditions and apply principles of exercise referral, physical activity prescription, and health promotion in line with UK guidelines and CIMSPA standards.

Practical and applied learning supports the design and evaluation of interventions, developing professional skills relevant to careers in health, education, coaching, and community settings.

Professional work placements

Experience matters. That's why we embed professional work placements within the majority of our standard undergraduate degrees.

How does it work?

Careers+Placements will work with you to find a placement or help you to arrange your own, whether that's in Leeds, another part of the UK or even abroad. You will be able to take part in a series of workshops, events and live ‘employer challenges’ to boost your confidence and prepare you for your placement.

During your placement, you could have an opportunity to gain degree-relevant work experience, build your knowledge of career sectors and secure valuable employer references and industry contacts. This experience will help you to shape your career decisions and find the right path for you.

Our students have completed placements at a range of professional sports clubs including Bolton Wanderers Football Club and Leeds Rhinos Rugby League Club, as well as in primary and secondary schools, Human Kinetics publishers and local authority health and wellbeing services.

To find out how we can help you make your career ambitions a reality, visit:

Professional Work Placements

Got a question about the course?

Our Sport and Wellbeing team are on hand to answer your questions, whether you want to know about the modules you'll be studying, where you can complete your professional placement or the types of assessments you'll do, they are here to help.


Learning and teaching

The Student Contract

Assessment

A variety of assessment methods are used, matched to the learning outcomes for your programme, allowing you to apply and demonstrate the full range of knowledge and skills that you have developed.

For more details on specific assessment methods for this course contact hello@leedstrinity.ac.uk

Programme delivery

Your time on campus, learning through in-person teaching, is at the heart of your academic experience and the way we deliver our programmes. This is supported and further enhanced by additional engagement activities and opportunities provided online and through digital teaching materials. This blended approach seeks to ensure a positive learning and teaching student experience.

Your programme of study has been carefully designed around a three-phase model of delivery:

  1. Preparation: You will be given clear tasks to support you in preparing for live teaching. This could include watching a short-pre-recorded lecture, reading a paper or text chapter or preparing other material for use in class.
  2. Live: All your live teaching will be designed around active learning, providing you with valuable opportunities to build on preparation tasks, interact with staff and peers, and surface any misunderstandings.
  3. Post: Follow-up activities will include opportunities for you to check understanding, for staff to receive feedback from you and your peers to inform subsequent sessions, and for you to apply learning to new situations or context.

Preparation, Live and Post teaching and learning and the digital materials used will vary by course, but will be designed to help you structure your learning, take a full and active part in your course, and apply and test your developing knowledge and skills.

Learning and teaching

At Leeds Trinity we aim to provide an excellent student experience and provide you with the tools and support to help you achieve your academic, personal and professional potential.

Our Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy delivers excellence by providing the framework for:

  • high quality teaching
  • an engaging and inclusive approach to learning, assessment and achievement
  • a clear structure through which you progress in your academic studies, your personal development and towards professional-level employment or further study.

We have a strong reputation for developing student employability, supporting your development towards graduate employment, with relevant skills embedded throughout your programme of study.

We endeavour to develop curiosity, confidence, courage, ambition and aspiration in all students through the key themes in our Learning and Teaching Strategy:

  • Student Involvement and Engagement
  • Inclusion
  • Integrated Programme and Assessment Experience
  • Digital Literacy and Skills
  • Employability and Enterprise

To help you achieve your potential we emphasise learning as a collaborative process, with a range of student-led and real-world activities. This approach ensures that you fully engage in shaping your own learning, developing your critical thinking and reflective skills so that you can identify your own strengths and weaknesses, and use the extensive learning support system we offer to shape your own development.

We believe the secret to great learning and teaching is simple: it is about creating an inclusive learning experience that allows all students to thrive through:

  • Personalised support
  • Expert lecturers
  • Strong connections with employers
  • An international outlook
  • Understanding how to use tools and technology to support learning and development

Entry requirements

Leeds Trinity University is committed to recruiting students with talent and potential and who we feel will benefit greatly from their academic and non-academic experiences here. We treat every application on its own merits; we value highly the experience you illustrate in your personal statement.

Information about the large range of qualifications we accept, including A-Levels, BTECs and T Levels, can be found on our entry requirements page. If you need additional advice or are taking qualifications that are not covered in the information supplied, please contact our Admissions Office.

Leeds Trinity University is committed to recruiting students with talent and potential and who we feel will benefit greatly from their academic and non-academic experiences here. We treat every application on its own merits; we value highly the experience you illustrate in your personal statement.

