Issue 37, Autumn 2013

The world of sport and exercise sciences

Thoughts from the BASES Board
BASES expert statements on: Assessment of Exercise Performance in Athletes with a Spinal Cord Injury
ISSN 1754-3452

Measurement and Interpretation of Aerobic Fitness in Young People

BASES Conference 2014 University of Portsmouth 8 - 9 April The Sport and Exercise Scientist www.bases.org.uk/Student-Conference Issue 37 Autumn 2013 www.bases.org.uk
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The Sport and Exercise Scientist

Issue 37

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www.bases.org.uk

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Contents
On the cover 6 8 The structure of BASES Thoughts from the BASES Board Prof Ian Campbell, Dr Claire Hitchings, Dr Stephen Ingham, Dr Keith Tolfrey FBASES and Prof Richard Tong FBASES The BASES Expert Statement on Assessment of Exercise Performance in Athletes with a Spinal Cord Injury Dr Vicky Goosey-Tolfrey FBASES, Dr Christof Leicht, Dr John Lenton, Nik Diaper and Dr Barry Mason Regulars 4 News and Letters 5 View from the Chair Prof Ian G. Campbell 5 Diary dates 14 Reviews Highlighting Sport Apps 31 Final word Prof Marie Murphy FBASES Also inside 12 Three go wild in Cameroon Research as part of the International Primate Heart Project Aimee Drane, Dr Eric Sthr and Prof Rob Shave 15 Keeping sport and exercise scientists appy Online and mobile technologies in sport and exercise science Caroline Heaney 16 Physical activity as a treatment option to patients with depression An analysis of the TREAD-UK trial Prof Nanette Mutrie FBASES, Prof Stuart J.H. Biddle FBASES and Panteleimon Ekkekakis 18 The practicalities of working under the HCPC requirements Thoughts on last issues Sport and exercise psychology Who is legally qualied to provide support? Fiona Letton and Dr Brendan Cropley 20 Standing out from the crowd Key interpersonal skills Dr Sarah Rowell FBASES and Tim Kyndt 22 Interview with Dr Barry Fudge and Sarah Gilchrist (nee Hardman) Working in high performance sport 24 Twitter What should sport and exercise scientists use it for? John Mills 26 Research spotlight a focus on research undertaken by sport and exercise scientists Beetroot juice and exercise: pharmacodynamics and dose-response relationships Lee Wylie and Prof Andrew Jones FBASES 28 Obesity stigmatisation and anti-fat behaviour in sport A case that intervention is required Dr Stuart W Flint

10 The BASES Expert Statement on Measurement and Interpretation of Aerobic Fitness in Young People Dr Alan Barker, Prof Craig Williams FBASES, Dr Keith Tolfrey FBASES, Dr Samantha Fawkner and Dr Gavin Sandercock

A goal is that the new structure will provide very obvious networks that meet the needs of most sport and exercise scientists. Key is that these networks are valuable to members - providing CPD and networking opportunites.
Prof Ian Campbell, Dr Claire Hitchings, Dr Stephen Ingham, Dr Keith Tolfrey FBASES and Prof Richard Tong FBASES, p6

The Sport and Exercise Scientist The Sport and Exercise Scientist is published quarterly for the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences. The publication is free to BASES members. BASES is a nonprot professional membership organisation promoting excellence in sport and exercise sciences. It is a Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in Cardiff No. 5385834. Editor Dr Claire Hitchings n chitchings@bases.org.uk Editorial Advisory Board Dr Kevin Currell n Kelly Goodwin n Adam Hawkey Dr James Morton n Len Parker Simpson Samantha Parnell n Claire-Marie Roberts n Dr Garry Tew Dr Ken van Someren FBASES Editorial Assistants Jane Bairstow n Marsha Stankler Want to place an advertisement? Visit www.bases.org.uk/SES-Advertisers or contact Jane Bairstow 0113 8126162 n jbairstow@bases.org.uk What do you think of The Sport and Exercise Scientist? Were keen to know what you want more of, whats missing and what we should drop. Were also keen to hear from potential contributors. Contact the editor, Dr Claire Hitchings n chitchings@bases.org.uk Want to submit a letter to the editor? Letters, which may be edited or shortened for reasons of space or clarity, should be no longer than 300 words, must refer to an article that has appeared in the last issue, and must include the writers name. Publisher Mercer Print, Newark Street, Accrington BB5 0PB Tel: 01254395512 n info@mercer-print.co.uk www.mercer-print.co.uk

ISSN 1754-3444

Front Cover Illustration Andy Smyth Disclaimer The statements and opinions contained in the articles are solely those of the individual contributors and are not necessarily those of BASES. The appearance of advertisements in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement or approval of products or services. BASES has undertaken all reasonable measures to ensure that the information contained in The Sport and Exercise Scientist is accurate and specically disclaims any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly of the use and application of any of the contents. Copyright BASES, 2013 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in substantial part without permission of BASES is strictly prohibited. Please apply to the editor in writing. Authors may use their own material elsewhere without permission. We ask that the following note be included: First published in The Sport and Exercise Scientist, date and issue number. Published by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences www.bases.org.uk BASES Board Prof Ian Campbell (Chair) n Dr Claire Hitchings Dr Stephen Ingham n Dr Keith Tolfrey FBASES Prof Richard Tong FBASES Want to contact BASES? BASES, Leeds Metropolitan University, Fairfax Hall, Headingley Campus, Beckett Park, Leeds, LS63QT n Tel/Fax: 01138126162/63 enquiries@bases.org.uk n www.bases.org.uk www.twitter.com/basesuk www.facebook.com/BASESUK The Sport and Exercise Scientist is printed on paper from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources. Please recycle

Issue 37, Autumn 2013

The world of sport and exercise sciences

Thoughts from the BASES Board
BASES expert statements on: Assessment of Exercise Performance in Athletes with a Spinal Cord Injury Measurement and Interpretation of Aerobic Fitness in Young People

The Sport and Exercise Scientist

BASES Conference 2014 University of Portsmouth 8 - 9 April Issue 37 Autumn 2013 www.bases.org.uk www.bases.org.uk/Student-Conference
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Check out previous issues

All copies of The Sport and Exercise Scientist are available in PDF format in the Member Area at www.bases.org.uk. You will need your username (your e-mail address) and password (sent to you via e-mail when you joined BASES).

The Sport and Exercise Scientist

Issue 37

Autumn 2013

www.bases.org.uk

News
BASES Licensed Body statuswith the Science Council update
The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences

Annual Report and Financial Statements 2012-2013

BASES has received its rst applications for Chartered Scientist status. We are extremely pleased with the number of currently accredited members that have applied through the grand-parenting process and would like to remind all others that there will be opportunities to apply in the future. The ofcial launch of Chartered Scientist will take place at the BASES Conference 2013 at UCLan on Tuesday 3 September at 6.30pm.

BASES Annual Report Available

The Board has pleasure in presenting its annual report and the nancial statements of BASES for the year ended 31 March 2013.

www.bases.org.uk

Available: www.bases.org.uk/Publications-Documents-and-Policies

BASES High Performance Sport Accreditation

Prof Andrew Mark Williams, Brunel University.

BASES Annual General Meeting

BASES Certied Exercise Practitioner

Kevin Wyld, University of Bedfordshire.

All BASES members are invited to the 2013 BASES AGM on Wednesday 4 September (12.151.30 pm) at University of Central Lancashire. There will be a member vote on the proposal to re-structure BASES and the proposed amendments of the Articles and Rules for the Association.

Letters
Letter of the issue
Its hard enough getting them to walk to the shops
Re: High-intensity exercise: Evidence summary and relevance to public health, summer HIT has certainly received a lot of press coverage as a magic pill for everyone, requiring only minutes a week, but after my own trial of 4X4 HIT developed by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, I have to concur with Prof Biddle. I cant imagine any of my clients, even the t ones, enduring the HIIT approach long term. It is brutal to this 55 year old who happily works out 6 days a week! Taking a minimum of 40 minutes per session - the same as my CE sessions for years - and at intensities that leave little in reserve afterward, it neither saves time nor provides positive reinforcement as an activity. I am likely to maintain it as part of my regimen for other reasons, but we have to consider that the general public is not likely to cooperate in HIT in spite of the clear scientic benets. Its hard enough getting them to walk to the shops. If we are going to improve the overall health of the populace we have to stop thinking in terms of maximum benet, with low uptake and maintenance and consider a good enough approach with higher levels of compliance and overall benet to society. I enjoyed the article. PS. As a follow-up, my eight week trial of 4X4 HIT did not appear to change my cardio tness level and I denitely didnt enjoy it as much. I tried it with several of my t clients who quickly said they would never try it again so I think some of the experts are correct in taking the broader view about both effectiveness and compliance. - STEPHEN VAN SCOYOC unpaid internships, but action needs to be taken against unrealistic requirements for low wage jobs, and students and graduates must be careful not to devalue themselves and others by taking these positions without negotiation, after all who will pay for something they can get for free. Thank you. - DANE FROST A graduate internship is something that many recent graduates crave and try to pursue after completing degrees. However, as I have found out since completing my MSc Sports Science, is that these opportunities are few and far between. Most students nish university in a great deal of debt so what incentive is an unpaid internship? It is fully understandable that to make it to the top of the game, you have to start at the bottom and the idea of an internship is a great concept, however employers must understand that most cannot simply afford to move away and try to support themselves on little or no wage. In recent weeks there have been lots of discussions over unpaid internships and whether they are in fact legal. Although interns do not have any legal protection, the intern would have set hours, job roles, specic job tasks and in some cases timescales, which could come under the denition of legal work. The nature of an internship is second to none in gaining valuable experience and perhaps the old saying its who you know, not what you know can crop into conversation. They are an opportunity to make a name for yourself and could potentially open up your pathway into fulltime employment in your dream job. Most jobs require graduates to have years of experience and an internship is a great way to gain this and really get to know the industry. However, there is no guarantee of a job at the end. Some critics will say if it was that important, you would make it work but it is simply not that easy. Many graduates have had to turn down graduate internships just because they could not afford to live away and be able to support themselves. - MATT STEBBINGS Write the Letter of the issue and win a years free BASES membership. Letters, which may be edited or shortened for reasons of space or clarity, should be no longer than 300 words, must refer to an article that has appeared in the last issue, and must include the writers name. Please e-mail chitchings@bases.org.uk
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BASES leading the ght against unfair, unpaid internships

Re: The BASES Position Stand on Graduate Internships, summer I am glad to see BASES leading the ght against unfair, unpaid internships. I feel that the sport industry is exploiting students and graduates. Many organisations seem to think it is a privilege to work for them, and that this privilege is enough to pay your bills, this is wrong and needs to change. It is also worrying to see so many low wage jobs advertised that require accreditations and education standards far beyond the asking price. Organisations such as BASES need to stand up for their members as quite frankly to ask for a MSc for a 15k salary job is a joke. Thanks BASES for addressing

The Sport and Exercise Scientist

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Diary Dates
20-21 Sept. BACPR: Physical Activity and Exercise in the Management of Cardiovascular Disease Part II: Advanced Applications 4 Nov. BASES Supervised Experience submission deadline 9-10 Nov. UK Space Biomedical Association (UKSBA) Conference, Leicester, UK

View from the Chair

Prof Ian G. Campbell
As we near the end of another academic year I thought it would worthwhile to reect back on the year at some of the highlights from a BASES perspective. During the autumn we submitted our application to become a licensed body of the Science Council and learnt in March we had been successful. There are three routes to gain Chartered Scientist status. The rst route is for members who are already BASES accredited. This route is known as the grand-parenting route. This process will be in place until July 2015 to give current accredited members the opportunity to apply for CSci to complement their accreditation. The other two routes available to gain accreditation and CSci are via either supervised experience or a direct BASES accreditation application. CSci will give BASES accredited members wider recognition of the standards achieved and maintained outside of the sport and exercise science area. As we go to press 115 members have already submitted applications. In the winter we continued our drive on expert statements and we currently have ve in progress in a range of important areas (two are published in this issue). This adds to the nine statements that have already been produced. These are all available for download at www. bases.org.uk/BASES-Expert-Statements During the spring Cardiff Metropolitan University, School of Sport, ran the highly successful BASES Student Conference 2013, which received really positive feedback from those who attended. This was followed by our most popular Heads of Department Forum in May and for the rst time we were sold out! We also launched a webinar programme, which is free to BASES members, and have proved to be extremely popular. We have now run three webinars, each with over 200 participants. Recently, we produced the BASES Position Stand on Graduate Internships, which was published in the last issue of The Sport and Exercise Scientist. We believe that this has already made a real difference in improving internships for both graduates and employers. We now look forward to the BASES Conference 2013 in September at the University of Central Lancashire titled New Directions in Sport and Exercise Science: What are the next steps, which promises to be successful given the keynote speakers and programme that has been put together. Going forward, in particular, we intend focus on member benets and services, and drive forward quality networking and learning opportunities, including conferences, webinars workshops and social media. We are also currently examining our structure to ensure it is t for purpose. I hope to see you at the BASES Conference 2013. Social Media

20-22 Sept. International Congress 30 Nov. BASES Applied on Sports Science Research and Practitioner Awards submission Technology Support (icSPORTS deadline 2013), Vilamoura, Portugal 8-9 April. BASES Student 30 Sept. BASES Undergraduate Conference 2014, University of Dissertation of the Year Award Portsmouth submission deadline 9 Oct. BASES Combined Supervisor Reviewer workshop, UK Sport, London 23 Oct. Understanding Your Client, BASES Supervised Experience core 4 workshop, Teesside University 1 Nov. Understanding Your Client, BASES Supervised Experience core 4 workshop, Coventry University Further information: www.bases.org.uk Events n Awards n Grants

2012 Impact Factor 2.082 Ranking 22/84 (Sport Sciences) 2013

Both online only

Regular 70 Student 29

www.tandfonline.com/rjsp
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You can now follow BASES on Twitter @basesuk Like us on Facebook /basesuk Keep up-to-date with all the latest information, job vacancies, access to articles and reminders of those all important deadlines!

