HESS research update - low back pain

Back in 2006 the Centre for Health, Exercise and Sport Science secured funding to purchase the MedX Lumbar Extension Machine for the purpose of specific testing and strengthening the lower back, and for treating chronic low back pain (CLBP). 

Since then, Laboratory Director Dr Stewart Bruce-Low has also received funding from Backcare, a charity funding research into low back pain, to conduct research to further understanding of the condition and its treatment. Dr Bruce-Low has already published several studies conducted using the equipment and now his doctoral student, James Steele, has published further evidence demonstrating its efficacy and refining understanding of the approach it utilises.

The first study completed by James in his course of doctoral research has involved examining the effects of the range of motion utilised during exercise for strengthening the lower back in people suffering with CLBP. For some sufferers, pain is experienced in the extremes of the range of motion (either bent fully forwards or backwards) and so investigation as to whether exercise can be effective even when avoiding these positions is of great value.

The results of James’ study demonstrated that, regardless of the range of motion utilised, participants training for 12 weeks using the lumbar extension machine significantly improved their strength and significantly reduced their pain and disability.

The reasoning why such strengthening exercise is so effective is due to the suggestion that, in people suffering from CLBP, the muscles that extend the lower back are weak and deconditioned. Thus James conducted further analyses on his data to uncover whether the improvements in strength were associated with improvements in pain and disability. The findings revealed that the participants with the greatest increases in strength also had the greatest improvements in pain and disability, suggesting a link between the two.

James presented preliminary results from this research last year in Edinburgh at Physiology 2012 – the main annual conference of the Physiological Society, and the study has also been published in the medical journal Spine. This study offers further evidence to the effectiveness of a brief, infrequent specific exercise program using a high intensity of effort to strengthen the lower back muscles, in rehabilitating those with CLBP. The research team are in the midst of a number of further studies in this area so look forward to the results of those in the near future.

Solent graduate helps launch a Bollywood fitness craze

Former Solent health and fitness student Nirzari Vyas recently performed at the International Fitness Showcase in Blackpool as part of the Pure Energy team to showcase their Just Jhoom! (Just Dance!) Bollywood Bhangra CD. Although she was originally meant to be performing just as a backing dancer, Nirzari ended up co-teaching parts of the session which she found both nerve-wracking and exciting.

 

Nirzari (centre) at the International Fitness Showcase

Just Jhoom! is the first and only Bollywood fitness class accredited by REPs and Nirzari, who completed her training in April 2011 comments, ‘it was an amazing electric atmosphere, and I really feel I’ve found my passion in the fitness industry. Although I still have my duty manager job, I am working hard to get the freelance side of my career going and I teach Jhoom classes within the local community, at a private health & fitness club as well as a specific class for people with limited movement and/or disabilities. This class is definitely the most challenging yet the most rewarding’.

Nirzari performs on stage

Nirzari is clearly relishing this fantastic opportunity, none of which would have been possible without her degree and the added value vocational qualifications she gained whilst studying at Solent. Nirzari adds, ‘if you had never made it compulsory to do the REPs Level 2 award, then I would never have done my Exercise to Music qualification, without which I would have not been able to do my Just Jhoom! training...so this is also a thank you for the wonderful years at Solent and pushing us all in the right direction and for the inspiration you provided. You're all truly a wonderful team of lecturers!’

Solent students help AFC Bournemouth think positive

Four students from Solent’s BSc Sport Coaching and BSc Applied Sport Science courses recently delivered a workshop on ‘Positive Thinking’ at AFC Bournemouth (AFCB). Will Ansell (Year 2 Applied Sport Science), Gavin Forbes (Year 3 Sport Coaching), Daryanne Ryan (Year 3 Sport Coaching) and Ellie Wells (Year 1 Sport Coaching) planned and delivered the session for the year 1 and 2 academy players.

Solent students at Dean Court

This session was the third that Solent staff and students have run for the academy to improve players’ performance on the field. Peter Barry, Head of Education at AFCB, thanked the team of students for the “excellent series of psychology workshops” they delivered. “From the initial lecture to the final session all the players were involved and have gained significantly from the interactive programme”, commented Peter.

Matt Johnson, BSc Sport Coaching Course Leader, regularly works with the first team players at AFCB and after delivering their session the Solent students had the opportunity to observe Matt’s work, as well as tour the clubs facilities, watch some of the coaching sessions, meet the coaching staff and even sit in on one of the pre-match presentations.

