Principal Lecturer, Biomechanics & Strength & Conditioning

I have worked in the field of Sport & Exercise Science for the last 30 years. My particular areas of expertise are in Human Biomechanics and Strength and Conditioning, with my research exploring the use of biomechanical principles to optimise human function and performance. Research around the correlates between kinetic/kinematic parameters and human function and the effect of acute exercise interventions on performance is a particular interest.

I am an accredited Strength & Conditioning coach and have worked with a range of elite teams and individuals including the English Institute of Sport and England rugby.I have a number of roles outside of the University of Bedfordshire including acting as a tutor and assessor for the UK Strength & Conditioning Association and Heading the S & C Department at Amptill RFC.

Research interests

• University of Bedfordshire, MSc Strength& Conditioning Course Coordinator
• University of Bedfordshire, Post Graduate Portfolio Lead in School of Sport Science & Physical Activity
• University of Bedfordshire, Senior Researcher within the Institute of Sport & Physical Activity Research (ISPAR)
• Optimising training programmes for developing, strength and speed
• The effect of warm-up modalities on physical performance and muscle function
• The role of musculotendinous unit stiffness in short term high intensity motor capabilities

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) Sport Studies
• MSc Sport Fitness Science
• PhD
• D32 & D33
• BOA Accredited Strength and Conditioner
• UKSCA Accredited Strength and Conditioner
• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• REPS Level 2 Gym Instructor
• REPS Level 3 Personal Trainer

Membership of professional bodies

• UK Strength & Conditioning Association

Internal/ external roles

• SCUK Senior Tutor and Tutor Assessor (2003-)
• EIS Strength and Conditioning Coach (2004-06)
• Journal of Sport Sciences (2006-) – Reviewer
• BASES Safeguarding and Child Protection working committee (2007-)
• Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (2008-) – Reviewer
• UKSCA Tutor and Assessor (2008-)
• European Journal of Applied Physiology (2009-) – Reviewer
• TASS Strength and Conditioning Coach (2009-)
• Mens Health/Lucazade Power Challenge Trainer (2009)
• British Journal of Sports Medicine (2009-) – Reviewer
• European Journal of Sport Sciences (2010-) – Reviewer
• Sports Biomechanics (2010-) – Reviewer
• Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise (2011-) – Reviewer
• International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance (2011-) - Reviewer
• Collegium Antropologicum (2011-) – Reviewer
• Open University (2012-16) - External Examiner
• University of South Wales (2012-16) – External Examiner
• PONE (2013-) – Reviewer
• University of St Marys (2015-19) – External Examiner
• Head of S & C, Amptill RFC (2020 - present)

Teaching expertise

• Level 4: SPO067-1 Fundamentals of Strength & Conditioning
• Level 5: SPO088-2 Applied Strength & Conditioning
• Level 6: SPO062-3 Advanced Strength & Conditioning
• Level 7: SPO058-6 Principles of Strength & Conditioning SPO057-6 Principles of Strength & Conditioning
  -SPO011-6 Advanced Strength & Conditioning
  -SPO075-6 Applied Strength & Conditioning
• SPO011-6 Advanced Strength & Conditioning

Research supervision

PhD Students

• Jacob Wymer (2020) “An Analysis of the Factors Related to Barbell Velocity in Elite Powerlifters Deadlift Performance”

• Morgan Ferris (2023) “Identifying the Best Practice for use of Post-Activation Potentiation for Increasing Human Performance”

Completed PhD Students

• Sean Maloney (2016). “The relationship between stiffness, asymmetries AND change of direction speed”
• Jack Wells (2020). “Associations Between Golfers’ Clubhead Velocity and Vertical Ground Reaction Forces During Vertical Jumps and an Isometric Mid-thigh Pull”
• Cheryl Barford (2021). “Trunk Muscle Onset in Response to an Unexpected Lower Body Perturbation in Young Adults, Older adults and Trained Participants”
• Jacob Wymer (2020) “An Analysis of the Factors Related to Barbell Velocity in Elite Powerlifters Deadlift Performance”
• Morgan Ferris (2023) “Identifying the Best Practice for use of Post-Activation Potentiation for Increasing Human Performance”