Issue 37

Autumn 2013

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The structure of BASES - Thoughts from the BASES Board

Prof Ian Campbell, Dr Claire Hitchings, Dr Stephen Ingham, Dr Keith Tolfrey FBASES and Prof Richard Tong FBASES share their thoughts on a proposal to re-structure BASES.
What is the Board proposing? The Board proposes to establish six Divisions focused on the areas of: 1. Biomechanics and Motor Behaviour 2. Performance Analysis 3. Physical Activity for Health 4. Physiology and Nutrition 5. Psychology 6. Sport and Performance. The main purpose of each Division will be to provide CPD opportunities and quality networking opportunities for members to engage with like-minded sport and exercise scientists. There is no limit on the number of Divisions that a member can engage with. What has been the consultation process to date? The Board has held three workshops (from autumn 2012 to present) that have focused on identifying issues surrounding the existing structure and possible solutions. Chairs and members of existing Divisions have informed this process. Informal member feedback is an on-going process. In addition, all members were consulted formally in December 2012. They were asked: What do you think of the structure of BASES? Is the structure meeting your needs? Are there structures in other organisations that you are a member of that youd like us to consider? Do you have any suggestions/recommendations? Forty members responded and their comments have been a key factor in this process. What is the rationale for the proposal? The rationale for the proposal is based on the belief that the structure of BASES needs to be better: 1. Provide a network for members to engage with like-minded sport and exercise scientists 2. Support effective strategy implementation 3. Reect the world of sport and exercise sciences. What do you mean by Provide a network for members to engage with like-minded sport and exercise scientists? One of the key services that BASES can offer its members is a network, bringing like-minded people together. This only works well if members can easily see where their network (or home) is. The existing structure offers obvious homes to those who sit very comfortably in either Sport and Performance or Physical Activity for Health. But they are very broad Divisions. Many sport and exercise scientists dene themselves rst and foremost as a XXX-ist; for example, a biomechanist, a psychologist, a physiologist, a nutritionist, a performance analyst, etc. This sentiment is captured in one of the member feedback responses: It is somewhat challenging for members to nd an intellectual home within the organisation. Although not perfect, the sub discipline (section) structure that pre-dated the current divisional structure had a stronger premise given that like-minded people were brought together. As a psychologist working predominantly in the domain of HE, I could easily be associated with all of the divisions, but [I] am most interested in examining sport, exercise and physical activity-related issues through a psychological lens. Therefore, a goal is that the new structure will provides very obvious networks that meet the needs of most sport and exercise scientists. Key is that these networks are valuable to members providing CPD and networking opportunities. What do you mean by Support effective strategy implementation? An organisations structure provides the ways in which its activities and members work together to achieve its goals. At the moment, when you map the Associations strategic priorities with the groups/committees that are responsible for achieving them, specic roles for the Divisions are neither easy to identify nor clearly dened. This is partly because there are existing structures that work well with an extremely specic brief; e.g., The Sport and Exercise Scientist Editorial Advisory Board and the Awards Committee. A consistent issue has been Chairs of Divisions being frustrated at not having specic remits. For example: One of the difculties I experienced in my previous role as a Divisional Chair is that the divisions do not align very well with the BASES strategic plan. This means that nobody takes direct ownership of the various components of strategic plan. Therefore, a goal is that each Divisions area of responsibility is driven by the strategic plan. Specic details are provided later in this paper under What will be the specic areas of responsibility for each Division? What do you mean by Reect the world of sport and exercise sciences? To guide this process, we tried to capture the world of sport and exercise sciences schematically. There were the disciplines physiology and nutrition, biomechanics and motor behaviour, psychology, and performance analysis. Then there was the spectrum of sport and performance to physical activity for health. And then there was the What roles do people perform?...Applied work, research and/or learning and teaching. The Board believes that the three existing Divisions (Education and Professional Development, Physical Activity for Health, and Sport and Performance) do not cover the world described above adequately. An example of a members thoughts on this matter is below: I think the reasons for the lack of engagement with the current structure are due to members not feeling an identity to the very broad divisions that exist at the moment. If you think what happens in both the ACSM from my memory, but also journals that you might review for, the specialisms listed are far more focusedPersonally, I think members should all be associated with more focused disciplines that links to their current interests, experiences and expertise. I will be honest, I have been one of the silent members you mention by and large. Why? I am busy within my own university, but probably it relates to me not seeing sufcient benet from more actively engaging in the current BASES structure. If however, I saw that I had to sign up to some more specialist groupings that reected my research and/ or professional interests then I think I would be more inclined to sign up to getting involved more, attend meetings and feeling an ownership to contribute more. Therefore, a goal of the new structure is that the Divisions better capture the multi-dimensional world of sport and exercise sciences.
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Why these six Divisions? We started with a blank sheet of paper and were inuenced by: 1. Learning and teaching e.g., how do universities structure themselves and their degree courses? 2. The workplace and end-users e.g., what jobs are there in sport and exercise science and what are those positions typically called? 3. Research e.g., how do peer-review journals sub-divide themselves? What structure is REF2014 using? 4. What is manageable - We needed a nite number of Divisions that best reected the current and foreseeable future membership. As such, some areas were then paired together, where appropriate, or considered to be outside the remit of sport and exercise science or considered to be covered adequately by other existing organisations. Six is a manageable number of Divisions in terms of Board membership (this would increase Board membership to 10 individuals (or 11 in the years when a Chair-Elect is in post)). [Chair, Chair Elect (when in post), Executive Ofcer, 2 x Non-Executive Directors and 6 x Chairs of Divisions]. The cost of nancing the Divisions to meet in order to progress deliverables was also considered. Why is Education and Professional Development no longer a proposed Division? The Board, with the current Divisional Chairs support, believes Education and Professional Development should permeate the entire structure. What will be the specic areas of responsibility for each Division? The main purpose of each Division will be to provide CPD opportunities and quality networking opportunities for members to engage with like-minded sport and exercise scientists. 1. Maintain and enhance member benets and services and increase membership recruitment and retention (very much linked to the need to provide a network for members to engage with like-minded sport and exercise scientists) 2. Deliver quality networking and learning opportunities, including at least two webinars and two workshops per year 3. Input into the Heads of Department Forum agenda, topic areas for expert statements and The Sport and Exercise Scientist 4. Reviewing the abstracts for the BASES Annual Conference. What will be the membership of each Division and the role of each appointed Ofcer? Membership of each Division will comprise the following appointed Ofcers: Chair, Secretary, CPD Representative and Membership Services Representative. The Chair and CPD Representatives must be Professional members of BASES. The Division will work together to ensure the specic areas of responsibility are met. Chair. To provide leadership to the rest of the Division and be a member of the BASES Board. Secretary. Is responsible for administration (taking meeting minutes), correspondence and enquiries. CPD Representative. To organise at least two quality workshops and webinars each year. Membership Services Representative. To maintain and enhance member benets and services and increase membership recruitment and retention. Structures and systems will be put in place to ensure that the Divisions work together where needed. What will be the appointment process? Competency based recruitment and selection processes will be used. Members will be asked to demonstrate competencies on
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an application form. The Board will then appoint members. The Board wishes to move away from the existing manifesto-member voting process, whereby members are elected by a majority vote prior to the AGM. Historically, this process has typically resulted in only one person standing for each position (sometimes we have no candidates). Also, less than 100 members normally vote. In stark contrast, the Board has found that advertising for task groups (groups of members brought together to accomplish a specic outcome), which uses the proposed competency based recruitment and selection processes, results in high numbers of members coming forward. It is believed the benets of this less threatening process outweigh the benets of the more democratic voting process currently in use. It is however intended that Professional member voting for the position of Chair of BASES will remain. What are the timescales involved? Existing divisions will continue until the new structure and Ofcers are in post. Once the new structure is agreed, members will be invited to apply for one or more of the Divisional roles and appointments will be completed. All ofcers will then be invited to a Strategic Plan event. What will be the voting processes? A members vote will take place at the BASES AGM on Wednesday 4 September 2013, 12:15-13:30 at the University of Central Lancashire. How will the proposed changes be evaluated? Objective metrics include new members and member retention. Member satisfaction, determined by consultation, is critical - as is assessing the achievement of strategic objectives.
words: Prof Ian Campbell Ian is the Chair of BASES.

Dr Claire Hitchings Claire is the BASES Executive Ofcer.

Dr Stephen Ingham Steve is the Chair of the Division of Sport and Performance.

Dr Keith Tolfrey FBASES Keith is the Chair of the Division of Physical Activity for Health.

Prof Richard Tong FBASES Richard is the Chair of the Division of Education and Professional Development.

Issue 37

Autumn 2013

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The BASES Expert Statement on Assessment of Exercise Performance in Athletes with a Spinal Cord Injury
Produced on behalf of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences by Dr Vicky Goosey-Tolfrey FBASES, Dr Christof Leicht, Dr John Lenton, Nik Diaper and Dr Barry Mason.
Introduction The evolution of Paralympic sport has led to greater integration of sports science support programmes between Paralympic and non-Paralympic sports. It is becoming increasingly common for practitioners and coaches to work with both Paralympic and non-disabled athletes. While this approach should be encouraged, it is imperative that such integration does not come at either the cost of specificity of support or the acquisition of specialist knowledge. This is particularly true for impairments where normal physiological function is affected, e.g., in spinal cord injury (SCI). The following statement therefore highlights key considerations in assessing athletes with SCI. Spinal cord injury and its impact on exercise capacity The level (i.e., location along the spine) and completeness (complete/incomplete) of a SCI denes remaining motor, sensory, and autonomic function. In a sporting context, the extent of this remaining function determines the potential ability of an athlete and subsequent performance. Those with a motor complete tetraplegia only have partial voluntary control of their upper limbs, with severe impairments of the trunk. Those with a motor complete paraplegia have full control of their upper limbs, with the control of their trunk proportional to the level of lesion. As the innervation of respiratory muscles is impaired in those with high level paraplegia and tetraplegia, a reduced respiratory function is observed in these individuals (Janssen & Hopman, 2005). Furthermore, a loss of autonomic function occurs in those with lesions above the 6th thoracic vertebra (T6), resulting in a reduced maximum heart rate (HR). Lost autonomic function further causes a reduced ability to sweat that can further compromise thermoregulation and performance. It is worth mentioning that not all spinal cord injuries result in total loss of function below the level of lesion, and the whole spectrum between full function loss and no function loss can be observed in those with incomplete lesions (Bhambhani, 2002).

Considerations
Limited hand function Lowest aerobic & anaerobic capacity Reduced peak HR Reduced leg muscle pump Poor abdominal muscle function Reduced ventilatory function Hypotension Venous blood pooling (legs).

Recommendations
Assistive devices may be required (i.e. extra strapping) Low starting PO/speed (10-40W) Small stage increments (5-10W/min) Monitor RPE (differentiated and overall) HR may be meaningful in athletes with an incomplete lesion Monitor thermal comfort, consider cooling strategies.

SCI
C1 C2 C3 C4 C5 C6 C7 C8

Norms
Peak HR 110-150 beats/min O2peak 0.7-2.2 L/min V FEV1 & FVC 30-50% reduction Peak PO (Wingate protocol) ~90-300 W (ACE) ~40-100 W (WP) Peak BLa - 4-8 mmol/L.

Training adaptations

All groups benefit from exercise training and are able to improve their exercise performance The magnitude of training related changes in cardiorespiratory variables is proportional to lesion level and completeness (smallest absolute changes at high lesion levels) PO & BLa - thresholds are more sensitive to training O2peak progress than V . Mechanical efficiency improves following training and with experience. Improvements are usually the result of adaptations in propulsion technique, such as a larger push angle, reduced push frequency and improved coupling between the user and the wheel Respiratory muscle training improves lung function and exercise performance in all groups.

Tetraplegia
Intact sympathetic innervation & active muscle mass are proportional to lesion level/ completeness Poor abdominal muscle function Possibly reduced peak HR Venous blood pooling (legs). Greater starting PO/speed (20-60W) Larger stage increments (10-20W/min) Monitor RPE & HR Monitor thermal comfort, consider cooling strategies.
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6

Peak HR 130-200 beats/min O2peak 1.6-2.5 L/min V FEV1 & FVC 20-30% reduction Peak PO (Wingate protocol) ~230-500 W (ACE) ~60-130 W (WP) Peak BLa - 6-10 mmol/L.

High Paraplegia
Intact sympathetic innervation & active muscle mass are proportional to lesion level/ completeness Variable abdominal muscle function (range: poor to full function) Normal HR response Venous blood pooling (legs) Greatest functional capacity. Highest starting PO/speed (30-70W) Largest stage increments (10-20W/min) Monitor RPE and HR.
T7 T8 T9 T10 T11 T12 L1 L5

Similar values to non-disabled data for upper body exercise Normal peak HR response O2peak 2.2-4.0 L/min V FEV1 & FVC 0-20% reduction Peak PO (Wingate protocol) ~350-640 W (ACE) ~70-150 W (WP) Peak BLa- 6-12 mmol/L.

Low Paraplegia

Additional considerations
Note medications when interpreting test data Record resting blood pressure and void bladder before exercise Record history and monitor signs indicative of autonomic dysreflexia (e.g. goose bumps, headache, red skin). For further details refer to Krassioukov et al. (2009) Sweat response proportional to lesion level and completeness Due to the body weight being supported by the wheelchair, peak oxygen uptake is normally reported as absolute values (i.e., L/min).

ACE = arm crank exercise; BLa- = blood lactate concentration; C = cervical; FEV1 = forced expiratory volume in 1 second; FVC = forced vital capacity; HR = heart rate; L = lumbar; RPE = rating of perceived exertion; O2peak = peak oxygen uptake; WP = wheelchair propulsion. PO = power output; SCI = spinal cord injury; T = thoracic; V = electric wheelchair users

Figure 1. Assessing exercise performance in athletes with a SCI. Note: Data from athletes with complete lesions. Recommendations are for arm cranking graded exercise tests to exhaustion.

