Supporting a uK SucceSS Story: The impacT of - Research Councils ...
Supporting a uK SucceSS Story: The impacT of - Research Councils ...
Supporting a uK SucceSS Story: The impacT of - Research Councils ...
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INTRODUCTION<br />
This summer the best athletes in the world come to London to showcase their skill, represent<br />
their country and try to win a medal at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. <strong>The</strong><br />
significance <strong>of</strong> hosting an event on this scale cannot be underestimated and will impact on the<br />
lives <strong>of</strong> all <strong>of</strong> us, whether you live in London or elsewhere in the UK. <strong>The</strong> whole country will<br />
get behind Team GB to encourage and support them in their endeavours to achieve the best<br />
performance and make Britain proud.<br />
As part <strong>of</strong> an Olympic and Paralympic themed<br />
Universities Week this new report highlights<br />
just some <strong>of</strong> the many ways in which research<br />
will help Team GB achieve exceptional results.<br />
While most attention will be on the results<br />
achieved in London this summer, it is inspiring<br />
to look at the research taking place in UK<br />
universities that will help make London 2012<br />
the best Olympic and Paralympic Games in<br />
history. Importantly, the impact <strong>of</strong> this research<br />
will be felt by many more people once the<br />
Games are over.<br />
“This new report highlights<br />
just some <strong>of</strong> the many<br />
ways in which research<br />
will help Team GB achieve<br />
exceptional results.”<br />
It is sometimes easy to forget when you watch<br />
an athlete or team compete just how much<br />
preparation has gone into their performance.<br />
This isn’t simply a training scheduled or<br />
practice, sport today makes use <strong>of</strong> ground<br />
breaking research to aid everything from<br />
nutrition, health, equipment, physiotherapy,<br />
rehabilitation and performance. <strong>The</strong> first<br />
chapter <strong>of</strong> this report features examples <strong>of</strong><br />
cutting-edge technology and manufacturing.<br />
Increasingly, this knowledge is being applied<br />
to sport and is already helping our athletes<br />
improve their competiveness. As well as<br />
developing advanced prosthetic limbs,<br />
researchers are using biomechanical analysis<br />
to help athletes perfect rowing techniques and<br />
diving movements. One researcher has had<br />
great success using mathematical modelling<br />
to help sprinters who run round bends and has<br />
worked with numerous Team GB spring and<br />
relay stars.<br />
4<br />
<strong>Supporting</strong> a UK success story: <strong>The</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> university research and sport development