Xsens Motion Perfodmance Systems The Xsens systems are the gold standard for kinematic analysis within sporting Enhancemetn. Not sure where Sciencce start? Perfromance more about Sports Science and Performance Enhancement current direction of Own the Podium, as Balancing blood sugar support Canadian athletes on their journey to the top of the Olympic and Paralympic podium. Xsens systems offer lab-quality motion capture in field conditions and tailors both the hardware and software of the MVN systems to ensure real-time, reliable and accurate human motion analysis. Get advice. The overall goal of this approach is to increase the frequency of Canadian podium appearances at World Championships, Olympic Games and Paralympic Games through strategically designed performance enhancement projects.

Sports Science and Performance Enhancement -

These differences are the foundation for designing methods to detect these compounds, especially since we all possess testosterone naturally. For each drug, identifying its major metabolites is the first step in developing a direct urine, blood, or saliva diagnostic test.

The human body produces natural endogenous testosterone T and epitestosterone E in a ratio of approximately 0. One of the first detection methods simply measured the ratio of testosterone and epitestosterone in urine samples.

To confirm the presence of exogenous T, the laboratory can measure the isotope ratio of 13 C: 12 C in T, as laboratory-made T has a slightly lower 13 C: 12 C ratio than endogenous T 2.

This methodology was used in the prosecution of Floyd Landis surrounding his performance in the Tour de France, proving that he had, in fact, used exogenous testosterone. Figure 2. Testing parameters for anabolic-androgenic steroid detection.

A: Structures of testosterone T and epitestosterone E , which are produced in a ratio between 0. B: Metabolism and analytical procedures necessary for detection of stanozolol by urinalysis. When a steroidal drug first finds its way onto the competitive scene, the onus is on regulators to understand its properties and metabolism for its detection and analysis.

Such was the case in the Seoul Olympic Games, when sprinter Ben Johnson set a world record in the m dash but was stripped of his gold medal after testing positive for stanozolol.

To develop a detection method for this drug, researchers had to understand the metabolism of stanozolol and how it could be detected most sensitively. The major route for stanozolol metabolism is shown in the vertical pathway of Figure 2B, along with the sample treatment required to detect metabolites by the time-tested gas chromatography-mass spectrometry GC-MS 3.

However, stanozolol produces another metabolite in smaller amounts called epi-stanozolol-N-glucuronide, shown in the horizontal pathway of Figure 2B.

This metabolite is long-lived and can be detected 28 days after administration! To detect stanozolol from this metabolite, a complex combination of methods involving electrospray ionization ESI and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry LC-MS was more recently developed.

Simply put, these techniques create ions which can be separated and identified by their mass to characterize and identify the metabolites present. While scientists were busy improving techniques to detect the anabolic-androgenic steroids they knew about in the early s, Barry Bonds was busy hitting home runs.

Little did the MLB know that behind the scenes, Bonds and other athletes had been using a newly synthesized steroid, tetrahydrogestrinone THG , designed specifically for potent anabolic effects and with anti-doping testing protocols in mind. The baseball scandal typifies some of the issues surrounding direct detection of AAS in anti-doping programs.

Even when a testing protocol is in place, infrequent testing such as in the MLB, where testing occurs twice per year can allow steroid use to go undetected; longer periods between tests allow the concentrations of steroid metabolites to decrease below the limits of detection more easily.

It is also possible for an athlete to deploy masking agents and diuretics to avoid detection 5 , which places an additional burden on testing administrations.

Anti-doping agencies were aware of these problems and the continued use of performance enhancing drugs despite their efforts to contain them.

These ratios together with a hematological profile constitute an Athlete Biological Passport ABP. This passport is a powerful benchmarking tool to enhance our ability to detect performance enhancing drugs. In vitro bioassays are another promising nontargeted approach for detecting androgens.

By altering cells with reporter proteins under regulation of androgen response elements, these assays can detect androgen receptor activation regardless of its source 6. This makes bioassays useful for detecting androgens in samples of unknown composition, such as in dietary supplements, which have in recent years caused athletes to inadvertently ingest banned substances.

The further development of nontargeted bioactivity-based detection methods will likely assist researchers in characterizing emerging androgens, whether they be steroidal in nature or part of the emerging class of selective androgen receptor modulators, which bear no resemblance structurally to testosterone and are not as metabolically understood 7 Figure 3.

Figure 3. Chemical structures of popular selective androgen receptor modulators SARMs of abuse. Looking toward the Olympic games and beyond, there will no doubt be scandals involving doping by individuals, sometimes at the behest of their organizations.