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Guidance on exercise testing in wheelchair athletes Assuming a similar training status and completeness of injury between athletes, the highest exercise capacity is found in those with low level paraplegia, followed by high level paraplegia, and tetraplegia (Goosey-Tolfrey & Leicht, 2013). As a result, physiological tests must be tailored to each individual athlete (see Figure 1). For example, the start load/speed and increments of a graded exercise test to exhaustion must be individually determined. This helps to keep test times within a given range and allows the collection of sufcient submaximal exercise data independent of injury level. Further, exercise modality impacts on certain parameters; arm crank ergometry for example is mechanically more efcient than wheelchair propulsion, therefore resulting in a higher power output (Bhambhani, 2002). The athlete and his/her equipment Performance in wheelchair sports is not only dependent on the physical capacity of the athlete, but also on the equipment s/he uses and the interaction between the two. Modications to areas of the wheelchair such as the camber angle and size of the main wheels, as well as the positioning of the seat can all have an impact on the mobility performance of the athlete (Mason et al., 2013). Therefore, it is imperative that conguration changes in wheelchairs and other equipment (e.g., hand-bikes) are noted between any physiological or sports performance assessments. Standard checks in equipment should also ensure that tyre pressure is controlled between sessions, as this can affect the rolling resistance and subsequently the physiological demand. Where ecological validity is deemed important e.g., for sports-specic and eld-based testing, it is imperative that testing takes place using the athletes own equipment. However, it is important to note that some tests, originally developed for non-disabled athletes, may not provide a direct indication of aerobic capacity. For example, the multistage tness test requires athletes to have exceptional wheelchair propulsion agility skills (Goosey-Tolfrey & Tolfrey, 2008). That said, in cases where ecological validity is less important it is acceptable to test individuals on an arm crank ergometer. This allows for the assessment of physical capacity/performance, independent of specialised/customised equipment and could be useful when assessing physiological potential. Conclusions In general, practitioners can employ the same underpinning training and testing principles as for nondisabled athletes yet with subtle but signicant alterations. Understanding the relationship between the impairment and performance is essential when considering the needs of the individual. O2peak) and other related Peak oxygen uptake (V physiological measures such as peak power output, ventilation rate and blood lactate concentration exhibit an inverse relationship to lesion level and completeness. O2peak as a key variable to monitor training Using V progress should be questioned, especially in athletes with tetraplegia, whose aerobic capacity is reduced. Blood lactate monitoring and analysis of submaximal performance may be more meaningful for longitudinal observations in this group.
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Peak HR is reduced for athletes with lesion levels above T6. Therefore, training thresholds based upon HR reserve may be more appropriate than those based on absolute heart rate zones derived from the non-disabled population. For athletes with tetraplegia, monitoring of rating of perceived exertion (RPE), rather than HR is advocated. For repeat testing, it is crucial to note factors such as chair set-up (camber, sitting height, tyre pressure) as changes in these variables may inuence rolling resistance and therefore test results.

words: Dr Vicky Goosey-Tolfrey FBASES Vicky is a Reader and Director of the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport at Loughborough University. She is a BASES accredited sport and exercise scientist

Dr Christof Leicht Christof is a Research Associate for the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport at Loughborough University. He studies exercise physiology and immunology in disability sport. Dr John Lenton John is a Research Assistant for the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport at Loughborough University. He attended the Beijing 2008 Games supporting wheelchair tennis.

Nik Diaper Nik is the EIS Head of Sport Science and Sport Medicine for Paralympic Sports. He is a BASES accredited sport and exercise scientist.

Dr Barry Mason Barry is a Research Associate for the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport at Loughborough University. He is a BASES accredited sport and exercise scientist.

References: Bhambhani, Y. (2002). Physiology of Wheelchair Racing in Athletes with Spinal Cord Injury. Sports Medicine, 32(1), 23-51. Goosey-Tolfrey, V.L. & Leicht, C.A. (2013). Field-based physiological testing of wheelchair athletes. Sports Medicine, 43(2), 77-91. Goosey-Tolfrey, V.L. & Tolfrey K. (2008). The multistage tness test as a predictor of endurance tness in wheelchair athletes. Journal of Sports Sciences, 26(5), 511-517. Janssen, T.W.J. & Hopman, M.T.E. (2005). Spinal cord injury, in J.S. Skinner (ed.), Exercise testing and exercise prescription for special cases: Theoretical basis and clinical applications. 3rd ed., pp. 203-219. Baltimore: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Krassioukov, A., Warburton, D.E.R., Teasell, R. & Eng, J.J. (2009). A systematic review of the management of autonomic dysreexia following spinal cord injury. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 90(4), 682-695. Mason, B., van der Woude L.H. & Goosey-Tolfrey, V.L. (2013). The ergonomics of wheelchair conguration for optimal performance in the wheelchair court sports. Sports Medicine, 43(1), 23-38.

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Right: Participants undertaking a combined ramp and supramaximal

exercise test to exhaustion to determine VO2max Courtesy Zoe Saynor

The BASES Expert Statement on Measurement and Interpretation of Aerobic Fitness in Young People
Produced on behalf of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences by Dr Alan Barker, Prof Craig Williams FBASES, Dr Keith Tolfrey FBASES, Dr Samantha Fawkner and Dr Gavin Sandercock.
Introduction Aerobic tness is routinely measured in young people1 and typically consists of either a direct measurement or indirect estimation of O2max). Maximal oxygen uptake has been maximal oxygen uptake (V used to study: 1. Changes in aerobic tness during growth and maturation 2. The efcacy of exercise training programmes 3. The impact of disease on aerobic capacity 4. The relationship between physical activity, tness and health. For the latter, The BASES Expert Statement on The Importance of Young Peoples Aerobic Fitness for Health advocated the use of indirect and direct measures of aerobic tness to identify children most at risk of cardio-metabolic disease and in greatest need of support (Tolfrey et al., 2012). Consequently, there is a strong rationale and interest in the sport and exercise science community to measure aerobic tness in young people. However, the most appropriate methods to measure and interpret max in this population remain controversial. This statement will, therefore, provide an expert summary of the key issues and conclude with recommendations for researchers and practitioners. Background and evidence O2max measurement? Can young people produce a valid V O2 As only ~ 10 to 60% of children and adolescents display a V plateau during exhaustive exercise across a variety of protocols (e.g., step-incremental or ramp) and modalities (e.g., treadmill and O2 cycling), it has become conventional to use the term peak V in this population (Armstrong & Welsman, 1994). Consequently, objective secondary criteria, based on attaining a predened heart rate (e.g., 85% of age predicted maximum) and/or respiratory exchange ratio (e.g., RER 1.00), are routinely used to verify a maximal response in young people. A recent study, however, has demonstrated that the use of secondary criteria results in O2, representing only the acceptance of a sub-maximal peak V O2, and can falsely reject ~ 80 to 90% of the achieved peak V O2max measurement in children (Barker et al., 2011). a true V The authors called for researchers and practitioners to abandon use of such secondary criteria and championed the use of a supra-maximal test following the initial incremental test to verify O2max. In this study, the children the measurement of a true V performed a supra-maximal bout set at 105% of the peak power achieved during the incremental test after 15 min of rest. This O 2max measurement in 12 out of 13 protocol identied a valid V O2 plateau in 4 children during children, despite only observing a V the initial incremental test to exhaustion. These ndings have since been replicated using cycling and treadmill based protocols in young people with cystic brosis, children with expiratory ow limitation and children with spina bida, highlighting the broad application of the combined incremental and supramaximal test to O2max in young people. produce a true measurement of V O2max for What is the most appropriate method to scale V body size? O 2max (mLmin-1) is typically adjusted using the ratio Absolute V standard method with body mass (kg) as the scaling variable (mLkg1min-1). However, this approach has been criticised due to its O2max in young people failure to create a size-free expression of V as it favours lighter individuals (Armstrong & Welsman, 1994). Rather, allometric scaling may provide a more appropriate method O2max for body size. to adjust V O2max for body size as it is Body mass is used typically to scale V simple to measure and shares a strong relationship with absolute O 2max. However, body mass does not account for differences in V O 2max relative to an estimation body composition and expressing V of fat free mass (FFM) is more appropriate in young people. While an estimation of FFM may be achieved using age- and sexspecic algorithms to estimate body fat percentage from skinfold measures, techniques such as air displacement plethysmography or dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry are preferable. The latter is particularly useful, as it can partition out lower body FFM, which offers a slight advantage compared to total FFM when scaling O 2max in young people (Graves et al., 2013). Alternatively, a V direct measure of the active muscle mass involved during exercise O2max (Tolfrey provides the most valid body size variable to adjust V et al., 2006), but requires access to sophisticated equipment such as a magnetic resonance imaging scanner. O2max be obtained Can a reliable and valid estimate of V from eld-based measures? O2max in the laboratory setting requires The valid measurement of V expensive equipment and technical expertise, which may be impractical for use in large cohort studies. Field-based tests, which are relatively easy to administer in large groups, and require limited equipment, offer a practical alternative. The 20-m shuttle run test (20-mSRT) is the most widely used eld-based test to assess aerobic tness in young people and UK centile data and health-related cut points are available (Sandercock et al., 2012). As the test demands limited space, it can be conducted indoors, which controls for environmental conditions, and is not reliant on self-pacing strategies. A systematic review recently concluded the 20-mSRT to be the most reliable and valid eldbased method to estimate aerobic tness in young people (CastroPinero et al., 2010). Performance in the 20-mSRT is typically expressed as laps, levels or distance completed. While published O 2 after accounting for equations are available to estimate peak V factors such as the age, sex and size of the participant (e.g., Mahar et al., 2011)2, users must be aware of the error associated with O2 (typically 4 to 6 mLkg-1min-1) when the estimated peak V interpreting their data. Some Local Authorities and the Association for Physical Education have cautioned against the use of the 20-mSRT in schools, due to health concerns with exercising children to exhaustion. However, the two largest UK-based studies (Liverpool SportsLinx and East of England Healthy Hearts Study) have completed circa 80,000 (35,000 of which are published) 20-mSRT assessments in 9 to 16 year olds
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and have yet to record a single adverse event. The 20-mSRT is also used routinely for the population-based assessment of aerobic tness in 5 to 18 year olds across Europe, USA and Australasia. Popular alternatives to the 20-mSRT are distance walk/ run tests, such as the 1 or 0.5 miles tests. Although normative data and criterion referenced cut-offs for tness are available (e.g., Zhu et al., 2010), some children may have problems with pacing during these tests (e.g., starting too fast or slow) and the reliability and validity of the distance walk/run tests are lower than the 20-mSRT (Castro-Pinero et al., 2010). Finally, sportspecic tests, such as the Yo-Yo intermittent running test, are also available to predict aerobic tness but currently have limited supporting evidence in comparison to the 20-mSRT and distance walk/run tests in young people. Recommendations In the laboratory setting: A combined incremental and supramaximal exercise test protocol should be used to obtain a valid measurement of O2max in young people both in health and disease V Secondary criteria (e.g., heart rate and RER thresholds) should O2max in young people not be used to verify the attainment of V O2 as they result in a sub-maximal peak V O2max Allometric scaling procedures should be used to scale V for body size provided sufcient data are available to derive a sample specic scaling factor. However, as normative data or thresholds for health are currently only available in the ratio O2max using standard format it may be prudent to express V both methods As body mass does not account for differences in body O2max should be adjusted for using FFM in composition, V young people In the research setting, direct quantication of the muscle mass O2max for recruited during exercise should be used to adjust V body size as this offers an advantage compared to total FFM. In the eld setting: The 20-mSRT is currently the method of choice to provide a O2max in the eld setting, safe, reliable and valid estimate of V and UK reference data are readily available Performance in the 20-mSRT should be expressed as laps, levels O2 using the of distance completed, as the prediction of peak V test data is associated with error If the 20-mSRT cannot be undertaken, distance walk/run tests are a suitable popular alternative but have poorer reliability and validity in young people.
1 The term young people in this expert statement refers to children and adolescents aged

words: Dr Alan Barker Alan is a Lecturer at the University of Exeter and Programme Director of the MSc in Paediatric Exercise and Health. Dr Craig Williams FBASES Craig is a Professor at the University of Exeter and Director of the Childrens Health and Exercise Research Centre. Dr Keith Tolfrey FBASES Keith is a Reader at Loughborough University and Chair of the BASES Division of Physical Activity for Health.

Dr Samantha Fawkner Samantha is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh and Section Editor for the Journal of Sports Sciences.

Dr Gavin Sandercock Gavin is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Essex and Chief Investigator for The East of England Healthy Heart Study.

References: Armstrong, N. & Welsman, J.R. (1994). Assessment and Interpretation of Aerobic Fitness in Children and Adolescents. Exercise and Sport Science Reviews, 22, 435-476. Barker, A.R., Williams, C.A., Jones, A.M. & Armstrong, N. (2011). Establishing maximal oxygen uptake in young people during a ramp cycle test to exhaustion. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 45, 498-503. Castro-Pinero, J. et al. (2010). Criterion-related validity of eld-based tness tests in youth: a systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 44, 934-943. Graves, L.E. et al. (2013). Scaling of peak oxygen uptake in children: A comparison of 3 body size index models. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, doi:10.1249/ MSS.0b013e31829bfa79. Mahar, M.T., Guerieri, A.M., Hanna, M.S. & Kemble, C.D. (2011). Estimation of aerobic tness from 20-m multistage shuttle run test performance. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 41, S117-123. Sandercock, G. et al. (2012). Centile curves and normative values for the twenty metre shuttle-run test in English schoolchildren. Journal of Sports Sciences, 30, 679-687. Tolfrey, K. et al. (2006). Scaling of maximal oxygen uptake by lower leg muscle volume in boys and men. Journal of Applied Physiology, 100, 1851-1856. Tolfrey, K., De Ste Croix, M., Stratton, G. & Williams, C.A. (2012). The BASES expert statement on the importance of young peoples aerobic tness for health. The Sport and Exercise Scientist, 31, 16-17. Zhu, W., Plowman, S.A. & Park, Y. (2010). A primer-test centered equating method for setting cut-off scores. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 81, 400-409.

