BASES Conference 2019 Programme

Physical activity and heart health: cardiovascular adaptation and sudden cardiac death

Dr David Oxborough, LJMU and Dr Sanjay Sharma, St George's, University of London

Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) is a rare but tragic event that can occur in the athletic population. The presentations within this session will describe the multifactorial nature of physiological adaptation in the athlete’s heart highlighting the impact of exercise training on structure and function of the cardiac chambers. The causes of SCD will then be discussed and the differentiation of the ‘athletes heart’ from pathology will be explored.

"Lab to field" athlete testing workshop: applications of cycle-based exercise for team sport athletes sponsored by Wattbike

Jon Clarke, England RFU, Craig Twist FBASES, University of Chester and Tom Crampton, Wattbike

Team sport practitioners often use ‘off feet’ conditioning practices with their athletes in an attempt to deliver an alternative training stimulus while simultaneously reducing mechanical loading. These practices are often employed in-season to enhance or maintain physical qualities and in the rehabilitation of players after injury. Using examples from high-performance sport, this session will explore the theoretical and practical application of cycle-based training in the conditioning practices of team sport athletes.

Health and mental wellbeing in performance sport: an inter-disciplinary approach

Dr Andy Kirkland, University of Stirling, Dr Hayley McEwan, University of the West of Scotland and Dr Paul Gorczynski, University of Portsmouth

In this session, mental health in performance sport will be explored from an interdisciplinary perspective. Research has typically focused on athlete perspectives; however, in this interactive research project, Dr Andy Kirkland, Dr Hayley McEwan and Dr Paul Gorczynski will seek delegates' perspectives - as scientists, coaches, and support staff - surrounding mental health and wellbeing. A ‘World Café’ approach will be used to draw upon and capture diverse experiences and expertise relating to mental health in the working environment.

Gait analysis is now a widely used method to assess gait characteristics of clinical populations, however, less is known on the biomechanics of wheelchair mobility. A better understanding of upper body biomechanics could underpin evidence-based advice to improve mobility and sport performance. In this session, Prof Vicky Tolfrey will focus on wheelchair performance and biomechanics in elite wheelchair sport and Prof Florentina Hettinga will focus on wheelchair propulsion in daily life and the wider context of physical activity engagement of special populations.

Increasing evidence suggests exercising in natural environments provides multiple physical and psychological benefits, in addition to motivating and facilitating physical activity. In this session, Dr Valerie Gladwell will examine the physiological and psychological changes that result from interactions between the environment and exercise; how the environment shapes behaviour; and the resultant impact on health and wellbeing. Prof Keith Davids will then explore the ecological dynamics perspective of ‘green exercise’, which aims to explain how and why exercising in nature influences the health and wellbeing of different population groups.

Dr Grant Abt FBASES and Dr John Toner, University of Hull

This session will discuss the use of consumer wearable technology for monitoring physical activity. Dr Grant Abt and Dr John Toner will draw on their extensive expertise in this area to explore the validity of devices for measuring physical activity, together with a review of the research examining how users engage with these technologies. Delegates will leave with a greater understanding and appreciation of the opportunities and challenges of working with wearable technology in relation to both research and practice.

Irene Riach, Sportscotland Institute of Sport and Liam Jefferson, UK Anti-Doping

There are significant risks for athletes associated with the use of sports foods, fortified foods, energy drinks, vitamins and supplements. This is a complex area with a lack of clarity and guidance nationally and internationally. This roundtable session brings together policy makers, nutritionists and athlete support personnel to discuss the challenges faced by athletes and their support staff in selecting and taking supplements; and explore what needs to be done to improve the guidance and education available to athletes and practitioners.

Rugby World Cup 2019 special: The role of the sport scientist in player development and preparation for elite team sport competitions

Dr Martin Roderick, Durham University, Jon Clarke, England RFU and Special Guest (TBA)

Providing an academic, practitioner and athlete’s perspective, this interactive discussion will explore the support processes provided to elite rugby players and the extent to which these offer effective strategies for enhancing practice, performance and health. Practitioners and researchers will gain a deeper understanding of the athlete support process, the role of the sport scientist and the broader impact on those involved in the development and preparation of elite sports teams.

Exercise for osteoporosis – a new expert consensus statement with recommendations

Dr Katherine Brooke-Wavell, Loughborough University and Prof Dawn Skelton, Glasgow Caledonian University

This session will describe the evidence base for the Strong, Steady & Straight Consensus Statement from the Royal Osteoporosis Society. Dr Katherine Brooke-Wavell and Prof Dawn Skelton will explain the importance of progressive strength training, impact and falls prevention exercise for improving bone strength and reducing falls risk. The importance of exercise in ‘caring’ for the spine will be discussed, including techniques for moving and lifting, and for posture and pain following vertebral fractures.

Placebo effects in sport and exercise

Prof Chris Beedie, University of Kent and Prof Fabrizio Benedetti, University of Turin

The need for conceptual clarity, methodological rigour, and the elucidation of neurobiological mechanisms relating to placebo effects in sport and exercise has been highlighted in a recent consensus statement published in the European Journal of Sport and Exercise. In this session, two of the leading authors involved in the statement will share their viewpoints. Prof Chris Beedie will provide an overview of placebo effects in sport and exercise and Prof Fabrizio Benedetti will expand on the neurobiological mechanisms underlying placebo effects

Exercise and health psychology: innovative intervention strategies to improve health and psychosocial outcomes

Prof Catherine Sabiston, University of Toronto and Prof Amanda Daley, Loughborough University

This session will present evidence about how innovative interventions can be used to encourage the population to participate in increased physical activity to improve psychological and wellbeing outcomes. The first presentation will focus on collaborative research landscapes for implementing physical activity interventions to improve psychosocial wellbeing for individuals diagnosed with cancer. The second will focus on how the population can be ‘nudged’ into making better decisions about their health and wellbeing; physical activity calorie equivalent labelling will be used as an exemplar.

Biomechanical analysis of walking behaviour and gait patterns: research, impact and implications

Dr Brook Galna, Newcastle University Clinical Ageing Research Unit and Dr Siobhan Strike, University of Roehampton

This session will explore the research, impact and applications of analysing walking/running behaviour and gait patterns. Dr Siobhan Strike will explore the challenges of asymmetric movements, as this is particularly relevant in sport (such as turning, dynamic tasks, cutting manoevres), in rehabilitation and in disability sport (transtibial amputations). Dr Brook Galna will then explore the analysis of walking behaviour and gait patterns in persons living with neurogenerative conditions, and will expand on its potential for diagnosis, progression monitoring and interventions.

Exercise and immune function in elite athletes

Prof Neil Walsh, Bangor University and Dr Lettie Bishop, Loughborough University

This session will focus on exercise, immune defence and illness; the good, the bad and the ugly. Prof Neil Walsh and Dr Lettie Bishop will demonstrate how past research has led to current thinking on the subject and ask the question; do the changes seen in immune defence matter clinically? The presentations will consider whether it is time for a new paradigm to minimise the impact of illness on performance and, with this in mind, new perspectives on nutritional interactions for athlete health will be explored.

Multi-disciplinary approach to supporting athletes and exercisers with relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S)

Dr Nicky Keay, Durham University and Renee McGregor, EN:SPIRE Clinic

Low energy availability due to relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) results in adverse clinical outcomes on health and performance affecting a wide range of exercisers. Effective identification and management of individuals at risk of RED-S requires collaboration from members of multidisciplinary teams (MDT): medical doctors, clinical dieticians, other healthcare professionals and coaches. This session will discuss best clinical practice to support exercisers at risk of RED-S, drawing on recent and on-going research into the condition.