England team returns to Bucks New University in preparation for 2015 World Cup

With the 2015 Touch (rugby) World Cup fast approaching, the England women's team has returned to Buckinghamshire New University for a weekend of fitness testing and training in the University's Human Performance Laboratory.

The national team, which originally undertook a series of fitness testing sessions at the University in September last year, were once again put through their paces by Human Performance Laboratory Manager Gary Peters, his team of student helpers, and the England coaches.
England Women's Touch (rugby) team Head Coach Samantha Phillips, said: "The aim of retesting was not only to evaluate progress and identify areas for further improvement, but also to ensure the girls are on the right track to undertake the fitness demands that the Touch World Cup will place on their bodies."
The World Cup, which will commence in April and is being held in Coffs Harbour, Australia, will require the team to play three 40 minute games per day for up to five days, and it is important that players' fitness levels are monitored as the competition nears.
As well as fitness assessments, the squad of 20 players was also given some helpful advice on training and performance by Bucks New University's Mr Peters.
"I gave the squad a short talk on three ergogenic aids to give them some food for thought on aiding training and performance, and I also held drop in sessions for their fitness programmes," he commented.
Renowned mental conditioning coach and Bucks graduate Richard Dean delivered a presentation on sports psychology and also held individual sessions with the squad members to discuss their mental preparation for the tournament.

The University's helpers were BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science student Cliff Service, and BSc (Hons) Sports Science and Coaching Studies students Bobby Dickinson, Aquila Burgess and Ohio Orumen.
The weekend concluded with a series of friendly games against Bucks New University's first XV.
Main picture caption: Gary Peters training members of the England Touch (rugby) team.
Second picture caption: The England squad training in the Gateway Events Hall.

Ageing, Physical Activity, Recreation and Well Being Conference

Following the success of last year's 'Ageing, Physical Activity, Recreation and Well Being' Conference, the conference will run again with a new theme 'Reaching diverse communities' on 11th June 2015.

Last year's conference was held in the Gateway Building and attracted around 200 visitors. This multi-disciplinary conference  was hosted by Bucks New University, 'Movers & Shakers' and the Institute for Sport, Exercise, Recreation and Well-being.

The conference was held to raise awareness between policy-makers, the public and many older people who do not always fully appreciate either the importance of physical activity and recreation in elders' lives or the options available to deal with the process of ageing and wellbeing. There is an emerging body of knowledge available that suggests it is paramount to maintain an active lifestyle to avoid medical conditions and counteract the effects of ageing.

Currently, 23% of the population in Buckinghamshire are 60 years and over and this percentage is expected to rise to 40% by 2026. In every continent people are living longer lives in the 21st century. Older people are predicted to make up 22% of the world population with an increase in each major sector of the globe by 2050.

As part of the conference activities, Movers & Shakers demonstrated initiatives and welcomed all members of the community - in particular older people who were wanting to find out more about ageing well and the Movers & Shakers health and wellbeing initiative.

Following the conference the organisers were invited by a publishing company (Cambridge Scholars) to compile the conference papers into an edited book with title 'Ageing, Physical Activity and Well Being'. The book will be available to the public in 2016.

Pictured in the photo from left: Professor Carol Cutler-Riddick (keynote speaker, Gallaudet University, USA), Professor Barbara Humberstone (conference organiser - BNU), Dr Cassandra Phoenix (keynote speaker, Exeter University), Dr Maria Konstantaki (conference organiser - BNU) and Olga McBarnett (Bucks County Council Community Lead & Movers and Shakers).

Bucks New University Sports Department gains British Association of Sport & Exercise Sciences (BASES) Endorsement

Department gains British Association of Sport & Exercise Sciences (BASES) Endorsement

Last week, the sport & exercise science team within the Department gained well deserved BASES endorsement for the B.Sc. (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science degree.  Essentially, BASES endorsement indicates that the programme is recognised by the leading UK professional body in sport and exercise sciences.

There are many benefits of BASES endorsement including the following information for students: 

Benefits of BASES endorsement

For students, the BASES undergraduate endorsement scheme (BUES) provides a reliable list of meticulously tested courses and ensures that students' investments are rewarded with a high standard of education:

• Studying the three disciplinary areas – Biomechanics, Physiology and Psychology
• Exposure to the interdisciplinary study of sport and exercise science
• Development of skills in experimental design, data analysis and other aspects of research methods
• A major piece of independent study in the form of a research project or similar in the field of sport and exercise science.
• Develop practical/laboratory experience, across Biomechanics, Physiology and Psychology
• Taught by staff with current professional experience - the programme team must comprise at least two BASES accredited sport and exercise scientists.

Individuals who have a BUES endorsed undergraduate degree and who complete a relevant postgraduate degree will be considered as having the required level of underpinning technical knowledge and understanding for BASES accreditation. BASES accreditation is awarded to those practitioners who are deemed by the Association to have the minimum knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to be safe and fit to practice as a sport and exercise scientist.

Applications to join Supervised Experience (the training route, and most common route to BASES accreditation) or apply directly for BASES accreditation are simplified for those who have completed an endorsed course as the content has already been approved as meeting the standards required. 

Employers looking to acquire the best sport and exercise scientists know that graduates of BASES endorsed programmes have received an appropriate curriculum, resources and opportunities that undergraduate courses offer for training sport and exercise scientists.

Endorsement gives university departments credibility and status evidence. The course will be endorsed by the widely recognised leading UK professional body in sport and exercise sciences, which has obvious marketing benefits. More importantly, graduating students will be better evidence prepared to enter into related professions. BUES will also be an invaluable resource, in addition to QAA subject benchmark statements, for departments who are validating, revalidating or reviewing sport and exercise science related courses.

At Buckinghamshire New University, we are delighted that our BSc Sport and Exercise Science course is now endorsed by BASES, the leading professional sports governing body in the UK. We anticipate that our students will be also privileged to graduate  with a BASES endorsed degree and that they will take advantage of the routes available to them.