<18 years.
2 The 20m-SRT estimates peak VO2 as, despite eliciting a maximal effort, the achievement

of VO2max was not veried appropriately in the majority of these studies.

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Three go Wild in Cameroon

Aimee Drane, Dr Eric Sthr and Prof Rob Shave share their experiences of undertaking research as part of the International Primate Heart Project.
Waking up to the sound of a 200 kg male silverback gorilla pounding his chest just outside of your window is a very special experience! We were fortunate enough to enjoy this wake-up call every morning for two weeks whilst undertaking research as part of the International Primate Heart Project (IPHP). At 4am on 9 February 2013, three rather excited researchers from Cardiff Metropolitan University met at Heathrow Airport Terminal 3, bound for Cameroon. The International Primate Heart Project (IPHP) was embarking on an African adventure that would see them work at two different primate sanctuaries, run education workshops for African vets, scan the hearts of 35 different apes and make presentations to Cameroonian politicians and media at the British High Commission. The IPHP has been running for the last three years, and is a collaborative project between exercise physiologists based at Cardiff Metropolitan University, veterinary specialists and human cardiologists setup to understand the hearts of our nearest evolutionary cousins. The project was born from a desire to understand how human cardiac structure and function has evolved. In 2010 Prof Shave initiated a comparative physiology study to explore similarities, and more importantly differences, in cardiac structure and function between the different great ape species (Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Bonobos and Orangutans). Although the initial academic interest of the IPHP was related to evolution of the human heart, it became apparent that similar to humans great apes can suffer with heart disease. Accordingly, a reciprocal relationship has been established that enables data to be collected to address the initial research aim of the project, but also allows veterinary and conservation teams to better understand heart health in great apes. To date, the majority of the work IPHP has completed has been in collaboration with UK and European zoological collections, however, following discussions at the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) annual veterinary meeting in Uganda in 2012 we were invited to travel to Cameroon to work with Limbe Wildlife Centre and Ape Action Africa (AAA). After an 8-hour ight from Paris, where we were delayed due to snowfall (!), we arrived in the Cameroonian capital Yaounde. Yellow fever certicates tightly in hand we advanced through passport control. If it wasnt for the military assistance sent by AAA, we almost certainly would have had our equipment conscated at the airport. Clearly, three Europeans arriving with a huge amount of baggage, including two portable ultrasound machines, is not something that happens everyday in Yaounde and we certainly raised interest! We were quickly ushered into 4x4s and headed off to the AAA sanctuary in Mefou forest. At Mefou a group of Chimpanzees required routine health checks and so working with the vet team we undertook full cardiac examinations (ECG, echocardiogram and assessment of cardiac biomarkers) at the same time as the vet completed their normal health assessment.
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Left: Cardiac examination of a young male Western Lowland Gorilla Courtesy Lucy Ray

The checks were completed in a small veterinary clinic with little ventilation, the temperature was about 35 degrees and humidity 70-90 %. This was a challenge for both us, and at times, the equipment! Modern ECGs and ultrasounds are not designed for these conditions, however, fortunately with persistence and back up machines we were able to complete the majority of assessments. It was also interesting to note that an extremely rusty scaffolding frame with a set of butchers weighing scales and a manual centrifuge are far less prone to failure caused by environmental stress! New technology is all well and good when it works, but old school techniques are far more dependable in the eld. During each assessment we would collect an ECG, morphometric data, an echocardiogram and blood samples. Following a morning of work (it was way too hot to work after midday!) we would enjoy a lunch of rice and beans, before an afternoon of data analysis (battery power permitting) in the African jungle, and an evening of football with the local village kids and staff from the sanctuary. As physiologists we were aware of the risks of dehydration and so made sure we rehydrated most evenings at the Bar Gorille.

This was a fantastic meeting, and we were able to pass on skills and knowledge to many veterinarians and specialists from all over Africa working in 26 different sanctuaries caring for more than 2000 great apes who have been conscated from the bush-meat and pet trades.
On 16 February at 9 am Africa Time, therefore actually about 11 am, a 4x4 arrived to take us on an interesting, although at times terrifying, 6-hour drive to Limbe. The trip involved a number of spontaneous pit stops, and checkpoints, many of which we still have no idea the purpose of! Limbe, a coastal town, was the venue for the 2013 PASA Conference, where we had been invited to present and lead a number of practical workshops related to the assessment of heart health in great apes. This was a fantastic meeting, and we were able to pass on skills and knowledge to many veterinarians and specialists from all over Africa working in 26 different sanctuaries caring for more than 2000 great apes who have been conscated from the bush-meat and pet trades. The close of the 2013 PASA conference signalled our return to AAA. The ancient multi-coloured VW campervan that arrived to take us back was not as reassuring as the modern 4x4 that had deposited us in Limbe a week earlier, however, when in Africa Back at AAA, we completed the Chimpanzee health checks and conducted assessments of a number of gorillas, and were also invited to present the project at the British High Commission. After an evening of gin and tonics on the balcony of the Commissioners house, feeling exceedingly underdressed in jeans and t-shirts we returned to AAA to nish off our work. The nal assessments were of two very large western lowland gorillas. A large silverback male, and his soon-to-be rival, were so large that they could not be transported to the vet room and so these procedures required proper eldwork. The health checks were completed in the animals overnight cages, with no access to electricity we had to depend on the equipment holding its charge, which fortunately it did. Being so close to such a huge animal is a daunting, but truly awe-inspiring experience, made even more surreal by the fact that we were spectated on by the rest of the gorilla troop.
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In total we managed to examine 35 different apes in Cameroon and these data have been added to our growing database (>150 animals as of July 2013). Although early days, a picture of how the hearts may differ between the great apes is beginning to emerge. Moreover, in the course of our work we have been able to provide useful information to the veterinary teams regarding the cardiac health of their individual animals. In some cases this has meant changes to those animals care and management. As the project develops it is our intention to publish reference ranges for cardiac structure and function, which currently do not exist for any of the great apes. These data can then be used to rule-in or rule-out the presence of heart disease. In addition to providing training and tools for the veterinary teams caring for great apes, the IPHP is trying to better understand the causes of heart disease in the great apes. Similar to humans, apes present with heart failure in old age. However, there is also evidence of sudden cardiac death in great apes, with histological reports indicating the presence of interstitial myocardial brosis. Interestingly, unlike humans the great apes appear not to suffer from the thrombotic events caused by coronary heart disease and therefore the aetiology of this brosis is unknown. The IPHP is drawing together the skills and expertise from human and veterinary medicine alongside cardiovascular physiologists to try and better understand the causes and consequences of heart disease in our nearest evolutionary cousins. Since returning from Cameroon our work has continued in the UK and Europe, we have also recently attended the Orangutan Veternarian Advisory Group conference in Jakarta with the hope of similar work in Orangutan sanctuaries, and plans are underway for visits to Zambia and Congo before the end of the year. Taking the skills and knowledge that we have developed in the world of exercise physiology and applying these techniques in this new eld has been a hugely rewarding experience. The people we have met who work day-to-day in great ape conservation have been inspirational, the vets, keepers and managers of the sanctuaries often commit their entire life to the protection and conservation of these critically endangered animals, having the chance to work alongside these incredible people has been a real honour and pleasure both academically and personally. We look forward to bringing further updates and news from the IPHP to BASES colleagues over the coming years.

words: Aimee Drane Aimee is a clinical physiologist in the Cardiff School of Sport and is the project manager and lead cardiac sonographer for the International Primate Heart Project.

Dr Eric Sthr Eric is a lecturer in Physiology in the Cardiff School of Sport and his primary research interest is the mechanics of cardiac function.

Prof Rob Shave Rob is Professor of Sport and Exercise Physiology in the Cardiff School of Sport and is the Project Lead of the International Primate Heart Project.

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Reviews - Apps
O2 Max App Name: Calculate V App Developer: Nikolai Johan Heum App Cost: 0.69 Download at: iTunes Devices: iPhone, iTouch, iPad The functions of this app are very limited, requiring little data to calculate a result. For example, the app claims to be able to O2max score on the basis of age, gender and heart rate calculate a V data. Training status is only briey accounted for whilst information on diet and lifestyle are not required. For physiology and sport science students this app could be used to compare of methods O2max. However, a note of caution: the results of calculating V provided by this app should not be considered valid or reliable. On testing, the results differed greatly when compared to a treadmill O2max test using an Oxycon. Calculate V O2max is a difcult app V to operate, and the results provided are not easy to understand and are open to misinterpretation, especially for people unfamiliar O2max values. This app should be considered for with average V entertainment use only as it does not provide an accurate or reliable measurement of an individuals aerobic capacity. Similar apps are available for both iPhone and Android phones, Calculate O2max is therefore not particularly unique, or indeed a tool that V should be relied upon as a replacement for traditional methods O2max. - SARAH BROWNE, UNIVERSITY OF of calculating V WORCESTER Rating 0/10 App Name: Training Load App Developer: Dr Grant Abt App Cost: Free Download at: iTunes Devices: iPhone, iTouch, iPad Training Load has been designed to help athletes (or anyone else) monitor their training dosage on a day-to-day and week-to-week basis. Using rates of perceived exertion (RPE) and training impulse (TRIMP), this novel app combines parameters relating to exercise intensity and duration into a single measure of training effect on the athlete. The app also generates easy to understand graphics of daily and weekly training load, strain and monotony values, but also adds a useful trafc-light-style colour coding to alert users if their training programme is likely to lead to injury. Data can be also shared through e-mail and Twitter through a text le that can also be imported into spreadsheets for further analysis. For those interested in looking into the science behind the app, references are provided in the app to the research supporting the use of TRIMP and session RPE and their application in quantifying the status and progress of an athletes periodisation. Overall, this app provides interest for the casual user, yet offers more experienced coaches the facility to look at a training programme in greater depth. A multi-athlete version for iPad would be a great addition to the coachs tool kit. - SCOTT EWAN, UNIVERSITY OF GREENWICH Rating 8/10 App Name: iPerformance Sport & Performance Psychology Mental Skills Trainer App Developer: iPerformance Psychology App Cost: Free Download at: iTunes Devices: iPhone, iTouch, iPad The app is described by the developers as the worlds most advanced sport and performance psychology app. It has been designed by Dr Steve Portenga, the sport and performance psychologist for the USA Track and Field Team. On initial testing, the app proved interesting and potentially useful in the sports coaching domain. The app initially starts by requesting that the user registers his/her details and then progresses through a number of different initial assessments to build up an individual portfolio and to determines an iPerformance skill score. After completing the assessments the app gives feedback and comments to enable you to try and improve or understand more about the specic area of assessment. The app also produces iPerformance Reports, which can be e-mailed out to you (although I found the share button not to work when trying this) providing useful feedback as and when required. Additionally, there is a feature called Game Day where you can enter details about your expected performance in various categories to enable you to prepare for a specic event. In summary, this is an original app that may benet athletes and coaches alike, however as the scope of the app is extensive, I am unable to claim that I have used it to its maximum potential as yet. GORDON ROBERTSON, UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING Rating 8/10

App Name: ithinksport App Developer: Ali Mahoney and Nico Kolokythas App Cost: TBC Download at: Coming soon! Devices: TBC ithinksport.com is a website and mobile app currently being developed for sports people, dedicated to performance psychology. The site and app will give users the opportunity to learn about common performance psychology issues (e.g., fear of re-injury, lack of condence) and signpost them to practical, bite-sized solutions to try out (e.g., imagery, relaxation) using a number of unique features on the site. The concept is underpinned by cognitive behavioural psychology and can be used by individual athletes or by athletes in conjunction with a coach or sport/performance psychologist to expand the athletes knowledge in an area that is often overlooked in favour or developing physical, technical and tactical attributes. Developing a mobile app will give athletes the opportunity to engage with the site on the move, whether it be at home or in the training/competition environment where necessary. The target audience for ithinksport.com is anyone who competes in sport, with the predominant focus being on serious amateurs who often do not have access to sport science support in this area. To nd out more, and to be invited to test the Alpha version of the site/app, sports people can connect pre-launch at www.ithinksport.com and can also follow progress on Twitter (@ithinksport)

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Keeping sport and exercise scientists appy - Online and mobile technologies in sport and exercise science
Caroline Heaney discusses online technologies and mobile apps, reecting on their uses within the context of her work with a national winter sport squad.
The use of online technologies and mobile devices has grown in recent years presenting opportunities for sports science support to be delivered in the most unlikely of places. For example, online synchronous conferencing tools such as Skype allow consultations and meetings to take place without geographical boundaries via computers, tablets or smart phones. The rise in the use of mobile devices has brought with it an increase in the development and availability of mobile software applications or apps. A plethora of sport and exercise science-related apps are now available (e.g., to measure exercise intensity and for performance analysis) that are either free or low-cost and user-friendly. Using online technologies: A case study As a BASES accredited sport and exercise scientist I have increasingly used online and mobile technologies in my practice, most notably in my work with a national winter sport squad where the athletes spent most of the winter competing overseas. This meant that online technologies were the only viable method of delivering my services from the UK. I rst met the athletes and their coach in person at a physiological testing day, which allowed me to build up an initial rapport with the athletes and to discuss how my services would be best delivered. It was agreed that we would rely on online technology as our primary method of communication, and consequently, I ran a series of interactive group education sessions with the athletes in an online classroom setting, supported by oneto-one consultations delivered through Skype. We also had a group website and associated Facebook page through which athletes could discuss matters in an online environment. Facebook and other social media (e.g., Twitter) were also used as general keeping in touch tools. Athlete and coach feedback suggested that this technology-led approach was very successful and considered integral in helping the athletes who qualied prepare for the Olympics that season. On reection, I felt that the programme had been just as successful as any comparative face-to-face driven support that I had led. In fact, the online nature of my support afforded several benets: 1. It was low cost and allowed more contact than could otherwise have been possible 2. It allowed members of the squad located in different parts of the world to participate in group sessions synchronously and it allowed sport psychology delivery at inopportune or ad hoc moments (e.g., an unplanned session the night before an Olympic race). There were of course challenges and these related mainly to the availability of internet access. As the athletes moved to various locations around Europe, the quality of their internet connection varied, which was sometimes problematic. Additionally, care needed to be taken to ensure condentiality whilst using online
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tools and consequently clear policies about the appropriate use of the different technologies had to be agreed with the athletes in advance. Mobile apps The success of the programme with the winter sport athletes encouraged me to consider using more online components in my other sport psychology work. I now offer Skype consultations as an alternative to face-to-face consultations, provide clients with a password protected web page on my website, which provides supporting materials and discussion forums, and keep in touch with athletes between consultations using social media. In addition to this I am increasingly integrating mobile apps into my practice. So far this has primarily been focused on relaxation-based apps (e.g., Breathe2Relax), but there is a wealth of unexplored opportunities in the app world that I and other sport and exercise scientists would benet from investigating. The impact of apps in this domain is gaining credibility with research examining their functionality increasing (e.g., Cowan et al., 2013, Bergman et al., 2012). It is therefore important that the sport and exercise science community shares its experiences of using these apps, as they are not always based on scientic foundations. Please share your experiences in the BASES forum discussion linked to this article. Summary The use of online technologies and mobile apps is a growth area that needs be exploited by sport and exercise scientists to enhance practice and to overcome the challenges (e.g., geographical) of traditional consultancy relationships.

words: Caroline Heaney Caroline is a BASES accredited sport and exercise scientist and a Senior Lecturer at The Open University.