 

Academy players receive guidance from Solent students



 “It was a valuable experience which gave me an insight into a scholarship programme at a professional football club”, said student Gavin, who is going to be working in a professional football academy at the end of this year. “The opportunity was enriching and of significant importance to me as I pursue a career in coaching at an academy level.” As a direct result of being involved in activities like this, Will has been offered a year-long placement with AFCB academy next year. Peter Barry commented, “Such was the impact of the sessions, AFCB are delighted to be able to offer Will an internship with the club to build on the programme and continue to help all the players (and staff) develop in what is a very fast moving environment.”

Solent students support boxing champion

Jon undertaking testing at Solent's sport science labs

Southern Area Boxing Champion Jon Fernandes teamed up with five third year students in Solent’s state-of-the-art performance labs on Tuesday. The students ran a suite of sport science tests on Jon to help him prepare for the toughest professional fight of his career to date, the National Champion title on 30^th March.



Students provide feedback to Jon



For the BSc Sport Coaching and BSc (Hons) Applied Sport Science students, working with Jon is just part of their degree. They are undertaking a sports science unit as part of their third year and under the supervision of Associate Lecturer Louis Langdown, the students have the opportunity to work with an elite athlete. This year students have been provided with a client from basketball, swimming, tennis or boxing. 

"This is a great opportunity for students to work with real life athletes at the peak of their sport”, comments BSc Sport Coaching course leader Matt Johnson. “It’s also an amazing opportunity for the athletes to access high performance sport science testing, support and coaching." 

Solent students targeted by Nuffield Health

Students from the BSc Health, Exercise and Physical Activity and BSc Fitness and Personal Training courses were targeted yesterday by Nuffileld Health as part of their recruitment drive. 

Chris Foster, Nuffield's Physiology Training and Recruitment Manager, visited Solent to talk to the students about job opportunities as a Health and Wellbeing Physiologist.  Chris admitted that he was one of the few people in his team who weren't ex-students of Solent University, showing the strong association we have built with the company over the years, and the obvious grounding that our degrees provide students in order to prepare them for roles such as this. 

Chris talked to the students about the holistic approach that Nuffield take to Health and Wellbeing and how their Premier clubs now integrate clinical services into a health club setting.  Chris explained that a Health and Wellbing Physiologist is ‘a health professional specialising in preventative healthcare with a focus of identifying modifiable health risks and with the purpose of coaching individuals to achieve best possible health and wellbeing’, and identified the content of the BSc Health, Exercise and Physical Activity degree in particular as containing the perfect balance to meet the needs of the job. 

Course leader, Dr Marie Stopforth said, "all of our degree programmes are tailored to meet the needs of employers, but it's great when a company as prominent as Nuffield confirm that we're getting it right!  The students got so much out of Chris' visit, and it showed them some real employment opportunities in a growing department of a major UK company."

Students learn from elite boxers

Third year students from the BSc Sport Coaching degree recently had the opportunity to work with some top boxing fighters preparing for their upcoming fights. The group visited Batten's Boxing Gym as part of their High Performance Coaching unit. Student Gavin Forbes said, “It was great to learn about what goes on inside a boxing gym and the various training methods used by boxing coaches”.

The group saw Matt Tew, International Masters Lightweight Champion, Jon Fernandes, Southern Area Champion who is fighting in a couple of weeks for the National Champion title, Middleweight International World Champion King Davidson Light and young hopeful Joe Pigford, who destroyed his opponent in his debut fight at Southampton Guildhall in November in under 40 seconds.

After the training session the students chatted with head coach Wayne Batten about the world of boxing and his coaching strategies that have been so successful in producing elite fighters. “The close-knit family spirit of the gym allowed boxers to socialise and learn from each other regardless of their age, weight class or level”, Gavin comments. “Wayne was kind enough to stay behind after training and answer our questions which gave us a fantastic insight to the world of Boxing.”

Some of the students will be working with the fighters this Friday on their Sport Science Support unit where they provide interdisciplinary support in the fields of physiology, biomechanics, sport psychology and nutrition. This week they will be filming and analysing the fights and analysing the boxer’s rehydration using urine samples.

Circuit Training workshops energise students

Students from the BSc Fitness and Personal Training, BA Fitness Management & Personal Training, BSc Health, Exercise & Physical Activity and BSc Applied Sport Science courses had the opportunity recently to add to their vocational skills by attending a series of 4-hour Circuit Training workshops.

These workshops form part of the first year Gym Training unit and provide students with a certificate of attendance and 4 REPs CPD points. Unit Leader Martin Skivington comments, "these workshops help to increase the confidence and competence of students delivering group exercise classes and provide an introduction to the skills required to plan, deliver and evaluate circuit training classes. Further opportunities are available throughout their studies for students to gain a full qualification in this area, which significantly enhances their  employability skills."