Applied Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Group (ASSRG)
Applied Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Group (ASSRG)
About us
The Applied Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Group (ASSRG) investigates topics within sport and exercise physiology, biomechanics and psychology, along with strength & conditioning.
We are currently researching within the following key research themes:
- Exercise for improved health
- Performance sport and talent ID
- Nature based exercise
Key Researchers
Key researchers include Dr Stewart Bruce Low (cryotherapy and injury occurrence within professional football); Dr Andy Galbraith (endurance performance and recovery); Dr Richard Buscombe (stereotype threat and its effect on performance); Mr James Beale (green exercise); Dr Nick Bourne (healthy ageing); Dr Ali Monajati (hamstring and ACL injury prevention); Dr Gary Doyle (biomechanics and strength and conditioning); Mr Lee Brown (strength and conditioning within combat sports).
Research and scholarly activities
Outputs from the group explore themes including the physiology and biomechanics of endurance performance; optimising recovery including cryotherapy and compression; strength and conditioning within combat sports; stereotype threat and its impact on performance; the psychological benefits of green exercise; healthy ageing; injury prevention and rehabilitation. Group members are active in consultancy within professional sport, having worked with Commonwealth, Olympic and World Championship medallists.
Open for PhD applications
We welcome student applications for self-funded PhD study which fall within our key research themes of:
- Exercise for improved health
- Performance sport and talent ID
- Nature based exercise
We are open to student applications for self-funded PhD study which fall outside of these main research areas, provided we have the expertise and equipment to support the research topic.
Facilities
The ASSRG makes use of three sports science research laboratories, two sports therapy suites, a psychological sciences laboratory and a performance analysis research suite. All of these facilities sit within our state of the art SportsDock building on the Docklands campus, providing a teaching and research hub for the Applied Sport and Exercise Sciences subject area.
Partnerships
The ASSRG has worked, or is working, in partnership with:
- Kurio Compression
- Running Reborn
- Virgin Strive
- London Lions
- 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment
- Newham Council
Staff
Academic Staff
- Dr Maria Antritsou
- Mr Richard Avery
- Mr James Beale
- Dr Nick Bourne
- Mr Lee Brown
- Dr Stewart Bruce-Low
- Dr Richard Buscombe
- Mr Adnan Chowdhury
- Mr Michael Cole
- Mr Gerry Diver
- Dr Gary Doyle
- Dr Andy Galbraith
- Dr Nadia Grubnic
- Mr Mo Jafar
- Mr Paul Lester
- Dr Shrehan Lynch
- Mr Jack Mcnamara
- Dr Ali Monajati
- Mr Sotiris Panayi
- Mr Andy Preston
- Mr Jameel Shah
- Miss Alex Walker
- Mr Darren Wiafe-Morson
- Dr Sarah Williamson
PGR Researchers
- David Cowell
- Silvino Domingos
- Gill Macaskill
- Natasha Wehner-Hewson
Publications (2014 - present)
Chapters in Books
Galbraith, A. (2021) 'Physiological assessment of middle and long distance running', in Hayes, P., & Blagrove, R. (eds.) Science and Practice of Training for Distance Running. London: Routledge. p.79-96.
Abrahamson, E.D and Langston, J. (2019). Concise Manual of Muscle Testing. Handspring Publishing, UK.
Abrahamson, E.D, and Langston J. (2016). Making Sense of learning Human Anatomy and Physiology - LotusPublishers, UK.
Filby, B., Beale, J. and Wallis, J., (2015). Embedding principles of sport psychology into coaching practice. Becoming a Sports Coach, p.152.
Journal Manuscripts
Eady, M, Abrahamson, E.D., Green, C., Arcellana-Panlilio, M., Hatfield, L., Namaster, N. (2021) In press - Repositioning SoTL toward the T-Shaped Community, Teaching and Learning Inquiry (March 2021)
Volksis, L , Hunt, R , Beale, J. T. (2020). A Qualitative Investigation Into the Impact of the Basketball Learning Intervention Programme (BLIP) on Disengaged Secondary School Students in the United Kingdom. International Journal of Disabilities Sports and Health Sciences , 3 (1) , 42-51
Buscombe, R., Potton, A., Volskis, L., Papageorgiou, A and Greenlees, I. (2020). The influence of body language and expected competency on gaze behaviour while forming an impression of a tennis player. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2020.1739109
Kite, R., Buscombe, R. and Bourne, N. (2020). Talent detection: maturation, sex and jumping performance. UKSCA Strength and Conditioning Journal.