The following information is designed to give you a general overview of the qualifications we accept. If you are taking qualifications that are not included below, please contact our Admissions Office who will be happy to advise you.

Entry requirements for this course:
UCAS tariff 48
GCSE requirements GCSE in English Language or English Literature at grade C or 4 (or higher)

Applications are welcome from mature students with few formal qualifications.

Any previous relevant work experience and learning will be assessed and, where appropriate, we may offer an alternative way to assess suitability to study.

This course is not available to students on a Student Route Visa.

If you do not have a GCSE in Science but have studied Sport at Level 3 and that qualification has some Science content, we may be able to consider your application.

Fees and finance

UK Home fees

£9,790

Full-time

International fees

More information on international tuition fees

Funding

UK Home Students:

Tuition fees cost £9,790 a year for this course in 2026/2027. 

Tuition fees for part-time study are charged at a pro-rata amount of the full-time equivalent.

Depending on government policy, tuition fees may change in future years.

Tuition fees for 2027/2028 entry will be set in summer 2026.

Living costs, e.g. accommodation, travel, food, will also need to be taken into consideration.

Leeds Trinity offers a range of bursaries and scholarships to help support students while you study.

Additional costs

We advise students that there may be additional course costs in addition to annual tuition fees. These include:

  • Books - recommended and required reading lists will be provided at the start of your course. All the books and e-books are available from our Library to borrow but you may choose to purchase your own.
  • Print costs - the University provides students with a £6 printing credit each academic year which can be topped up either on campus or online.

How to apply

For full-time undergraduate courses, you apply through UCAS. That's the University and Colleges Admissions Service.

You can still secure your place for courses starting in September 2026. To do this, you apply through Clearing.

On your application form, you'll need to know our institution code - it's L24 - and the course code. If you click through to the UCAS website using the button below, it'll take you to the right place with all the information you need.

As part of your application, you'll need to write a personal statement - we've prepared a guide to help you.

Undergraduate applications for September 2027 entry are now open.

This course is not available to students on a Student Route Visa.

There's lots more information about the application process on the UCAS website, or you can get in touch with our Admissions team who will be happy to help:

Apply through Clearing Call us now – 0330 058 4266

Graduate opportunities

Providing you with the opportunity to develop the professional skills and experience you need to launch your career is at the heart of everything we do at Leeds Trinity University.

Our commitment to developing your employability means you’ll have the skills, knowledge and confidence to work in a wide range of sports industry roles. Many of our graduates work in elite sport as applied scientists, but they have also been successful in teaching, coaching, business and marketing roles thanks to the transferable skills they’ve developed throughout the course.

After you graduate, Careers and Placements will help you as you pursue your chosen career through our mentoring scheme, support with CV and interview preparation and access to graduate employability events.

To find out how we can help you make your career ambitions a reality, visit:

Careers


Moving Forward: Working in Sport and Wellbeing Conference

Our Moving Forward: Working in Sport and Wellbeing Conference gave students the opportunity to explore career paths available to them, make connections and hear from keynote speakers Geva Mentor CBE and Dan Busfield about their personal career journey.

Movement Analysis Suite

Our investment in the latest sports facilities, technology and services provides you with the best opportunities to learn key skills and gain hands-on experience in preparation for the workplace.

Our Movement Analysis Suite offers the latest in motion capture technology and includes a 16-camera Motion Analysis Corporation system with Cortex and Visual 3D software for post-processing analysis. It also has digital video cameras for 2D and 3D kinematic analysis, a Bertec portable force plate, and a Delsys 8 channel EMG system.

See our students using the equipment in the Movement Analysis Suite to record and monitor human movement during a golf swing.

Meet the team

Adam Lunn.

Adam Lunn

Adam Lunn

Lecturer

Overview

Adam is an accomplished University Teacher, Personal Trainer, and Exercise Referral Specialist with extensive experience in community sports, health, and wellbeing. He has successfully delivered education, sport, health, and community development programmes across local authorities, private sectors, and third sectors throughout Yorkshire. Specialising in Sports and Exercise Sciences, Cancer and Exercise Rehabilitation, and Health Coaching, Adam has collaborated with prestigious organisations including Castleford Tigers Academy, Leeds Rhinos Foundation, and Yorkshire Cancer Research. He is passionate about inspiring and supporting students on campus. 

Qualifications

  • PGCHE
  • FHEA 

Email
Danielle Davis.

