ISSN 1754-3452

Issue 39, Spring 2014

Nutritional and physiological

challenges of preparing athletes
for the Winter Olympics
Plus latest on

The Sport and Exercise Scientist

Issue 39

Spring 2014

www.bases.org.uk

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Contents
On the cover

Regulars
10 News and Diary Dates

4 BASES Conference 2014 Update

Dr Claire Hitchings and
Prof Clyde Williams OBE, FBASES

12 Letters
20 Reviews
Sport apps and book reviews

14 Nutritional and physiological

challenges of preparing athletes for
the Winter Olympics
The physiological preparation of
snowboard athletes for Sochi 2014
John Noonan and Dr Graeme Close

22 CHuTzPAH: Charlies Thoughtz

on Physical Activity for Health
So what would you say to the
All Party Commission for
Physical activity?
Dr Charlie Foster
31 Final word
Dr Zoe Knowles FBASES

Also inside
16 Sport and exercise scientists to
reflect on their role in fostering a
climate of Clean Sport
An overview of the UK Anti-Doping BASES Strategic Partnership
Prof Susan Backhouse and Anne Sargent
18 Interview
Prof Greg Whyte, OBE, FBASES, FACSM,
a BASES member recently awarded an
OBE for services to sport, sport science
and to charity
24 Acting on good intentions: Why do
people fail to follow their New Years
resolutions?
Chris Fullerton, Prof Andy Lane FBASES and
Dr Tracey Devonport
26 Do we have a valid public health
strategy for exercise prescription?
An invite to think about the truth about
exercise; with a call to look more closely
at the facts from intervention studies
Prof Jamie Timmons and Prof Stuart Phillips

The two day programme is rich and provides some of

the best new research and established work as well as
insights by our top practitioners.
Prof Clyde Williams, OBE, FBASES, p4

Editor
Dr Claire Hitchings n chitchings@bases.org.uk
Editorial Advisory Board
Kelly Goodwin n Adam Hawkey n Dr James Morton
Len Parker Simpson n Samantha Parnell n Claire-Marie Roberts
Dr Garry Tew n Dr Ken van Someren FBASES
Social Media Editor
John Mills
Editorial Assistants
Jane Bairstow n Marsha Stankler
Want to place an advertisement?
Visit www.bases.org.uk/SES-Advertisers or contact Jane Bairstow
0113 812 6162 n jbairstow@bases.org.uk

Design and artwork

Andy Smyth
Disclaimer
The statements and opinions contained in the articles are solely those
of the individual contributors and are not necessarily those of BASES.
The appearance of advertisements in the publication is not a warranty,
endorsement or approval of products or services. BASES has
undertaken all reasonable measures to ensure that the information
contained in The Sport and Exercise Scientist is accurate and
specifically disclaims any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise,
which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly of the use
and application of any of the contents.
Copyright BASES, 2014
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in substantial part
without permission of BASES is strictly prohibited. Please apply to
the editor in writing. Authors may use their own material elsewhere
without permission. We ask that the following note be included:
First published in The Sport and Exercise Scientist, date and issue
number. Published by the British Association of Sport and Exercise
Sciences www.bases.org.uk n

What do you think of The Sport and Exercise Scientist?

Were keen to know what you want more of, whats missing
and what we should drop. Were also keen to hear from
potential contributors. Contact the editor, Dr Claire Hitchings n
chitchings@bases.org.uk

BASES Board
Prof Ian Campbell (Chair) n Peter Cooke
Dr Michael Duncan FBASES n Adam Hawkey n Dr Claire Hitchings
Dr Stephen Ingham n Prof Lars McNaughton FBASES
Prof Mary Nevill n Dr Keith Tolfrey FBASES n Dr Bob Price OBE
Prof Richard Tong FBASES n Prof Clyde Williams OBE, FBASES

Want to submit a letter to the editor?

Letters, which may be edited or shortened for reasons of space
or clarity, should be no longer than 300 words, must refer to an
article that has appeared in the last issue, and must include the
writers name.

Issue 39, Spring 2014

ISSN 1754-3444

The Sport and Exercise Scientist

The Sport and Exercise Scientist is published quarterly for
the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences. The
publication is free to BASES members. BASES is a nonprofit
professional membership organisation promoting excellence
in sport and exercise sciences. It is a Company Limited by
Guarantee Registered in Cardiff No. 5385834.

28 Do golf ball dimples negatively affect

golf ball roll kinematics?
The effects of the impact point on a golf ball
and the impact point on a putter on
the resulting ball roll kinematics
Ashley Richardson and Dr Gerwyn Hughes

Nutritional and physiological

challenges of preparing athletes
for the Winter Olympics
Plus latest on

The Sport and Exercise Scientist

Issue 39

Spring 2014

www.bases.org.uk

Check out
previous issues
All copies of The Sport and
Exercise Scientist are available
in PDF format in the Member
Area at www.bases.org.uk. You
will need your username (your
e-mail address) and password
(sent to you via e-mail when
you joined BASES).

Want to contact BASES?

BASES, Room 103, Headingley Carnegie Stand
St Michaels Lane, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 3BR n Tel/Fax:
0113 812 6162/63 n enquiries@bases.org.uk n www.bases.org.uk

Publisher
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Tel: 01254 395512 n info@mercer-print.co.uk
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The Sport and Exercise Scientist is printed on paper from
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Please recycle

Front Cover
Zoe Gillings n www.experthealth.me

The Sport and Exercise Scientist

Issue 39

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Spring 2014

www.bases.org.uk

The flagship event for the

British Association of Sport and
Exercise Sciences
Dr Claire Hitchings, BASES Executive Officer provides the latest on the must-attend event of the year.
Working with leaders in sports conferencing management.
The Media Group were personally recommended to BASES and
have a proven track record in delivering high quality events.
400 word abstracts containing no tables or figures. All
accepted abstracts will be published in an online supplement of
the Journal of Sports Sciences.
Abstracts with a BASES Fellow as an author or sponsor will
automatically be accepted to the programme (space permitting).
Authors will submit abstracts via ScholarOne (the system used
for Journal of Sports Sciences article submissions)

Welcome
Prof Clyde Williams, OBE, FBASES - Chair of
the Scientific Programme Committee
Im confident that our world-leading
content and venue will provide the
perfect event for anyone interested in
sport and exercise sciences.
Our Scientific Programme
Committee brings to the task of
designing the Conference Programme
a vast range of experience, expertise
and personal commitment and so I
am delighted with the content and format chosen and Im
confident you will be too.
The two day programme is rich and provides some of the
best new research and established work as well as insights
by our top practitioners.
The prestigious St. Georges Park is a perfect venue for
the BASES flagship event and provides a great space to
unwind and relax with likeminded professionals.
I do hope you will join us on 25 and 26 November for
what promises to be one of the highlights of the sports and
exercises sciences calendar.
I look forward to seeing you there.

The must attend event

Two-day programme focused on the hot topics relevant to sport
and exercise scientists
Engaging content including debates, keynotes and invited
symposium presented by experts
Opportunities to present your research
Open doors to opportunities via the largest sport and exercise
science network in the UK
Fives BASES re-accreditation credits per day.
Present your research
Share your up-to-date findings and receive valuable feedback
from colleagues
Free communication sessions available for work demonstrating
excellence in terms of originality, significance and rigour
All abstracts will be published in an online supplement of the
Journal of Sports Sciences
Poster sessions held in the Conference Hub - right at the centre
of the event
Contribute to your overall research profile
Meet other researchers and make valuable future contacts
Awards available for BASES members
Gain 10 BASES re-accreditation credits per presentation.

Important Dates
Abstract submission opens: Tuesday 1 April
Abstract submission closes: Friday 25 April
Early-bird registration closes: Tuesday 1 July
Whats new for 2014?
A world-leading Scientific Programme Committee, chaired
by Prof Clyde Williams, OBE, FBASES, is responsible for the
conference programme, ensuring a wide range of sport and
exercise science hot topics presented by leaders in the field.
Condensed into two days - BASES Conference 2014 will take
place on 25 and 26 November.
AGM and BASES Strategic Plan 2015 onwards event
scheduled for the evening of 24 November.
Prestigious venue - St. Georges Park. The Football
Associations brand new, state-of-the-art talent development
centre is located in the heart of the country. It is the perfect
setting for our event with world class facilities all under one roof.

Abstract submission deadline - 25 April 2014

Social
The event programme has been designed to include chances for
you to network with like-minded people as well as opportunities
to relax and unwind in the bar or the gym.
The end of Day 1 culminates in a gala dinner with complimentary
drinks and guest speaker Prof Greg Whyte, OBE, FBASES.
Dont forget to bring your running shoes! Day 2 starts with an
early morning run around the beautiful grounds of St. Georges
Park. Were also offering complimentary guided tours of the
extensive sporting facilities.

The Sport and Exercise Scientist

Issue 39

Spring 2014

www.bases.org.uk

Early bird delegate rates (available until Tuesday 1 July)

BASES Conference 2014 is run as a not-for-profit event. Delegates fees
have been set based on break-even projections.

Above: The prestigious St. Georges Park is a perfect

venue for the BASES flagship event
Courtesy St. Georges Park

All delegate fees include VAT.

Two-day packages (including one nights accommodation on
Tuesday 25 November):
BASES Member - 400
BASES Student Member - 300
Non-Member - 500
Single day packages also available:
BASES Member - 200
BASES Student Member - 150
Non-Member - 250
(Excluding gala dinner tickets @ 50).

Exhibitor and Sponsor Packages

Early bird discount available - book before 25 April 2014
and save 100
Centrally located exhibition space for two days;
600 + VAT - Save 100 - Book by 25 April 2014

Accommodation
BASES Conference 2014 offers accommodation packages designed
to be flexible to meet different budget requirements.
BASES members and non-members
The two-day BASES members and non-members residential
package is inclusive of accommodation in the onsite 4* Hilton
Hotel. Guest rooms are beautifully appointed, many with stunning
views of the surrounding countryside. Each room includes a
workspace with a large desk and a comfortable space to relax in.
BASES student members
The two-day BASES student members residential package includes
more affordable 3* accommodation located within 15 minutes of St.
Georges Park. A free shuttle service will be provided to and from
St. Georges Park.
Exhibitors and sponsors
Your organisation can be a part of the flagship event for BASES
Meet budget holders and decision-makers
Central location in the Conference Hub guaranteeing footfall and
exposure. The Conference Hub will house refreshments, the
poster sessions and delegate social activities
World class venue with everything under one roof
Up to 500 delegates per day - including sport and exercise
science academics and practitioners, BASES members, industry
professionals and researchers
Position your brand alongside world-leading content
Gain valuable sector insight.
The Sport and Exercise Scientist

Issue 39

Spring 2014

www.bases.org.uk

2012 Impact Factor 2.082 Ranking

22/84 (Sport Sciences)
2013

Regular 70
Student 29

Both online only

www.tandfonline.com/rjsp

Abstract Guidelines
BASES invites BASES Conference 2014 delegates to submit
abstracts in the following sport and exercise science-related
themes:

1. Biomechanics and Motor Behaviour

2. Performance Analysis
3. Physical Activity for Health
4. Physiology and Nutrition
5. Psychology
6. Sport and Performance.

Format of presentation

is not only practically relevant but academically defendable.

Authors are encouraged to explain how the results of the work
have contributed to knowledge and practice in the field.

Two presentation formats are available:

1. Free communication presentation - a 10-minute
presentation of your work followed by questions, in a chaired
session with other presenters. For programming reasons,
slots for free communication presentations are limited and
preference will be given to those demonstrating excellence in
terms of originality, significance and rigour.

The deadline for abstract submissions is Friday 25 April.

Abstracts should be no more than 400 words, containing
no tables or figures. Word counts are calculated using the word
count tool in Word. Abstract title, authors and institutions are not
considered in calculating the wordage.

2. Poster presentation - your poster will be displayed with

others and the times you will be available to discuss your work
with delegates will be published in the programme.

Studies using qualitative and/or quantitative methods are invited.

On the on-line submission form the presenting author, on behalf of
all of the authors, needs to declare that the material submitted is
original and unpublished, and that it is not under consideration for
presentation elsewhere.

To assist with programming, each person is only permitted

to submit an abstract as first named author for one free
communication presentation and one poster presentation.
The first named author must present the abstract.

All accepted abstracts will be

published in an online supplement of
the Journal of Sports Sciences.

Presenters must pay the delegate fee for the conference.

Published on behalf of BASES,

in partnership with the World
Commission of Science and
Sports and in association with
the International Society for
Advancement of Kinanthropometry,
Journal of Sports Sciences publishes
articles of the highest standard.

Abstracts will be reviewed and authors will be notified of one of the

following decisions:

Abstract review process

1. Accept
2. Accept with minor amends
3. Reject.
Abstracts with a BASES Fellow as an author or sponsor will
automatically be accepted to the programme (space permitting).