Veg, A., Doyle, G., and Galbraith, A. (2019). Difference in the centre of mass vertical displacement between treadmill and over-ground running in recreational runners measured with inertial measurement units. Graduate Journal of Sport, Exercise & Physical Education Research. Vol. 11, Suppl.1: S43
Macaskill, G., Doyle, G., and Galbraith, A. (2019). A comparison of treadmill versus outdoor running economy in recreational runners. Graduate Journal of Sport, Exercise & Physical Education Research. Vol. 11, Suppl.1: S13
Kordi, M., Menzies, C., & Galbraith, A. (2019). Comparison of Critical Speed and D′ Derived From 2 or 3 Maximal Tests. International journal of sports physiology and performance, 14(5), 685-688.
Abrahamson, E.D., Puzzar, C., Ferro, M.S., Bailey, S. (2019). Peer mentors' experiences and perceptions of mentoring in undergraduate health and sports science programmes. Journal of Pedagogical Research, 3(2): 21- 37
Buckthorpe M, Wright S, Bruce-Low S, Nanni G, Sturdy T, Gross AS, Bowen L, Styles B, Della Villa S, Davison M, Gimpel M (2019) Recommendations for hamstring injury prevention in elite football: Translating research into practice. Br J Sports Med. 53 (7); 449-456.
Bowen, L., Gross, A.S., Gimpel, M., Bruce-Low., S., & Li, F-X. (2019). Spikes in acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR) associated with a 5-7 times greater injury rate in English Premier League football players: a comprehensive 3-year study. Br J Sports Med. 0: 1-9.
Jalali, S., Martin, S. E, Ghose, T., Buscombe, R. M., Solomon, J. A. and Yarrow, K. (2019). Information accrual from the period preceding racket-ball contact for tennis ground strokes: Inferences from stochastic masking. Frontiers in Psychology: Movement Science and Sport Psychology, 10 ̧ 1-11. https://doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01969
Hollowell, J., Buscombe, R. M. and Preston, A. (2019). Other oriented perfectionism, player-coach relationships and performance in tennis. ITF Coaching and Sport Science Review, 78, 3-6.
Ward, J and Buscombe, R. M. (2019). Stereotype threat and performance on sport specific motor tasks. ITF Coaching and Sport Science Review, 77, 27-30.
Glackin, O.F. and Beale, J.T., (2018). 'The world is best experienced at 18 mph'. The psychological wellbeing effects of cycling in the countryside: an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 10(1), pp.32-46.
Bolessa, J., Galbraith, A. (2018). The effects of custom-made compression garments on recovery and performance parameters after high intensity running. Graduate Journal of Sport, Exercise & Physical Education Research, 8(S1), pp.S35.
Galbraith, A., Willmott, A. (2018). Transition phase clothing strategies and their effect on body temperature and 100-m swimming performance. European Journal of Sport Science, 18(2), 182-189.
Abrahamson, E. D., Mann, J. (2018). For whom is the feedback intended? A student-focused critical analysis of Turnitin software as a tool for learning. Journal of Pedagogical Research, 2(3),145-166.
Light N., Gimpel M, Sparks S, Bowen B, Bruce-Low S & Hughes-Jones Z (2018) Associations between Adductor Strength; Flexibility and Self-Reported Symptoms in Elite Professional Footballers: A case series. Science and Medicine in Football. 3 (2); 89-94.
Wright J, Bruce-Low S, Jobson SA (2018). The 3-minute all-out cycling test is sensitive to changes in cadence using the Lode Excalibur Sport Ergometer. Journal of Sports Sciences. 37 (2); 156-162.
Steele, J; Fisher, J; Perrin, C; Conway, R; Bruce-Low, S; Smith, D (2017). Does Change in Isolated Lumbar Extensor Muscle Function Correlate with Good Clinical Outcome? A Secondary Analysis of Data on Change in Isolated Lumbar Extension Strength, Pain and Disability in Chronic Low Back Pain. Disability and Rehabilitation. Disability and Rehabilitation. 41 (11); 1287-1295.
Steele J, Fisher J, Bruce-Low S, Smith D, Osbourne N, Newell D. (2017). Variability in strength, pain and disability changes in response to an isolated lumbar extension resistance training intervention in participants with chronic low back pain. Healthcare. 5 (75); 1-15. DOI:10.3390/healthcare5040075
Wright J, Bruce-Low S, Jobson SA (2017) The Reliability and Validity of the 3-min All-out Cycling Critical Power Test. Int J Sports Med; 38: 1–6. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-102944
Steele, J., Bruce-Low S, Smith D, Jessop D, and Osborne N (2017). Isolated lumbar extension resistance training improves strength, pain, and disability, but not spinal height or shrinkage ('creep') in participants with chronic low back pain. Cartilage. Feb 1:19
Rowlatt, G., Bottoms, L., Edmonds, C. and Buscombe, R. (2016). The effect of carbohydrate mouth rinsing on fencing performance and cognitive function following a fatigue inducing simulated bout of fencing in national level foil fencers. European Journal of Sports Science. 9, 1-8.