Such is the apparent nature of elite sport. But as sports organizations continue to be creative with the pharmacology they deploy, science will continue to equip anti-doping authorities with the knowledge and analytical capabilities needed to detect performance enhancing drugs. Maximizing these capabilities will serve as a deterrent to minimize doping, promote health in sport, and preserve a semblance of fairness.

Polet, M. Anal Bioanal Chem , 15 , Schänzer, W. Head of the Musculoskeletal, Physical Activity and Metabolic Health Group - Dr Ian Varley.

Head of the Exercise, Technology and Nutrition for Health Research Group - Dr Cleveland Barnett. Head of the Sport and Society Research Group - Dr Gavin Weedon. Head of the Physical Activity and Nutrition for Health Across the Lifespan Research Group - Dr Simon Cooper.

SHAPE researchers invest a significant amount of time on the dissemination of their research to a non-academic audience. Dr Ian Varley has appeared on BBC Radio Five Live to talk about genetic predisposition to injury and sporting prowess.

This was also picked up by ABC radio in Australia. Our researchers have written articles for The Conversation that have reached several million readers, with the three articles penned by Dr David Clayton on intermittent fasting being particularly popular, having a total of well over 1 million reads:.

The Conversation articles penned by Dr Neil Williams have also been extremely popular with over , reads; some of these articles was also featured in the mainstream press:. Dr Jessica Piasecki appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live discussing her research relating to the starting age of master athletes.

Mustafa Sarkar appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live talking about mental health in elite sport and the psychological impact of retirement. SHAPE has active collaborations locally, nationally and with countries on five continents. Our collaborations now extend to over twenty countries worldwide, including: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, Germany, Hong-Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Portugal, Qatar, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States,.

Our two biomechanics laboratories house multiple motion capture systems and both ground embedded and portable force plates. These systems also have mobile EMG, accelerometery and insole pressure measurement systems.

These set-ups are complemented by a host of software packages for musculoskeletal modelling, simulation and statistical analysis. Our multifunctional sport and exercise psychology laboratory, allows both quantitative and qualitative research to be conducted.

The new laboratory provides a space for interviews and focus groups and also provides the equipment for effective transcription and data analysis. Cognitive booths enable participants to complete a number of cognitive tasks requiring self-control in a controlled setting with no external distractions.

Our scanning laboratory encompasses dual x-ray absorptiometry DXA and peripheral quantitative computed tomography pQCT machines for the determination of body composition and bone mass and strength.

These machines are used extensively for our exercise, diet and bone health research. When combined with our internal collaborative capabilities in magnetic resonance imaging MRI , we have a powerful core capability for musculoskeletal imagery relating to the effects of exercise and diet on the musculoskeletal system.

Our four exercise physiology research laboratories are fully equipped with ergometers rowing, cycling, treadmills , expired air analysis systems and blood analysers and all of the major equipment required to determine the physiological responses to exercise and diet.

The Nutrition lounge and associated kitchen provides a purpose-built area for our nutrition research, providing a relaxing environment for participants of all ages. It also encompasses cognitive function booths for the assessment of the impacts of nutrition and exercise on cognitive function.

Two environmental chambers, one of which is British Olympic Association accredited allow the manipulation of temperature, humidity and altitude for physiological, nutritional, psychological and health research. In addition to these facilities we have access to core capabilities across the School of Science and Technology, including biosciences laboratories including the capability for cell culture and sophisticated OMICS analyses.

All of these facilities are overseen by a team of capable and dedicated technicians who can provide valuable advice and support to our research students.

The Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement Research Centre submitted impact case studies to REF Units of assessment: Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism.

Find out more about our cookie policy OK. Study International Research Business Alumni About. Our Research and Impact Research Reimagined Researchers Revealed Research degrees at NTU Access our Research Expertise Support for Researchers News and events.

Home Research Groups and centres Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement Research Centre SHAPE. As part of the SHAPE research centre, we have following groups:. The Sport, Health and Society Research Group SHS Led by Dr Gavin Weedon and Dr Ali Bowes is committed to cross-disciplinary, socially relevant scholarship exploring how sport and exercise are implicated in cultural, psychological, economic, and environmental issues.

Staff members: Prof. Chris Harwood Dr Gavin Weedon Dr Ali Bowes Dr David Hindley Dr Laura Healy Dr Christopher Matthews Seth Kirby Dr Luke Wilkins Craig Strong Ben Ashdown Dr Pete Holmes Anika Leslie-Walker Eleanor Catlin Dr Katie Taylor Dr Johan Rewilak Postgraduate Researchers Reem AlHashmi Debi Gibson Alex Harris Joseph Stanford Molly Pocock James Shepherd.

The Sport Performance Research Group SP Led by Dr Mustafa Sarkar and Dr Paul Felton conducts multidisciplinary research to understand and improve individual and team sport performance.