References: Bergman, R.J. et al. (2012). Is there a valid app for that? Validity of a free pedometer iphone application. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 9, 670-676. Cowan, L.T. et al. (2013). Apps of steel: are exercise apps providing consumers with realistic expectations?: a content analysis of exercise apps for presence of behavior change theory. Health Education and Behavior, 40, 133-137. Links: BASES Forum - www.bases.org.uk/ForumBases Breathe2Relax - http://t2health.org/apps/breathe2relax

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Physical activity as a treatment option for patients with depression

Prof Nanette Mutrie FBASES, Prof Stuart J.H. Biddle FBASES and Panteleimon Ekkekakis share their thoughts.
Depression is one of the 23 conditions for which the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends physical activity as a treatment. The current NICE clinical guideline for the treatment of depression (National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health and National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, 2010) states that, for patients suffering from persistent sub-threshold, or mild to moderate depression, physicians should recommend, among other options, a structured programme of physical activity (e.g., exercise on prescription). Yet, in June 2012, in a press release that attracted worldwide attention, researchers said that the results of the TREAD-UK trial, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) (Chalder et al., 2012), showed that exercise does not appear to be effective in treating depression. In editorials, commentators argued that, based on this trial, physicians and other health professionals should not advise patients with depression to be physically active (Daley & Jolly, 2012, Mead, 2012). During the past year, in letters to the editor of the BMJ and review articles, numerous authors have criticised the TREAD-UK trial for various methodological problems.
Usual Care Months
Decrease in depression scores from baseline Patients achieving remission Decrease in patients using antidepressant drugs

physical activity facilitation group in TREAD-UK (second highlighted column) exhibited the largest decrease in depression scores from baseline (61%), the highest percentage of patients achieving remission (50%), and, importantly since this is the only objective outcome, the largest decrease in the percentage of patients using antidepressant drugs (24%). These comparisons demonstrate that the reason for the reported failure of the physical activity intervention in TREAD-UK was the extraordinary effectiveness of the usual-care comparator group. Although the exact causes of this phenomenon are uncertain, a likely explanation is that the members of this group, who had agreed to participate in a physical-activity trial, completed physical activity questionnaires four times, and received referrals for exercise-on-prescription schemes from GPs, showed large increases in physical activity, statistically no different from those in the intervention group. We, therefore, believe that it is essential for GPs and other health professionals to continue to recommend physical activity as a treatment option to patients with depression, as this is consistent with the extant literature.
TREAD-UK Intervention words: Prof Nanette Mutrie FBASES 12j 61% 50% 24% Nanette is Professor of Physical Activity for Health at the University of Edinburgh and member of the editorial board of Mental Health and Physical Activity. Prof Stuart J.H. Biddle

CBT 4-6c 47% (41-56) 33% (28-38) 6% (3-8) 8-12d 51% (47-55) 41% (40-42) 9% (3-13) 4e 47% 36% 3%

TREAD-UK Usual Care 8f 50% 37% 11% 12g 58% 45% 14% 4h 50% 28% 0%

4-6a 27% (22-34) 20% (15-24) 7% (2-13)

8-12b 32% (31-34) 22% (18-26) 13% (8-17)

8i 56% 40% 17%

a: Average (and range) of usual-care groups of CBT trials by endpoint of interventions (4-6 m) b: Average (and range) of usual-care groups of CBT trials by nal follow-up (8-12 m) c: Average (and range) of CBT intervention groups of CBT trials by endpoint of interventions (4-6 m) d: Average (and range) of CBT intervention groups of CBT trials by nal follow-up (8-12 m) e: Usual-care group of TREAD-UK by midpoint of intervention (4 m)

f: Usual-care group of TREAD-UK by endpoint of intervention (8 m) g: Usual-care group of TREAD-UK by nal follow-up (12 m) h: Physical activity facilitation group of TREAD-UK by midpoint of intervention (4 m) i: Physical activity facilitation group of TREAD-UK by endpoint of intervention (8 m) j: Physical activity facilitation group of TREAD-UK by nal follow-up (12 m)

Stuart is Professor of Physical Activity & Health at Loughborough University and theme lead in the NIHR Leicester-Loughborough lifestyle biomedical research unit. Panteleimon Ekkekakis Panteleimon is Associate Professor of Exercise Psychology at Iowa State University and Editor-in-Chief of the Routledge Handbook of Physical Activity and Mental Health.

Table 1. Comparisons of results from TREAD-UK and three recent CBT trials The recent publication of results from additional depressionrelated clinical trials conducted in the UK have now enabled us to conclude that the initial interpretation of the ndings of the TREADUK trial was unwarranted. These trials, which investigated different types of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), including online (Kessler et al., 2009), face-to-face (Wiles et al., 2013) and guided self-help (Williams et al., 2013), are comparable to TREAD-UK, as they used the same design, similar inclusion/exclusion criteria, the same measure of depression, the same criterion of remission, and enrolled patients with similar baseline levels of depression. The juxtaposition of these trials illustrates that the usual-care group in TREAD-UK accrued much larger benets than other usual-care groups. In fact, these benets were comparable to those achieved through the combination of usual care and CBT. Table 1 highlights three outcomes: (1) reductions in depression scores from baseline, (2) remission rates and (3) use of antidepressants. For each outcome, the benets accrued by the nal follow-up in the usual-care group in TREAD-UK (rst highlighted column) were larger than those achieved through either usual care or the combination of usual care and CBT in other trials. Moreover, the

References: Chalder, M. et al. (2012). Facilitated physical activity as a treatment for depressed adults: Randomised controlled trial. British Medical Journal, 344, e2758. Daley, A. & Jolly, K. (2012). Exercise to treat depression: Does not seem to benet patients in clinical settings who receive good standard care. British Medical Journal, 344, e3181. Mead, G.E. (2012). Physical activity as a treatment for depressed adults. Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 42, 325. Kessler, D. et al. (2009). Therapist-delivered internet psychotherapy for depression in primary care: A randomised controlled trial. Lancet, 374, 628-634. National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health and National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2010). Depression: The treatment and management of depression in adults (updated edition). Leicester and London: British Psychological Society and Royal College of Psychiatrists. Wiles, N. et al. (2013). Cognitive behavioural therapy as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy for primary care based patients with treatment resistant depression: Results of the CoBalT randomised controlled trial. Lancet, 381, 375-384. Williams, C. et al. (2013). Guided self-help cognitive behavioural therapy for depression in primary care: A randomised controlled trial. PLoS One, 8(1), e52735.

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BASES Student Conference 2014

University of Portsmouth 89 April 2014 Sport and Exercise Science: Putting the Pieces Together
This conference offers you an exciting multi-disciplinary programme, with workshops on exercise physiology, biomechanics, psychology and environmental physiology in the University of Portsmouths rst-class sport and exercise science facilities. For current undergraduate and postgraduate students of sport, exercise or related disciplines. Great networking opportunities with other academic institutions and employers. Chance to present work and learn more about postgraduate study and career development in sport and exercise science. Keynote presentations from discipline experts. Excellent seaside location within walking distance of transport links, hotels, bars and restaurants.

W: www.port.ac.uk/sportscience/bases2014 E: bases2014@port.ac.uk

The practicalities of working under the HCPC requirements

Fiona Letton and Dr Brendan Cropley provide their thoughts on last issues Sport and exercise psychology - Who is legally qualied to provide support?
This article has been stimulated by the piece presented in the Summer issue of The Sport and Exercise Scientist (pp. 24-25) by Prof Ian Maynard FBASES and Dr Sandy Wolfson FBASES regarding the current situation on appropriate qualications for sport and exercise psychologists. We intend to provide a practitioners view of the situation that faces many prospective consultants aspiring to work within the eld of sport and exercise psychology who are currently pursuing BASES Supervised Experience (SE) in sport and exercise science. The article offers Fionas thoughts as a current BASES SE candidate and Brendans thoughts as BASES SE supervisor. A dead end for the SE candidate? Thoughts of a current neophyte practitioner For the past two and a half years I have been registered on the BASES SE scheme, working towards becoming a BASES accredited sport and exercise scientist, specialising in providing sport psychology support. During this time I have been working as a sport psychology intern at Sport Wales, providing support to both elite and development athletes in a wide variety of sports. At this point in my career I am not in a position to be able to change to the BPS pathway due to the time and costs it would involve and will therefore not be a HCPC registered sport and exercise psychologist any time soon. Whilst this has not impacted my progress through BASES SE in terms of obtaining clients to whom I am providing consultancy services within the discipline of sport psychology, it is likely that not being a HCPC registered sport and exercise psychologist could have a huge impact on my career in the near future. Two recently published job opportunities for sport psychologists, one for the EIS and the other for the English Cricket Board, both advertised for either a BPS Chartered or BASES accredited applicant. However, as stated in Maynard and Wolfsons (2013) article, the Performance Directors of the National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of Sport funded by UK Sport have been sent a letter explaining who is qualied to work under the title Sport and Exercise Psychologist and that all practitioners have to be HCPC registered as a sport and exercise psychologist. This could prevent me from working with NGBs, despite the fact that I have been working with several NGBs for the past two and a half years. Maynard and Wolfsons (2013) article also stated, Since they (those who are BASES accredited) have usually applied their studies specically to sport, they should be in a position to offer considerable interdisciplinary expertise in

Above: Dr Brendan Cropley (left) working with a member of the Welsh Football coaching staff Courtesey Dr Brendan Cropley

other areas such a biomechanics and physiology. Those on SE and subsequently becoming accredited specialise in a discipline-specic area but must have an underpinning knowledge in all sport and exercise science areas. This should give them an understanding of the other areas and prepare them to work as part of a multidisciplinary team, but not to a level that means they can provide support in these other areas. For the past four years I have predominantly studied and worked in the eld of sport psychology and therefore I am only competent and qualied enough to provide support in this eld as an individual practitioner or as part of a wider support team. Although I did not complete an undergraduate degree in psychology, I did complete two years of psychology modules as part of this programme, the same modules completed by BPS candidates. I also completed an MSc in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology, not Sport Science. Given the specic training pathway currently operational, I admit that I am unlikely to have the same level of psychology knowledge as a BPS candidate but I would challenge Maynards and Wolfsons suggestion that practitioners with my background could, Lack the comprehensive psychological knowledge and professional skills with which to provide the most valuable service in the sport or exercise context. I understand that these regulations have been put in place to protect the client and prevent the
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less ethical amongst so-called practitioners from providing support to athletes without the proper qualications and levels of competence. However, the question remains - what becomes of those people who do have the qualications, knowledge, education and experience, gained through the BASES SE pathway to provide such support?

psychology. Although the change in legislation has done little to affect my consultancy work, for people like Fiona and me, who share a similar educational background, it may ultimately mean a visit back to the other side of the lectern and re-educating ourselves in attempt to gain HCPC registration as a sport and exercise psychologist. This should not, however, detract from the education and development obtained through the BASES pathway. Indeed, BASES accredited sport and exercise scientists can now gain Chartered status through the Science Council giving members wider recognition of the standards they have achieved and maintained. I do hope, however, that in the near future discussions take place to align HCPC and BASES requirements more closely for sport and exercise psychologists to improve a potential transition of qualications.
words: Fiona Letton Fiona is a Sport Psychology Intern at Sport Wales and is in the nal six months of the BASES Supervised Experience programme.

Dr Brendan Cropley Brendan is a Senior Lecturer in Coaching Science and Sport Psychology at Cardiff Metropolitan University. He is a BASES accredited sport and exercise scientist and a registered BASES SE Supervisor.

