Monthly Updates

Find out about all the latest updates at the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport

PHC members showcase research in Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands

As we are all starting to think about summer sun, we thought we could catch up on last year’s travels, where five of our PHC members jetted off across the world for exciting research trips.
Credit Ben Lumley

Loughborough contributes to first para triathlon coaching course in Saudi Arabia

At the end of last year World Triathlon and the Saudi Triathlon Federation organized the first-ever Para triathlon coaches’ certification and development camp in the region, using content created by staff from the PHC at Loughborough University.
Wheelchair rugby match

The Science of Wheelchair Rugby 2022

Listen back to presentations delivered at the second World Wheelchair Rugby Sports Science and Sports Medicine Conference.
Ben Walker

Ben Walker joins the Peter Harrison Centre

Loughborough graduate Ben Walker has rejoined the University to undertake a PhD to inform future mental health and well-being policy at the English Institute of Sport.
PHC lab plaque

The Peter Harrison Laboratory officially named

On the 27 September, the PHC welcomed the trustees of the Peter Harrison Foundation to campus, for a special unveiling of “The Peter Harrison Laboratory” plaque, in recognition of Peter Harrison and the Foundation’s support.
Thomas Reitveld and Daniel Angus

The Peter Harrison Centre welcomes two new members

Thomas Reitveld and Daniel Angus have joined the research team at The Peter Harrison Centre.
Scottish athletes at 2022 Commonwealth Games

Peter Harrison Centre member Lynsey Speirs makes history at 2022 Commonwealth Games

Peter Harrison Centre director Professor Vicky Tolfrey and her team have been instrumental in the research surrounding wheelchair basketball in recent years, in particular the development of the 3x3 game, which featured for the very first time at this years Commonwealth Games, hosted in Birmingham.
Commodore David Pond

David Pond awarded Honorary Doctorate by Loughborough University

Each year Loughborough University confers degrees and doctorates on honorary graduands from a range of fields. We are delighted to celebrate David Pond’s Honorary Doctorate in recognition for his “remarkable loyal and hard-working commitment and leadership to GB wheelchair rugby.”
GB wheelchair rugby team

Tokyo 2020 - Wheelchair GB Rugby reflections

As members of the GB wheelchair rugby team have been recently attending the PHC lab to re-assess their levels of fitness with Tom O’Brien, PhD student James got to catch a few players for a quick chat. Below are a few highlights from the conversations.

Q&A with Simon: Why Loughborough? Opportunities and Top Tips.

Simon Briley (Lecturer at University of Derby) is a former PhD student (School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences) with matched funding from the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport (PHC) who started his studies in 2017. In this Q&A, he answers questions about his path into a PhD, and provides tips about doing a PhD.
Heather and Lynsey

Balancing a SDC scholarship with a PhD

Lynsey Speirs and Heather Macrae are current recipients of Loughborough University Elite Athlete Doctoral Scholarship which provides budding researchers the opportunity to continue their studies alongside their sporting development.
Ellie May Storr

Ellie-May Storr joins the Peter Harrison Centre

Loughborough graduate to investigate “Clean Sport in International Para Football”.

Holland, Japan, Canada, Texas, and beyond

Written by Christof Leicht

Introducing Loughborough's Para Sport Takeover Week!

As part of the collaboration between Loughborough Sport’s Recreational My Lifestyle programme and the Para Sport Executive Committee, the first ever Para Sport Takeover Week at Loughborough University is due to commence week beginning February 28th 2022!

Travelling to the Euros with British Wheelchair Basketball Squads

Last month, the European Wheelchair Basketball Championships were held in Madrid. As a PhD student focused on further defining the ‘what it takes to win’ model in wheelchair basketball, I was grateful to be able to attend the championships with the British Wheelchair Basketball squads.

Heat therapy at the PHC 2.0: the Cocoon Pod

It has been a very long study in the making, as the past couple of years certainly led to many delays.

Para Sport at Loughborough University: Executive Committee Update

Since the launch of the Para Sport strategy in December 2019, Loughborough University has been developing ways to increase the number of Para sports on offer at the University.

The PHC welcomes Pippa Bailey to Loughborough University

The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport welcomes Pippa Bailey to the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University

The PHC welcomes Lynsey Speirs to Loughborough University

The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport welcomes Lynsey Speirs to the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University

The PHC welcomes Iain Gowans to Loughborough University

The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport welcomes Iain Gowans to the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University

The PHC welcomes Yunuo Su to Loughborough University

The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport welcomes Yunuo Su to the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University

Record breaking success at Paralympics in Tokyo for Wheelchair Rugby

It has now been several weeks since GB wheelchair rugby beat the United States 54-49, to win ‘gold’ at the Paralympic Games.

Good Luck ParalympicsGB

The PHC would like to wish ParalympicsGB athletes and staff good luck in Tokyo!

Two PHC Students Join the University’s first Para Sport Executive Committee

The University has recently set-up its first ever student-led Para sport Executive Committee. The PHC is very proud to announce that two of our current PhD students, Anna Martin and James Haley, have assumed two key positions on this Committee.

The PHC welcomes Yash Deshpande to Loughborough University

The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport welcomes Yash Deshpande to the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University

Peter Harrison Centre welcomes a new visiting fellow

Rienk van der Slikke appointed as Peter Harrison Centre (PHC) visiting fellow.