Galbraith, A., Isikgun, V., Hopker, J. (2016). The validity and reliability of a commercially available GPS device during running and cycling. Journal of Sports Sciences. 34(S1): 73.
Watkins, L., Wilson, M., McDermott, M., & Buscombe, R. (2016). An Empirical Evaluation of the Reversal Theory State Measure: Tracking Changes in the Experience of Three Running Brand Video Commercials. Journal Of Motivation, Emotion, And Personality, 5, 27-36.
Manarin K, and Abrahamson E.D. (2016). Academic Identity and Troublesome Knowledge. International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 10(2) Art 2 1-6
Arnold JT, Bruce-Low S, Sammut L. (2016). Oral Capsaicin Ingestion: A Brief Update- Dose, Tolerance and Side Effects. Research and Reviews: Journal of Herbal Sciences. 5(2): 1-5p.
Arnold T, Bruce-Low S, Henderson, S, Davies J (2016). Mapping and Evaluation of Physical Activity Interventions for School-Aged Children. Public Health. Jul; 136-175-9. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2016.02.025. Epub
Galbraith A., Hopker J., Passfield L. (2015). Modeling intermittent running from a single-visit field test. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 36(5), 365-370.
Andersson, H., Sinclair, J., Knight, A., Buscombe, R., Edmonds, C.J. & Bottoms, L. (2015). The effect of carbohydrate mouth rinse on a 30-minute arm cranking performance. Comparative Exercise Physiology, 12(1), 41-47.
Buscombe, R., Shone, G., Preston, A. & Crespo, M. (2015). Coping with emotional labour in tennis coaching. ITF Coaching and Sport Science Review, 67, 9-11.
Balcaite, E., Edwards, S. & Buscombe, R. (2015). Spirituality and basketball fanship: An interpretative phenomenological analysis and synthesis. Journal of Sporting Cultures and Identities, 6(3), 39-52.
Edwards, D.J., Edwards, S.D., Buscombe, R.M., Beale, J.T. & Wilson, M. (2015). Effect of HeartMath workshop on physiological coherence, sense of coherence, zone, mood and resilience perceptions. African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance, 21(3), 890-900.
Abrahamson E.D. (2015) Review of the 2015 EuroSOTL conference: Teaching & Learning Inquiry: The ISSOTL Journal Vol. 3, No. 2 pp. 107-108
Kampman, H., Hefferon, K., Wilson, M. and Beale, J., (2015). "I can do things now that people thought were impossible, actually, things that I thought were impossible": A meta-synthesis of the qualitative findings on posttraumatic growth and severe physical injury.
Wright, J, Jobson S, Bruce-Low S, Jessop D. (2015). The reliability and validity of the 3-minute critical power test in linear and isokinetic mode. J Sci Cycling. 4(2), 30-31. DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-102944
Arnold J.T., Bruce-Low S, Sammut L (2015). The impact of 12 weeks walking football on health and fitness in males over 50 years of age. BMJ Open Sport and Exercise medicine. doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2015- 000048
Steele, J., S. Bruce-Low, D. Smith, D. Jessop, and N. Osborne (2015). Determining the reliability of a custom built set-up for measuring seated stadiometry in participants with chronic low back pain. Applied Ergonomics. Appl Ergon. 2016 Mar;53 Pt A:203-8. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2015.10.001. Epub
Steele, J., S. Bruce-Low, D. Smith, D. Jessop, and N. Osborne (2015). A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effects of Isolated Lumbar Extension Exercise on Lumbar Kinematic Pattern Variability during Gait in Chronic Low Back Pain. PM R. 2016 Feb;8(2):105-14. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2015.06.012. Epub 2015 Jun 21.
Steele, J., S. Bruce-Low, D. Smith, N. Osborne, and A. Thorkeldsen. (2015). Can specific loading through exercise impart healing or regeneration of the intervertebral disc? The Spine Journal. October 1, Volume 15, Issue 10, Pages 2117–2121. DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2014.08.446
Steele, J., A. Fitzpatrick, S. Bruce-Low, and J. Fisher (2015). The effects of set volume during isolated lumbar extension resistance training in recreationally trained males. Peer J. 31;3:e878. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.878.
Galbraith, A., Hopker, J., Cardinale, M., Cunniffe, B., Passfield, L. (2014). A One-Year Study of Endurance Runners: Training, Laboratory and Field Tests. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 9(6), 1019-25.