2012 Impact Factor: 2.082

Ranking: 22/84 (Sport Sciences)
Thomson Reuters, Journal Citation Reports

1. Abstract Format Guidelines

Types of presentation
Two types of presentation are available:
1. Scientific Communication. A scientific communication is an
opportunity to share findings from scientific research.
2. Applied Practice Presentation. An applied practice
presentation is an opportunity to share findings from applied
practice. The presentation could include findings from or
reflections on applied work. These sessions should be particularly
useful for practitioners and those members on supervised
experience and/or seeking re-/accreditation. The aim of such
abstracts is to allow practitioners to broadcast evidenced-based
practice. As such, there should be clear evidence that the work
is underpinned by theory and research. The needs analysis
undertaken to determine the clients requirements and the
content of the resulting support/intervention package should be
explained. The results should be presented in a format that

1.1 The following guidelines are designed to assist authors

prepare their abstracts. Because of the differences across
research methods, there is no one prescribed format for
an abstract. Authors are encouraged to use a format most
appropriate for the methods used.
1.2 Authors must adhere to the Journal of Sports
Sciences guidelines for authors, extended guidelines
are available at: www.tandfonline.com/action/
authorSubmission?journalCode=rjsp20&page=instructions
1.3 Some important style points include:
British English spelling and punctuation is preferred.
Please use double quotation marks, except where a
quotation is within a quotation.
Present dates as 20 December 2012.
Abbreviations, units and symbols should conform to
Systeme International dunites (SI units).
For all abbreviations other than units, write the word
or words to be abbreviated in full on the first mention
followed by the abbreviation in parentheses.
Avoid the use of non-standard abbreviations within the text.

The Sport and Exercise Scientist

Issue 39

Spring 2014

www.bases.org.uk

Above: Poster presentations will take place in

the Conference Hub, guaranteeing footfall.
Courtesy University of Glasgow

Use capital and italic P for p values; use years not

yrs; use min, h, s for minutes, hours, seconds. See
extended style guidelines online for more information.
1.4 Authors are encouraged to include social media
contact details, such as Twittter handles, as part of their
correspondence details.
1.5 It is anticipated that most papers will follow the format of:
The title. This should be concise and reflect the work being
described. Only the first word begins with a capital letter,
unless a proper noun is used.
Background. The authors need to present the theoretical
and/or empirical framework that the study builds upon, or
is related to.
The purpose. All research should have a purpose. The
purpose should outline the principal objectives and scope
of the study. For a quantitative research design that tests a
specific hypothesis, it might be: Therefore, the purpose
of this study was to investigate the influence of A on B. It
should be emphasised that the authors are encouraged to
state the purpose of the work concisely and if the purpose
was exploratory, then this should be stated.
The methods. The methods describe how data were
collected so that another researcher could repeat the
research. There should be a statement indicating that
ethical approval was granted.
Results. Authors must provide a clear explanation of their
results and are encouraged to use the most appropriate
format to do this. Quantitative researchers should report
effect sizes and P values (e.g., P = 0.048). P < 0.01 is
appropriate for values exceeding 3 decimal places (e.g., P
= 0.000021). The number of decimal places a P value is
reported to depends on the statistical analysis undertaken
and what is being measured and its meaningfulness. Thus
an author could report P values to 2 and 3 decimal places
in the same abstract, but in different analyses. Qualitative
researchers are encouraged to use themes and /or
quotations to illustrate their findings.
Conclusion. Authors must conclude the relevance of their
findings in relation to existing knowledge. This could be
theory, research, and/or practice. Authors are encouraged
to provide clear recommendations on the value of their
work and reflect on the extent to which findings relate to
one or more educational, professional development or
applied issues for sport and exercise scientists.
The Sport and Exercise Scientist

Issue 39

Spring 2014

1.6 The font should be Arial size 12. Statistical abbreviations

should, normally, be italicised (e.g., t, P < 0.05), with vectors
(e.g., v) in italic typeface.
1.7 References must be kept to an absolute minimum and must
be used only if essential. When used, any references must be
incorporated into the text of the abstract. The required style
of referencing for abstracts is shown in section 2.
2. Referencing
Referencing must follow the APA reference guide provided at:
www.tandfonline.com/action authorSubmission?journalCode=
rjsp20&page=instructions
The following are examples illustrating the referencing method to
be used.
2.1. The resultant hand forces were calculated and projected onto
the forward direction (propulsive force) for each phase of the
stroke (Schleihauf, A. A. [1979]. In J. Terauds & W. Bedingfield
(Eds.) Swimming III (pp. 300-316). Baltimore, MD: University
Park Press). [This illustrates the citation of a paper or chapter
in a book].
2.2. A 1% treadmill grade was used, after the recommendations
of Jones and Doust ([1996]. Journal of Sports Sciences, 14, 321327). Our findings were similar to those previously reported
(e.g. Jones & Doust, 1996). [This illustrates the first and
second citations of a journal paper].
2.3. Propelling efficiency was defined as ... (Toussaint [1988].
Mechanics and energetics of swimming. Amsterdam: Rodopi).
[This illustrates the citation of a book].
2.4. The differences between groups for the nine release
parameters from Best et al. ([1993]. Journal of Sports Sciences,
11, 315-328) ...[This illustrates the citation of a source, here a
journal paper, with more than two authors].
Copyright BASES, 2014
Acknowledgements: Dr Claire Hitchings, Prof Clyde Williams, OBE, FBASES,
Prof Edward Winter FBASES and James Munro.

www.bases.org.uk

Programme Highlights
The Scientific Programme Committee, chaired by Prof Clyde Williams, OBE, FBASES, is delighted to announce
some of the sessions scheduled for BASES Conference 2014.
Debate: The future of physical activity and public health
Dr Hidde van der Ploeg (VU University Medical Center Amsterdam,
Netherlands), Prof Ulrik Wisloff (Norwegian University of Science
and Technology, Norway) and Prof Jamie Timmons (Loughborough
University, UK) Moderator: Dr Jason Gill FBASES (University of
Glasgow)
Dr Hidde van der Ploeg will discuss the evidence regarding
sedentary behaviour and health outcomes, whether this is
independent of physical activity, the mechanisms involved and
novel interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour. Prof Ulrik
Wisloff will consider the evidence for the benefits of very high
intensity exercise, the mechanisms involved, and results from
randomised controlled trials in healthy and clinical populations.
Prof Jamie Timmons will discuss why the benefits of exercise
may not be the same for everyone and how it may be possible to
identify responders and non-responders to exercise interventions.
All speakers will consider the implications of the evidence for the
future of physical activity public health guidelines.
Invited Keynote: Peak performance - emotional and physical
resilience and its potential to save lives
Dr Alys Cole-King (Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board
and Connecting with People, UK) Chair: Dr Rich Neil (Cardiff
Metropolitan University, UK)
Dr Alys Cole-King will provide an overview of research showing the
false dichotomy of the mind-body split and the prevalence of mental
illness in general public and its relevance to sports. It will introduce
delegates to Connecting with People solutions and how all have a
role in suicide prevention. Evidence for building resilience will also
be presented.
Invited Keynote: How I became the best in the world!
Three times squash world champion, current World number1 and
double Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Nick Matthew with
multiple world champion coach David Pearson Chair: Stafford Murray
(English Institute of Sport, UK)
This session will explore and examine how Nick Matthew has
successfully deployed sports science throughout his career helping
to give him an edge over his opponents around the globe. Through
the highs and lows of his incredible career Nick has always seen the
strength of sports science and has created novel personal methods
of applying science in his training and performance. This session
will outline successful scientific interventions and will also question
how we as scientists decide which will be most impactful. David
Pearson will add a fascinating insight into how traditional coaching
methodologies should dovetail with modern science applications but should never replace them!
Invited Symposium: Talent vs training
Dr Ross Tucker (Sports Science Institute of South Africa, South Africa)
and Dr Stuart Laing (English Institute of Sport and UK Sport, UK)
Chair: Dr Peter Brown (English Institute of Sport, UK)
This session will provide a variety of perspectives on what it takes
to be talented and a successful athlete. There will be a scientific
perspective of nature vs nurture from an academic, a real world
perspective of undertaking current and future talent identification
and talent transfer projects within the English Institute of Sport
and UK Sport, and also an athletes perspective of how talent ID
projects have made a difference.

Invited Symposium: Trainability during childhood and

adolescence
Dr Melitta McNarry (Swansea University, UK), Dr Alan Barker
(University of Exeter, UK) and Dr Jon Oliver (Cardiff Metropolitan
University, UK)
Chair: Prof Mary Nevill (Nottingham Trent University, UK)
This session will provide a concise synthesis of the present
controversy surrounding the presence of a maturational
threshold. The conclusions of this synthesis will be applicable
within talent identification and development programmes and,
more generally, in the treatment and prevention of inactivityrelated disorders in young people.
Invited Symposium: Nutrition for optimum training
adaptation
Michael Naylor (English Institute of Sport, UK) and Mhairi Keil
(English Institute of Sport, UK) Chair: Dr Kevin Currell (English
Institute of Sport, UK)
While there is an increase in research looking at the interaction
between nutrition and exercise and the effects on the adaptive
response to the exercise bout, applying this in the real world
can be challenging. This symposium will take a practitioners
viewpoint on how nutrition can be used to enhance training
adaptation in different sporting environments.
Invited Symposium: Exercise and healthy ageing
Prof Marco Narici (The University of Nottingham, UK), Prof Janet
Lord (University of Birmingham, UK) and Prof Dawn Skelton
(Glasgow Caledonain University, UK) Chair: Prof John Saxton
FBASES (University of East Anglia, UK)
In this symposium, three outstanding researchers in their field
will present current evidence for the role of exercise and
healthy lifestyle behaviours in ameliorating the negative health
consequences of ageing.
Conference dinner
After dinner speaker: Prof Greg Whyte, OBE, FBASES
(Liverpool John Moores University, UK)
Details will soon be available on the following invited
symposium:
Improving performance of disabled athletes challenges and solutions, Prof Wolfgang Potthast (German
Sport University Cologne) (confirmed)
Sports science of football, Prof Barry Drust (Liverpool
John Moores University/Liverpool Football Club, UK) and
Tony Strudwick (Head of Sport Science of Manchester United
Football Club, UK) (confirmed, pending fixtures for next
season)
Applied Sport Psychology: An Expert Panel
Discussion,
Dr Chris Harwood FBASES (Loughborough University, UK)
(confirmed)
Football Clubs: Venues for Health Interventions for Fans.
Scientific Programme Committee: Prof Clyde Williams, OBE,
FBASES (Chair), Dr Peter Brown, Dr Kevin Currell, Dr Jason Gill
FBASES, Stafford Murray, Dr Richard Neil, Prof John Saxton FBASES
and Dr Paul Worsfold.

The Sport and Exercise Scientist

Issue 39

Spring 2014

www.bases.org.uk

The Sport and Exercise Scientist

Issue 39

Spring 2014

www.bases.org.uk

News

Diary Dates

BASES Fellows in the Top 100 Scientists

1 Apr. BASES Supervised

Experience scheme registration
deadline

13-15 May. Advanced Course on

Dietary Assessment Methods,
Jurys Inn, Aberdeen

8-9 Apr. BASES Student

Conference 2014, University of
Portsmouth

14 May. BASES SE Workshop

4: Understanding Your Client,
Teesside University

10-12 Apr. 6th Exercise & Sports

Science Australia Conference and
Sports Dieticians Australia Update:
Research to Practice, Adelaide,
South Australia

16 May. BACPR Exercise

Professionals Spring Group Study
Day: Pushing the Boundaries in
Cardiovascular Prevention and
Rehabilitation, Aston University,
Birmingham

Three BASES Fellows have been recognised within the Top 100
Scientists in a list published by the Science Council. To identify its
list of 100, the Science Council organised a competition around 10
different types of scientist roles. The list of 100 has 10 different
examples of each of the 10 types and gives a broad picture of the
many different ways people work with science, making valuable
contributions across UK society and the economy. The BASES
Fellows recognised within this prestigious group of scientists are:
Prof Alison McConnell FBASES
Entrepeneur Scientist category.
Alison is Professor of Applied Physiology at Brunel University.
She is responsible for creating the breathing training product
category POWERbreathe. She is also responsible for ensuring
that inspiratory muscle training is available to NHS patients on
prescription.

11 Apr. BASES Biomechanics

Interest Group Annual Meeting,
Manchester Metropolitan
University

1 June. BASES International

Conference Grants submission
deadline

30 Apr. BASES Workshop Power: Understanding Cycling

Performance, National Cycling
Centre, Manchester

Greg is Professor of Applied Sport and Exercise Science at Liverpool

John Moores University. He has published over 200 peer-reviewed
papers and assisted in the preparation of five Olympic and three
Commonwealth Games teams. He is a member of the Sport Relief
(Comic Relief) Advisory Board and has worked on 13 Sport Relief
projects.

Prof Clyde Williams, OBE, FBASES

Developer/Translational Scientist category.
Clyde was appointed OBE in the 2009 Queens Birthday Honours
list for services to sports science. In 2011 he received an Honorary
Fellowship of the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine of the
Royal Colleges of Surgeons (Ed) and Royal College of Physicians
(London).

4 June. BASES SE Workshop:

Reflective Practice for Sport
& Exercise Scientists, Cardiff
Metropolitan University

6 May. BASES Undergraduate

Endorsement Scheme deadline

Prof Greg Whyte, OBE, FBASES

Communicator Scientist category.

