News

Sport student wins ‘Applied Research Undergraduate award’

(3 May 2006)

A Durham University student has won a prize after presenting her research on sports massage at the annual ‘British Association of Sport and Exercises’ (BASES), student conference in Edinburgh.

The annual event awards prizes for the best presentations, based upon “excellence reflected in the academic content, presentation and defence quality of the presentation”. Adela Carter beat strong competition from other presenters to become the successful recipient of the ‘Applied Research Undergraduate Award’. Adela attended the conference ‘Making a Career in Sport and Exercice Science’ with Kate Baker. They are undergraduates on the ‘Sport in the Community and ‘Sport, Health and Exercise’ degrees, respectively. Their research presentations contributed to the ‘Applied Sports Science - Performance’ section of the conference. Adela’s research investigated the psychological effects of sports massage, administered between bouts of exercise. She said: “I think I conveyed my enjoyment of the research process, and even through I was questioned about the details, I was able to answer honestly as I understood the limitations of my methodology, and could defend my decisions. I got so much confidence from speaking to a room full of experts in the field of sport science, that I feel I am now more prepared to stand behind my own informed opinions, something I feel all students could benefit from”. Kate's research investigation was entitled: 'The Effects of Half-Time Intermediate Massage on Second Half Performance in Rugby Union'. Her presentation received positive feedback from other delegates, and she has said: “It was a privilege to represent Durham at BASES and hopefully aid recognition for the staff and students in our subject area”. The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences is the UK professional body for those with an interest in the science of sport and exercise. It aims to support excellence in the delivery of sport and exercise science practice, teaching and learning, and research. The Association’s annual student conference provides the delegates with an invaluable opportunity to present their own work, to share ideas and thoughts with professionals in the field, and to learn about careers in sport and exercise science. The student conference will be covered in the June issue of The Sport and Exercise Scientist, the official quarterly publication of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences

• www.dur.ac.uk/sass/sport/