Supervisor response At this point in time we are still in a predicament as there are a lot of SE candidates currently aiming to achieve BASES accreditation through specialising in providing applied sport psychology services. Many have asked me during the BASES core reective practice workshop that I deliver whether the change in legislation will affect their future career prospects and unfortunately I have to say that it probably will. I do not think that the legislation will stop them working as an independent practitioner providing sport psychology services, but they may not have the necessary qualications to gain a position within a NGB or professional sports club within the UK. It might not have the same impact abroad, however. Having been involved with the BASES SE and accreditation programmes since 2004 I have seen it progress through three different versions but all have similar characteristics designed to ensure that those completing SE can be deemed as competent, autonomous, and safe and t to practice. My thoughts are that the current programme does this, providing candidates with the opportunity to develop a range of competencies, within a discipline of choice, covering both theoretical and practical aspects. In this sense, I feel that those candidates that I have had the fortune to work with, as well as those accredited practitioners that I have spoken to appear more than appropriately qualied to work with athletes and teams on issues relating to sport and exercise psychology. This issue of appropriateness of qualication will continue to raise questions and problems for those wishing to gain full-time employment in sport and exercise
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Study Postgraduate Sport at Winchester

MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science*
Study a mixture of approaches to sport and exercise science which draws on physiology, psychology and biomechanics. Experience a blend of theoretical, practical, experiential and professional approaches to sports performance and exercise health. Learn the skills required to work in an applied sport and/or exercise science setting.

Specialist modules include:

Applied Sport and Exercise Science Applied Sport and Exercise Physiology Applied Sport and Exercise Biomechanics Applied Sport Psychology Applied Exercise Psychology

MA Sport and Society*

Study the main issues impacting sport and society from a multidisciplinary social scientic approach drawing on sociology, history, management and law.

Specialist modules include:

Sport and Society: Theoretical Perspectives Sport, Gender and Sexuality Sport and the Nation Commercial Inuences in Global Sport

For further information

please visit www.winchester.ac.uk/courses or contact course enquiries and applications on: +44 (0)1962 827234 or email: course.enquiries@winchester.ac.uk * Both courses start in September. Entry requirements are a relevant degree (2:2 or above).

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Standing out from the crowd - The degree is in the bag and you know your technical stuff, so how do you get that key job or promotion?
Getting noticed as a practitioner in the world of elite sport requires technical excellence, combined with the interpersonal skills to be able to apply that knowledge. Dr Sarah Rowell FBASES and Tim Kyndt provide their thoughts on the key interpersonal skills that will help you stand out from the crowd.
Introduction In the competitive world of applied sport and exercise science, it is hard to stand out from the crowd. How can you get your potential employers attention, when so many of your peers also have excellent degrees from excellent universities? If you are looking to work in elite sport, then you are facing an even tougher challenge. Whether you are looking for your rst job or a promotion it is worth bearing in mind a key principle that guides employers in their candidate selection. This is neatly summed up by a recent participant on the English Institute of Sports Practitioner Development Programme (which we have delivered for the last nine years) as being successful as a practitioner in elite sport is 20% technical knowledge and 80% people skills. So being successful as an applied practitioner is not simply about having the best technical knowledge. What makes you stand out from the crowd is how you apply that technical excellence, in terms of your ability to build working relationships, inuence coaches and athletes and to work under high-pressure, often for long hours. The importance of and route to this seamless blend of technical and interpersonal skills was the theme of our recent book Achieving Excellence in High Performance Sport the experiences and skills behind the medals. This article explores some of those principles and skills that are key to getting that rst job but apply equally to achieving promotion. Do the job you want: Get experience in the area of the job you want as soon as you can When it comes to getting your CV noticed, work experience is just as important as a good degree. All of the new practitioners that we have worked with in the high-performance system have shown initiative and motivation by gaining relevant work experience whilst completing their studies. They have started doing the job that they want to do (often on a volunteer basis), often working with local clubs and athletes, not only providing valuable experience for the CV, but also gaining a real-life context for their studies. The advent of the Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR, for more information see the last issue

of The Sport and Exercise Scientist, Summer 2013, pp20-21) helps students to capture and get credit for this experience. Technical excellence is great, but its not enough: Develop those interpersonal skills and capture examples of how they have helped you make an impact You may feel very comfortable persuading employers that you have an exceptional understanding of the technical elements of your discipline, but how condently can you apply them to make a difference to an athletes or teams performance? A major factor in the successful application of your technical skills is the level of your interpersonal skills. Sometimes referred to as soft skills, they are often hard to master. So employers spend a great deal of time looking for evidence of a candidates interpersonal skills. One strength and conditioning coach that we work with, recently recalled his interview at the EIS, I was all ready to talk about the science and techniques I had learned and could apply, but they (the interviewers) mostly wanted to talk about the way I got along with athletes, whether I had inuenced any coaches and how I coped under the pressure of working at a recent European championships. Weve selected ve of the skills that are crucial to success in the elite sport arena and they equally apply to excellence in any highperformance environment. In our experience if you can demonstrate applied experience and skills within these areas you will be a long way ahead of the crowd when it comes to that job interview or promotion: The ability to 1. Know yourself in terms of your values, personality, emotions and motives 2. Inuence athletes, coaches and your peer sports scientists 3. Adapt quickly to different sports environments and cultures 4. Perform under sustained pressure 5. Lead and introduce changes of sports science elements within an athlete or team training and competition programme.
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Knowing yourself: Knowing and being able to describe who you are, what you stand for and what drives you Knowing yourself, or self-awareness is an excellent place to start when you are seeking to convince an employer that you would be a great member of their team. The people who have high self-awareness are best able to manage themselves, their reactions and their interactions with others. Strong self-awareness is the essential building block to all the other interpersonal skills, such as communication, understanding and working with others and inuencing. Self-awareness is not a bolt-on skill. It requires being honest with yourself about all the attributes and skills that you have, as well as the behaviours and attitudes that can let you down in certain situations. The key to building self-awareness is through purposeful and meaningful reective practice (hence a critical requirement for BASES accreditation), as well as gaining feedback from others to help build an objective understanding of who you are. We often nd that the development of self-awareness can be one of the most challenging, yet ultimately rewarding skills area for practitioners of all ages and levels of experience. The power of persuasion: A complex, crucial and clever component of anyones high-performance toolbox Being able to inuence someones viewpoint, attitude or behaviour is a highly regarded and ultimately highly rewarded skill within elite sport. The usual approach by technically minded people is to win someone over with the power of all the facts and logic at their disposal. Outside of the purely academic environment, if that works at all, it will only get you agreement and is unlikely to end up in any action. Inuencing someone effectively requires not only reason, but also credibility, trust and empathy. Seeing the situation from the point of view of the person you are trying to inuence is the key to being able to successfully attach your offer or position to their perspective, so they will be more open to your persuasion. The skill of inuencing is also built on several other important techniques, such as listening attentively, questioning appropriately and getting your message across succinctly. The important consideration from a job interview perspective, is to be able to talk about the situations when you have been inuential, why you were inuential and the techniques you used. As with any technique, practice will elevate your inuencing to the level of a skill, so seeking opportunities to do so is key. Selection through adaptation: Those who can adapt quickly to different sports as they themselves change are the ones who survive and thrive Employers are very interested in applied practitioners who can excel in working across different sports and different environments, such as training camps and competitions. The fast-moving nature of elite sport means that there isnt much time for people to acclimatise to their environment. Employers want people who have the ability to almost hit the ground running. Our experience is that most practitioners new into elite sport are working autonomously in some regard within months of joining. It is not uncommon for capable practitioners, combined with a little bit of being in the right place at the right time, to nd themselves quickly promoted to a responsible positions quite early in their careers. The positive, exible mind-set, combined with adaptability skills are the hallmarks of those who do this successfully. Again, these are techniques that convert into skills with practice. In order to demonstrate to an employer that you have what it takes in this area, seeking opportunities to work with different athletes, squads and teams across a range of sports will gain their attention. It is also worth capturing evidence of your skill development by keeping a record of your experience through a reective practice log
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(something that you will need to do to gain BASES accreditation in due course). Performance under pressure: Evidence of effective personal strategies to manage stress will impress Working at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, it was encouraging to see how many sport and exercise science students had taken the initiative to volunteer in roles that gave them experience of working under pressure. The opportunity of working at a major competition is clearly not available to everyone, but it is worth exploring how you can gain credible experience within pressured environments. There will be training camps and even some competitions where roles for student practitioners are available. Seeking those opportunities out will differentiate you from your peers and will also provide valuable situations for you to reect upon, learn from and use to illustrate your skills when it comes to interview time. Leading and introducing change: The best applied sports scientist is the one that actually has an impact Elite sport never stands still in the continuous quest for competitive advantage. That means change is constant, so those who can introduce and lead change are highly valued. The best practitioners fully understand that before any changes to an athletes or squads programme are implemented, it is important to get the basics right. Winning performances come equally from ensuring that all the basics are covered and in place as additional cutting-edge interventions. So employers are very interested in practitioners who can demonstrate that they have made a meaningful difference to performance, either by applying the basics to an excellent level or by the introduction of training or programme improvements. Summary Getting noticed as a practitioner in the world of elite sport requires technical excellence, combined with the interpersonal skills to be able to apply that knowledge. The interpersonal skills that we have covered are the ones that in our experience are the key skills that will help you stand out from the crowd. Gaining experience as a practitioner before you apply for any formal jobs demonstrates that you are motivated and committed to your continuing development. By documenting those experiences, preferably through reective practice, you will learn from the work you have done and provide an evidence base to persuade your potential employer that you deserve that job or promotion.

words: Dr Sarah Rowell FBASES Sarah has 25 years experience working within high performance sport where she specialises in people and systemic development. She has worked with a range of organisations including the British Olympic Association, Youth Sport Trust, the British Paralympic Association, UK Sport and the EIS, as well as numerous national governing bodies. In 2009 she worked with BASES to redesign the organisations accreditation criteria. Tim Kyndt Tim is a business psychologist working with a range of organisations delivering high-performance leadership mentoring and executive coaching. Tim has worked with UK Sport, ParalympicsGB, the Home Country Institutes of Sport and a number of National Governing Bodies in the design, development and delivery of practitioner, coach and mentoring development programmes, such as UK Sports Mentor Development and Elite Coaching Apprenticeship Programmes.

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Working in high performance sport

When Mo Farah crossed the nish line last summer at London 2012 one of the rst people he thanked in the post race interview was his physiologist Dr Barry Fudge (he even seemed more important than Farahs own wife!) Alongside the success of Mo Farah, the British Rowing team were one of the most successful teams at the 2012 Olympic Games. Sarah Gilchrist (nee Hardman) is an essential part of the support team around them, and physiology support is seen as a key component of the success of the Rowing team. Both work for the English Institute of Sport (EIS). What follows is an interview with these two leading applied practitioners within the UK.
Could you provide an overview of your career to date? BF: I completed my undergraduate degree in Physiology and Sport Science at University of Glasgow 2000-2004. It was a great course, lots of science mixed in with some applied projects. Following that I went on to do my PhD at Glasgow under the supervision of Dr Yannis Pitsiladis looking in to why east African endurance runners are so good (2004-2007). I looked in to the environmental factors and another student (Dr Robert Scott) looked in to the genetic factors. It was a very exciting time with lots of travel to Africa for data collection, inspirational people and some good project outcomes. After my PhD I started a post-doc type role at the English Institute of Sport (EIS) as a Research Physiologist. The main roles were to enhance training monitoring techniques in endurance runners and to investigate warm up strategies for middle distance runners. That contract lasted for a year and then I moved on to the Scottish Institute of Sport to take on a role as a physiologist. It was a multi-sport role concentrating on athletics, judo and triathlon amongst other sports. Another year went by and I then took up a post back at the EIS as a senior physiologist working with track and eld (2009). I still work for the EIS but have a slightly different role now as I lead the science team at British Athletics as well as providing physiology support to the team. SG: I completed an MSc at Manchester Metropolitan University, under the supervision of Prof Andy Jones. Following this I began working as a physiologist at the Welsh Institute of Sport where I spent 8 years working with a variety of sports with a focus on badminton whom I supported into the Athens Olympics and athletics into the Commonwealth Games of 2002 and 2006. In 2007 I moved to the EIS to provide physiology support to GB Rowing who I have supported into both the Beijing and London Olympic Games. I am currently a technical lead within the EIS and manage the Physiology facility in Bisham Abbey. Throughout your career what has been your biggest learning point? SG: Learning the ability and condence to move from my natural position of communication to
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Altruism you cant do this job if you have a selsh personality. Ultimately the coaches and athletes come rst and you have to be able to put your needs on hold as appropriate.

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Left: Sports science making a difference at London 2012 - Photo - Getty Images

another when dealing with different personalities, particularly in high pressure situations. BF: There have been so many, from my undergraduate course at Glasgow, which mixed the science and applied world, to my PhD and the inspirational and passionate drive of Yannis, to my rst exposure of high performance sport in the UK at the EIS, to working at a home Olympic Games. But the biggest learning experience for me was standing on the side of a track in Eldoret, Kenya with some of the best coaches and athletes in the world. That is where all those lectures, all that studying, all that excitement of my surroundings merged into one simple questionwhats this physiology stuff all about? It drove me to work out the link between science, what the best athletes in the world do, and what I could offer. You were both part of the support team at London 2012, could you describe what it felt like to work in such a pressurised environment with such high prole sports? BF: At the time it didnt feel like a pressurised environment. Through my excellent CPD programme at the EIS and drawing from previous experiences of working at major champs I was very well prepared. I knew what needed to be done from a science and personal perspective, and I had worked out what could go wrong or identied factors I couldnt necessarily control and had a plan for them. The 10 days at the village was a case of executing the plan as best as possible.

Be exible - in every aspect of high performance sport you need to be exible. Whether its relocating for that job, working with different types of coaches and athletes, scientic paradigms, they all have a habit of changing very quickly. Be credible - its not easy to rst of all get a job in high performance sport but then once you do its not easy to be excellent at what you do. In my opinion both require credibility, this means go out there and gain qualications but also make sure you are spending time gaining experiences and skills that people will value when it comes to sitting in that interview for your dream job, or sitting in front of that experienced coach for the rst time. What would be your advice to any practitioners starting out in their career? BF: Follow your heart, do what you enjoy doing. I could have made a number of different decisions at many points in my journey but I have always done what made me happy. Sounds selsh but it isnt, work hard, follow your dreams and everyone around you (family, friends, colleagues etc.) will be happier as well as a result! SG: Decide on a discipline you enjoy, are passionate about but not idealistic (you will never be able to conduct an experiment in the perfect conditions, with a control group in elite sport like in academia). Focus on gaining experience in your chosen area. Often this has to be proactive and unpaid at rst in the hope that these experiences will lead to interviews and ultimately job offers. You wont get paid much for the hours and sacrices you make, but if you are focused on nancial rewards then sport is not the right industry for you, unless youre Andy Murray.