5 June. 2nd Strength, Conditioning

& Research Symposium, Coventry
University

7 May. BASES SE Workshop

4: Understanding Your Client,
University of Chester
12 May. Introductory Course on
Dietary Assessment Methods,
University of Aberdeen
Further information:
www.bases.org.uk
Events n Awards n Grants

BASES High Performance Sport

Re-Accreditation

18 June. BASES SE Workshop:

Professional Ethics for Sport
and Exercise Scientist, Leeds
Metropolitan University
25-26 Nov. BASES Conference
2014, St. Georges Park, Burton
upon Trent, Staffordshire

Misha Botting, sportscotland institute of sport.

BASES Certified Exercise Practitioner

Richard Bradshaw, Self-employed, Edward Caldow, Salford Royal

NHS, Craig Herron, Gateshead NHS Foundation Trust, Anthony
Macdonald, Northumberland Tyne & Wear NHS, Yasmin Pain, The
Samson Centre.

BASES Masters Dissertation of the

Year Award

Philip Hurst, Canterbury Christ Church University,

is the winner of the BASES Masters Dissertation of
the Year Award and wins an expenses paid free
communication presentation at BASES Conference
2014. His dissertation was entitled Caffeine:
Expectancy and pharmacological effects on 1000 m
running performance and was supervised by Jennifer
Roberts and Lisa Board.

BASES Change of Address

Study Postgraduate
Sport at Winchester
MSc Applied Sport and
Exercise Science*
Study a mixture of approaches to sport and exercise
science which draws on physiology, psychology and
biomechanics. Experience a blend of theoretical,
practical, experiential and professional approaches
to sports performance and exercise health. Learn
the skills required to work in an applied sport and/or
exercise science setting.

Specialist modules include:

Applied Sport and Exercise Science
Applied Sport and Exercise Physiology
Applied Sport and Exercise Biomechanics
Applied Sport Psychology
Applied Exercise Psychology

MA Sport and Society*

Study the main issues impacting sport and society
from a multidisciplinary social scientific approach
drawing on sociology, history, management and law.

Please direct all correspondence to: The British Association of

Sport and Exercise Sciences, Headingley Carnegie Stand, Room
103, St Michaels Lane, Headingley, Leeds, LS6 3BR.

Specialist modules include:

Sport and Society: Theoretical Perspectives
Sport, Gender and Sexuality
Sport and the Nation
Commercial Influences in Global Sport

Social Media
You can now follow BASES on Twitter @basesuk
Like us on Facebook /basesuk

For further information

Keep up-to-date with all the latest information, job vacancies, access to
articles and reminders of those all important deadlines!

10

please visit www.winchester.ac.uk/courses or contact course enquiries and applications on:

+44 (0)1962 827234 or email: course.enquiries@winchester.ac.uk
* Both courses start in September. Entry requirements are a relevant degree (2:2 or above).

The Sport and Exercise Scientist

Issue 39

Spring 2014

www.bases.org.uk

Celebrate 40 years of excellence

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Letters
Technical excellence is taken as a given

Letter of the issue

Share and share alike

Re: Data sharing

I enjoyed your paper on Y, can you please send me the raw
data. Would these words elate or horrify you? The social sciences
have a long history of transparency and data sharing, which are
now appearing as recommendations in some national research
funding bodies. The data from ESRC funded studies (and many
others) are held at The UK Data Archive; a fully searchable
repository of high-quality research data - www.data-archive.
ac.uk/find. It is hosted at the University of Essex but data are feely
available to most academic institutions. Many social science studies
now contain biomarkers meaning researchers (staff and students)
can access nationally representative samples of: blood pressure,
body composition and even handgrip strength. It was following
my own unsuccessful search for the term cardiorespiratory
fitness data in 2006, I began the East of England Healthy Hearts
Study. These data, including cardiorespiratory fitness, power
and strength, physical activity, screen-time and indicators of
socioeconomic status of more than 8,000 children will also
shortly be made publicly available via the UK Data Archive. The
methodological rigour of epidemiologists are admirable and while
cluster-controlled, nested, multi-level sampling is beyond the
needs of many sports science investigations, we can learn much
from such research. Archiving data will soon be a requirement of
many funders which, I personally welcome. Knowing your data
will be publicly available creates an unrivalled need for accuracy
and even a sense of responsibility for the accuracy of your data.
I would like to see the East of England Data being used in teaching
sessions, statistics practicals, under- and postgraduate projects
and further research by BASES members with fresh, innovative
research ideas. I also look forward to more data sharing between
sports scientists and collaboration over shared data in the future.
- DR GAVIN SANDERCOCK, UNIVERSITY OF ESSEX
BASES Reflective Practice workshop
As a BASES SE supervisor and reviewer I would like to commend
Professor Andy Miles and Dr Brendan Cropley for the superbly
engaging Reflective Practice workshop they recently delivered
to aspiring sport and exercise scientists starting out on their
journey of supervised experience. As a reviewer I am interested
in the reflective practice approach adopted by practitioners and,
on occasion, concerned by variation in the standard, depth and
breadth of evidence submitted to meet the requirement of that
particular competency. Then there are times when I reflect
and wonder if the feedback and advice I offer as a reviewer
complements or contradicts the information presented through
the core workshop. Only one way to find outattend the
Reflective Practice workshop! The one day workshop was
thoroughly enjoyable and invaluable, both to me in my role as a
supervisor and reviewer, as well as for the intended audience.
The pace was excellent, the content was focused and the applied
examples put reflective practice into context. Throughout,
Andy and Brendan offered clear advice about how to evidence
reflective practice, presenting examples and usable templates
from their own practice. To conclude, I was heartened to hear
there is no single way to approach reflective practice, what is
important you find the way that works best for you. Over the day,
having introduced myself as a BASES reviewer, I was asked on a
number of occasions what exactly reviewers were looking for in
the portfolio of evidence. Interesting conversations followed. I
just wonder whether, or not, SE candidates would welcome more
opportunities to meet the reviewers during their attendance at
core workshops? And, on the other hand, are there supervisors
and reviewers eager to attend core workshops, (1) for their own
personal development and (2) to contribute to the development
of others? Just a thought- LISA BOARD

12

Re: Letters: What makes the perfect sports scientist? And Sound
scientific underpinning of a practitioner
It was with interest that we read the letters from Anon and Dr
Morton. It is pleasing to know that both agree with our central
tenet: To succeed as an applied practitioner it is your personal skills
that enable you to fully apply your technical ones. There are 100s
of sports science graduates/post graduates each year with a sound
scientific underpinning knowledge seeking employment. For those
looking to work in high performance, this level of technical expertise
is taken as the base non-negotiable. It is, as Dr Morton notes, an
individuals bedside manner (i.e., non-technical skills) that will make
the difference regarding whether he/she can be truly effective. It is
not as simple as Anon suggests ie can you communicate your technical
knowledge to a child? It is much more - can you influence an Olympic
medal winning athlete to change how they train? Can you persuade
your Performance Director to divert funds to support the untried
technological innovation you wish to introduce? Can you dissolve
the conflict between the coach and athlete who have differing views
and both want you on their side? Can you take on a leadership role,
becoming the boss of team mates who are all older than you? In our
experience, unless practitioners have or develop these skills they
will not get the best opportunity to do what they set out to, namely
help make a performance difference. This is why we used a series
of case studies in Achieving Excellence in High Performance Sport.
All of the experienced practitioners interviewed noted that technical
excellence is taken as a given; however, to be effective and successful,
practitioners also need excellent non-technical skills. It is also the
reason that having these skills are core requirements for BASES
Accreditation. - DR SARAH ROWELL FBASES AND TIM KYNDT

Good guys or Good scientists - a dilemma for

practitioners working in the high performance
environment.

Re: Letters: What makes the perfect sports scientist? And Sound
scientific underpinning of a practitioner
Anon and Dr Morton argued for more emphasis on science, with
Anon going on to say a good practitioner should be 98% scientist,
2% good guy. But apportioning percentage contributions is probably
unhelpful, since in reality you have to be both a good guy and an
excellent scientist in this game, with the emphasis highly dependent
on the situation. The Beginning: This is all about coach and athlete
buy in. Here the practitioner is going to need to build a rapport with
the coach and athlete by using emotional intelligence and flexing their
communication style to the people in front of them. The Problem:
Support at an elite level is an exercise in problem solving, normally a
very complex problem. Here the practitioner will need good listening
skills, good technical knowledge, be a critical thinker. The Solution:
The biggest skill here is to make the solution simple, and fit it into the
bigger picture of the athletes life. It needs to be communicated in the
manner appropriate for the client, and of course needs to be based on
sound scientific principles. The measurement: The solution should be
monitored. Here good scientific principles should be applied to ensure
appropriate numbers and data are accurate. Validation: Scientific
principles apply here. However, so do persuasion skills, as the
practitioner will often have to work with those in academia to prove
the validity of their solution. A good guy will get buy in, but struggle
to solve problems with a strong evidence base. Likewise, an athlete
and coach wont care about publications or the title Dr before a name,
but will demand someone with the knowledge to make a difference. DR KEVIN CURRELL, HEAD OF PERFORMANCE NUTRITION, EIS
AND DR EMMA ROSS, HEAD OF PHYSIOLOGY, EIS
Write the Letter of the issue and win a years free BASES membership.
Letters, which may be edited or shortened for reasons of space or
clarity, should be no longer than 300 words, must refer to an article
that has appeared in the last issue, and must include the writers name.
Please e-mail chitchings@bases.org.uk

The Sport and Exercise Scientist

Issue 39

Spring 2014

www.bases.org.uk

FAculty oF HEAltH, SociAl cARE And EducAtion

Learn fLexibLy.
Leading innovation in
HeaLtH and WeLLbeing.

MSc Applied Exercise for Health

Sc Rehabilitation
M
Kingston University London and St. Georges,
University of London.
If youre a professional in health, wellbeing and social care,
develop both your knowledge and career on one of our innovative
programmes. You can choose to study full time (2 days a week),
part time (1 day a week) or just the modules youre passionate about.
Here at a campus we share with one of the UKs largest teaching
hospitals, well advance your understanding and increase your
knowledge of the underlying theory, research and policy guiding
current health practice.
For more information about the courses, please email Phil carver,
Principal lecturer School of Rehabilitation Sciences at:
p.carver@sgul.kingston.ac.uk or visit our website.

www.healthcare.ac.uk/leadinginnovation

Medical body composition. With the seca mBCA.

ad_med_mBCA_UK_engl_12_A5_zw_final.indd 1

02.05.2012 17:04:27

Nutritional and
physiological
challenges of
preparing athletes
for the Winter
Olympics
John Noonan and Dr Graeme Close examine the
physiological preparation of snowboard athletes for
the Winter Olympics in Sochi 2014.
Introduction
Whilst skiing has been an integral part of winter Olympic
competition since 1936 (Germany Winter Olympic Games),
snowboarding is a progressing sport and was only introduced
in the 1998 Japan Winter Olympics. This year, a record number
of five snowboard events took place in the Winter Olympics in
Sochi, Russia. Despite a growth in professional competition and
growing media attention, there is still a lack of understanding of
quality practice for athlete preparation tailored to meet eventspecific needs. This article examines the physiological preparation
of snowboard athletes for Sochi 2014 with a specific focus on the
strength and conditioning and nutritional challenges.
Technical demands of the sport
Like many progressing sports, the major challenge to the sports
scientist is the lack of scientific research to draw from when it comes
to preparation of the athletes thus references must come from
ski-related research. However, care must be taken when applying
the same training principles with diverse time motion demands seen
across all ski and snowboard disciplines. Alpine ski competition can
be divided into two areas: Speed and technical events. Each event is
differentiated by gate placement, turning radius, speed and course
length, with speeds recorded in downhill and super giant slalom up to
130 km/h. A downhill race may last as long as 2-3 minutes and a giant
slalom race, which involves more turns but a shorter course, usually
lasts 1-2 minutes. Technical events of slalom and giant slalom are
slower, with skiers only reaching 20-60 km/h, but occur on steeper
terrain. The giant slalom typically lasts 60-90 seconds, while the
slalom lasts 45-60 seconds and includes very narrow, short turns.
In contrast, snowboard events are defined as alpine racing and
freestyle (technical) events. Alpine racing events of parallel slalom
and parallel giant slalom take approximately 22-30 seconds, and
35-45 seconds to complete respectively. In contrast, the freestyle
events do not base performance on racing, but rather tricks
and movement expression, as seen in slopestyle and halfpipe
competition. In slopestyle, riders perform tricks on boxes, rails and
other man-made features, while halfpipe riders will compete on a
trough-type feature made either entirely of snow or with a base
of shaped earth. Competitive runs take around 20-30 seconds
and involve 6-8 hits. Finally, the snowboard-cross event includes
between 4-6 athletes that race simultaneously down a man-made
course, negotiating a series of freestyle like features, whilst traveling
up to speeds of 85 km/h. Typically, race duration is around 1
minute with an expected 6-8 races completed in a single day from
qualification through to finals.

14

Environmental considerations
An obvious challenge to the winter sports athlete is the
added demands of differing environmental conditions.
Whilst the vast majority of land-based training will be
performed in the comfortable conditions of a temperaturecontrolled gymnasium, the real conditions that the athlete
may face are somewhat different. Fortunately, the reported
conditions at the Olympics in Sochi (altitude 1,200 m,
temperature 2-5 C) do not pose as big a threat to exercise
performance as other competition environments such as
Lake Louise, Canada (altitude 2,000 m, temperature -25
C). Such conditions can significantly impact on athlete
physiology and performance and create some logistical
problems for the support staff.