Galbraith, A., Hopker, J., Lelliott, S., Diddams, L., Passfield, L. (2014). A Single-Visit Field Test of Critical Speed. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 9, 931-935.
Buscombe, R., Bottoms, L., Andersson, H., Smyth, A., Edwards, S. & Edwards, D. (2014). Neurophysiologic, psychological, sport and health dimensions of three meditation techniques. South African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education and Recreation, 36(2), 15-32.
Bottoms, L., Buscombe, R. & Nicholettos, A. (2014). The placebo and nocebo effects of a 'brand new sports drink' on peak minute power during incremental arm crank ergometry. European Journal of Sports Science, 14(4), 362-367.
Edwards, D., Steyn, B., Buscombe, R., Edwards, S. & Denyer, P. (2014). Standardisation of a mental skills scale in South Africa and the United Kingdom. South African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education and Recreation, 36(2), 79-89.
Buscombe, R. & Greenlees, I. (2014). Expectancy effects in tennis: The impact of body language and playing record on impressions of a tennis player and ratings of performance. Journal of Medicine and Science in Tennis. 19(3), 50.
Buscombe, R. & Ward, J. (2014). Talent identification and development in tennis. TennisPro Magazine. The Official Publication of the United States Professional Tennis Registry. July, 22-26.
Steele, J., S. Bruce-Low, and D. Smith (2014). A review of the clinical value of isolated lumbar extension resistance training for chronic low back pain. PM R. 2015 Feb;7(2):169-87. DOI: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2014.10.009. Epub 2014 Oct 29.
Steele, J., S. Bruce-Low, and D. Smith (2014). A Reappraisal of the Deconditioning Hypothesis in Low Back Pain: Evidence from a Triumvirate of Research Methods on Specific Lumbar Extensor Deconditioning. Current Medical Research and Opinion. 30(5), pp 865-911. DOI: 10.1185/03007995.2013.875465
Conference Presentations
Veg, A., Doyle, G., Galbraith, A. (2019). Difference in the centre of mass vertical displacement between treadmill and over-ground running in recreational runners. BASES Student Conference, April 2019.
Gwilliam, J., Doyle, G. (2019). Kinematics of the Skateboarding Ollie. BASES Student Conference, April 2019.
Macaskill, G., Doyle, G., Galbraith, A. (2019). A comparison of treadmill versus outdoor running economy in recreational runners. BASES Student Conference, April 2019.
Abrahamson E.D, Gregory, C. Ferro, M.S. (2019). The Transition Between Academic and Employment Borders- The Case of the Padlet E-Portfolio ISSoTL Conference, Atlanta, Georgia
Abrahamson, E.D., Mann J. (2019). Deconstructing Borders by Understanding User Narratives Within On- Line Feedback Systems. Issotl conference, Atlanta Georgia
Motley, P, Divan, A., Abrahamson, E.D., Manarin, K (2019). Sustained Collaboration: A Hidden Value of the International Collaborative Writing Group Program . Issotl Conference, Atlanta, Georgia
Bolessa, J., Galbraith, A. (2018). The effects of custom-made compression garments on recovery and performance parameters after high intensity running. BASES Student Conference, April 2018.
Abrahamson, E.D., Ferro M., Gregory, c. (2018). Is the writing on the wall. Investigation into padlets for feedback. Paper Presentation – ISSOTL Conference, Bergen, Norway.
Abrahamson, ED et.al., (2018) - Narratives from an International Collaborative Writing Group. Paper Presentation – ISSOTL Conference, Bergen, Norway.
Glackin, O., & Beale, J (2017) The world is best experienced at 18 mph. The psychological wellbeing effects of cycling in the countryside: An IPA. Poster presented at 'The British Psychological Society Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology Conference'.
Galbraith, A., Isikgun, V., Hopker, J. (2016). The validity and reliability of a commercially available GPS device during running and cycling. BASES Annual Conference, November 2016.
Buscombe, R. (2015). The influence of body language and expected competency on gaze behaviour while forming an initial impression of a tennis player. BASES Annual Conference, November 2015.
Wilson, M., Beale, J & Hefferon, K (2014) Are there any differences in enjoyment, positive feelings and perceived competence after participation in sport in children with varying physical literacy. Poster presented at 'The 19th Annual Congress of The European College of Sport Science'.
Contact us
General enquiries to the Applied Sport Sciences Research Group can be made to:
Dr Andy Galbraith
Tel: +44 (0) 208 223 4034
Email: A.J.Galbraith@uel.ac.uk
University of East London,
Docklands Campus
University Way
London
E16 2RD