Group
Children and Young People
Research theme(s): Health Innovation
School: School of Science and Technology
Overview
Our Children and Young People theme embraces multi-disciplinary research that focuses on the health, development and well-being of youth sport participants, as well as the key relationships in a young person’s life. Our researchers investigate contemporary issues that influence the experiences of individual stakeholders in organised youth sport environments, and with attention to those factors that can positively and negatively impact the holistic development of the child-athlete. In addition, we seek to create sustainable behaviour change in paediatric populations by understanding how physical activity can enhance cognition and health and well-being in young people, including those living with neurodiversity.
The Children and Young People research theme is led by Professor Simon Cooper, and comprises academic staff, postdoctoral research associates and fellows, and a vibrant community of PhD students.
Our research addresses the following areas:
Psychosocial development and life skills of young people
Our work focuses on optimising growth in the psychological, emotional, and social skills of youth engaged in organised community, competitive and school sport settings. Our research considers the coaching practices and development environments that enable a young person to thrive using sport as a vehicle for their personal growth.
Maturation, talent development and athlete transitions
Within high level competitive sport, our research considers the experiences of talented athletes and the impact involvement in competitive sport has on their holistic development. Our research focuses on how to best support junior talent and understanding the successful and unsuccessful transitions that junior athletes experience, and the important role of maturation on youth athlete development.
Sport parenting, coaching and peer relationships
Parents, peers and coaches play pivotal roles within the athletic support system of youth athletes. Our research focuses on the athletic triad (coach, parent, athlete), and understanding how the support networks around youth athletes can be optimised.
Cardiometabolic health
The influence of physical activity on traditional (e.g. postprandial glycaemic and insulinemic responses) and novel (e.g. inflammatory cytokines) risk factors for cardiometabolic disease. Our work in this area examines both the acute effects of physical activity, alongside the chronic effects of physical activity interventions and enhanced physical fitness.
Cognitive function and academic achievement
In this area, our work is focussed on how physical activity can be used during the school day to enhance cognitive function, and subsequently academic achievement. Similar to cardiometabolic health, this work examines both the acute and chronic effects of physical activity and includes the implementation and evaluation of interventions such as The Daily Mile and Physically Active Lessons (PAL).
Neurodiversity
Some of our recent work has also focused on the benefits of physical activity in neurodiverse young people, specifically those living with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).
Theme Lead
Simon Cooper
Simon is Professor of Physical Activity and Health, in the Department of Sport Science at Nottingham Trent University.
Researchers
Ruth Boat
Dr Ruth Boat is a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology in the School of Science and Technology. Her research focuses primarily on the role of self-control within sport and exercise settings.
Dale Bottomley
Dale Bottomley is a Senior Lecturer in Sport Management at Nottingham Trent University. He teaches various undergraduate and postgraduate modules related to business analysis, leadership and law in the sports industry.
Dr Karah Dring
Dr Karah Dring is a Lecturer in Exercise and Health in the Department of Sports Science within the School of Science and Technology.
Luke Gilbert
Luke Gilbert is a Principal Lecturer and Course Manager for Sport Science at NTU's Mansfield Campus
Dr Jack Hardwicke
Dr. Hardwicke is a Senior Lecturer in the Sociology of Sport, co-leads various modules, including Sport, Culture, and Society.
Chris Harwood
Professor Chris Harwood is the Director of the Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement (SHAPE) Research Centre at NTU. His expertise lies in youth sport, and the psychosocial development of young athletes.
Pete Holmes
Dr Pete Holmes is a Senior Lecturer in Sport Coaching. His research interests lie in coach learning, development and practice and a range of interests crossing sociology, psychology and athlete development.
Julie Johnston
Julie Johnston is a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology. Her research focuses on behavioural, social and environmental influences on children and adolescent psychosocial development, health and wellbeing.
John Morris
Dr Morris is a Reader and Associate Professor in Paediatric Sport and Exercise Science. His interests lie in the growth, performance and health of children and adolescents.
Mustafa Sarkar
Dr Mustafa Sarkar is an Associate Professor of Sport and Performance Psychology. His research addresses the psychology of performance excellence with a particular focus on resilience, psychological safety, and mental health.
Chris Saward
Chris Saward is a Senior Lecturer and module leader for MRes Sport Science Courses. His research interests relates to talent identification and development in sport.
Caroline Sunderland
Dr Sunderland is currently a Reader in Environmental and Sports Physiology and the Head of Research for the Department of Sports Science. Her research interests lie within the area of exercise physiology and encompass exercise in extreme environments, team sports physiology and exercise responses of females.
Dr Gavin Weedon
Gavin Weedon is Associate Professor in Sociology of Sport, Health and the Body and Head of the Sport and Society Research Group in the Department of Sport Science. Gavin's research explores how embodied practices are implicated in social, political and ecological issues, from youth labour migration in elite sport to survivalist physical cultures.
Ryan Williams
Dr Ryan Williams is a Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology and a module leader for the Introduction to Sport and Exercise Physiology at NTU. Ryan's research interests focuses on the health benefits of exercise in young people, the measurement of physical activity, and neuromuscular development.
Dr Dr. Fieke Rongen
Dr Fieke Rongen is a Senior Lecturer in the Sport Science Department within the School of Science and Technology
Organisations we work with and have received funding from include:
- Waterloo Foundation
- Rosetrees Trust
- Education Endowment Foundation
- The Daily Mile Foundation
- Youth Sport Trust
- International Olympic Committee
- Nottingham Forest Football Club
- Manchester City Football Club
- Lawn Tennis Association (LTA)
- Nottingham City Council
- British Universities and Colleges Sport
- League Football Education
- The International Tennis Federation