Masters by Research Students

• Mathew Monte-Colombo (2008). “The effect of active warm up and different stretch protocols on soccer performance variables.”
• Kevin Wyld (2014). “Differing isometric contractions can affect neural excitability”
• Darren Harrison (2014). “The acute effects of back squat & counter movement jump on subsequent sprint running performance”
• Vivian Ruocco (2014). “Stay Strong, Live Long (SSLL), the first comprehensive individually tailored home-based multidisciplinary strength and conditioning exercise programme for mature women ages 60 and above based on current sport and exercise science”
• Paddy Hogben (2015). “Changes in strength and power characteristics over a season in elite English rugby union players”
• George Maddams (2021). “Kinematic and muscle activation differences between a range of posterior and hip dominant resistance exercises”
• Jacob Murphy (2021). “Dynamic postural stability in boxers and differences between levels of performer”
• Lauren Howard (2021). “The relationship between functional performance test results and frontal plane knee movement in cyclists”
• Ross Endersby (2021). “Analysis of Kinetic, kinematic and muscle activity variables within a rugby tackle simulation”
• Joe Powers (2022) “The Time Effects of Different Post Activation Potentiation Interventions on Performance in High Level Athletes”
• Nathan Allwork (2023) “An Analysis of Kinetics in a Change of Direction Manoeuvre in Professional Rugby Players”

Advisory panels

• UK Strength & Conditioning Association, consultation group for the S & C Trainer Qualification, the Weight Lifting Resistance Training pathway and the CIMSPA Chartered Status Pathway and the UKSCA Accreditation Process

Funded Projects

• European Social Fund (2003) Supported Distance Learning - £25,000
• High 5 Nutritional Supplements (2007) - £30,000
• RiT Bid: Measurement of Back Function (2009) - £1500
• Human Performance Centre (2009) - £52,000
• Biometrics Movement Analysis System (2009) - £15,000
• Opto Jump Gait Analysis System (2009) - £15,000
• RSscan Gait Analysis System (2009) - £11,000
• Woodway Non Motorised Treadmill (2010) - £30,000
• Olympic Lifting Equipment (2011) - £6000
• UEFA (2011) The effect of climate and fatigue on referees decision making - £10,000
• Daily Mail (2011) The effect instability shoes have on walking gait - £1000
• ASPIRE Health & Fitness Facility (2015) - £500,000
• Capital Bid: S&C Facility (2022) - £170,000
• Innovation Bridges: MSc by Research Funding (2022) - £10,000

