Centre
Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement Research Centre (SHAPE)
Unit(s) of assessment: Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism
Research theme(s): Health Innovation
School: School of Science and Technology
The Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement (SHAPE) Research Centre provides a structured and vibrant research environment in which to investigate the biological, physical, psychological and societal impact of sport and exercise for health, well-being and human performance across the lifespan. Our research draws on key areas of social and human movement sciences to advance knowledge, policy and practice in a variety of populations and communities of interest. We focus specific attention upon research that seeks to enrich the lives of young people, high performing athletes, teams, and organisations, women in sport, and older adults. This emphasis on advancing scientific knowledge to support such populations in diverse and inclusive ways is reflected in our four strategic themes listed below.
SHAPE Centre Research Director
Chris Harwood
Professor Chris Harwood is the Director of the Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement (SHAPE) Research Centre at NTU. He is a Professor of Sport Psychology where his research focuses on the psychosocial aspects of athlete development, wellbeing and performance including the roles of the coach, parents, and the wider social and organisational environment.
SHAPE Research Themes
Children and Young People
Led by Prof. Simon Cooper, our Children and Young People theme focuses on the health, development, and well-being of youth sport participants, addressing contemporary issues and fostering sustainable behaviour change through physical activity.
High Performing Individuals, Teams, and Organisations
Led by Dr Mustafa Sarkar, our High Performing Individuals, Teams, and Organisations theme focuses on optimizing preparation, performance, recovery, and health for athletes, coaches, teams, and organizations in competitive environments.
Women in Sport
Led by Dr Alison Bowes and Dr Jessica Piasecki our Women in Sport research theme focuses on correcting the gender imbalance in sport science, addressing equity and inclusion for women and girls in sports.
Ageing Well Through Adulthood
Led by Dr Daniele Magistro, our Ageing Well Through Adulthood theme unites experts in physiology, psychology, sociology, biomechanics, and public health to improve health and wellbeing in adults, addressing the global challenges of an ageing population.
Explore our Research Groups to learn more about their work:
SHAPE is dedicated to achieving its multi- and interdisciplinary goals through key themes, supported by seven dynamic Research Groups. These groups are made up of colleagues from various disciplines who work together to foster a vibrant research environment.
By collaborating in this way, SHAPE is able to deliver top-notch scientific research and make a real difference for its stakeholders and beneficiaries.
Sport, Health and Society Research Group
As part of SHAPE research centre at NTU, The Sport, Health and Society Research Group, led by Dr. Gavin Weedon, focuses on interdisciplinary studies of sport and exercise in cultural, political, economic, and environmental contexts.
Sport and Performance Psychology Research Group
This project explores psychology in sport and performance, including resilience, stress, well-being, mental health, youth development, self-regulation, motivation, and decision-making.
The Musculoskeletal Physiology and Nutrition Research Group
As part of SHAPE research centre at NTU, Dr Neil Williams Musculoskeletal Physiology Research Group focuses on nutrition, metabolism, healthy aging, neuromuscular physiology, injury and illness.
Physical Activity and Health Across the Lifespan Research Group (PAHAL)
Dr. Karah Dring's Physical Activity and Health Across the Lifespan Research Group (PAHAL) studies how physical activity benefits health and well-being from childhood to old age, focusing on physiological, psychological, and social outcomes.
Human Movement Analysis (HuMAn) Research Group
Dr. Paul Felton's Human Movement Analysis (HuMAn) Research Group specializes in analysing human movement in sport and exercise, focusing on factors influencing movement patterns, health, and aging.
Performance Physiology and Engineering (PPE) Research Group
Dr. Jack Ashby's Performance Physiology and Engineering (PPE) Research Group conducts multidisciplinary research to identify key factors ensuring optimal outcomes for high-performing individuals, teams, and organisations.
Collaborations
SHAPE has active collaborations locally, nationally and with countries on five continents. Our collaborations now extend to over twenty countries worldwide, including: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, Germany, Hong-Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Portugal, Qatar, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States,
Significant international collaborations include:
- The Applied Physiology and Nutrition Group at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, since 2010. This collaboration focuses upon the biological actions of the histidine containing dipeptide, carnosine, and bone health.
- The University of Limerick (Ireland) and the Sport Ireland Institute. Includes collaboration on a project funded by the Irish Research Council, Enterprise Partnership Scheme relating to the impact of low carbohydrate diets on bone health and (re)modelling in elite endurance athletes.
- The Department of Rehabilitation at Jönköping University, Sweden, since 2013. This collaboration is focused in the area of biomechanics of postural control, balance and falls in prosthesis users.
- The University of British Columbia, Canada, since 2015. This collaboration focuses broadly upon sport journalism.
- Mansoura University, Egypt, since 2019. Research has investigated elite football performance by using machine learning methods to determine key determinants of success and failure. This allows coaches and practitioners to ensure players focus on the key tactics and techniques that will result in performance success.
- The Education University of Hong Kong, since 2015. This collaboration has focused upon the effects of exercise and nutritional interventions on cognitive performance in athletes.
Facilities
SHAPE research is completed in world-leading facilities that have state of the art equipment. These labs and equipment are not only used for research but also for sports science support, commercial projects, knowledge exchange and outreach. Facilities and equipment are also available for hire.
These include:
- Two sport psychology labs including focus group and interview spaces.
- Two biomechanics and 1 biodynamics lab all with integrated force plates and motion capture.
- A scanning lab which includes dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT).
- Seven exercise physiology labs including clinical, sports and thermal physiology labs.
- Two environmental chambers (heat, cold and altitude), 1 accredited by the British Olympic Association.
- A strength and conditioning suite.
- A tissue culture lab and 2 biochemistry labs.
- A sport management suite.
In addition to these facilities we have access to core capabilities across the School of Science and Technology, including the capability for OMICS analyses and imaging.
Clinical Exercise Physiology Laboratory
Our Clinical Exercise Physiology laboratory features advanced testing equipment and consultation spaces to support hands-on teaching, clinical assessment, research and real-world professional practice.
Sport Psychology Lab
The Sport Psychology Lab offers a focused environment for exploring how mental processes influence athletic performance.
Eleiko-Certified Strength Lab
The Eleiko Gym provides MSc Strength & Conditioning students with state-of-the-art equipment and hands-on learning opportunities
Sport Science Boardroom
Our professional Sport Science Boardroom is designed for meetings, student assessments, media interviews and knowledge exchange, supporting real-world skills and applied sport science research.
Environmental Chamber
Our facilities include an environmental chamber for Sport Science students to examine and understand the performance of athletes under different conditions.
Related Projects
Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
The Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement Research Centre submitted impact case studies to REF 2021. 100% of NTU's research environment in the 'Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism' Unit of Assessment was assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent.
Discover the real-world impact of their research: