The Department of Sport and Exercise Science at Aberystwyth University performs research in the sport and exercise sciences, and provides consultancy services to individuals and organisations in Wales and the rest of the U.K. Based in the Carwyn James Building, the Department’s Laboratories contain state-of-the-art equipment for physiological, psychological and biomechanical assessment of sport and exercise performance.

The Department is research active, and members of staff are involved in various projects including collaborative work with other universities and organisations. The Department has particular strengths in respiratory and endurance physiology, and the role of exercise in mental health and well-being and the psychology of sport. Members of academic staff have an established record of publications of high-quality peer reviewed scientific journals, as well as contributing to book chapters, popular magazine articles and television and radio broadcasts on issues related to their work.

Overview

Sport and exercise science is about the scientific analysis of how the human body moves, exercises and performs sport. It is about understanding the sciences of biomechanics, physiology and psychology to provide the theoretical knowledge and it about applying this knowledge to practical situations.

Sport science is concerned with applying science to maximise the performance of an individual athlete or team, whereas exercise science is concerned with applying science to improve health and well-being through exercise. A sport scientist might design a training programme to increase a distance runners’ race speed or improve a basketball teams’ ability to increase the tempo of a game. An exercise scientist, on the other hand, might design a training programme to aid weight loss or improve muscle strength so that an individual can continue to perform daily tasks without becoming tired.