There is again a distinct lack of

research on the specific energy
demands of elite snowboard-cross
and therefore the amount of food
required to fuel a training programme
is more difficult to prescribe than
other more researched sports.
Strength and conditioning considerations for the elite
snowboard-cross athlete
Considering that snowboard-cross is a sprint-based event
it is suggested that one of the most important roles for the
strength and conditioning professional is to maximise the
athletes physical performance and skill to influence groundbased horizontal velocity, and rider momentum. This can be
manipulated by focusing the training on two key areas:
1. Increased explosive strength (rate of force development)
of the upper-body, trunk and hips during an all-out
concentric pull off the start gate, increasing board
velocity at the start and maintaining this throughout the
race (Sandbakk et al., 2010).
2. Minimise braking force and net losses of board speed
during landings by optimising the riders deceleration
mechanics, in conjunction with increased eccentric
capacity of the muscular system throughout the kinetic

The Sport and Exercise Scientist

Issue 39

Spring 2014

www.bases.org.uk

mass whilst at the same time maintaining low body fat

although research on the optimal body composition
for these athletes is lacking. Until this research has
been gathered the only option is to look into research
from similar sports, both on snow (skiing) and off
snow (skateboarding, mountain biking). The sports
nutritionist also needs to collect data regularly and
have flexibility in their plans to allow subtle changes to
be made if key performance indicators are not moving
in the right direction.

Above: Dr Graeme Close with snowboard-cross athlete Zoe Gillings

following a cooking lesson. Sometimes the soft nutritional skills are
just as necessary as the hard science!

chain. Ideally, landing patterns of the rider should resemble

those in gymnastics, were the absorption of impact through
large joint flexion must be constrained through well-timed joint
stiffening to allow soft tissue dissipation of forces (McNittGray et al., 2001). An optimal landing will be high on the
eccentric transition (backside) of the slope and involve high
degrees of muscle stiffness to ensure maximum gravitational
potential energy is converted to kinetic energy (velocity) of
the rider (Turnbull et al., 2011). Considering the magnitude of
impact loads that are imposed on the snowboard-cross rider
(especially if the rider lands low on a slope, or experiences a
flat landing), the rider needs to distribute these forces across
the musculoskeletal system if the injury risk to any particular
anatomical structure is to be minimized (Salci et al., 2004).

Nutritional considerations for the elite snowboard-cross

athlete
Nutritional preparation of winter sports athletes presents some
unique challenges where the answers cannot be found in standard
textbooks. Athletes may spend most of the day on the slopes
and are often required to bring their own food with them. Whilst
this in itself is not unique (we often advise athletes to bring food
with them to training), it is unusual to deal with the challenge of
what to do when your chicken wrap freezes due to the extreme
weather conditions! Have you ever tried eating a completely
frozen Muesli bar? The athletes often do not want to stop to eat
due to the need to keep warm and therefore where possible
warm food is preferred. This then requires great imagination
regarding the amount of meals you can make in a hotel bedroom
that can be kept warm and tasty in a Thermos Flask. Hydration
can also be an issue on the slopes with some athletes purposely
limiting fluid intake either due to temperature reasons or to
reduce urine output, which can be somewhat problematic when
fully kitted out in thermal snow clothing and on the slopes were
toilets are not readily available.
There is again a distinct lack of research on the specific energy
demands of elite snowboard-cross and therefore the amount of
food required to fuel a training programme is more difficult to
prescribe than other more researched sports. Like many athletes,
snowboard-cross riders are often looking to maximise lean muscle
The Sport and Exercise Scientist

Issue 39

Spring 2014

www.bases.org.uk

Pilot investigation into the effects of simulated

environmental conditions encountered by an
elite, female snowboard-cross athlete on physical
performance getting ready for Sochi!
Given the lack of research in snowboard-cross,
combined with the desire to provide scientifically
rigorous advice, we decided that some pilot
experiments on an elite snowboard-cross rider were
clearly warranted. To complete this investigation we
attempted to replicate a snowboard-cross competition
over a 3 hour period in an environment chamber.
Using an elite female snowboard-cross athlete who
competed in Sochi, 2014, the environment chamber was
set up to recreate the conditions predicted to be faced
by the athletes in Sochi (altitude 1,200 m, temperature
2-5 C). Analysis showed that a HR maximum (HRM)
of 155 bpm, a HR minimum of 59 bpm and a HR
average of 89 bpm was achieved. Energy expenditure,
measured using an acti-heart monitor, suggested that
a typical competition day (spanning 3 hours) would
only expend ~700 Kcal. Further research is of course
required to fully understand the physiological demands
of snowboard-cross competition, however this pilot
has been so far a great help in the design of training
programmes and the preparation for Sochi 2014.

Dr Graeme L. Close
Graeme is a Reader at Liverpool John Moores
University. Graeme is BASES accredited sport and
exercise scientist and is currently lead sports nutritionist
for British Ski and Snowboard.

John Noonan
John is a PhD student at Liverpool John Moores
University investigating the physiological demands
of snowboard-cross and the Lead Strength and
Conditioning coach for GB snowboard-cross & Alpine
Ski Squads.

References:
McNitt-Gray, J.L. et al. (2001). Mechanical demand and multijoint
control during landing depend on orientation of the body segments relative
to reaction force. Journal of Biomechanics, 34, 1471-82.
Salci Y, et al. (2004). Comparison of landing manoeuvres between male
and female college volleyball players. Clinincal Biomechanics, 19, 622-8.
Sandbakk, . et al. (2010). Analysis of a sprint ski race and associated
laboratory determinants of world-class performance. European Journal of
Applied Physiology, 111(6), 947-957.
Turnbull, J., Keogh, J.W.L. & Andrew, E.K. (2011). Strength and
Conditioning Considerations for Elite Snowboard Half Pipe. The Open
Sports Science Medical Journal, 5, 1-11.

15

Sport and exercise scientists to reflect

on their role in fostering a climate of
Clean Sport
Prof Susan Backhouse and Anne Sargent provide an overview of the UK Anti-Doping - BASES Strategic
Partnership and consider the role of BASES members in shaping its future.
In September 2013, BASES formed a new relationship with UK
Anti-Doping (UKAD). As the National Anti-Doping Agency, UKADs
mission is to protect the right to participate in clean sport. Central
to this are its prevention through education programmes, which
depend on active partnerships with a large range of organisations
across the sporting landscape. The new UKAD-BASES strategic
partnership signals BASES commitment to supporting UKADs
mission. With significant changes to the World Anti-Doping Code
coming into force in January 2015, this development is timely.

willing to integrate anti-doping education into their existing

programmes.
This commitment to protecting sport and its athletes
is already exemplified in the BASES Code of Conduct.
Specifically, BASES members must take into account the
three following principles within their working practices:

Roles and responsibilities of sport and exercise scientists

The World Anti-Doping Code (WADC) defines the role of athlete
support personnel - such as sport and exercise scientists - in antidoping practice. These roles and responsibilities are established
under Article 21.2 of the WADC. According to this article, athlete
support personnel need to be aware of and comply with their
responsibilities, cooperate with athlete testing, and positively
influence athletes anti-doping attitudes, values and behaviours. Four
of the eight rule violations can affect athlete support personnel:
1) Tampering with any part of doping control; 2) Possession; 3)
Trafficking and 4) Administration of any banned substance, aiding,
abetting or covering up an Anti-Doping Rule Violation.

2. The pursuit of scientific knowledge requires that research

and testing is carried out with utmost integrity

UKAD-BASES Strategic Partnership

While research suggests that athlete support personnel can
influence the doping and anti-doping landscape, there is little
evidence of how aware athlete support personnel are of this, or
how they act to actively prevent doping. The limited research
highlights insufficient knowledge of anti-doping rules or their roles
and responsibilities under the WADC, leaving athlete support
personnel at risk of an avoidable sanction. Research also suggests
that while athlete support personnel are expected to develop an
awareness of anti-doping through athlete-focused education, they
are often left to deduce their responsibilities individually through
their own volition.
Responding to this situation, BASES formed a partnership with
(UKAD) to bring together professional bodies to influence and
inform this specific audience. This partnership will offer a proactive
response to help BASES members to meet these obligations while
also optimising their professional preparation.
With a focus on professional development, the new partnership
aims to utilise the expertise from the BASES membership and
beyond, to help inform UKAD practices and decision-making. It
also provides a stimulus for research that will explore the doping
and anti-doping experiences of BASES members. This will ensure
that anti-doping education packages are context-specific and draw
directly on the real experiences of the target group, as well as being
evidence-based and sustainable. Indeed, UKADs current approach
is based on a model that links athlete development, behavioural
change and cultural awareness. The effectiveness of UKADs impact
relies on UKAD forming strategic partnerships with key agencies
and sporting bodies that will cascade and deliver a consistent
anti-doping curriculum. In turn, it is hoped that these partners will
uphold a strong interest in maintaining clean sport and be

16

1. All clients have the right to expect the highest standards

of professionalism, consideration and respect

3. The law requires that working practices are safe and that
the welfare of the client is paramount.
Announcement of the Clean Sport Interest Group
The BASES Board has agreed a Clean Sport commitment
statement. A Clean Sport Interest Group (CSIG) is also
being convened; this will provide members and affiliates with
continuous opportunities to shape the direction and focus of
the partnership. For example, CSIG members will inform the
education workshop programme, established as a part of the
BASES CPD structure. Importantly, the partnership creates
important opportunities for BASES members to inform
UKAD practices, programmes and decision-making through
research and consultation activities.
To join the Clean Sport Interest Group, please contact the
convenor, Dr Sue Backhouse (S.Backhouse@leedsmet.
ac.uk). For information or questions regarding UK AntiDoping, please contact Medical Education Officer, Anne
Sargent (Anne.Sargent@ukad.org.uk). For information or
questions regarding the BASES strategic partnership with
UK Anti-Doping, please contact Education Officer, Kate Mills
(kmills@bases.org.uk).

The Sport and Exercise Scientist

Prof Susan Backhouse

Susan is a Reader in the Institute of Sport, Physical
Activity and Leisure at Leeds Metropolitan University. She
is a UK Anti-Doping National Trainer, a BPS Chartered
Sport and Exercise Psychologist and a professional
member of BASES. Susan is the convenor of the Clean
Sport Interest Group.
Anne Sargent
Anne has been working at UK Anti-Doping for four and a
half years after studying Sport and Exercise Sciences and
Sports Medicine at Exeter University. Annes current role
is Medical Education Officer within the Education and
Athlete Support team.

Issue 39

Spring 2014

www.bases.org.uk

MRes Sport and Exercise Science

Tailor your research in line with your career aspirations
and get to the top of your game.
Excellent sport and exercise science facilities

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Wide portfolio of partners to work with for first hand experience

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Interview with Prof Greg Whyte, OBE,

FBASES, FACSM
Following Prof Greg Whytes recent OBE, and the conclusion of his highly popular The Whyte Answer in this
publication, Dr Ken van Someren FBASES puts a few questions to him.
,
USA (wonderful times!) and a PhD at the University
Greg, huge congratulations on your recent OBE for
services to sport, sport science and charity. What does
this mean to you and how does this rank alongside your
achievements to date?
Im absolutely delighted and honoured to receive the OBE. Receiving
an award from your peers is always very special, particularly when it
is unexpected. To be recognised for services to sport, sport science
and charity is wonderful but it is the recognition of services to sport
science that is heart-warming. Its an area I have dedicated my entire
working life to and one that has received limited public recognition,
despite its ever increasing importance in modern sport and exercise.
Im also looking forward to a day trip to the Palace!
Your recognition certainly helps showcase our profession of
sport and exercise sciences. What more do you think we can
do to raise the profile and enhance public understanding of
what we do?
Sport and exercise science has grown in importance dramatically
over recent years. I remember graduating from Borough Road
(now Brunel University) in the late 1980s and I had to explain
to people what sport science was! The growing importance of
sport in UK society and the move to professionalism has led to an
increased public understanding of sport science. However, it is the
burgeoning health crisis of inactivity that I believe is going to be
the most important platform to showcase the importance of sport
and exercise sciences. As I have written in a previous The Whyte
Answer column in The Sport and Exercise Scientist, one of our
major impediments to raising the awareness and importance of
sport and exercise sciences is the absence of an effective lobbying
voice. Unlike the pharmaceutical, food, transport, alcohol and
tobacco industries (to name but a few), sport and exercise is
virtually silent. To become a credible and powerful voice capable
of effecting real change we need to work hard at raising the
profile of the profession across the general population and in the
halls of government. There are multiple ways of achieving this
(i.e., research, public engagement etc.); however, the key will be
in having a unified voice or critical mass, which I believe could be
spearheaded by BASES.
A few years ago, you were a Modern Pentathlete,
competing at Olympic Games and winning World and
European Championship medals. How has your athletic
career influenced your education and career choices?
Since 1998 successful Olympic sports have received funding through
the Lottery, which has resulted in athletes having the privilege of
training full-time without the need for educational advancement
or the development of vocational skill. Whilst this has resulted in
Olympic success, it has led to one of my biggest concerns for elite
sport in the UK: What happens post-retirement? I was fortunate
that when I competed there was no funding, an unusual statement
to many. However, this meant that I either worked or studied.
As a Modern Pentathlon I was training c.40 hours per week in
five disciplines and so work was not an option, but studying was.
Completing my undergraduate studies at Borough Road, I went on
to complete an MSc in Human Performance in the

