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.
Musculoskeletal Physiology Research Group
As part of SHAPE research centre at NTU, Dr. Ian Varley's Musculoskeletal Physiology Research Group focuses on nutrition, metabolism, healthy aging, neuromuscular physiology, injury and illness.
Nutrition for Health and Performance Research Group
Dr. David Clayton's Nutrition for Health and Performance Research Group studies how diet and lifestyle affect health and performance, including the effects of dietary supplements like turmeric and prebiotics, and the impact of meal timing and composition on metabolism and appetite.
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
The SHAPE Research Centre is ably supported by a comprehensive research infrastructure.
Our two biomechanics laboratories house multiple motion capture systems and both ground embedded and portable force plates. These systems also have mobile EMG, accelerometery and insole pressure measurement systems. These set-ups are complemented by a host of software packages for musculoskeletal modelling, simulation and statistical analysis.
Our multifunctional sport and exercise psychology laboratory, allows both quantitative and qualitative research to be conducted. The new laboratory provides a space for interviews and focus groups and also provides the equipment for effective transcription and data analysis. Cognitive booths enable participants to complete a number of cognitive tasks requiring self-control in a controlled setting with no external distractions.
Our scanning laboratory encompasses dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) machines for the determination of body composition and bone mass and strength. These machines are used extensively for our exercise, diet and bone health research. When combined with our internal collaborative capabilities in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we have a powerful core capability for musculoskeletal imagery relating to the effects of exercise and diet on the musculoskeletal system.
Our four exercise physiology research laboratories are fully equipped with ergometers (rowing, cycling, treadmills), expired air analysis systems and blood analysers and all of the major equipment required to determine the physiological responses to exercise and diet.
The Nutrition lounge and associated kitchen provides a purpose-built area for our nutrition research, providing a relaxing environment for participants of all ages.
It also encompasses cognitive function booths for the assessment of the impacts of nutrition and exercise on cognitive function.
Two environmental chambers, one of which is British Olympic Association accredited allow the manipulation of temperature, humidity and altitude for physiological, nutritional, psychological and health research.
In addition to these facilities we have access to core capabilities across the School of Science and Technology, including biosciences laboratories (including the capability for cell culture and sophisticated OMICS analyses).
All of these facilities are overseen by a team of capable and dedicated technicians who can provide valuable advice and support to our research students.
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: