6 minute read
Student and Staff success
Research initiative in Applied Sport Science
Marco Beato, Associate Professor in Sport and Exercise Science (BSc, MSc, PhD, CSCS, SFHEA), has been with the University for over 6 years. His research specialism is applied sport science, GPS technology and elite football performance. Marco is an Associate Editor of The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research (USA), a member of the Reviewing Panel of the European College of Sport Science (Germany), and reviewer for some of the most prestigious Journals in Sport and Exercise Science.
His paper is entitled “Recommendations for the design of randomized controlled trials in strength and conditioning. Common design and data interpretation.”
The aim of Marco’s paper is to make recommendations in the field of research design and data interpretation with the aim of improving the robustness of future strength and conditioning (S&C) research and avoiding the replication of common mistakes that can be found in the sports literature. Much can be learned from the clinical field, therefore practitioners, coaches and researchers should be encouraged to adopt research methods coming from such research areas when they design RCTs. In S&C there is the need for more robust RCTs which should have longer duration, greater number of participants enrolled, and the right type of control group (no-intervention control or active control) based on the existing knowledge. Finally, researchers should be aware of some common mistakes that should be avoided such as the selection of a sample of inadequate dimension (type II errors) or inadequate alpha levels (risk of type I), the use of flawed statistical methods, and the incorrect selection of a statistical test or the wrong interpretation of CIs of their study.
The paper can be seen on the Frontiers web page.
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2022
STUDENT AND STAFF SUCCESS
Physiotherapy: new course – first stories
This September we welcomed 25 physiotherapy students to the University of Suffolk for the very first time. They have joined the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy programme, a brand new 3-year degree programme, approved by the Health and Care Professions Council and accredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). To our knowledge, this programme is the only physiotherapy programme in the UK to use a block learning and teaching programme, and it was commended by the CSP for its innovative and contemporary curriculum and the use of coproduction with local stakeholders.
Our students gained an insight into working in the health and social care setting by completing a taster/voluntary day with some of our local services, and they have developed their inperson and virtual communication skills by working with our service user group. Having finished their first module they are now starting to learn their fundamental physiotherapeutic skills in block two and three, and will be out on their first placement with local physiotherapy providers in January.
We asked one of our new first year students, Kate Fuller, to tell us about their experience of joining the course. ‘I chose to study physiotherapy following my own personal experiences. I have visited physiotherapists in the past for sports injuries, and their work has inspired me to pursue this as my chosen career. Through work experience, I was able to observe the personal impact that physiotherapists have on their patients and how the quality of life is enhanced. This course will give me so many opportunities to learn skills that I can use to help others. ‘One of the main things I love about the course is how we are able to get so many practical experiences, through both placements and practical sessions at the University. I am going to learn many different skills over the next three years as I develop into a physiotherapist, which is really exciting. The new facilities in the Health and Wellbeing building are also incredible, it is such an impressive environment to be learning in. ‘The thing that has surprised me most as a new student is how quickly we started putting our learning into practice and it has been a good way to meet everyone on the course and develop our confidence.’ International student, Munotida Marimirofa, from Zimbabwe, said: ‘I picked this course because I enjoyed playing sport as well as helping people and what better way is there to combine both other than physiotherapy. ‘What I like most about the course is how the lectures bring forth a different and more interesting style of learning within the module. ‘What surprises me is how the content we are learning is somewhat similar to that of pre medicine students and not only to do with stretching and exercise as stereotyped by the rest of the world.’
Photo – BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy 2022 cohort, and Lecturer in Physiotherapy Liam Jenkins, and Danielle Ramsey Senior Lecturer and Course Leader
STUDENT AND STAFF SUCCESS
‘Suffolk Arboretum’ a new MA anthology published
The MA Creative and Critical Writing new anthology Suffolk Arboretum was published in September 2022 and is available in all good bookstores nationally as well as via the University Online Shop. This is the second collection of original stories from the talented Creative and Critical Writing postgraduates at the University of Suffolk. Following on from the much-loved Suffolk Folk anthology which looked at folk tales of the region, this anthology turns its attention to the remarkable woodland and trees of Suffolk.
Suffolk Arboretum also features the shortlisted and prizewinning stories from the ‘Student New Angle Prize’, an annual University of Suffolk writing award run in partnership with the national ‘New Angles Prize’ for literature which evokes the spirit of East Anglia. The foreword to Suffolk Arboretum is written by Tom Brown, CEO of the Greenlight Trust, and we leave you with his words on the importance of this anthology and its focus on the remarkable trees and woodlands of our county: “Trees and woodlands are a quintessential part of what makes Suffolk, Suffolk. Even our county flower the Oxlip is a graceful woodland dweller. Suffolk quite literally has an abundance of nature.” Tom Brown, The Green Light Trust.
From willow trees to ancient oaks, yew trees that gather memories in their dark shade, to hawthorn trees where country mischief resides, these stories will entertain and delight any reader. It is possible to find every tree or area of woodland that is featured in the anthology from Haverhill across the county to Lowestoft. You can also listen to the podcast series of the book. A digital map of the anthology has also been created so that the trees and their stories can be accessed from anywhere in the world. Scan the QR code below to view.
STUDENT AND STAFF SUCCESS
A Sport and Exercise Science student from the University of Suffolk has been awarded the Undergraduate Prize for Physiology by The Physiological Society. This national award recognises the excellence of final year undergraduate students of physiology.
Samantha Fulcher was awarded the prize in the ‘Best Overall Student’ category as a result of the drive, commitment and enthusiasm showed throughout the degree and in particular, during her final dissertation study. The study investigated the use of resistance exercise to break up sedentary behaviour in the workplace, assessing the effects of this intervention on parameters associated with cardiovascular health. Samantha continues to be involved in physiology-based research at the University of Suffolk and is a fantastic role model for future students studying on the BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science degree.
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2022