I had worked out what could go wrong or identied factors I couldnt necessarily control and had a plan for them.
SG: Hard to describe. I worked with the teams right up until they went into the village so it was strange once they went. Being at Dorney, I had an immense feeling of pride after the culmination of a lot of hard work by the team. It was an odd situation in that the Olympics nished and everyone was saying how I could relax now at last and not work, but we still had a pre-Paralympic camp to get through, so I had to maintain focus whilst everyone else was relaxing and off on holiday. Mentally that took a lot of effort. What three attributes do you think every practitioner needs to work in high performance sport? And why? SG: Flexibility (in a dynamic environment) - high performance sport moves quickly and people want solutions tomorrow. You have to be able to context switch well and work to changing deadlines and priorities as things change. Altruism - you cant do this job if you have a selsh personality. Ultimately the coaches and athletes come rst and you have to be able to put your needs on hold as appropriate. Sense of humour - you will be tried and tested many times by the sport you work with, often when youre at your most tired and away from home. Sometimes a sport you work with may make decisions out of your control, but which affect you and can be frustrating. You have to be able to deliver a service with a smile and enjoy your work and remember it could be worst, you could be stuck in an ofce all day! BF: Be creative - to apply whats in textbooks and presented in lectures you need a degree of creativity to make it work. There is a big difference between knowing how to theoretically do something and actually doing it.
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words: Dr Barry Fudge Barry is Lead for Sport Science at UK Athletics and a Senior Physiologist with the English Institute of Sport. He is a BASES accredited sport and exercise scientist.

Sarah Gilchrist (nee Hardman) Sarah is a Lead Physiologist at the English Institute of Sport and provides support to GB Rowing. She is a BASES High Performance Sport Accredited Physiologist.

They were both invited to contribute to this article as winners of the BASES applied practitioner awards. Compiled by: Dr Kevin Currell Head of Performance Nutrition, English Institute of Sport

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Why should sport and exercise scientists use Twitter and what should they use it for?
John Mills shares his thoughts.
For those of you who may not be familiar with Twitter, the main premise is that it allows you to send short messages (140 characters) to tell those who follow you about what youre doing, thinking, reading or whatever else. If you decide to follow someone, you will see their updates and if someone follows you they will see yours. As a doctoral student specialising in enhancing human performance through leadership, this allows me the opportunity to follow interesting researchers and practitioners to hear about the research or work they are conducting, ask questions, and discuss ways in which my research could be tweaked, what issues practitioners are facing and whether my research can be of use. While I consider myself to be a competent user of Twitter, I thought that it would be interesting to nd out how other sport and exercise scientists are currently using it and what for. Therefore I posed the following question to my followers Why should sport scientists use Twitter and what should they use it for? The key themes to emerge were that Twitter is a great tool to share ideas, keep up-to-date with the literature, and learn from established academics in an informal manner. Sean Figgens who is a PhD Researcher in Sports Psychology at Chichester said Twitter is good for networking, connecting with others, discussing ideas/issues and sharing/viewing research, especially research that you may not have searched or come across if you didnt have this access. Katy Garnham-Lee who is a new PhD Student and at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) added, Twitter gives students and aspiring practitioners an opportunity to follow the academics they reference and read and gain more insight of their opinions of current affairs. In addition to keeping up with advancements in the eld, others discussed Twitters usefulness in sharing applied practice experience, disseminating both ones own research and that of others, focusing your ideas into 140 characters, and raising awareness of key issues within the industry and wider community. Loughborough Lecturer and accredited BASES member Elliot Newell suggested Twitter helps 2 communicate research and applied practice ndings/recommendations in a more timely fashion compared to other means. While Leeds Metroplitan Lecturer Michelle Mellis stated that she uses Twitter to provide links to position stands, PA policy, key papers & suggest accounts for students to follow. If nothing else, this process highlights another important feature of Twitter as most of this feedback was collected within the rst 15 minutes of posting the question. As a doctoral student myself, I cannot over-estimate the usefulness of being able to get friendly, real-time feedback from industry experts, pretty much 24 hours a day. While I appreciate Twitter and social media platforms may seem confusing at the beginning, once you jump in and start following some interesting people, it is likely that you will be drawn into the conversation and the rest ows from there. If you get there and are unsure of how to nd interesting individuals to follow, you can use the search function in the top right hand corner of the page and once youve found someone you like, you can check whom they follow to nd other interesting tweeters.

If you have more advanced questions feel free to contact me via Twitter by searching @JohnP_Mills. Getting started 1. Go to Twitter (www.twitter.com) and create an account. Once there you can give yourself any username, but it is best to choose something that people who know you will recognise. 2. Complete your biography. Tell people a little about yourself and why you may be an interesting person to follow. 3. Add a photo. In my opinion, no photo, no follow (company logos are ne). For me accounts without a photo suggest that it may be spam. 4. Post your rst tweet. It should go in the box underneath the question What are you doing? and it must be 140 characters or fewer. Lots of people use Twitter in different ways and it is not for me to tell you how you should post, however, as a piece of advice, I would limit the talk on what you are having for dinner. 5. Start building your network. Search for friends and colleagues who are already using the site by clicking nd people at the top of the page. When you nd someone who you want to add to your network, click on their name to see their page and then click follow. You may also want to see who they are following, by clicking their following tab. This is often a good way of nding other people to follow with similar interests. 6. Talking to people. There are two ways of doing this, (a) sending a public reply using the @ symbol (e.g., @JohnP_Mills) and the persons Twitter name or (b) direct message, which is private and similar to sending a 140 character e-mail. To send a direct message you can either access you inbox by clicking the cog symbol at the top right hand corner of the page or the envelope symbol on the persons page. 7. Finally, you may want to share (re-tweet) or favourite another persons tweet to your followers. To do this you will need to click either the re-tweet symbol or favourite symbol at the bottom of the tweet. You can now follow BASES on Twitter www.twitter.com/basesuk

words: John Mills John is the Social Media Editor for The Sport and Exercise Scientist, and a Doctoral Student in Performance Psychology and Leadership at Aberystwyth University.

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Announcing all new Human Kinetics sport and exercise science titles with 32% OFF for BASES members.
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Research spotlight - a focus on research undertaken by sport and exercise scientists

Lee Wylie and Prof Andrew Jones provide an update on beetroot juice and exercise: pharmacodynamics and dose-response relationships.
Introduction Over the past 10 years, a growing body of evidence has developed demonstrating the cardiovascular health and exercise performance benets associated with the consumption of dietary inorganic nitrate (NO3-). After ingestion the body, NO3- enters the entero-salivary circulation and is concentrated in saliva, whereupon facultative anaerobic bacteria in the oral cavity reduce the NO3- to nitrite (NO2-). When swallowed, some of this NO2- is absorbed to increase circulating plasma [NO2-] that can then be reduced further to nitric oxide (NO). NO has numerous functions in the human body, including the regulation of blood ow, muscle contractility and mitochondrial respiration, all of which may contribute to the benecial effects of NO3- supplementation. We and other researchers have demonstrated that NO3supplementation, either in the form of pharmaceutical NO3- salts or high-NO3- vegetable products such as beetroot juice (BR), profoundly and consistently reduce resting blood pressure (BP) (Bailey et al., 2009; Kapil et al., 2011). Together with these well-documented haemodynamic effects, we have previously reported that 3-6 days of supplementation with NO3--rich BR reduced the O2 cost of moderateintensity exercise and improved exercise tolerance in healthy young adults (Bailey et al., 2009). Importantly, these effects together with improvements in cycling time trial performance (by 2-3 %) have also been reported 2.5 h post a single dose of BR, which is consistent with the time required for the peak plasma [NO2-] to be attained. Unsurprisingly, these reports have led to a large rise in the consumption of NO3- by athletes and the general population who wish to capitalise on these physiological benets. However, all studies investigating the effect of acute consumption of BR on BP and exercise performance had administered approximately 5-6 mmol of NO3- and therefore the determination of an optimal dose of BR for these aforementioned effects remained undetermined. In an attempt to address this issue, we completed a two-phase study. In phase one, we characterised the plasma [NO3-] and [NO2-] pharmacokinetics and the changes in BP after acute ingestion of three different quantities of BR. This allowed us to ascertain the time-to-peak of plasma [NO2-] (which is important considering that physiological effects induced by NO3- consumption are closely related to changes in plasma [NO2-]) the extent of BP lowering effects of BR. In phase two, we investigated the dose-response relationship between BR/NO3- intake and the physiological responses to exercise. What we did In phase one, we asked a group of recreational, normotensive males to report to the laboratory on four separate occasions over a period of three weeks. Following collection of a venous blood sample and BP measurements, participants consumed an acute dose of either 70, 140 or 280 mL of concentrated NO3-rich BR (containing ~4.2, ~8.4 or ~16.8 mmol of NO3-) or 140 mL of water, in a randomised, repeated measures design. BP was measured and a venous blood sample was obtained 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h post ingestion. Plasma was extracted from the blood samples and stored for later determination of [NO3-] and [NO2-].

Figure 1. a) Plasma [nitrite] and b) change relative to baseline in systolic BP following consumption of water and 4.2, 8.4 and 16.8 mmol NO3-. *Signicantly different from pre-supplementation baseline (P < 0.05). In phase two, a separate group of recreationally active males completed two moderate-intensity, and one severe-intensity exercise bout, on six occasions. Upon arrival to the laboratory, a venous blood sample was drawn before participants ingested either one of the BR/ NO3- doses administered in phase one (above), or the same volume of NO3--depleted BR (PL; containing negligible NO3-), in a double blind, repeated measures design. Following a 2.5 h period, a further blood sample was drawn immediately prior to the completion of the exercise protocol. Cardiorespiratory measures were recorded throughout the exercise protocol and time-to-task failure in the severe-exercise bout was recorded as a measure of exercise tolerance. Plasma [NO3-] and [NO2-] were again determined from the blood samples. What we found In phase one, plasma [NO3-] and [NO2-] increased dose-dependently, with peak elevations in plasma [NO2-] occurring 2 - 4 h post administration of BR (see Figure 1a; P < 0.05). These changes in blood parameters were accompanied by a signicant (P < 0.05) dose-dependent reduction in BP up to 8.4 mmol NO3- (see Figure 1b), with peak reductions in systolic blood pressure occurring 4 h post administration of 4.2 (~5 mmHg), 8.4 (~10 mmHg) and 16.8 mmol (~9 mmHg) NO3-.
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Figure 2. a) O2 cost of moderate-intensity exercise, and b) time-to-exhaustion during severe-intensity exercise following consumption of 70, 140 or 280 mL of BR or PL. *Signicantly different from PL (P < 0.05). As expected in phase two, plasma [NO3-] and [NO2-] were dose-dependently elevated 2.5 h post administration of BR, relative to PL. The O2 cost of moderate-intensity exercise was signicantly (P < 0.05) reduced by 3% (~50 mL), and tended (P = 0.06) to be reduced by 2% (~30 mL) following administration of 16.8 and 8.4 mmol NO3- relative to placebo, respectively (see Figure 2a). During severe-intensity exercise, administration of 8.4 and 16.8 mmol NO3- signicantly (P < 0.05) improved exercise tolerance by 71 s (14%) and 59 s (12 %), respectively (see Figure 2b). Importantly, the change in plasma [NO2-] was signicantly correlated (P < 0.05) with the change in time-to-task failure (r = 0.55) and the reductions in the O2 cost of moderate-intensity exercise (r = -0.47). Ingestion of 4.2 mmol NO3- did not signicantly alter the physiological response to moderate- or severe-intensity exercise. Discussion and practical implications From a pharmacokinetic perspective, these data demonstrate that BR ingestion results in a dose-dependent rise in plasma [NO2-] (and therefore potentially NO bioavailability), that peaks 2-4 hours after ingestion, and that this rise is accompanied by a dose-dependent reduction in blood pressure up to a dose of 8.4 mmol NO3-. The peak reduction of ~10 mmHg observed after administration of BR containing 8.4 mmol NO3- is similar to that reported previously following the ingestion of nitrate salts (Kapil et al., 2010), and therefore conrms that BR (or presumably other NO3- rich vegetables lettuce, rocket and spinach) can provide a natural, healthy and readily available approach to maintaining or improving BP and vascular health in young adults. As an example of the potential importance of these results, it has previously been suggested that lowering systolic BP by ~10 mmHg may reduce the risk of ischemic heart disease by ~25% and the risk of stroke by ~35% (Lewington et al., 2002). From an exercise and performance perspective, our results suggest that there is indeed a dose-dependent reduction in the O2
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cost of moderate-intensity exercise up to 16.8 mmol NO3- and a dose-dependent improvement in exercise tolerance up to 8.4 mmol NO3-. An improvement in mitochondrial efciency (Larsen et al., 2011) and/or a reduction in the ATP-cost of muscle force production (Bailey et al., 2010) have previously been proposed as the mechanistic basis for effects following chronic NO3supplementation. These are believed to be caused by changes in the expression of proteins involved in mitochondrial respiration and sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium handling, however, given the short period of exposure (~2.5 h) to increased plasma [NO2-], it is unlikely that these alterations occur sufciently rapidly to explain the acute effects in our study. Alternatively, the reduction in the O2 cost of exercise may result from NO acutely and reversibly impacting on protein function through post-translational protein modications. Whilst this mechanism may also be partially responsible for the improvements in exercise tolerance, improved blood ow to the muscle or an NO-mediated enhancement of local matching of O2 delivery to metabolic rate may also be involved. Despite the current uncertainty about the mechanistic basis for our results, these ndings provide important practical information for individuals wishing to explore the potential benecial effect of BR. It is important to note that although we have reported a 14% improvement in time-to-task failure, this is likely to translate into no more than a 1-2% reduction in the time-to-complete a given distance, such as in a time trial. While this may appear to be small, a 1% improvement is highly meaningful in elite sport (Paton & Hopkins., 2006). This area of research is still in its infancy and many questions still remain unanswered. Future studies are likely to shed light on the benets of NO3- supplementation whilst training or during a long duration event, and the inuence of BR in non-athletic (elderly and clinical) populations. Watch this space!
words: Lee Wylie Lee is a PhD researcher at the University of Exeter investigating the effects of nitrate supplementation on human exercise performance.