18

of Wolverhampton and St. Georges Hospital Medical

School. By the time I retired I had begun my transition
into the working world of sport. There is no doubt that
my sporting career influenced my vocational choices
and the reason I continue to consider myself privileged
to work in one of the most exciting, vibrant, impactful
and continually evolving areas of science.
Youve held some key senior positions in high
performance sport through your career, e.g.,
Director of Research for the British Olympic
Association and Director of Sports Science
and Research at the English Institute of Sport.
What have been some of the highlights of your
applied career?
There have been so many highlights for me in my
applied career. Of note, not all the highlights have been
isolated to elite sport; some of my most treasured
experiences have come from working with celebrities
and the general public. My motivation over the past two
decades (and more!) has always been the same: Beyond
better. The challenge of winning an Olympic medal is

The inclusion of three sport and

exercise scientists in the Top 100
UK Scientists is a major coup for
BASES and sport and exercise
sciences, which I believe marks an
important day in the recognition
of our profession.
as difficult as reducing the incidence of sudden cardiac
death in young athletes or coping with cancer. Recently
the wife of a cancer patient I worked with came up to
me in a caf and thanked me for everything I had done
for her husband while he was undergoing treatment for
colon cancer. Sadly, her husband died but our work to
improve his quality of life had given the family, including
his two young children, the opportunity to spend
more time together. There are very few things more
rewarding than improving quality of life, whether its
through an Olympic gold medal or coping with disease.
Youre perhaps best known outside of our
profession for having coached David Walliams
to swim the Channel and Eddie Izzard to run 43
marathons in 51 days for Sport Relief. How has
this work compared to your previous experiences?
To date, I have worked on 17 Sport/Comic Relief
challenges helping raise over 20 million for people
less fortunate than ourselves. These projects have
been incredibly challenging but enormous fun.
The challenges of these projects are related to the

The Sport and Exercise Scientist

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requirement to transform a celebrity into an ultra-endurance

athlete in a very short period of time, with the pressure of
failure not being an option. The success of these projects has
resulted in ever increasing demands on the celebrities whilst
dealing with an expectation of success before the challenge
has even started. There is no doubt that this part of my
work, which I do for free, pushes me out of my comfort
zone; something I recommend to all practitioners to ensure
they remain at the top of their discipline.
Until recently, you held the prestigious position of
Chairman of the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young
(CRY). How has this enabled you to bring your
research expertise in cardiac structure and function to
public health?
I was a trustee of CRY for 14 years and Chairman for 10
years. My work with CRY was closely linked to my research
interests and alongside my good friend Prof Sanjay Sharma,
we established the UKs first cardiovascular screening
programme and the worlds first dedicated Centre for Sports
Cardiology at the Olympic Medical Institute in the 1990s.
Working closely with government and governing bodies of
sport, we were able to highlight the importance of sudden
cardiac death in the young as a public health issue. This led to
a range of changes, including the establishment of a national
sport pre-participation screening programme and the inclusion
of the new Chapter 8 in the National Service Framework
on Arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death in the education
of medics. I am extremely proud of my time with CRY and
along with colleagues at Liverpool John Moores University and
universities across the UK and internationally, I will continue
to research in the area to reduce the incidence and impact of
sudden cardiac death in young people.
Without doubt, youve made an enormous contribution
to sport and exercise science through your research,
support of sports performance and health, charity and
raising public awareness. Whats next for you will
there be more epic challenges of human performance
and what else would you like to achieve in your career?
Recently I was named as one of the Top 10 Communicator
Scientists in the UK by the Science Council as part of their
Top 100 UK Scientists. With thanks to BASES for nominating
me for this prestigious award, I was especially delighted
as I have grown increasingly aware that communication
of our discipline is of fundamental importance if we are
to have palpable, long-lasting impact. Also in the Top 100
UK Scientists were Prof Clyde Williams and Prof Alison
McConnell. The inclusion of three sport and exercise
scientists in the Top 100 UK Scientists is a major coup for
BASES and sport and exercise sciences, which I believe
marks an important day in the recognition of our profession.
I personally believe that our significant contribution to
sports performance is well-recognised and will continue to
grow; however, it is our work in exercise/physical activity
and public health that requires greater public and political
engagement leading to impact on policy and practice. To
that end, I am working hard, along with a large number
of esteemed colleagues, in raising public awareness of the
fundamental importance of physical activity and lobbying
government to establish a long-term approach to physical
activity across the life-span. And of course, there are always
epic physical challenges to keep me busy in my spare time!
The Sport and Exercise Scientist

Issue 39

Spring 2014

www.bases.org.uk

Prof Greg Whyte, OBE, FBASES, FACSM

Greg is Professor of Applied Sport and Exercise Science at Liverpool
John Moores University. He is also the after-dinner speaker at
BASES Conference 2014.
Interview by:
Dr Ken van Someren FBASES
Director of Research & Development at the GSK Human
Performance Lab.

19

Reviews - Apps and Books

Everest - the First Ascent, Bloomsbury
Tuckey, H. (2013)
The Random House Group: London.
Hardback available for 13.40, Paperback available
for 8.07 and Kindle version available for 8.03 from
www.amazon.co.uk

App Name:
Strava
App Developer: Strava Inc.
App Cost:
Free (upgrade to premium

membership for additional
features
Download at:
iTunes & Google Play
Devices:
All with GPS capability
Strava (apparently the Swedish verb to strive) is a website and
mobile app that enables users to monitor and present athletic
activity, primarily running and cycling via GPS technology. It shares
common features with sites like Garmin Connect and Mapmyride.
However, Strava offers some key additions. In keeping with its
West Coast USA origins there are considerable social networking
opportunities embedded. The most controversial is the setting
up of virtual races through segments. Users can divide up training
sessions into route segments, which allow any other users to post
their times on exactly the same segment. This is contentious as
there have been reportedly serious accidents that have occurred
where users may have been reckless in pursuit of a Strava King or
Queen of the Segment accolade. Users can give virtual competitors
feedback and Kudos to acknowledge their performances. Strava
is a useful monitoring tool. It is Facebooks athletic cousin. I like
it, but it does open your training diary to the world. - DR TONY
WESTBURY, EDINBURGH NAPIER UNIVERSITY
Rating 9/10
The Sports Gene: Talent, Practice and the
Truth About Success
Epstein, D. (2013)
Yellow Jersey Press: London
Hardback available for 13.64, Paperback for 6.29,
Kindle version available for 4.31 and Audiobook
available for 20.55 from www.amazon.co.uk
The title of this book could be considered a little misleading. The
Sports Gene (singular) perhaps doesnt prepare you for the breadth
of content if you were expecting a narrow focus on one remarkable
gene. You dont have to have an in-depth appreciation for genetics
to follow this text. Epstein offers key theoretical information where
necessary and brings the content to life with applied accounts of
influential scientists and Olympic athletes. A pragmatic balance
of the age-old nature versus nurture debate in the context of
sporting talent is maintained throughout. This realistic approach to
identifying what makes the perfect athlete allows the construction
of a well-rounded argument, which brings in contributions from
culture, anthropometrics, the environment and a willingness
to train. Each fascinating chapter commences with a real life
observation, which is then examined and unpicked with the help
of credible scientific studies. The addition of supplementary
notes and citations is useful for some readers, although these are
not comprehensive. This enables the keen (perhaps academic)
reader to pursue primary sources of information that shaped the
content of each chapter. The book is written in a popular scientific
format and provides an engaging read for the sport scientist of
any discipline. I cant recommend it highly enough. - HELEN
GRAVESTOCK, UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER
Rating 10/10

Published on the 60th anniversary of the

conquering of Everest, this is a compelling biography of Griffith
Pugh, the physiologist who played a key role in the 1953 expedition.
Pugh is probably best known to sport and exercise physiologists for
his novel observations and publications in high altitude physiology,
but he also developed the mountaineers supplemental oxygen and
hygiene strategies, and made key innovations to the expedition
clothing and equipment. Authored by his daughter, this is a personal
insight, highlighting both the man and his scientific career. Pugh was
not only the unsung hero of the Everest expedition, but arguably
the grandfather of modern day sport and exercise science. The
accounts of his pioneering work in hypothermia and survival,
exercise-associated hyperthermia and hydration, acclimation for
the 1968 Mexico Olympic Games, and even the benefits of exercise
in ageing will fascinate todays applied scientists. Its intriguing to
see just how far sport and exercise science has come over the
last 60 years, though many readers will feel an uncomfortable
familiarity with some of the challenges Pugh faced in engaging the
mountaineering community with his scientific support and applied
research! A must read for all sport and exercise scientists. - DR
KEN VAN SOMEREN, FBASES; GSK HUMAN PERFORMANCE LAB
Rating 9/10
Youth Sport, Physical Activity and Play:
Policy, Intervention and Participation
Parker, A. & Vinson, D. (2013)
(Routledge Research in Sport, Culture and
Society) Routledge: London.
Hardback available for 74.84 and Kindle version
available for 52.39 from www.amazon.co.uk
An excellent, well written comprehensive guide to physical activity
among children. The book is up-to-date in dealing with the issues
surrounding participation in sport, physical activity and play among
the young. It is a definitive detailed resource for students, academic
staff and anyone with an involvement in sport and physical activity
in young people in the UK. It is organised into three distinct parts:
1. Policy - this section discusses the political culture of sport within
the UK and Europe; 2. Intervention - addresses the psychological
and social aspects of engagement in physical activity in hard to
reach populations of young people and; 3. Participation investigates
sedentary behaviour of adolescents and discusses different avenues
available to young people for participation in sport. The book
concludes with an afterword, outlining future suggestions for sport
and physical activity in this population. The writing style is clear in
an easy to follow layout with a limited amount of data via the use of
appropriate tables/figures and the key points are summarised at the
end of each chapter. I would recommend this book to academics
and anyone with an interest in physical activity in children and young
people. - SAMANTHA PARNELL, UNIVERSITY OF EXETER
Rating 9/10

Send books for potential review to Claire-Marie Roberts, 3 Royal York Mews, Royal York Crescent, Clifton Village, Bristol, BS8 4LF
Want to be a book reviewer? Email c.roberts@worc.ac.uk Reviewers get to keep the book in return for a 200 word review
Additional online book reviews are available at www.bases.org.uk/SES-Book-Reviews

20

The Sport and Exercise Scientist

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Spring 2014

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Enhance Your Career Prospects

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50 YEARS OF
LEARNING
1964 - 2014

CHuTzPAH: Charlies Thoughtz on

Physical Activity for Health
Dr Charlie Foster is The Sport and Exercise Scientists physical activity health columnist.
So what would you say to the All Party Commission for
Physical Activity?

I wish to make three key points for the consideration of

the Commission:

The human body was designed to move. But in a very short period
of time, we have become dangerously inactive as a population. We
are witnessing a physical inactivity epidemic. All Party Commission
for Physical activity website - http://activitycommission.com/
Since mid-December 2013 a group of MPs have been
reviewing oral and written evidence to make direct policy
relevant recommendations to tackle this physical activity crisis.
The Commission is supported by a number of key national
organisations including the British Heart Foundation (BHF),
Sustrans, Premier League, Lawn Tennis Association, Nike, The
Young Foundation. The Commission is chaired by a cross party
set of MPs, Charlotte Leslie MP Julian Huppert MP and Barbara
,
,
Keeley MP and Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson. The Commission
,
has focused on examining ways to encourage and sustain physical
activity in children and young people and has organised four
evidence sessions spanning Transport & Urban Planning, Health,
Education, and Sport. Written submissions were made via the All
Party Commission website alongside the oral evidence sessions,
and first indications are the organisers have been overwhelmed by
the volume and quality of submissions.
I was lucky enough to be invited to make an oral submission to
the Health Committee meeting but it proved to be far harder than
I imagined because I had to decide what to present in my 7-minute
(PowerPoint-slide free!) presentation. So for my final CHuTzPAH
article I would like to share my submission. Its a personal view
so please forgive the first person (and I have added references for
information).

1. The solution to physical inactivity does not lie in

focusing exclusively on children.

I am delighted to have this chance to support the

Commissions thinking on potential cost-effective options
for physical activity. As we are living in a world of financial
austerity I have chosen to answer question 5: In a world with
limited financial resources what are the most cost-effective
approaches and how can existing resources be realigned to
have the greatest impact?
I want to make it clear that my submission today comes
from a public health perspective, which demands actions
that take place across the population and are based on the
best available evidence. Interventions are equitable and do
not favour a minority. My research is focused on improving
the evidence-base for physical activity promotion, which is
presented as part of the suite of evidence reviews for NICE,
HTA, Cochrane Collaboration and the BHF.

