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Sport and Exercise Science Research

Priority areas for research development identified in the ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥’s latest strategic plan include Social Exclusion, Physical Activity, Health and Wellbeing and Disability Sport. We have a broad range of ongoing research projects in these areas. For more information about ongoing research please explore the Inclusive Sport and Physical Activity, and Coaching and Performance Research Groups’ pages.

The School of Sport and Exercise Science embrace a broad range of research with a focus on applied research and knowledge transfer. The School has successfully supported over 20 PhD students since 2008. We have research active staff that are currently supervising 16 post-graduate students registered on MPhil and PhD degrees across a wide variety of topics related to sport, exercise, physical activity, sport coaching, sociology of sport, inclusive sport and sports science. Our research students study for their degrees both part and full-time. Staff are well experienced at supporting research students from a broad range of backgrounds and we have recognised research supervisors. The School is always seeking to work collaboratively with a range of partners to support PhD studentships and joint projects.

If you are interested in completing a research degree with us (MPhil or PhD) or any aspect of our ongoing work and wish to discuss, engage, or commission any research or evaluation, please contact Professor Győző Molnár at g.molnar@worc.ac.uk.

Latest research and publications

We publish our research findings in a range of peer-reviewed journals, books and specialist magazines to share our innovative ideas with the international research community.

 is an online catalogue of material produced by members of the University and contains details of our articles, conference papers, book chapters and publications.

Recent publications

Thomas, G., Devine, K., & Molnár, G. (2023). Experiences and Perceptions of Women Strength and Conditioning Coaches: A Scoping Review, International Sport Coaching Journal, 10(1), 78-90.

Renfree, G., Burgess, B., and Jones, V. (2022) In: Gender Equity in UK Sport Leadership and Governance. Emerald Studies in Sport and Gender. Emerald Publishing Limited, Bingley

Spencer, N. & Molnár, G. (2022). Whose Knowledge Counts in Adapted Physical Activity Research? Quest, 74(1): 1-16.

Cook, M.D., Dunne, A., Bosworth, M., Willems, M.E.T. (2022). Effect of New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract on Force Steadiness of the Quadriceps Femoris Muscle during Sustained Submaximal Isometric Contraction. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 7(2):44. 

Molnár, G. (2022) Sport, Labour and Migration. In: Wenner, L. (ed.), Oxford Handbook of Sport and Society. Oxford University Press.

Molnár, G. & Bullingham, R. (eds.) (2022). Routledge Handbook of Politics of Gender in Sport and Physical Activity. Oxon: Routledge.

Richardson, E. V., & Motl, R. W. (2021) ‘Kicking and screaming’ or ‘gracefully conceeding’: Creative non-fiction stories of aging with multiple sclerosis. Qualitative Health Research, https://doi.org/10.1177/10497323211009864

Sandroff, B., Richardson, E. V., & Motl, R. W. (2021). The neurologist as an agent of exercise rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis. Exercise and Sport Science Reviews. doi: 10.1249/JES.0000000000000262.

Cook, M.D., Dunne, A., Bosworth, M. and Willems, M.E.T. (2021). Effect of Intake Duration of Anthocyanin-Rich New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract on Cardiovascular Responses and Femoral Artery Diameter during Sustained Submaximal Isometric Contraction. Journal of Dietary Supplements, 11:1-13.

Willems, M., Todaka, M., Banic, M., Cook, M., Sekine, Y. (2021). Intake of New Zealand blackcurrant powder affects skin-borne volatile organic compounds in middle-aged and older adults. Journal of Dietary Supplements, 16; 1-17.

Edwards, C., Molnár, G. & Tod, D. (2021). Building the Unbreakable Self: Women’s Experiences Leading to High Drive for Muscularity. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise & Health, 14(4), 609-627.

Seymour, A. J. and Blakey, P. A. (2020) Digital Sport Marketing, Abingdon, Routledge

Piekarz, M., Blakey, P. A., Newbold, M. and Renfree, G. (2020) Sport Operational Management and Development, Abingdon, Routledge

Bateman, M. and Jones, G. (2019) Strategies for Maintaining the Coach-Analyst Relationship within Professional Football Utilising the COMPASS Model: The Performance Analyst’s Perspective. Frontiers in Psychology, 10 (2064). ISSN Online: 1664-1078

Holland, C.J. and Godwin, M. (2019) The metabolic demand of external load carriage in golfers: A comparison of a single versus double-strap golf bag. J Sports Med Phys Fitness

Gibson, O.R., James, C.A., Mee, J., Willmott, A.G.B., Turner, G., Hayes, M. and Maxwell, N.S. (2019) Heat alleviation strategies for athletic performance: A review and practitioner guidelines. Temperature. ISSN Print: 2332-8940, Online: 2332-8959 (In Press)  

Zurawlew, M., Mee, J.A. and Walsh, N.P. (2019) Post-exercise Hot Water Immersion Elicits Heat Acclimation Adaptations That Are Retained for at Least Two Weeks. Frontiers in Physiology.

Veen, J., Corbett, M. and Renfree, A. (2019)  Journal of Human Sport and Exercise. ISSN Online: 1988-5202 (In Press)

Gonzales-Mohino, F., Santos del Cerro, J., Renfree, A., Yustres, I. and González-Ravé, J.M. (2019)  Journal of Human Kinetics. ISSN Print: 1640-5544 Online: 1899-7562 (In Press)

Casado, A., Moreno-Pérez, D., Larrosa, M. and Renfree, A. (2019)  European Journal of Sport Science, 19 (8). pp. 1045-1052. ISSN Print: 1746-1391 Online: 1536-7290

For more information, please visit our Worcester webpage. 

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