Supporting a uK SucceSS Story: The impacT of - Research Councils ...

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INTRODUCTION This summer the best athletes in the world come to London to showcase their skill, represent their country and try to win a medal at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The significance of hosting an event on this scale cannot be underestimated and will impact on the lives of all of us, whether you live in London or elsewhere in the UK. The whole country will get behind Team GB to encourage and support them in their endeavours to achieve the best performance and make Britain proud. As part of an Olympic and Paralympic themed Universities Week this new report highlights just some of the many ways in which research will help Team GB achieve exceptional results. While most attention will be on the results achieved in London this summer, it is inspiring to look at the research taking place in UK universities that will help make London 2012 the best Olympic and Paralympic Games in history. Importantly, the impact of this research will be felt by many more people once the Games are over. “This new report highlights just some of the many ways in which research will help Team GB achieve exceptional results.” It is sometimes easy to forget when you watch an athlete or team compete just how much preparation has gone into their performance. This isn’t simply a training scheduled or practice, sport today makes use of ground breaking research to aid everything from nutrition, health, equipment, physiotherapy, rehabilitation and performance. The first chapter of this report features examples of cutting-edge technology and manufacturing. Increasingly, this knowledge is being applied to sport and is already helping our athletes improve their competiveness. As well as developing advanced prosthetic limbs, researchers are using biomechanical analysis to help athletes perfect rowing techniques and diving movements. One researcher has had great success using mathematical modelling to help sprinters who run round bends and has worked with numerous Team GB spring and relay stars. 4 Supporting a UK success story: The impact of university research and sport development
Research is increasingly being used to help athletes maintain their health and wellbeing so that they can perform to the best of their ability. Some researchers have even found that cherry based supplements are highly beneficial to marathon runners! Research is also ongoing into how to best test for illegal substances and educate people about the dangers associated with doping. At the Games this summer researchers and students will be working with international pharmaceutical companies to run a Drug Control Centre to manage the task of testing samples from thousands athletes. The design of equipment such as kayaks and bobsleighs has proved to be as important as the skill of the athlete using them. Design works together with technology to give athletes that extra split second or millimetre advantage which can mean the difference between gold and silver. As well as equipment, researchers are also using design to produce unique footwear and clothing and of course, design was a key factor in developing the Olympic Park itself. Sports development within our universities is encouraging greater participation in sport by students, school pupils and the wider local community. The sports facilities at universities are available for the public to use as well as students and athletes who train there. Universities are working with BUCS and various National Sporting Bodies to help inspire more people to get involved in sport, encourage active lifestyle and hopefully produce the next generation of Olympic and Paralympic medal winners. The final chapter of this report looks back at the history of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the way this has shaped the modern version that will come to London. This year will be the third time London has hosted the Games and the city is an integral part of its history. When we bid to host the 2012 Games, a key element was the legacy that would be created. The regeneration taking place in East London is remarkable, but the social regeneration will be felt much further afield than just in London and will reach across the whole of the UK. Researchers are already looking into the potential legacy of the London 2012 Games and early indication show that a positive impact on the economic growth of the UK is already being felt. This report is a unique snapshot of how important research is, not only to our success at this summer’s Games, but to the long-term prosperity and wellbeing of the UK. Supporting a UK success story: The impact of university research and sport development 5
Page 1 and 2: Supporting a UK success story: The
Page 3: British Universities & Colleges Spo
Page 7 and 8: CONTENTS Section 1 technology Secti
Page 9 and 10: Electronic POWERbreathe® K-Series
Page 11 and 12: Strengthening foundations through 3
Page 13 and 14: Since then, the Imperial team have
Page 15 and 16: Men’s 4x100 m relay team review t
Page 17 and 18: Technology: FOOTBALL FOCUSED Footba
Page 19 and 20: “This interactive approach will a
Page 21 and 22: SECTION ONE : TECHNOLOGY 21
Page 23 and 24: A number of new technologies will b
Page 25 and 26: the concentration of lactate in the
Page 27 and 28: Dr James Betts sampling blood for a
Page 29 and 30: A healthy legacy Recognising the im
Page 31 and 32: mind anticipates the end of a bout
Page 33 and 34: Health and Wellbeing Monitoring air
Page 35 and 36: Sharon Gayter SECTION two : Health
Page 37 and 38: difference. It is the same disabili
Page 39 and 40: Tom Waller, a former Engineering an
Page 41 and 42: Role of drawing in the Olympic Game
Page 43 and 44: Design for disabled athletes Studen
Page 45 and 46: SECTION THREE : DESIGN 45
Page 47 and 48: The first project, ‘Sport for Lif
Page 49 and 50: of the game away from the more expe
Page 51 and 52: Tennis Tennis is another sport whic
Page 53 and 54: London 1948 established Olympism’
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Modern Pentathlon celebrates its ce
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etween the two countries in the run
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PhD student Helen Hoyle Trial plot
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World Student Games in Sheffield SE
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Lifelong health Physical inactivity
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Supporting a uK SucceSS Story: The impacT of - Research Councils ...

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