22

2. The solution to physical inactivity does not lie on the

promotion of sport
3. The solution to physical inactivity does lie in population
approaches that use existing local and national level
legislation to protect, provide and create environments
that are conducive to moving as part of daily activity.
The solution to physical inactivity does not lie in
focusing exclusively on children
You cant bank the benefits of an active childhood as a
young adult. You cant bank the benefits of being an active
young adult as an older adult. Our population surveys
consistently show the distribution of physical activity is
highest in children and young people and declines as we
age. Points of rapid decline relate to specific life events,
transition points of change, for example transition from
primary to secondary school offer, leaving school, first
job, independent living, moving house, partnerships/
marriage, children, health events, work changes, health
events, retirement and caring responsibilities (Allender,
Hutchinson & Foster, 2008).
So if our physical inactivity epidemic is most prevalent
in adulthood, its cost is in premature disability, dementia
and frailty. Modelling on age and gender consistently points
to the effectiveness, and cost effectiveness data only
supports middle-aged adult interventions (Thorogood,
Naidoo & McPherson, 1996).
The evidence to support the assumption that an active
child equals an active adult is missing. I recognise it is
politically expedient to focus on children and young people
- its a low political risk, you are unlikely to get complaints
- but this choice is not cost effective at a population level.
So lets focus on delivering evidence-based interventions
to those who have most to gain, data are consistently
supported by evaluations of the effectiveness of
interventions, produced by NICE. If you want to know
how to achieve these impacts look at the NICE Public
Health guidelines (see www.nice.org.uk/guidance/
index.jsp?action=bypublichealth&PUBLICHEALTH
=Physical+activity).

The Sport and Exercise Scientist

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Left: Active play and walking, not sport, make

the largest contributions to being active

So what are our cost-effective options?

The solution to physical inactivity does lie in population
approaches that use existing local and national level
legislation to protect, provide and create environments
that are conducive to moving as part of daily activity
So how can we construct these places as active spaces?
Local authorities can, through legislation, construct
environments that are conducive to moving as part of
daily activity (Mitchell, Cowburn & Foster, 2011). Local
legislative powers can also be used to protect existing
physical activity promoting environments and create new
ones. Best practice examples are presented by the UK
Health Forums (translation of Evidence into practice)
website - www.healthyplaces.org.uk/. Examples include
Street play, 20 mph zones, workplace parking levies, and
Greenspace protection.
There is a strong, vibrant and cost-effective evidence
base, neatly packaged by NICE and others, on the
most effective solutions to tackling physical activity via
interventions, schools, workplaces, built environment and
primary care. What is needed next is the development
of the evidence base, alongside skills and pathways to
translate this evidence into practice.

So my analysis of who to target by examination of the

population prevalence of physical activity against the
epidemiology of physical activity and health leads me to
my second point.
The solution to physical inactivity does not lie on the
promotion of sport
Sport is definitely not the answer to changing population
levels of physical activity. Sports contribution to overall
physical activity disappears after 35, is very socially
patterned, and despite huge investment in facilities and
programmes remains stubbornly at the same levels for
the last 30 years. Recently, my research team has profiled
what types of physical activities contribute to being active
from 5 to 75, and also examined if there are differences in
the contribution of different types of physical activities by
gender and socioeconomic status (Blanger, Townsend &
Foster, 2011; Payne, Townsend & Foster, 2013).
This analysis clearly demonstrates that for children
active play and walking, not sport, make the largest
contributions to being active. By teen years relative
domain contributions are amplified by socioeconomic
status, so promoting sport might increase inequalities
in physical activity and health. Adult physical activity
profiles see sport vanish by mid 40s with a consistent
and increasing contribution of walking (for transport
and recreation) across all ages and genders. Trend data
that increase in sports and exercise participation, seen
in middle aged and older adults, have been driven by
men from non-manual social classes, higher income
households and white ethnic backgrounds (Stamatakis,
Ekelund & Wareham, 2007). The consistent decline in
occupational physical activity from the 1950s to now,
alongside greater occupational and domestic energy
saving technologies have reduced physical activity and
increased inequalities. Small spikes of change in physical
activity at retirement age will be delayed if we all have to
retire at older ages.
Writing in the Foresight Obesity report Fox and
Hillsdon neatly summarised the reasons why as a nation
we loll at the top of the physical inactivity podium
(Fox & Hillsdon, 2007). These included: (i) increased
labour-saving technology in the home, work and retail
environments; (ii) changes in work and shopping patterns
that have resulted in greater reliance on motorised
transport; (iii) increased self-sufficiency in the home,
including entertainment, food storage and preparation;
(iv) controlled climates and greater comfort; and (v)
reductions in walking and cycling.
What if we decide that sports promotion is the
answer?
Meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials clearly show
we can intervene with inactive adults and maintain activity
at two years, but the evidence base for the effectiveness
of sport interventions is far less developed than for the
promotion of physical activity (Foster et al., 2013; Richards
et al., 2013). It appears that most sport programmes are
researched within quite a different paradigm to physical
activity and health programmes, with a general lack of
controlled research designs (see www.sportengland.org/
media/103075/full-report-inactivity-sport.pdf). For some
it will be a viable option but for the majority the sole
promotion of sport will widen inequalities and will not
save lives.
The Sport and Exercise Scientist

Issue 39

Spring 2014

It has been a privilege to be able to present my thoughts to the

BASES community and I wish you all the best in our communal
challenge of getting our nation to keep active.
Dr Charlie Foster
Charlie is a Senior Lecturer/Researcher at
the University of Oxford. He runs a research
programme, funded by the BHF, to improve
the evidence base for physical activity
promotion. CHuTzPAH is the quality of
audacity, for good or for bad.
References:
Allender, S., Hutchinson, L. & Foster, C. (2008). Life-change events and
participation in physical activity: a systematic review. Health Promotion International,
23, 160-172.
Blanger, M., Townsend, N. & Foster, C. (2011). Age-related differences in
physical activity profiles of English adults. Preventive Medicine. 52, 247-249.
Foster, C. et al. (2013). Remote and web 2.0 interventions for promoting physical
activity. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 4: CD010395.
Fox, K.R. & Hillsdon, M. (2007). Physical activity and obesity. Obesity Reviews,
8, 115-121.
Mitchell, C., Cowburn, G. & Foster, C. (2011). Assessing the options for local
government to use legal approaches to combat obesity; putting theory into practice.
Obesity Reviews, 12, 660-667.
Payne, S., Townsend, N. & Foster, C. (2013). The physical activity profile of
active children in England. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical
Activity, 10: 136.
Richards, J. et al. (2013). Face-to-face interventions for promoting physical activity.
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 4: CD010392.
Stamatakis, E., Ekelund, U. & Wareham, N.J. (2007). Temporal trends in
physical activity in England: the Health Survey for England 1991 to 2004. Preventive
Medicine, 45, 416-423.
Thorogood, M., Naidoo, B. & McPherson, K. (1996). Setting targets: what are
the potential health gains? In Killoran, A., Fentem, P & Caspersen, C. (Eds.). Moving
.
on. International perspectives on promoting physical activity (pp. 77-98). Health
Education Authority, London.

Acknowledgement from BASES: Many thanks to Charlie as this is his final

column after five issues. Dr John Buckley FBASES will be taking over. John is a
Reader of Applied Exercise Science in Health at the University of Chester. He
has held several positions of national and international leadership in sport and
exercise science and cardiovascular health and rehabilitation, and has over 30
years of experience as an exercise physiologist.
www.bases.org.uk

23

Acting on good intentions:

Why do people fail to follow their
New Years resolutions?
In this article Chris Fullerton, Prof Andy Lane FBASES and Dr Tracey Devonport examine theoretical
perspectives on failed New Years resolutions and then offer tips to help achieve future resolutions.
Introduction
The story goesChristmas is over, you are feeling guilty for your
lack of exercise, overeating and weight gain, and decide that next
year is going to be a fresh start. A renewed sense of hope that the
New Year will bring positive change reignites good intentions. Like
many others, you express your desire to get fit and lose weight
and then set about making big changes to your lifestyle.
And continuesJanuary begins and for a short while at least,
there may be excitement in anticipation of achieving these goals;
the endless possibilities of a new self and the prospect of rectifying
failures and ingraining new desirable habits. By the end of the
month, willpower is running low; hope soon turns to dejection
and a realisation that it is not a few lapses in your good intentions
but repeated failure to commit to your resolutions. For many
people, gym membership bought on New Years Day becomes a
costly day out!
Does this sound familiar? Evidence shows only an 8% success
rate for achieving goals set as New Years resolutions (Norcross et
al., 2002). Given increasing physical activity and goals that target
improving health and well-being appear to feature so commonly in
the New Year Resolution process, sport and exercise scientists might
have a role to play if they help increase the success rate.
Why do people fail to act on their good intentions?
When someone sets a New Years resolution, self-control is
required to follow through on that intention. Self-control is
defined as the deliberate effort to override a dominant response

with another for the benefit of long-term success (Baumeister et

al., 2007). Research has investigated why people show such poor
self-control. A highly supported strength model offers a plausible
explanation. According to this model, acts of self-control consume
a limited resource. Gailliot et al. (2007) proposed glucose to be
an important component of this resource based on findings which
showed reduced glucose associated with poor self-control and an
argument based on evidence showing the brain consumes large
amounts of glucose.
The research design used to test self-control is the dual task
model (see Table 1). The experimental group complete two
self-control tasks, and the control group complete only one selfcontrol task. The idea is that the first self-control task depletes
resources. Data on the second self-control task are compared
between groups. Overwhelming evidence shows that the selfcontrol group perform worse than the control group (Hagger et
al., 2010). The implication is that if someone sets two self-control
goals, one after another, then the second task is at risk of failing.
Those findings may help us understand the problem associated
with setting too many New Years resolutions (goals) at once.
Research suggests that where one self-control task (decision)
follows another, this presents a challenge, and one that the
individual may have not have expected to encounter. For example,
lets say you set a goal of losing weight and try to exercise more.
Eating more healthily is going to require making many food-choice
decisions, and exercising more also requires behavioural change

Table 1. Dual task model

EXPERIMENTAL GROUP

CONTROL GROUP

TASK 1

Stroop test - participants are required to read aloud the font colour rather than Participants do control stroop
the name of the word and so overriding this tendency requires self-control.
(i.e., words and colours match).

TASK 2

Self-control task (e.g., a muscular endurance task such as the skiers squat
- the tendency being to give up quickly rather than persevere).

HYPOTHESIS

The experimental group should perform significantly worse than the control group.

24

The Sport and Exercise Scientist

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Left: A typical Stroop Test where participants are required

to read aloud the colour of the font rather than the name
of the word.

(e.g., going to the gym, starting an exercise class; walking rather

than driving). If someone chooses to complete a gym session and
thus having made one self-control decision, the next self-control
decision may be harder. In fact there may be a temptation to
reward the achievement of an immediate exercise goal with a
dietary treat! Lapses in diet after exercise might offer an explanation
as to why diets have a low success rate.

Practical recommendations
Set a singular goal rather than multiple goals. If self-control is
limited, then trying to follow all your resolutions is likely to
reduce the capacity for successfully exerting self-control. Save
your willpower for important decisions, or have fewer intentions
in January. Set new resolutions when the first set are automated
and/or achieved.

Overcoming barriers to goal achievement

Research has suggested a method of overcoming barriers to goal
achievement. It involves combining two techniques; a) mental
contrasting and b) implementation intentions (If-Then planning)
(Kirk et al., 2013).

People often have good intentions but fail to act on them.

Forming effective ways to implement good intentions helps
motivated people change their behaviour. For example, mentally
contrast where you are now and where you want to be.

a) Mental contrasting
Mental contrasting is a self-regulatory thought process whereby
one imagines the attainment of a desired future outcome (e.g.,
losing weight, exercising more frequently) and then contrasts it with
existing reality. The process works by identifying the goal - i.e., to
go for a run 4 days per week. In the first step, you describe indepth the most positive aspect of attaining this goal (e.g., increased
fitness). Second, you think about the best thing that would happen
if you went for a run four times per week (e.g., lose more weight).
Following this, you try to identify the biggest obstacle to reaching
this goal (e.g., lack of time). In doing so, you have raised awareness
of the goals and what barriers you face. Once this has been done
the mental contrasting exercise follows the same process for the
next best outcome of goal achievement. Mental contrasting has
been found to be an effective behaviour change technique because
it helps provide solutions to overcoming obstacles that stand in the
way of an individuals desired future (Kirk et al., 2013).

Identify barriers to goal attainment. Identify possible solutions.

Develop these into If-Then plans. Implementation intentions
serve the purpose of promoting the attainment of the goal
specified in the goal intention.
Lapses in sticking to goal intentions should not be equated with
an absence of willpower. Examine the lapse and identify factors
or barriers that contributed to it. Acknowledge these when
looking to resume goal focused behaviours.

Christopher Fullerton
Christopher is currently studying for a PhD on selfcontrol at the University of Wolverhampton.

Prof Andy Lane FBASES

b) Implementation intention (If-Then planning)

Implementation intention or If-Then planning has been shown to
be an effective strategy for promoting goal attainment (Gollwitzer,
1999). An If-Then plan comes in two parts. The If is the situation,
barrier or opportunity to use a solution you think will help. The
Then part is the behavioural or cognitive plan you wish to happen
when that opportunity arises. For example:

Andy is a BASES accredited sport and exercise

scientist and a BPS Chartered Sport and Exercise
Psychologist. He works at the University of
Wolverhampton.

Dr Tracey Devonport
Tracey is a BASES accredited sport and exercise
scientist and a BPS Chartered Sport and
Exercise Psychologist based at the University of
Wolverhampton. Tracey has accrued a great deal
of applied and research experience that addresses
self-control in a sports and exercise context.