Danielle Davis

Danielle Davis

Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science

Overview

Danielle graduated from Liverpool John Moores University with an undergraduate degree in Sport and Exercise Science (Physiology) in 2010 and was awarded her PhD entitled 'Visceral body fat and the link to impaired cognitive function; focus on systemic and cerebrovascular endothelial function' in 2017 from the University of South Wales.  

Danielle's current research focuses on the impact of applied sports performance and health and wellbeing, determining techniques that can be used to enhance an individual's ability whether this is an athlete or the general population. Danielle is also part of the postgraduate research supervisor team at Leeds Trinity University, regularly supervising students.  

Qualifications

  • PhD: Visceral body fat and the link to impaired cognitive function; focus on systemic and cerebrovascular endothelial function 
  • BSc (Hons) Sport Science (Physiology) 

Speciality Areas

Danielle's focus of teaching is Sport and Exercise Science, mainly physiology within all programmes of the School.  

Specialist areas include applied physiology with the utilisation of a range of technology which is used across the health and sport sectors.  

Current Research

Danielle's current research focuses on applied sport performance and techniques that can be used to enhance performance. Research has focused on the use of wearable GPS devices within a gymnastic setting to assess the load that a gymnast experiences through training sessions. Furthermore,she is also involved with research on human floatation in water, focusing on the factors that influence it and its significance for drowning prevention and self-rescue.  

Publications

Selected Publications: 

Beaumont, J.D., Dalton, M., Davis, D., Finlayson, G., Nowicky, A., Russell, M. and Barwood, M.J. 2023. No effect of prefrontal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on food craving, food reward and subjective appetite in females displaying mild-to-moderate binge-type behaviour. Appetite. 189.  

Aben, H. G. J., Hills, S. P., Higgins, D., Cooke, C. B., Davis, D., Jones, B., & Russell, M. 2023. The Efficacy of a Multimodal Recovery Strategy Implemented After a High-Intensity Rugby League Training Session. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 37(8), 1634  1642.  

Beaumont, J. D., Smith, N. C., Starr, D., Davis, D., Dalton, M., Nowicky, A., Russell, M., & Barwood, M. J. 2022. Effective Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Parameters for the Modulation of Eating Behavior: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta- Analysis. Psychosomatic medicine, 84(6), 646–657. 

Beal, H., Corbett, J., Davis, D., & Barwood, M. J. 2022. Marathon Performance and Pacing in the Doha 2019 Women's IAAF World Championships: Extreme Heat, Suboptimal Pacing, and High Failure Rates. International journal of sports physiology and performance, 17(7), 1119–1125.  

Email
Kirstie Grace.

Kirstie Grace

Kirstie Grace

Overview

Having originally joined Leeds Trinity University as a Senior Lecturer in Physical Education in 2008, Kirstie has held several significant roles, including programme leader for BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Sciences. She is currently the Deputy Head of School for Sport & Wellbeing, taking responsibility for learning, teaching, and the student experience.

Kirstie began her academic journey studying for a Physical Education QTS at Sheffield Hallam University, after which she embarked on a six-year secondary school teaching career. During this time, she advanced to the position of deputy head of department and key stage 5 curriculum manager. She joined Leeds Trinity University as a Senior Lecturer in Physical Education while pursuing a Masters in Sport and Exercise Sciences (Performance Analysis and Biomechanics). Subsequently, she led the Sport and Exercise Science provision at LTU and gained BASES accreditation as a sports and exercise scientist specialising in pedagogy.

With over 10 years of experience in leading programmes in Higher Education, Kirstie recently completed her PhD. Her research focused on a synthesis of expert opinions informed by a biomechanical analysis that enhanced understanding of the technique of the hockey drag flick, particularly the core movement strategy.

Kirstie is also a senior fellow of Advance HE and serves as the strategic lead for Trinity Performance, working with external clients on a range of sport and health-related consultancy projects.

Qualifications

  • PhD in Sports Coaching: The Biomechanics of the Field Hockey Drag Flick
  • MSc Sport and Exercise Sciences (Biomechanics and Performance Analysis)
  • BSc (Hons) Physical Education with QTS

Speciality Areas

Currently teaching on Sport an Exercise Sciences and Health and Wellbeing working specifically within the field of Biomechanics and Research. 

Example modules include Fundamentals of Human Movement; Biomechanical Analysis of Movement; Applied Biomechanics and Movement Analysis; Research Practice and Dissertation. 