Prof Andy Jones FACSM, FBASES, FECSS Andy is Professor of Applied Physiology and Head of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Exeter.

References: Bailey et al. (2009). Dietary nitrate supplementation reduces the O2 cost of lowintensity exercise and enhances tolerance to high-intensity exercise in humans. Journal of Applied Physiology 109, 1144-1155. Bailey et al. (2010). Dietary nitrate supplementation enhances muscle contractile efciency during knee-extensor exercise in humans. Journal of Applied Physiology. 109, 135-48. Kapil et al. (2010). Inorganic Nitrate Supplementation Lowers Blood Pressure in Humans: Role for Nitrite-Derived NO. Hypertension, 56, 274-281. Lansley et al. (2011). Acute dietary nitrate supplementation improves cycling time trial performance. Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise. 43, 1125-31. Larsen et al. (2011). Dietary inorganic nitrate improves mitochondrial efciency in humans. Cell Metabolism. 13, 149-159. Lewington et al. (2002). Age-Specic relevance of usual blood pressure to vascular mortality: a meta-analysis of individual data for one million adults in 61 prospective studies. Lancet, 360, 1903-1913. Paton C.D. & Hopkins W.G. (2006). Variation in performance of elite cyclists from race to race. European Journal of Sport Science, 6, 25-31.

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Obesity stigmatisation and anti-fat behaviour in sport

Dr Stuart W Flint highlights the prevalence of obesity stigmatisation and anti-fat behaviour in sport.
Within the article it is suggested that the media plays an important role in the development of anti-fat attitudes and may therefore contribute to the unacceptable behaviours observed recently in sport. Anti-fat attitudes have become a major concern in society as a whole and interventions to reduce them have had mixed success. Whilst sport has provided an opportunity for many to engage in anti-fat behaviours, it may also present an opportunity to reduce them in a similar fashion to other physical characteristics that have been stigmatised in the past such as race. Empirical evidence has demonstrated that individuals of various backgrounds hold anti-fat attitudes and that the overweight and obese are openly discriminated and stigmatised in several contexts such as healthcare, education and exercise settings (e.g., Vartanian & Smyth, 2013). Being overweight and obese are conditions that are rarely associated with professional sport and factors related to body size and shape, such as body image disturbance have been reported as barriers to participation at lower standards of play (Atlantis et al., 2008). In some instances, the absence of overweight or obese individuals who participate in sport may make sense for performance-related reasons where tness parameters associated with that sport are likely to be inferior. However, this absence may also provoke stereotypical attitudes, where the sports arena plays host to the stigmatisation of the overweight and obese. Perceptions of others are often inuenced by their physical characteristics and the existing associations one has with those characteristics. For example, a common stereotype of obesity is lower competence, which has been supported by a very recent study by Lovell et al. (2013) reporting that regular competitive sports performers perceived female sports dieticians as less effective as their body mass index increased. Whilst an individuals appearance does not affect their knowledge, stereotypes such as this clearly exist and are a major concern in the sporting arena. Overt examples of behaving in a derogatory manner towards others based on appearance were recently illustrated in football. In the 2012/13 football season of the English Premier League, Rafael Bentez became the interim manager of Chelsea Football Club, a controversial decision that saw him receive criticism and verbal abuse from the fans of his own club. One of the chants regularly hurled at Bentez was fat Spanish waiter, hes just a fat Spanish waiter of which the apparent acceptance of behaving in this way was clearly evident with a high proportion of fans participating. Additionally, derogatory and abusive comments about players are not uncommon in football either with the likes of Wayne Rooney and Sol Campbell the recipients of criticism regarding their body size and shape. Behaving in such a manner is unacceptable in other settings such as the workplace or in education, and if individuals were to behave in this manner, they would be suitably disciplined. Derogatory and abusive football chants that are detrimental and clearly designed to be extremely hurtful for the recipient have become common place in football. So why is it acceptable to openly disrespect an individual in a sports arena? Media inuence One explanation may be the media, which has been identied as a vehicle in society that serves to increase the general publics

Above: One of the chants regularly hurled at Bentez was fat Spanish waiter, hes just a fat Spanish waiter - Photo - Getty Images

awareness and knowledge. Extensive research demonstrates that media exposure can have detrimental implications, such as increased body image disturbance and lowered self-esteem (Boersma & Jarry, 2013), and that internalisation of media messages about body size may lead to the promotion and endorsement of ideal body sizes. The media also plays a pivotal role in the instigation of fat stigmatisation and there are numerous instances of stigmatisation and discrimination towards the overweight and obese. For example, on the TV programme Fat Families, Steve Miller refers to himself as a straight talking lard buster and uses derogatory terms in episodes about the individuals portrayed and their behaviours, such as referring to one couple as porkie partners and when discussing their eating habits comments that Ive got my ticket to massive fattyland here. The aforementioned Sol Campbell was commented on in a number of national newspapers articles in 2010 for pictures that appeared to suggest he had gained weight during the off-season, whilst The Sun have previously run features listing the Top 10 Fat Footballers (Rebuck, 2011). Furthermore, numerous examples of fat stereotypes are evident in the media, with little evidence of the media taking a stance against such behaviour or suggesting to the reader that this is an inappropriate way to behave. Thus, the content evident in UK media appears to promote anti-fat attitudes and behaviour as well as the grouping of individuals based on appearance, which only serves to reinforce divides in the community. Intervention Intervening with anti-fat attitudes to reduce anti-fat behaviour offers a potential solution to avoid the observed behaviour discussed above. However, modifying anti-fat attitudes has proven to be rather difcult, given their robustness (e.g., Flint et al., 2013). Two important factors to altering attitudes are motivation and exposure to reinforcing messages. However, with media coverage including stereotypical comments, derogatory portrayals and in some instances fat jokes, it is more likely that anti-fat attitudes will be reinforced. Prejudicial attitudes about sex and race have decreased overtime as have media portrayals that would endorse such behaviour, with laws that prohibit individuals from stigmatising or discriminating others based on these characteristics. Thus, legislating against anti-fat behaviour may serve to similarly reduce these attitudes. Greater campaigning to reduce anti-fat behaviours similar to the anti-racism campaigns in football such as the Lets kick racism
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out of football may also serve a purpose. As opposed to a focus on reducing one form of stigmatisation, a campaign to promote non-stereotypical and discriminatory behaviour towards others irrespective of the characteristic or grouping, whilst promoting equality and diversity would certainly be welcome and is pertinent to UK values. Use of role models to promote pro-social behaviour have proven effective in modifying attitudes and given the celebrity status that many of the English Premier League players have and in some cases are idolised, this may offer a realistic intervention strategy. Sportsmen and women in the UK are idolised by many people and they can have a major impact on the attitudes and behaviours of younger generations in particular. Whilst interventions such as imagined contact, educational programmes and evoking empathy have been reported to be successful on a smaller scale and for short periods of time, to increase the likelihood of long term success, the support of major societal stakeholders is essential. Reducing anti-fat attitudes may have a concomitant impact on reducing body image in those who report a fear of weight gain, where these concerns stem from the stigmatisation and stereotyping of overweight and obesity. Conclusion Whilst body size and shape have been specically referred to here, this of course is part of a much wider question about the conduct of sports fans, and in particular football fans, with recent reports highlighting evidence of racism towards sports professionals. In some ways, the sports arena appears to provide a parallel universe where societal morals and codes of conduct are lost by many as well as a setting where the younger generations are likely to model the attitudes and behaviours observed. Given the numbers of fans who attend sports events, preventing or intervening with

unacceptable behaviour is a major task, but are warranted to prevent unsavoury and damaging experiences not just for the targets, but also for the innocent bystander. What is clearly evident and of paramount importance, is that intervention is required to improve the conduct of many at sporting events to prevent not only current anti-social behaviours in these settings, but also younger generations imitating these behaviours and internalising the attitudes that are on display and go unpunished in the UK.
words: Dr Stuart W Flint Stuart is a lecturer and researcher in exercise psychology in the Academy of Sport and Physical Activity at Shefeld Hallam University.

References: Atlantis, E., Barnes, E.H. & Ball, K. (2008). Weight status and perception barriers to healthy physical activity and diet behavior. International Journal of Obesity, 32, 343-352. Boersma, K.E. & Jarry, J.L. (2013). The paradoxical effect of body image investment on the impact of weight-based derogatory media. Body Image, 10, 200-209. Flint, S.W., Hudson, J. & Lavallee, D.E. (2013). Counter-conditioning as an intervention to modify anti-fat attitudes. Health Psychology Research.1, 122-125. Rebuck, B. (24 August, 2011). Top 10 fat footballers. The Sun. http://www. thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3771716/Top-10-fat-footballers.html Vartanian, L. & Smyth, J.M. (2013). Primum non nocere: obesity stigma and public health. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 10, 49-57.

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Right: Marie and her husband Ian skiing Mont Blanc providing the backdrop.

Final Word with Prof Marie Murphy FBASES

One reason Im involved in sport and exercise sciences Growing up I developed a passion for sport - gymnastics, athletics and hockey in particular. I had amazing role models in my coaches and PE teacher. At school, biology and chemistry were among my favourite subjects and these interests (sport and science) came together during my undergraduate years. During my MSc at Loughborough I began to realise the potent role of exercise in disease prevention and the potential impact research in this area could have on population health (over and above improving sports performance for an elite minority) and the area of exercise and health had me hooked. One moment that changed the course of my career Working as a full-time lecturer at the University of Ulster with a busy teaching timetable, I struggled to nd the right PhD supervision locally. On a visit to Ulster, Prof Clyde Williams encouraged me to register for a PhD part-time at Loughborough. Four years later I completed, with Adrianne Hardman as supervisor and Clyde as my Director of Studies. Their expert supervision set me on a path towards becoming an independent researcher. One person who inspired me As an exam tip I always tell students to, Answer the question you are asked not the one you wanted to be asked. But since this is not an exam I am going to go against my own advice. The three women who have most inspired me professionally are: Baroness Sue Campbell CBE, CEO when I worked for the National Coaching Foundation, for teaching me to challenge the status quo - if you can see a better way of doing things and propose solutions rather than present problems; Prof Adrianne Hardman, my MSc and PhD supervisor at Loughborough, who taught me the importance of attention to ne detail in scientic research and the paramountcy of care for volunteer participants in your research studies; and Prof Nanette Mutrie, my mentor and friend, who has provided a shining example of how to harness and lead multidisciplinary teams to address real life research questions and has given me the reassuring motto effort is success when things dont work out as planned! One bit of advice that really inuenced me One of the pieces of advice that has remained with me since school is that what you get out of life depends on what you put in. This advice is applicable to all aspects of life including work, study, training and relationships and is one that my children are now sick of hearing me repeat! One memorable publication and why? Having spent years in awe of the contribution of Steve Blair to the eld of physical activity and health research I got to know him on a rst name basis when I attended the PAPH course at Sea Pines in 1999. After ACSM in 2007 I plucked up the courage to ask him to contribute to a review of accumulated exercise studies (my PhD area and on-going interest). Although not based exclusively on our own research, the paper, co-authored with Steve and Elaine Murtagh remains the one which I am particularly pleased to have been involved with: Murphy, M.H., Blair, S.N. and Murtagh, E.M. (2009). Accumulated vs Continuous Exercise for health benet: A review of empirical studies Sports Medicine. 39 (2), 33-41.
The Sport and Exercise Scientist
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One great thing that sport and exercise science has achieved The development of our subject into a recognised academic discipline has been particularly satisfying. Like many sports courses across the UK and Ireland, our courses at Ulster attract some of the brightest students in the university and the discipline has gained mainstream credibility in a relatively short space of time. One thing that I like to do on days off Days off are precious and with four teenagers (who will all probably y the nest in the next decade), time spent with the whole family being physically active is what I enjoy most. Skiing from dawn till dusk and then relaxing over a pasta meal (and some good red wine for the parents!) discussing the day on the slopes is the perfect way to spend time off. One thing I think the Government should implement immediately Dedicated specialist trained PE teachers in primary schools would help to address some of the physical activity and health issues we face. As a PE teacher it became obvious to me that by the time young people were 12 their attitudes to sport and physical activity and their self-efcacy and motivation for physical activity were often well-established. Making sure that every child in every primary school receives high quality PE and physical activity experiences and develops the physical activity habit has to be a key priority. One quote that I really like I adore quotes - I have them on my wall, on my phone and in every notebook I have ever owned. My favourite, at the moment, is the one attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt, Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people. One piece of advice for up and coming sport and exercise scientists Multidisciplinarity is a real strength of our eld and one that we should embrace. Try to look at research questions wearing a multidisciplinary hat and always respect the contribution of other disciplines other than your own. Collaborating across discipline is the best way to address the many research questions that remain in our eld.

words: Prof Marie Murphy FBASES Marie is Head of the Ulster Sports Academy at University of Ulster. Compiled by: Len Parker-Simpson Sports Physiology Research Scholar, University of Exeter About to change your home address? Update your details in the Member Area at www.bases.org.uk, e-mail enquiries@bases.org.uk or call 0113 812 6162

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The Sport and Exercise Scientist
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Issue 37

Autumn 2013

www.bases.org.uk