Publications

• Beasley, N., Fletcher, I. & Keillar, E. (2003). Use of and attitudes towards, protective equipment by professional rugby union players. Journal of Sport Sciences, 4: 260-261
• Fletcher, I. (2004). Resistance Training in Rugby Union. RFU Technical Journal, August
• Fletcher, I. & Hartwell, M. (2004). The effect of an 8-week combined weights and plyometrics training programme on golf drive performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 18: 59-62
• Fletcher, I. & Jones, B. (2004). The effect of different warm-up stretch protocols on 20m-sprint performance in trained rugby union players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 18: 885-8
• Fletcher, I. & Anness, R. (2007). The acute effects of combined static and dynamic stretch protocols on 50m sprint performance in track and field athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 21, 784-787
• Fletcher, I.M. (2010). The effects of pre-competition massage on the kinematic parameters of 20m sprint performance. J Strength Cond Res, 24: 1179-1183
• Fletcher, I.M. and Monte-Colombo, M.M. (2010). An investigation into the effects of different warm-up modalities on specific motor skills related to soccer performance. J Strength Cond Res, 24: 2096-2101
• Fletcher, I.M. and Monte-Colombo, M.M. (2010). An investigation into the possible physiological mechanisms associated with changes in performance related to acute responses to different preactivity stretch modalities. J App Physiol Nut Metabolism, 35: 27-34
• Fletcher, I.M. (2010). The effect of different dynamic stretch velocities on jump performance. Eur J App Physiol, 109: 491-498
• Sculthorpe, N., Grace, F., Jones, P. and Fletcher, I. (2010). The effect of short term creatine loading on active range of movement. J App Physiol Nut Metabolism, 35: 507-511
• Fletcher, I.M. (2013). An investigation into the effect of a pre-performance strategy on jump performance. J Strength Cond Res, 27: 107-115
• Fletcher, I.M. and Long, C.S. (2013). The effects of kicking leg preference on balance ability in elite soccer players. J Athl Enhancement, 2: 3
• Harvey, S., Pope, S., Fletcher, I. & Kerner, C. (2014). Chapt. Jenny. In Pedagogical Cases in Physical Education & Youth Sport. Ed. Armour, K. Routledge, London
• Mauger, A.R., Huntley, T. and Fletcher, I.M. (2014). RPE-derived work rates can be accurately produced without external feedback or reference to the RPE scale. Perceptual Motor Skills, 118: 507-521
• Maloney, S.J, Turner, A.T. and Fletcher, I.M. (2014). Ballistic Exercise as a Pre-Activation Stimulus: A Review of the Literature and Practical Applications. Sports Medicine, 44: 1347-1359.
• Fletcher, I.M. and Bagley, A. (2014). Changing the stability conditions in a back squat: the effect on maximum load lifted and erector spinae muscle activity. Sports Biomechanics, 13: 380-390.
• Maloney, S.J., Fletcher, I.M. & Richards, J. (2015). Reliability of unilateral vertical leg stiffness measures assessed during bilateral hopping. J Applied Biomechanics, 31: 285-291.
• Maloney, S.J., Fletcher, I.M. & Richards, J. (2016). A comparison of methods to determine bilateral asymmetries in vertical stiffness. J Sports Sci, 34: 829-835.
• Maloney, S.J., Richards, J., Nixon, D.G.D., Harvey, L.J. & Fletcher I.M. (2016). Vertical stiffness asymmetries during drop jumping are related to ankle stiffness asymmetries. Scan J Med Sci Sports, Published online April 2016.
• Wells, J.E.T., Mitchell, A.C.S., Charalambous, L. & Fletcher, I.M. (2016). Relationship between vertical ground reaction force variables & clubhead speed in highly skilled golfers. Int J Golf Sci, 5, S74
• Maloney, SJ, Richards, J, Nixon, DGD, Harvey, CJ & Fletcher, IM (2017). Do stiffness asymmetries predict change of direction performance? J Sports Sci, 35: 544-556
• Fletcher, IM & Charalambous, L. (2017). Chapt Biomechanics of Running. In Running Science: Revealing the science of peak performance, Ed. Brewer, J. Ivy Press, UK.
• Maloney, SJ & Fletcher IM (2018). Lower limb stiffness testing in athletic performance: a critical review. Sports Biomechanics. Published online May 2018
• Wells, J. E. T., Mitchell, A. C. S., Charalambous, L. H. & Fletcher, I. M. (2018). Relationships between highly skilled golfers' clubhead velocity and force producing capabilities during vertical jumps and an isometric mid-thigh pull. Journal of Sports Sciences, 4, 1-5.
• Bedford, S, Robbins, D & Fletcher, I. (2018). Effects of active warm-up & warm-up massage on agility, perceived exertion & flexibility in tennis players. J Med Sci Tennis, 23: 16-24
• Maloney, SJ, Richards, J, Jelly, L and Fletcher, IM (2019). Unilateral stiffness interventions augment vertical stiffness & change of direction speed. J Strength Cond Res, 33: 372-379
• Wells, J., Charalambous, L., Mitchell, A., Coughlan, D., Brearley, S., Hawkes, R., Murray, A., Hillman, R. & Fletcher, I. (2019). Relationship between challenge-tour golfers’ clubhead velocity & force producing capabilities during a countermovement jump & isometric mid-thigh pull. J Sport Sci, 12: 1381-1386
• Wells JET, Mitchell ACS, Charalambous, LH & Fletcher IM (2019). Relationship between highly skilled golfers’ clubhead velocity and vertical ground reaction force asymmetry during vertical jumps and an isometric mid-thigh pull. J Strength Cond Res, 34: 2824-2831
• Chrismas, B.C.R., Fletcher, I. & Hogben, P. (2020). Changes in peak force output, rate of force development, and jump performance across a full season in elite English rugby union players. Sport Performance & Science Reports. Published online
• Archer E, Brannigan J, Fletcher I & Sargent, D (2021) Foundations of Strength & Conditioning. UK Strength and Conditioning Association ISBN 978-1-8383103-0-1
• Jack ET Wells, Andrew CS Mitchell, Laura H Charalambous & Iain M Fletcher (2022): Relationships between highly skilled golfers’ clubhead velocity and kinetic variables during a countermovement jump. Sports Biomechanics. Published online 28th Feb 2022
• Soares, D., Fletcher, I., Mitchell, A. & Charalambous, L. (2022). The effect of footwear midsole thickness on postural stability in older adults aged 65 to 79.
• British Association and Exercise Sciences abstracts, Journal of Sports Sciences (40) sup 1, pp.1-39
• Swales, B., Ryde, G.C., Fletcher, I. and Whittaker, A.C., 2023. The reliability and suitability of strength assessments in frail and pre-frail older adults: recommendations for strength testing in older populations. BMC geriatrics, 23(1), p.820.