If I have a craving for sugarand I feel like searching the cupboard for
sweets and biscuitsthen I will have a piece of fruit!
If I dont feel like exercising todayand I want to skip trainingand
postpone my session to next weekthen I will say to myself If I train
today, I am more likely to achieve my goal!
If-Then plans are proposed to work by strengthening the
association between the situation (If - a potential barrier to goal
attainment) and what you would do to overcome this barrier. By
setting an If-Then plan you are thinking through the barriers and
rather than seeing them as problems, but re-appraising this as setting
the opportunity to act on your good intentions (Webb & Sheeran,
2008). The if part you establish raises the accessibility or readiness
to encounter that situation if it arises in the future. The If part has
been primed to be linked to the Then response, following a similar
mechanism to how habits form. Evidence shows that using If-Then
plans help develop an automatic response, which also, and in relation
to self-control theory, uses fewer resources.
We suspect that for many readers, the illustrations presented
could relate to either personal experiences, or those of individuals
you are working with. The following recommendations are intended
to be utilised as a self-help guide either for yourself, or when working
with others when addressing the establishment and attainment of
resolutions or goals.
The Sport and Exercise Scientist

Issue 39

Spring 2014

www.bases.org.uk

References:
Baumeister, R.F., Vohs, K.D. & Tice, D.M. (2007). The
strength model of self-control. Current Directions in Psychological
Science, 16, 351-355.
Gailliot, M. T. et al. (2007). Self-control relies on glucose as a
limited energy source: Willpower is more than a metaphor. Journal of
Personality and Social Psychology, 92, 325-336.
Gollwitzer, P M. (1999). Implementation intentions: Strong effects
.
of simple plans. American Psychologist, 54, 493-503.
Hagger, M.S., Wood, C., Stiff, C. & Chatzisarantis, N L.
(2010). Ego depletion and the strength model of self-control: a
meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 136, 495-525.
Kirk, D., Oettingen, G. & Gollwitzer, P (2013). Promoting
.M.
integrative bargaining: Mental contrasting with implementation
intentions. International Journal of Conflict Management, 24, 148-165.
Norcross, J.C., Mrykalo, M.S. & Blagys, M.D. (2002). Auld
Lang Syne: Success predictors, change processes, and self-reported
outcomes of New Years resolvers and nonresolvers. Journal of
Clinical Psychology, 58, 397-405.
Webb, T.L. & Sheeran, P (2008). Mechanisms of implementation
.
intention effects: The role of goal intentions, self-efficacy, and
accessibility of plan components. British Journal of Social Psychology,
47, 373-395.

25

Do we have a valid public health

strategy for exercise prescription?
Profs Jamie Timmons and Stuart Phillips invite readers to think about the truth about exercise; with a call to look
more closely at the facts from intervention studies. They ask if we have solid grounds to believe that the advice
given is as objective as possible.
Views within a scientific discipline are shaped by the
backgrounds of the scientists. The vast majority of
people that we have encountered working in exercise
science have a current, or past, interest in sport. If we
attempted to conduct a randomised clinical trial on this
population, it would likely be deemed invalid due to
being a unrepresentative sample of the population. Yet
the global views held by numerous sport and exercise
science societies embody this narrow selection process,
to the point that some exercise-science organisations
appear to lobby more than they conduct research.
In 2013 we learned that 10 years of effective lifestyle modification in the Look Ahead study (LA, 5,145
men and women, aged ~50 y), did not reduce, even
slightly, macrovascular disease (Wing et al., 2013).
Oddly, the LA was the largest intervention study of its
kind and demonstrated, in a single stroke, what other
diabetes prevention studies had already hinted at.
Namely the relationship between self-reported physical
activity behaviours and major markers of health status
or the most important outcomes, such as cardiovascular
disease, do not have a cause and effect relationship.
Such studies fall into the highest category for evidencebased medicine, namely a randomised trial. Such data
trumps current correlative dogma and the simplistic
strategy encapsulated in the Exercise is Medicine
movement and indicates that we need a more valid
premise which to base our public health strategies on.
In fact, it has been demonstrated that for the
major physiological benefits of exercise training,
20-25% of participants fail to respond (Davidsen
et al., 2011; Timmons et al., 2010) while a minority
(5-10%) demonstrate a variety of adverse events
(Bouchard et al., 2012). In this short article we put
forward the idea that one of the key missing elements
for a broad exercise prescription is a scientific basis
for personalisation of lifestyle prescription. Critically,
without such a personalisation strategy our current onesize fits all public health strategy will be and continue to
be largely ineffective.
The current population prescription for health
is for 150 min per week of moderate-to-vigorous
physical activity (Knox et al., 2013) on the basis that it
will increase aerobic capacity, reduce blood pressure
and improve insulin sensitivity. This fixed prescription
fails to yield the expected benefits for all participants
because it is either too little or too much depending
on your genomic and epigenomic profile. Notably, the
correlation between having an exercise-induced adverse
response for blood pressure and making no gains in
fitness or fatness is not zero; thus, in a worldwide
context millions will demonstrate a net negative profile
in response to the fixed 150 min per week prescription
(at least based on risk-factor profile).
Why does this happen? We have established that low
or adverse responders fail to develop a normal blood

26

Above: Using advanced genomic methods

Courtesy Vronique Duboc and Thierry Lepage

vessel growth and tissue remodelling response (Keller

et al., 2011; Lessard et al., 2013). Hence, when a single
prescription-based exercise regime is implemented to
improve cardiovascular health then we may well be
over- or under-dosing an individual. In that sense, the
science is clear, what we lack are all the tools to provide
personalised guidance. In 2013 we know that 3 min of
intense exercise per week boosts aerobic fitness and
glucose tolerance in ~70% of people, removing the
often cited time-barrier for modulating these risk
factors (to what end is still unclear). What we need
by 2020 is the ability to know in advance which 70%
of the population will respond to such a protocol and
prescribe accordingly.
A crucial health issue is ageing of the world population.
A key public health aim is to promote retention of
musculoskeletal function and avert frailty in ageing
persons. Resistance training is the most effective tool
to achieve this aim. However, if middle-aged and older
adults are put on a tailored resistance training programme
then 25% of them fail to gain lean mass after 3 months
(Phillips et al., 2013) while a smaller number fail to gain
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strength. An important question in understanding this variation is

the role of dietary-related protein. Protein supplementation has
been shown, through meta-analysis, to enhance lean mass gain
and strength, however, it in no way reduces the variability in the
resistance training-mediated response of either hypertrophy or
strength gains (Cermak et al., 2012).
We estimate hypertrophy to have coefficients of variation of
> 80% using muscle fibre area, > 20% based on DXA measured
lean mass changes, and > 15-20% using MRI-measured change
in, for example, mid-thigh area. Because protein supplementation
does not reduce the variability in lean mass gains seen with
training, then only a sub-population is responding to protein
supplementation with resistance training while a minority may
even adversely respond to excess protein. In fact, in most studies
the effect of protein supplementation on hypertrophy was not
significant within the individual study itself, demonstrating that
the average affect is small. Indeed, the differences in gains in
fat-free mass between the supplemented and non-supplemented
groups were on average 700-800 g (range: 0.47 - 1.1 kg) and
the relatively greater gain in strength (leg press) amounted to
13.5 kg (range: 6.4 - 20.7 kg). These differences represent an
advantage of protein supplementation of ~5-15% for gains in
lean mass and 2-15% in terms of strength; put another way the
non-supplemented trainees achieved 85-95% and 85-98% of the
gains in lean mass and strength that those in the supplemented
group achieved. Individual studies have not noted that dietary
intakes of the major macronutrient relate to lean mass or strength
gains in cohorts of younger and older men and women (Phillips
et al., 2013; Thalacker-Mercer et al., 2009). Hence, while protein
supplementation can enhance resistance training-induced lean
mass gains it is not clear how much extra protein might be
required or who requires it.
With the aforementioned examples in mind, approaching the
issue of age-related frailty in the population through a generic
simplified one-size-fits-all resistance training programme, even
with optimised protein intake, is not going to be optimal.
We do recognise that for those that are highly inactive and
undernourished, then they will be most at risk of frailty, and
it is assumed that providing them with something rather
than nothing is logical. What that something is, to get the
most from their personal commitment, is very far from clear.
To establish if protein supplementation alters the individual
responses we need to determine hypertrophy in individuals in
response to a resistance training programme with and without
protein supplementation. One possible outcome is that some
of the relatively poor responders to resistance training from
a hypertrophic and strength gain perspective are so because
of their relative under-consumption of protein. From our
perspective the influence of protein consumption within the
same individual may well be small compared to their innate
ability to respond to a programme of resistance training. Thus,
to establish an optimal pattern of physical activity for the health
of the individual requires a far more sophisticated approach to
exercise prescription.
It is well understood that there is variability in response to
certain pharmaceuticals in terms of their efficacy for treating
conditions; thus, why should our responses to exercise be any
different? We hope that we have raised awareness that use
of a generic exercise prescription approach will yield widely
divergent benefits and will induce adverse events not just
for one or two phenotypic outcomes but for a wide range of
health endpoints. This may seem obvious to some but this
does not mean that current protocols employed in personal
training offer additional value as none are particularly evidencebased. Having someone motivate you and accurately record
The Sport and Exercise Scientist

Issue 39

Spring 2014

improvements is a positive thing, but it does not mean that what

you have gained is optimal for the effort put in.
Why is any of this important? Well, if a patient approaches
their GP with hypertension, and they belong to the ~ 15% of
people that demonstrate an increase in blood pressure with 20
weeks of supervised exercise, how can we prescribe exercise
as medicine to this individual? It may be that some patients
adversely react to the prescription on a physiological level (the
abnormal vascular response to 150 min of exercise per week
that we have shown to occur in ~20% of people) or it may be
the fact that the exercise is supervised, in surroundings they
find unpalatable. What we need are the diagnostics to identify
these individuals, and randomise them to alternative exercise
or treatment modalities. But before we have this we probably
need greater awareness that some long held beliefs within the
exercise science community are incorrect, partly as a product of
the backgrounds of the scientists working in the field.

Prof Jamie Timmons

Jamie is a graduate of University of Glasgow.
He is currently appointed Chair of Systems
Biology at Loughborough University.

Prof Stuart Phillips

Stuart is a Visiting Professor at Loughborough
University and a Professor at McMaster
University where he is part of the Exercise
Metabolism Research Group.

References:
Bouchard, C. et al. (2012). Adverse metabolic response to regular exercise:
is it a rare or common occurrence? PloS one, 7(5), e37887. doi:10.1371/journal.
pone.0037887
Cermak, N.M. et al. (2012). Protein supplementation augments the adaptive
response of skeletal muscle to resistance-type exercise training: a meta-analysis. The
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 96(6), 145464. doi:10.3945/ajcn.112.037556
Davidsen, P et al. (2011). High responders to resistance exercise training
.K.
demonstrate differential regulation of skeletal muscle microRNA expression. Journal of
Applied Physiology, 110(2), 309-317. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00901.2010
Keller, P et al. (2011). A transcriptional map of the impact of endurance exercise
.
training on skeletal muscle phenotype. Journal of Applied Physiology 110(1), 46-59.
Knox, E.C L. et al. (2013). Using threshold messages to promote physical activity:
implications for public perceptions of health effects. European Journal of Public Health.
doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckt060
Lessard, S. J. et al. (2013). Resistance to aerobic exercise training causes metabolic
dysfunction and reveals novel exercise-regulated signaling networks. Diabetes.
doi:10.2337/db13-0062
Phillips, B.E. et al. (2013). Molecular Networks of Human Muscle Adaptation
to Exercise and Age. (G. Gibson, Ed.)PLoS Genetics, 9(3), e1003389. doi:10.1371/
journal.pgen.1003389
Thalacker-Mercer, A.E., Petrella, J.K. & Bamman, M.M. (2009). Does habitual
dietary intake influence myofiber hypertrophy in response to resistance training? A
cluster analysis. Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie applique,
nutrition et mtabolisme, 34(4), 632-9. doi:10.1139/H09-038
Timmons, J.A. et al. (2010). Using molecular classification to predict gains in
maximal aerobic capacity following endurance exercise training in humans. Journal of
Applied Physiology, 108(6), 1487-96. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.01295.2009
Wing, R.R. et al. (2013). Cardiovascular Effects of Intensive Lifestyle Intervention
in Type 2 Diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine, 369(2), 130624143016009.
doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1212914

