Human Performance in Sport and Exercise Contexts

Cognition and the self

The aim of the group is to better understand the role of cognitions relating to the self in affective states and well-being, and in the occurrence and maintenance of a range of behaviours.We are interested in exploring individual differences and predictors of disordered cognition, and the potential implications of differing cognitive styles. Such work may enhance cognitively-based therapies and treatments, as well as direct interventions aimed at creating optimal conditions for peak performance.

Leadership and coaching

The aim of this group is to better understand the methods and mechanisms by which coaching and leadership contributes to successful performance and the coach's psychophysiological resposne to coaching. This research will contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of organisational management and athletic coaching.

Oxygen uptake kinetics, fatigue and exercise performance

The aim of this research group is to better understand the physiological processes that contribute to the ability resist fatigue in its various forms, and to determine how exercise performance can be altered by the manipulation of muscle energetics, acute and chronic nutrition and the environment in which humans exercise.A key framework within which this research takes place is that of “exercise intensity domains”: that physiological response profiles, fatigue mechanisms and exercise-limiting factors differ depending on the specific exercise intensity domain the subject exercises in.

Professional development

The aim of this group is to address the following key questions: what are the active ingredients in applied sport and exercise psychology? What are the characteristics of effective sport and exercise psychologists? How do practitioners develop these characteristics and change over time? How might inexperienced practitioners be helped? More recently we have also examined some of these questions more broadly in strength and conditioning coaches and applied exercise physiologists.