Current Research

Kirstie specialises in Biomechanical technique analysis currently looking at undertaking a technique analysis on the field hockey drag flick as part of her PhD studies. Kirstie is using a novel methodology that aims to bridge the gap between the world of Biomechanics and coaching by making the data more relatable to athletes and coaches.

Publications

Attributes that determine the success of a field hockey drag flick: a coach's perspective
Grace, K., Low, C. & Cooke, C., 25 Nov 2015, In: Journal of Sports Sciences. 33, sup1, p. s113 D2. P53.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Abstract › peer-review

 

Email

What sports do you enjoy playing? What professional sports teams do you support?

I have a lifelong passion for field hockey having played and captained National League level for Doncaster Hockey Club, but am now retired and enjoy supporting and watching. This passion led me onto my PhD in the Biomechanics of Field Hockey Drag Flick.

Generally, I'm a sports enthusiast who has been lucky enough to go to two Olympic Games (Athens and London) as a spectator, and enjoy watching and learning about all different sports.  

Why do you think someone should study your programme/subject area and pursue a related career within the sector?

Understanding the science behind sport is fascinating - how technique is affected by the smallest of changes and how that can largely impact on performance outcomes. Learning to understand how the body moves and is able to coordinate to achieve at a performance level in really complex movements. Gaining an appreciation of all the different individual which have an impact on an athlete's success.  
Luke Barnes.

Luke Barnes

Luke Barnes

Lecturer in Sport Psychology

Overview

Luke is a Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist and is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Luke works with a variety of clients, focusing on mental performance, health and wellbeing. Luke completed his PhD in April 2023, studying integrity policy and staff education in the English Football Association (FA). Luke aims to bring his applied and research experiences into the classroom with the objective of engaging students in a range of psychological topics. As a Lecturer in Sport Psychology at Leeds Trinity University, Luke teaches on the Sport Psychology, Sport and Exercise Science and Sports Coaching programmes.

Qualifications

  • PhD – Integrity education in English Football (Awarded by Leeds Beckett University in 2023) 
  • Qualification in Sport and Exercise Psychology – Professional Training (Awarded by the British Psychological Society in 2020)
  • MSc – Psychology of Sport and Exercise (Awarded by Leeds Beckett University in 2016)
  • BSc/MSci – Undergraduate Masters Degree in Psychology (4 years; Awarded by University of Birmingham in 2014) 

Speciality Areas

Applied Sport Psychology Practice, Behaviour Change​, Organisational Sport Psychology, Integrity and Anti-Doping Education in Sport.

Current Research

The role of coaches and medical staff in integrity education and practices in English Football. 

Publications

Barnes, L. T., Patterson, L. B., & Backhouse, S. H. (2022). A systematic review of research into coach perspectives and behaviours regarding doping and anti-doping. Psychology of sport and exercise, 59, 101780. 

Stride, A., Fitzgerald, H., Rankin-Wright, A., & Barnes, L. (2020). The en/gendering of volunteering: “I’ve pretty much always noticed that the tail runner is always female”. Sport Management Review, 23(3), 498-508.

Magazine articles

Contributor in the Times Newspaper – Rudd (2023) How Unai Emery turned Villa Park into his latest fortress. 

How Unai Emery turned Villa Park into his latest fortress (thetimes.co.uk) 

Email
Martin Barwood.

Martin Barwood

Martin Barwood

Professor of Applied Environmental Physiology

Overview

Martin Barwood is a Professor of Applied Environmental Physiology with over 20 years of experience in the field. His research focuses on the psychological and physiological aspects of human health and performance in extreme environments (e.g., cold water and air, heat, high altitude, high pressure). His primary research area focuses on human responses to cold water immersion and drowning prevention advice. His work has recently enabled the formation of a new iteration of the UK drowning database and facilitated the UK’s adherence to the World Health Organisation’s drowning prevention implementation guide. He also has expertise in enhancing sports performance in hot conditions, such as those experienced at the recent Tokyo Olympic Games. His primary role at LTU is to lead through his research, and he is happy to take on PhD and Masters research candidates.   

Professor Barwood has published over 200 journal articles, abstracts, and industry reports. His work appears in the leading journals in the field. His work has partly informed the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's (RNLI) “Respect the Water” campaign in collaboration with Professor Mike Tipton of Portsmouth University. This evidence base (i.e., to “Float First”) now informs the UK National Water Safety Campaign. The primary aim of the campaign is to provide safety advice to survive accidental immersion into cold water and avoid death by drowning. 

