Meet your Programme Director

Our unique sporting environment and opportunities to work alongside world-leading athletes and industry professionals, also allow you to gain the practical experience sought after by graduate employers. This unrivalled student experience is just one of the reasons we are ranked as the number 1 university in the world for sport-related subjects (QS University Rankings).

This programme focuses on the science and practice of strength and conditioning, as well as the key principles behind performance adaptations. You’ll gain the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience needed to support athletes at every level - from grassroots participation to elite performance.

Teaching is delivered by research-active academics, like Richard, who are driving forward understanding of the skills and techniques required to excel within the sector.

Richard has provided strength and conditioning coaching support to numerous athletes over the last 15 years, including several Olympic and Paralympic finalists. He has also completed consultancy work for many national governing bodies and organisations.

Optimising strength training techniques to enhance performance

I am fascinated about the benefits of strength training exercise for endurance athletes. My research interests broadly relate to the physiology of endurance running and how overuse injuries can be prevented in endurance athletes. Findings from my research are at the heart of the Science Underlying Performance and Injury module that I deliver.

My research has provided insight into the effect that strength training has on the physiological factors that determine performance in middle- and long-distance runners. I am investigating how strength training techniques can be optimised to enhance performance and offset the risk of injury in runners, particularly during periods of low energy availability.

This research, combined with my applied coaching experiences in strength and conditioning, enables me to provide insight into how research can inform practice for specific populations of athletes.

Impact of research on your learning

The opportunity to benefit from world-leading research alongside excellent facilities which makes this programme so exciting. Most importantly, you will be learning and gaining insights from the cutting-edge research of our international academic staff throughout your time at the University.

We hope our programme will give you the knowledge and inspiration you need to succeed.

MSc in Strength and Conditioning

Programme Leader Dr Richard Blagrove provides a brief overview including the learning outcomes and opportunities available, the teaching expertise on offer and the careers available to our graduates.

If you have any questions about your offer or your course, please get in touch with us.