Sport and Exercise Science
Research
Physiology
There are three very active research strands within the Physiology Division and members of staff conduct research within one or more of these areas.
Environmental and survival medicine
Recent projects have included: approaches to cooling and maintaining thermal comfort for individuals in hot environments; gender differences in the thermal responses to exercise in a cool environment; post-exercise cold immersion; adaptation to heat and cold; prediction of survival time in cold water; evaluation of the thermal impact of protective equipment; the pathophysiology of non-freezing cold injury; research support to expeditions (altitude, cold & hot regions) and physiological adaptations to hypoxia. This group is internationally recognised receiving funding from a wide range of sources including UKsport and industry and is the recognised human & applied thermal physiology of both UKSport and the Fuch?s Foundation. The environmental physiology laboratory is one of the five laboratories that constitute the EPERE collaboration of human & applied physiology labs. Further details can be found at: http://www.uow.edu.au/health/epere/index.html
Occupational physiology and health
This group has undertaken studies in occupational fitness and health standards for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), the Energy Institute and the Marine Coastguard Agency (MCA). The group recently won the SHP Institute of Occupational Safety & Health Award for the: Best Health & Safety Achievement in Health Care and Emergency Services 2008 for work with the RNLI.
Sport and physical activity in performance and health
Recent research from this group has included studies in post-exercise muscle soreness; measurement of perceived exhaustion; pacing strategies in high intensity exercise; the effect of inspiratory and expiratory muscle fatigue on performance, particularly in elite swimmers; the benefits of physical activity and improved body composition in individuals with metabolic syndrome and the use of video games to promote physical activity.
Find out more about the Physiology Facilities at Portsmouth University.