His broader work on performance enhancement in the heat, particularly for elite athletes, has led to the development of authoritative consensus guidelines advising athletes, coaches, and practitioners on how to safely utilise menthol as a cooling intervention to enhance performance. Professor Barwood has research experience in examining ergogenic and ergonomic aids to enhance sports and occupational performance, the health consequences of over-exposure to extreme environments, and how humans adapt to chronic exposure. Professor Barwood’s work is particularly pertinent considering the increasing likelihood of exposure to extreme environments due to climate change. He presents regularly at National and International conferences and makes frequent research contributions to the fields of Health and Sports Performance.  

Professor Barwood has also secured significant research income from grants, charities and from industry and has worked on recent funded projects from the European Regional Development Fund, the European Hydration Institute, Professional Game Match Officials LtD, the Scottish Sea Farms and the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation; the latter for international collaboration with Hokkaido University in Japan.  

Professor Barwood’s personal interests include endurance training, running, cycling, and kayaking. With his professional knowledge and expertise, he has helped athletes prepare for the Olympic Games, Marathon des Sables, rowing the Atlantic, the North Pole Marathon, and, most recently, the 2018 Colorado Trail Mountain bike race. He is happy to consult and support athletes in the pursuit of their goals. 

Professor Barwood is an affiliate member of the Physiological Society and a full member of the International Drowning Researchers’ Alliance (IDRA). He is also chair of the executive committee of the International Conference on Environmental Ergonomics.

Qualifications

  • PhD: The Psychophysiology of Survival: the Impact of Psychological Strategies on Human Performance in Extreme Environments [University of Portsmouth] 
  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy 
  • PGCert Learning and Teaching in Higher Education  
  • BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science 

Speciality Areas

Sports Performance and Environmental Physiology

 

Current Research

Martin's primary research area focuses on human responses to cold-water immersion and on drowning-prevention advice.

Publications

Beaumont, J.D., Starr, D., Smith, N., Davis, D., Dalton, M., Nowicky, A., Russell, M., & Barwood M.J. (2022). Effective transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) parameters for the modulation of eating behavior: A systematic literature review. Psychosomatic Medicine [accepted, 14th March, 2022]. 

Beal, H., Corbett, J., Davis, D., & Barwood, M.J. Marathon performance and pacing in the Doha 2019 women’s IAAF World Championships: Extreme heat, sub-optimal pacing and high failure rates. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, [accepted, 28th March, 2022].  

Over, D.M., Arjomandkhah, N., Beaumont, J.D., Goodall, S., & Barwood, M.J. (2022). Skin Application of Menthol Enhances Maximal Isometric Lifting Performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, [accepted, 27th April, 2022].  

Berger, N., Best, R., Best, A.W., Lane, A.M., Millet, G.Y., Barwood, M.J., Marcora, S., Wilson, P., & Bearden, S. (2022). Limits of Ultra: Towards an interdisciplinary understanding of ultra-running performance. Sports Medicine [accepted 6th September, 2023]. 

Wakabayashi, H., Sugiyama, K., Suzuki, S, Sakihama, Y, Hashimoto, M, Barwood, M.J. (2022). Influence of beetroot juice supplementation on cold-induced vasodilatation and fingertip rewarming. European Journal of Applied Physiology, [accepted, 27th September, 2022]. 

Terry, J., Barwood, M.J., Hills, S.P., 100+ authors et al (2022). Data from an International Multi-Centre Study of statistics and mathematics anxieties and related variables in university students (the SMARVUS Dataset). Journal of Open Psychology [accepted, 5th March, 2023].  

Hudson, S., Low, C., Barwood, M.J., & Fish, M. (2023). A systematic review of the physiological and biomechanical responses to load carriage during walking in males and females. Applied Ergonomics [accepted, 9th August, 2023].   

Beaumont, J.D., Davis, D., Dalton, M., Nowicky, A., Russell, M., Finlayson, G., & Barwood M.J. (2023). No effect of prefrontal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on food craving, food reward and subjective appetite in females displaying mild to moderate binge-type behaviour. Appetite, [accepted 7th August 2023]. 

Beaumont, J.D., Goodwin, E., Smith, N., Dalton, M., Davis, D., & Barwood M.J. (2023). Understanding the perceptions of brain stimulation as a tool for weight management. Appetite, [accepted 1st October, 2023]. 

Hills, S.P., Hobbs, M., Brown, P, Tipton, M.J. & Barwood M.J. (2023). Associations between air temperature and unintentional drowning risk in the United Kingdom 2012-2019: a nationwide case crossover study. Preventive Medicine, [accepted, 18th December, 2023]. 

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