Conference Presentations

• Fletcher, I.M. (2004). The effect of pre-competition massage on sprint performance. BASES Annual Conference
• Fletcher, I.M. (2004). Developing Flexibility in Young Athletes. Key note presentation at Conditioning in Soccer Annual Conference
• Fletcher, I.M. (2005). Core Conditioning. Key note presentation at Conditioning in Soccer Annual Conference
• Fletcher, I.M. (2008). Biomechanical Principles in Sprint Running. Keynote presentation at The England Athletics Coaching Conference
• Fletcher, I.M. (2009). What percentage of maximal force causes an optimum increase in range of motion in a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitated stretch regime? UKSCA Annual Conference.
• Fletcher, I.M. (2009). Does dynamic stretch velocity effect jump height? BASES Annual Conference
• Wyld, K., Fletcher, I., Castle, P., Sculthorpe, N. and Riley, W. (2009). Do different forces in a patella tendon tap test elicit differing stretch reflex responses? BASES Annual Conference
• Sculthorpe, N., Grace, F., Jones, P. and Fletcher, I. (2010). The Effect of Short Term Creatine Monohydrate Loading on Active Range of Movement. International Conference on Creatine in Health and Sport. University of Cambridge
• Chapillon, J.C., Sculthorpe, N., Fletcher, I. (2010). The Effect of Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation on EMG Response to Passive Dorsiflexion. International Conference on Creatine in Health and Sport. University of Cambridge
• Fletcher, I. and Mills, D. (2011). Knee Function: Relationship to Football Specific High Speed Motor Capabilities. ECSS Annual Congress, University of Liverpool
• Fletcher, I. and Long, S. (2012). Leg Dominances Effect on Balance in Elite Soccer Players. ECSS Annual Congress, Bruge
• Barford, C., Fletcher, I., Richards, J. & Sculthorpe, N. (2015). Reliability of rehabilitative ultrasound to capture abdominal muscle thickness in different body positions in inhalation and exhalation. BASES Annual Conference.
• Maloney, S.J., Richards, J., Nixon, D.J.N., Harvey, L.J. & Fletcher, I.M. (2015). Do Stiffness Asymmetries predict change of direction performance? UKSCA National Conference, Kenilworth, UK
• Wells, J.E.T, Mitchell, A.C.S., Charalambous, L. and Fletcher, I.M. (2016). Relationships between vertical ground reaction force variables and clubhead speed in highly skilled golfers. World Scientific Congress of Golf, St. Andrews University.
• Long, C., Daggett, L., Fletcher, I., Mitchell, A. & Charalambous, L. (2018). Effects of inter-positional anthropometric factors on balance & stability research in elite rugby union players. BASES Annual Conference
• Swales, B., Ryde, G.C., Fletcher, I. & Whittaker, A.C. (2022) Practice makes perfect: recommendations for reliable strength testing in older frail populations. Scottish Physical Activity Research Conference 2022. 1st place, best student poster
• Soares, D., Fletcher, I., Mitchell, A. & Charalambous, L. (2022). The effect of footwear midsole thickness on postural stability in older adults aged 65 to 79. British Association and Exercise Sciences abstracts, Journal of Sports Sciences (40) sup 1, pp.1-39. · Soares, D., Fletcher, I., Mitchell, A. & Charalambous, L. (2021). Intra and Intersession Reliability of Centre of Pressure Measures in Older Adults during Bipedal Static Postural Tests. XXVIII Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics (ISB), Digital Congress 25-29, July 2021.

Contact details

T: +44 (0)7789 560909
E: iain.fletcher@beds.ac.uk

Postal address:
School of Sport Science & Physical Activity
Polhill Avenue
Bedford
MK41 9EA