A tribute to Peter Harrison (1937-2021)

It is with great sadness we announce the death of Peter Harrison CBE. Peter was one of the University’s most loyal and generous donors which enabled the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport (PHC) at Loughborough University to be established in 2005. His vision and legacy was, and still is, a true inspiration to the Paralympic movement by supporting grass route sports to elite educational scholarships for Paralympic athletes.

Dr Barry Mason to be Head of GB Wheelchair Rugby’s Performance Team

Dr Barry Mason has announced plans to move on to work with GB Wheelchair Rugby after what will then be 14 years at Loughborough University, 10 years of which as a Research Assistant/Senior Research Associate.

Loughborough PhD student delivers webinar about her research to Para Powerlifting

Luisa Vargas was invited as a guest speaker to deliver a webinar to the coaches, officials, and athletes of the World Para Powerlifting organisation.

Farewell to Dr Laura-Anne Furlong

Members of the PHC would like to wish Dr Laura-Anne Furlong (Lecturer in Biomechanics) all the best as she enjoys a break from academia (leaves Loughborough University) to spend time with her son Michael James and husband in Ireland.

Dr Viola Altmann extends her stay as Honorary Clinical Lecturer in Rehabilitation at Loughborough University

Since 2015, the Peter Harrison Centre (PHC) has cooperated with the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF International Wheelchair Rugby Federation : Home (iwrf.com)) in developing Evidence Based Classification according to the standards of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

The PHC welcomes James Haley to Loughborough University

The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport welcomes James Haley to the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University

The PHC welcomes Adam Dickinson to Loughborough University

The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport welcomes Adam Dickinson to the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University

The PHC welcomes Heather Macrae to Loughborough University

The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport welcomes Heather Macrae to the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University

Promoting Physical Activity in Thalidomide Survivors

The overarching objective of the project is to develop an understanding of Thalidomide survivors’ experiences of physical activity and use this understanding to promote an increase in physical activity motivation and behaviour.

IWBF appoints Loughborough University to lead on Classification research

IWBF appoints Loughborough University to lead on Classification research and development of a new Minimum Impairment Criteria (MIC) for wheelchair basketball.

The PHC Welcomes Brodie Miller to Loughborough University

The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport welcomes Brodie Miller to the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University.

The PHC Celebrates Research from former PhD Student Ben Stone

Former PhD student, Ben Stone has successfully published all six of his PhD studies from his time at the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport.

The PHC welcomes Anna Martin to Loughborough University

The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport welcomes Anna Martin to the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University

The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport celebrates its 15th birthday!

In 2020, the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport (PHC) turns 15 years old. To celebrate this milestone, Prof. Vicky Tolfrey (PHC Director) and her team have produced a special issue newsletter to capture our journey!

Spinal cord injury exercise guidelines translated for use in Asian countries

Exercise guidelines for people with a spinal cord injury (SCI) have been translated into four additional languages Japanese, Korean, Thai and Indonesian for use in Asian countries.

Shoulder Health Research - An update

Over the past few months, we have made some exciting developments in our research looking into shoulder health in manual wheelchair users!

The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport have been nominated for a CALIBRE award!

The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport have been nominated for a CALIBRE award in recognition of its international research partnerships

PHC staff deliver research training to Sport Empowering Disabled Youth team

Dr Janine Coates and PhD student Lesley Sharpe deliver research training to Sport Empowering Disabled Youth team in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Prof. Fumihiro Tajima appointed as a Loughborough University Visiting Professor

We are delighted to announce that as a result of our longstanding collaboration with Wakayama Medical University, Prof. Fumihiro Tajima was appointed as a Loughborough University Visiting Professor.

Peter Harrison Centre carries out research to understand more about sleep in athletes with a SCI

Sleep problems occur frequently in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). With this in mind, the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport has an on-going programme of research that is gathering data to understand more about the sleep patterns of athletes with a SCI.

Heat research from Loughborough featured in global triathlon guide

Academics from Loughborough University have helped devise a comprehensive report that will benefit triathletes and paratriathletes in their preparation to compete under hot and humid conditions – like those predicted at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Sven Hoekstra teams up with Wakayama Medical University

Following two previous visits of shorter duration, Sven Hoekstra will be joining Wakayama Medical University for six months to conduct a research study into the effects of exercise on chronic pain.

Loughborough signals intent with Para sport launch

Almost one hundred delegates gathered at Holywell Fitness Centre this week as Loughborough University officially launched its Para sport vision.

Julia Baumgart visits the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport

Julia Kathrin Baumgart visits Loughborough University as a visiting researcher joining Dr Christof Leicht

Visiting the Korea Paralympic Committee

A Peter Harrison Centre delegation was invited to Korea for the “International Seminar for Para Sports Science”, hosted by the Korea Paralympic Committee on October 16.

IPC VISTA Conference 2019

Peter Harrison Centre members presented research at the VISTA Conference 4th-7th September 2019.

Paratriathlon test event, Tokyo

This August, British Triathlon headed to Japan for a combined Olympic and Paralympic Games Test Event in Odaiba Bay, Tokyo.