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27

Do golf ball dimples negatively affect

golf ball roll kinematics?
Ashley Richardson and Dr Gerwyn Hughes present their research data.
Introduction
Pelz (2000) states 43% of shots made are with the putter,
highlighting the importance of this aspect of the game. In
addition to this, putting performance has been the most highly
correlated performance measure to score average (r = 0.68) on
a professional level (Wiseman & Chatterjee, 2006). This makes
it surprising that many golfers neglect putting during practice.
This way of thinking needs to be changed with putting coming to
the forefront of a players practice, and with the introduction of
new technology things are slowly changing within the golf world.
Technology, and specifically Quintic Ball Roll is giving players
the opportunity to receive improved feedback about launch
conditions allowing them to identify kinematic variables that could
have resulted in a missed putt.
Four clear factors have been defined to contribute to putting
direction variability, these are green reading, aim, stroke/ball roll
and green inconsistencies such as spike and ball marks on the
putting line (Karlsen et al., 2008). The less direction variability
associated with a golf player the more consistent their putting
is likely to be. Karlsen et al. (2008) accounted 80% of direction
variability to face angle at impact (0.50 effective variability), 17%
to putter path (0.18 effective variability) and 3% to the horizontal
impact point on the putter (0.09 effective variability). Research
investigating the effect of impact point on the golf ball while
measuring the resulting kinematics is very limited.
The impact point on the golf ball may be important, as a golf
ball is not perfectly spherical due to dimples all over the surface
allowing for increased ball flight during the long game aspect of
golf. Pelz (2000) has acknowledged dimples do affect the direction
variability of a golf putt, however only presents limited data. This
direction variability due to dimple effects is depicted in Figure 1.
The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of the impact
point on a golf ball and the impact point on a putter on the resulting
ball roll kinematics using a mechanical putting robot.
Method
All testing was completed in the Quintic Golf Laboratory on an
artificial putting surface registering 12 on the stimpmeter. The
Quintic mechanical putting arm mounted on an 360 kg bearing
was set up to simulate a level 3.2 m putt (see Figure 2). Two
putters with different putter face characteristics (grooved and
non-grooved) were selected and used for the experiment. The
grooved faced putter used was a GEL Vicis putter and the nongrooved faced putter was the Odyssey White Hot #3 putter. Two
brands of golf ball were also used, Srixon Z-STAR and Titleist Pro
V1, which are both brands premium golf ball. The two golf balls
were selected to test different dimple patterns, the Srixon golf
ball had a single consistent size of dimple, whereas the Titleist
golf ball had two sizes of dimple where a smaller dimple was
encapsulated by five larger dimples.
To collect the data a layer of pigmented emollient was applied
to the face of the putter that would leave an imprint of the impact
on the golf ball, so that a subsequent photograph could be taken of
the impact point and analysed. Impact variables analysed were the
distance of the impact point from the centroid (a predetermined
point on the golf ball used as the 0, 0 coordinate), angle of the
impact point from the centroid and the surface area of the impact
zone (total area of pigmented emollient). In addition the Quintic
Ball Roll (v2.4) launch monitor (sampling at 220 fps) measured the

28

horizontal launch angle (the degree of deviation away from the

intended target line) and whether the ball was pushed or pulled
(ball finishes right or left of the hole respectively). The statistical
procedure used to assess the relationship between the impact
variables and the variance of kinematics variables was multiple
regression analysis with the level of significance set at p < 0.05.
Results
Multiple regression analysis identified significant associations for
three of the four putter-ball combinations for the impact variables
as a collective and the variance observed in kinematic variables
horizontal launch angle and whether the ball was pushed or
pulled. When analysed individually the only impact variable to
be significantly associated with both horizontal launch angle and
whether the ball was pushed or pulled was the distance from the
centroid location. The levels of variance (%) accounted for by the
impact variables are shown in Figure 3.

Figure 1. Diagram depicting the two types of contact possible

during impact between the putter face and golf ball. A) A square
contact with the dimple resulting in a putt that starts travelling
on the intended target line, and B) Contact on a balls dimple
edge (right) causing the ball to travel in a direction different to
the intended target line (dimple error). The diagrams on the
left resemble the posterior view of a golf ball, the white circle is
a dimple and the red area highlights the point of the dimple the
putter is making contact with.

Conclusion and practical applications

This study showed significant associations existed for three of the
four putter-ball combinations between the impact variables and the
kinematic ball roll variables horizontal launch angle and whether the
ball was pushed or pulled. This could be attributed to the dimple

The Sport and Exercise Scientist

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Figure 2. The Quintic mechanical putting arm.

error during putting (Figure 1, B). Pelz (2000) states the larger the
dimples on the golf ball, the more likely contact made on the edge
will affect the roll of the putt in terms of horizontal launch angle,
as each dimple is covering a larger surface area. However, the
smaller the dimple, the greater the number of dimples there will
be covering the ball, and therefore the chance of making contact
with the edge of a dimple increases in comparison to a golf ball with
larger dimples.

100

Horizontal Launch Angle

Variance accountable to IV (%)

90

Push/Pull

80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10

on

ey
-S

Ashley Richardson

ss

dy
ss

dy

Ashley is a lecturer in the Division of Sport and

Exercise Sciences at Abertay University.

rix

ey
-T
itl
ei
s

-S
EL

G
EL

-T
itl
e

rix
o

is
t

have been successful. Therefore,

the variation accountable to
the impact variables can be
considered negligible for a
simulated 3.2 m putt.
Karlsen et al. (2008) states
that a stroke with a horizontal
launch angle variability of 0.39
will miss approximately 5% of
putts made from 13 ft. Data from
this study falls well within this
range (0.04 - 0.15). This may
suggest a golfer can disregard
dimple error as a cause for
missed putts. However, for trials
completed with a putting robot all other parameters of technique
remained constant (putter face angle at impact, putter path and
horizontal impact point on the putter face). When a human golfer
completes a golf putt, stroke parameters will inevitably vary leading
to increased variability in the horizontal launch angle, with the
addition of dimple error (however small) may lead to an increased
number of missed putts.
So how can you minimise dimple error? First, you need to
accurately align the ball each time you putt; this will increase the
chance the same three or four dimples come into contact with
the putter face during each putt. Second, use the same brand
and model of golf ball during each round - results from this study
have demonstrated that the two different brands of golf ball
demonstrated different amounts of variability for the horizontal
launch angle and whether the ball was pushed or pulled. Third,
utilise the seam of the golf ball if the brand you are using has one,
this can be termed a dimple free zone and will ensure that you
minimise another potential variable that can alter the direction of a
golf putt.
In conclusion, the golfer should be aware of dimple error
and take measures to minimise the small amount of variation
observed. However, focus should still predominantly remain on
other elements that contribute to a successful golf putt, such as the
putter face angle, which has previously been found to significantly
contribute to the direction of a golf putt.

Figure 3. The percentage of variance of the horizontal launch

angle and whether the ball was push or pulled associated
with the collective impact variables, (*) denotes a significant
association (p < 0.05).
Dr Gerwyn Hughes

The Titleist Pro V1 dimple had a smaller circumference than

the Srixon Z-STAR dimple. Based on Pelz (2000) predictions more
variability would be expected to occur for the Srixon golf ball, for
the horizontal launch angle. However, more total variance was
observed for the Titleist ball (0.43 - 0.44) in comparison to the
Srixon ball (0.18 - 0.43). The impact variables were accountable for
0.06 - 0.15 variance of the four putter-ball combinations. These
differences are marginal between each group, however, based on
these results, it seems the different putters had more influence on
the horizontal launch angle, rather than the impact point on the
golf ball, as shown in Figure 3 the largest variance accountable to
the impact variables occurs for both groups using the GEL putter.
For the push/pull variable the impact variables accounted for 0.20
- 0.61 cm of variability for the four putter-ball combinations. Based
on the total variability observed, all 160 trials undertaken would
The Sport and Exercise Scientist

Issue 39

Spring 2014

www.bases.org.uk

Gerwyn works at the University of Hertfordshire. He is a BASES accredited sport and

exercise scientist.

References:
Karlsen, J., Smith, G. & Nilsson, J. (2008). The stroke has
only a minor influence on direction consistency in golf putting
among elite players. Journal of Sports Sciences, 26(3), 243-250.
Pelz, D.T. (2000). Dave Pelzs Putting Bible. New York:
Random House.
Wiseman, F. & Chatterjee, S. (2006). Comprehensive
analysis of golf performance on the PGA tour: 1990-2004.
Perceptual and Motor Skills, 102(1), 109-117.

29

Study at the leading

edge of sport
At UCLan our sports programmes are influenced by our world-leading research and our
internationally renowned academic staff - many of whom are shaping policy and practice in
elite sport, from delivering a pre-season fitness regime for our partners Wigan Warriors to
developing a revolutionary new running shoe.
Our outstanding facilities have welcomed athletes from
Oceania, during the 2012 Olympics, and members of the
Ireland team for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup and we
have extensive links with professional sports teams.
We offer full-time, part-time and blended learning courses in:
Sports Therapy & Physiotherapy (BSc, MSc)
Sport and Exercise Science, Physiology and
Biomechanics (BSc, MSc)
Strength & Conditioning (BSc)
Nutrition and Exercise Science (BSc)
Elite Coaching & Elite Performance
(PgDip, M.Prof, D.Prof)
Working closely with key international partners, our research
includes Sport and Exercise Science, Coaching and Performance,
Nutritional Sciences & Food Safety and Sport & Exercise
Rehabilitation. Enquiries about research degrees are welcome.

I am really impressed not only with the Universitys

top quality facilities, but also with the professionalism
and expertise of all UCLan staff and students that
Wigan Warriors have worked with today.
Sean Wane, Head Coach, Wigan Warriors Rugby League FC

For further information visit:

www.uclan.ac.uk/ssto
Email: cenquiries@uclan.ac.uk
Tel: 01772 892400
@UCLanSport
UCLan Sport
http://uclansport1.blogspot.co.uk

The Sport and Exercise Scientist

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Autumn 2013

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Right: Zoe with her budding gymnast daughters

Anya (8) on the bars and Caitlin (7) at Penketh
Gymnastics Club.

Final Word with

Dr Zoe Knowles
FBASES
One person who inspired me
Professor David Gilbourne, my PhD Director of Studies and
career long critical friend. I wouldnt be doing what Im doing
today without his guidance and ever onwards focused chats. He
taught me to challenge the conventional and to look wider than
that of our own profession for inspiration. I spent time working
with operating theatre practitioners and teachers through my PhD.
It was a revelation.
One memorable publication and why
The recent text on Reflective Practice in the Sport and Exercise
Sciences published by Routledge. It represents 13 years of hard
work including a time period when I had some personal challenges.
Amongst other things it allowed me to bring together my work
with children and reflective practice. The whole process of editing
the book has stimulated collaborations for the future, which are
really exciting! Dr Brendan Cropley has already been talking about
our next venture...watch this space!
One moment that changed the course of my career
A meeting with Professor Gareth Stratton back in 2009 after
maternity leave and part-time working. Family life didnt work
particularly well with the time demands for psychology support in
elite sport and we talked about transferring the skills and research
methods I had gained over 10 years and a PhD in sport psychology.
I had become interested in pre-school/active play through my own
dealings with these services/settings. I came away with a sense I had
got my mojo back and it led to me working with the dynamic team
at the Physical Activity Exchange.
One challenging aspect of my job
Fitting it all in! I work school term-time only and that helps to keep
a work/life balance.
One reason Im involved in sport and exercise sciences
Success can be defined in many ways in what I do. It can be helping
a family, child or community to become and stay active; helping an
athlete achieve a lifetime ambition with a medal or a student to get
a qualification or support them onward with a career opportunity.
I love that diversity in my working week.

One hero/heroine from past or present that has influenced me

Karren Brady. I read her book Strong Woman last year (Harper
Collins, 2012). In her opening chapter she calls for women to not
feel guilty about championing their career whilst being a mother,
never being afraid to be ambitious and considering the core values
you need to succeed. These should then drive the company/people
you work for and the person you want to be. I couldnt agree more!
One thing that I like to do on days off
I do some coaching at a local gymnastics club that my kids attend.
I coached at an elite level for many years and had the privilege of
working with Amanda Reddin amongst others. I got back into it
when the girls showed an interest and now help when time allows.
Something the Government should implement immediately
I think the proposals on extending the school day to include
activities from sport to creative subjects is a great one to consider.
Active playtimes, a nationwide Forest Schools programme, a
commitment to quality school PE and stronger school sports
partnerships are all things I would like to see implemented.
One quote that I really like
By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection
which is the noblest; second, by imitation, which is the easiest; and
third by experience, which is the bitterest (Confucius: Chinese
Philosopher, 551-479BC).
One piece of advice for up and coming sport and exercise
scientists
I sometimes feel undergraduates have a very narrow focus towards
graduate careers, when sport and exercise science offers a route
into so many. Whilst you may get there eventually I would say
dont discount opportunities that may offer you the chance to
learn skills, or understand people and contexts. Sports science is a
people profession and I will always credit part-time work at a well
known department store caf as being a contributing factor to my
communication skills and for the ability to think on my feet!
People I would like to have dinner with
A former Governor of Alcatraz, the Captain of the Titanic and
Betty Boothroyd.

One challenge that I think sport and exercise science faces

I lead on Public Engagement work in the School of Sport and
Exercise Sciences and I think as a field we could be better at
creating impact, disseminating and promoting what we do.
Public engagement shouldnt be about satisfying criteria for
a grant application or REF but something our field should
embrace as part of our core business. Working creatively with
opportunities that already exist like National Science Week
or organisations like STEMnet and the NCCPE can make it an
efficient and rewarding process.

Dr Zoe Knowles FBASES

Zoe is a Reader in Sport and Exercise Psychology. She is also
the Public Engagement Lead at the School of Sport and Exercise
Sciences at Liverpool John Moores University.
Compiled by:
Len Parker Simpson
Sports Physiology Research Scholar, University of Exeter
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Spring 2014

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31

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