Loughborough University Sports Seminar Series

Ron Maughan, Professor of Sport and Exercise Nutrition School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University

Practical recommendations based on research underpinning current nutritional recommendations in football.

Ron's expertise in exercise and sports nutrition spans over 30 years, covering physiology, biochemistry and nutrition of exercise performance. He has authored or co-authored 15 books and has presented his work extensively to international academic and sports organisations.

Chair of the International Olympic Committee Medical Commission’s Sports Nutrition group, Ron has acted as an adviser to the Government and many sports bodies including UK Sport, UK Athletics, The FA and FIFA.

Mike Gleeson, Professor of Exercise Biochemistry School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University

A discussion of the impact of football training and match play on immune function, the usefulness of blood and salivary monitoring of players, and practical recommendations for players to limit their risk of picking up infections.

Mike’s research has focused on the effects of dietary manipulation on metabolism and performance in high intensity exercise and the effects of exercise on immune function. An accredited exercise physiologist for the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), Mike has worked since 2001 with Premiership clubs on the impact of training and match play on the immune system.

Dr Mary Nevill, Director, Institute of Youth Sport School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University

An insight into ongoing research within academy football, discussing youth development and talent identification.

Mary’s current research interests include youth football with a focus on the physical/physiological variables that best distinguish players with professional potential, having gathered on over 2000 junior professional football club academy players.

She has previously researched the area of muscle metabolism during maximum sprint and intermittent exercise with a particular interest in what causes fatigue.

Dr Chris Cushion, Senior Research Lecturer in Coaching and Performance School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University

A discussion of coaching behaviour and learning environments in a football context.

Chris has a wide interest in coaching and is an external reviewer in the UK Coaching Certificate endorsement process and a UEFA qualified football coach. His expertise as a consultant has been sought extensively with clients including Premiership clubs, The FA, Sport Universal (Amisco) Sport Coach UK, Skills Active, and the Government.

He has extensive experience in sport from participation to performance coaching in the UK and the United States including 10 years’ work in professional youth football for a range of clubs.

Dr Chris Harwood, Reader in Applied Sport Psychology School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University

Focusing on some of the most important principles and initiatives with respect to the application of psychology in football. The roles of coaches, parents and practitioners will be discussed in the context of ongoing research and resource development.

Chris’ research focuses on optimising youth sport environments and the development of psychosocial skills in performers. The roles and responsibilities, as well as the demands faced by parents and coaches, feature heavily in his work. He has published extensively on these topics, particularly within football, and serves as coordinator of the FA’s Psychology for Football research programme.

As a BPS Chartered Psychologist and BASES High Performance Accredited Practitioner, Chris has consulted with a variety of sports bodies including the FA, Nottingham Forest FC, and the Lawn Tennis Association over the past 17 years.

Dr Louise Reyner, Senior Lecturer Sleep Research Centre, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University

Practical recommendations on how to improve sleep based on research that has been successfully applied in match preparation strategy for various clubs.

Louise is a lead researcher in a centre with a world-wide reputation for applied, basic and clinical research. Her work on shift work patterns and sleepiness; sleepiness related accidents and circadian rhythms has been published and presented extensively in many countries. Premiership and First Division clubs have sought Louise’s expertise to avoid jet lag, resulting in enhanced player performance.

Dr Paul Fleming, Senior Lecture in Geotechnics Civil and Building Department, Loughborough University

Dr Andy Harland, Senior Lecturer Sports Technology Institute, Loughborough University

An insight into the research associated with developments in football technology including pitch surfaces, footwear, apparel and hardware (including balls, gloves and protective equipment).

Paul has a specific research interest in sports surfaces encompassing play performance testing, player perception, surface interactions and monitoring and maintenance strategies. He manages the SportSURF network that aims to stimulate multidisciplinary research to address the problems associated with the interactions of sport players and sports surfaces.

The network brings together a broad range of stakeholders comprising academics, practitioners and sports governing bodies to share ideas and consolidate current knowledge, discuss and formulate research needs, disseminate the outcomes and seek funding for the long-term benefit of this important topic.

Andy’s research relates to the application of engineering principles within sport. He has worked with adidas on the the development of the tournament footballs for the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups and the 2004 and 2008 European Championships. Other research includes football footwear design, injury prevention in kicking, running and turning and player perception of equipment.

Dr Vern Neville, Sports Scientist President of Elite Sport Performance Systems Ltd

An insight into how variables including resting heart rate, weight, sleep, energy levels, mood, hydration, appetite, illness, muscle soreness and training performance can help players and coaches monitor and evaluate the relationship between exercise and recovery.

Vern’s main area of expertise is in developing high performance athletes by combining innovative training methods with optimum athlete support structures. An America's Cup sailor and Sports Scientist, he has been involved in elite sport for over 15 years. Having spent several years studying the physiological markers of stress and fatigue, Vern has partnered a team of scientists, coaches and IT experts to develop a software programme to help athletes reach and maintain peak fitness.

Dave Rennie, Head of Medicine and Sports Science Leicester City Football Club

Dave worked in a range of sports including rugby prior to his 11 years at Leicester City and gained further clinical experience within the NHS and private sector and as a research physiotherapist.

He played an important role in establishing the partnership between Leicester City Football Club and Loughborough University, enabling the transfer of knowledge between academia and the applied football setting. It is the combination of his clinical experience, academic learning and research that has shaped his approach to the application of science in professional football.