The Physical Activity and Nutrition for Health Across the Lifespan Research Group PANHAL Led by Prof. Staff members: Dr Simon Cooper Dr John Morris Dr Caroline Sunderland Dr Karah Dring Dr Ryan Williams Dr Kirsty Hunter Dr Daniele Magistro Dr Ruth Boat Luke Gilbert Postgraduate Researchers: Scarlett Fountain Anna Dunn Catarina Ramos Nicola Camp Elise Sibbick Shelley Taylor Postdoc.

The Exercise, Technology and Nutrition for Health Research Group EXTEND Led by Dr Cleveland Barnett and Dr Neil Williams explores how exercise, technology and nutrition can positively impact health and performance. Staff members: Dr Cleveland Barnett Dr. Maria Bisele Dr. Kirtsy Hunter Dr.

Neil Williams Dr. Graham Sharpe Dr. Michael Johnson Dr. Noel Kinrade Dr Christopher Matthews Postgraduate Researchers: Liam Hughes Andrew Brooke Louis Hall.

The Musculoskeletal Physiology Research Group MSP Led by Dr Ian Varley and Dr John Hough conducts multidisciplinary research with a particular focus on Nutrition and Metabolism, Healthy Ageing, Neuromuscular Physiology and Injury and Illness.

Staff members: Ian Varley John Hough Daniele Magistro Jessica Piasecki Angus Hunter Philippa Jobling Ruth James David Clayton Philip Hennis Livia Rocha Dos Santos Reece Scott Carla Baker Nicola Camp Matthew Savage Katy Griggs Steve Faulkner.

Head Research Staff. Chris Harwood Head of the Sport Performance Research Group - Dr. Mustafa Sarkar Head of the Musculoskeletal, Physical Activity and Metabolic Health Group - Dr Ian Varley Head of the Exercise, Technology and Nutrition for Health Research Group - Dr Cleveland Barnett Head of the Sport and Society Research Group - Dr Gavin Weedon Head of the Physical Activity and Nutrition for Health Across the Lifespan Research Group - Dr Simon Cooper Information about members of our research groups can be found in the individual groups.

Media Coverage. Our researchers have written articles for The Conversation that have reached several million readers, with the three articles penned by Dr David Clayton on intermittent fasting being particularly popular, having a total of well over 1 million reads: Intermittent fasting: if you're struggling to lose weight, this might be why Intermittent fasting is no better than conventional dieting for weight loss new study finds Intermittent fasting: the best method The Conversation articles penned by Dr Neil Williams have also been extremely popular with over , reads; some of these articles was also featured in the mainstream press: What do Olympians actually eat?

What supplements do scientists use, and why? Winter Olympics: why many athletes will be struggling with asthma Dr Jessica Piasecki appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live discussing her research relating to the starting age of master athletes.

Recent projects. The Postpartum Exercise and Return to Fitness: Optimise Readiness For military Mums PERFORM study has been designed to restore physical function after childbirth and enable servicewomen to achieve their physical employment standards upon return to duty.

This work is based upon a major grant total £, from the Ministry of Defence to support the work of the Women in Ground Close Combat Team. The Injury and Illness Surveillance Study is conducted by Nottingham Trent University on behalf of the English Football Association FA in order to realise their aim of acquiring World-leading status in the treatment and prevention of injury and illness in football.

HUUB Design are funding and using research to develop clothing solutions for elite endurance athletes.

These clothing solutions include fabric development and treatments to influence thermal conductivity by improving sweat evaporation and, thus, athletic performance.

The work is part of a PhD studentship between HUUB and the Department of Engineering at NTU. This research was funded by the National Institute for Health Research through the Research for Patient Benefit Scheme total £, in collaboration with both academic and national health service partners.

Fasey, K. Defining and characterizing organizational resilience in elite sport. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, Townsend, R. The effect of post exercise carbohydrate and protein ingestion on bone metabolism. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 49 6 , Barron, D. Identifying playing talent in professional football using artificial neural networks.

Journal of Sports Sciences , 38 ,

Sports Science and Performance Enhancement Sportz applies Optimizing glycogen stores study of science Ehhancement sporting activities. The Sports Science and Performance Enhancement of sport science is to help Sportts performance and endurance in preparation for events and competitions while lessening the risk of injury. Sports Scientists ensure that athletes are up to date with current training protocols, testing, and preparation. Our highly experienced Sport Science staff are able to provide evidence based interventions to athletes to improve performance. Strength and conditioning. This Peerformance uses cookies Enhacnement enhance your BCAAs for women experience. By continuing to browse the site Sports Science and Performance Enhancement are agreeing to our use of cookies. Find out more about our cookie policy. Unit s of assessment: Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism. Research theme: Health and Wellbeing.