ISPAR Conference 2021
On behalf of the Institute for Sport & Physical Activity Research, welcome to our sixth Annual ISPAR Conference with the theme of 'Improvement through Movement: Performance, health and wellbeing across the lifespan'.
ISPAR Conference - Programme and Abstracts [PDF]
Our conference showcased the impactful research that our staff, postgraduate students and collaborators are engaged in within each of our three research centres, across three days. We had three exciting keynotes and experts in the field, and welcomed back three former graduates featured as our Alumni keynotes.
The Centre for Health, Wellbeing and Behaviour Change kicked off day one, with a focus on 'Moving medicine for the benefit of physical health and psychological wellbeing'. We will feature our first REF-submitted Impact Case Study to Unit of Assessment 24 on 'Changing sedentary behaviour, inactivity, health and wellbeing through influencing policy, training, and practice'. Our experts in exercise physiology, nutrition, psychology, and behaviour change discussed their research into the role of physical activity in long-term conditions. We looked at the role behavioural science has to play in public health. This was followed by our research related to taking a whole-systems approach to obesity and weight management,
diabetes management, glycaemic control, cardiometabolic health, and cardiac rehabilitation. We also looked at how positive psychology interventions can benefit psychological wellbeing in the police, and how physical activity can support individuals who have experienced the death of a parent. This research informs our work with the local community through our UoB Exercise Clinic, where we offer exercise sessions to individuals to help with their long-term health conditions.
Day two was hosted by our Centre for Physical Education, Sport and Human Movement focusing on social justice and equality in physical education and sport. Sessions discussed issues related to race, gender and inclusion, taking a look at specific populations and topics such as black and ethnic minority students'
experiences beyond football, girls' participation in sport and physical activity, empowerment of young athletes, physical activity at home during COVID-19 and teachers' reflections on gender, sexualities and relationships within primary school.
The Centre for Physical Activity and Sports Performance hosted our final day. Experts in the field discussed a variety of aspects to optimise human performance, such as understanding the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in firefighters, and cooling modalities in endurance and team sports that are played in the heat. Our cardiology specialists discussed cardiac structure and function in resistance-trained athletes and you will hear from our bio-mechanists and strength and conditioning teams on postural stability, cognitive function and muscle use. This day concluded with our second REF-submitted Impact Case
Study on 'Enhancing golf performance through biomechanical analysis'.
We hope our research will inspire various ways to reach improvement through movement. We encourage you to connect with us during and after the conference, with a view to exploring new and continuing research opportunities and collaborations.
address
Institute for Sport & Physical Activity Research
University of Bedfordshire
Pollhill Avenue
Bedford
MK41 9EA