A pill to protect athletes from overheating

Posted on September 2, 2019 by Kerry Burnett

A School of Sport and Service Management professor has developed a new temperature monitory system that uses a small core temperature-monitoring “pill” to help protect athletes from heat exhaustion.

The temperature monitoring eco-system being developed by Professor Yannis Pitsiladis, the University’s Professor of Sport and Exercise Science, uses sensors inside a tiny capsule which relay information via Smartwatches on how an athlete’s body is coping with high temperatures during a race.

Medical staff monitoring the information would be alerted if a competitor’s readings were indicating signs of heat stress or hyperthermia and the athlete could be withdrawn. This technology can also help provide more rapid, accurate and dignified temperature assessment at the road/track side in medical emergencies. Read More →

Professor Yannis Pitsiladis in his white coat in the labs

Catching up with Professor Yannis Pitsiladis

Posted on June 7, 2019 by Kerry Burnett

We speak to the Professor of Sport and Exercise Science about how the University’s at the forefront of anti-doping research.

Professor Yannis Pitsiladis, who’s also a member of the International Olympic Committee’s Medical and Scientific Commission and chairs the Science Commission of the International Federation of Sports Medicine, also discusses the case of Caster Semenya and intersex athletes and his mission to lead a team to a sub-2 hour marathon, completely within athletics regulations.

As a member of several high-profile organisations, Yannis is at the forefront of helping to solve some of sport’s most pressing issues.

Building bridges with China

Posted on April 30, 2019 by Kerry Burnett

University academics boosted research collaboration and cooperation during visits to China.

Promoting the benefits of genetic testing in health and disease applications were the subjects discussed by Professor Yannis Pitsiladis, the University’s Professor of Sport and Exercise Science, during one visit.

He and Dr Guan Wang, Research Fellow in the School of Sport and Service Management, also discussed the advantages of biomedicine, artificial intelligence, and engineering. Read More →

40 transgender athletes volunteer for Brighton research

Posted on April 5, 2019 by Kerry Burnett

University of Brighton scientists are researching how to resolve international controversy over whether transgender sportswomen are competing fairly.

Professor Yannis Pitsiladis and colleagues are conducting a study of more than 40 individuals going through transition, with the aim of determining the fairest way of integrating transgender athletes into elite sport.

Testosterone increases muscle mass and under International Olympic Committee (IOC) guidelines athletes who have transitioned from male to female are required to keep their levels of testosterone under 10 nanomoles per litre. Read More →

Women firefighters: the added risks

Posted on April 2, 2019 by Kerry Burnett

More female firefighters are being hired but new research, co-led by the University of Brighton, suggests that fire services need to ensure appropriate consideration is given to female specific needs.

More than 800 women firefighters from 14 different countries, 255 in the UK, told researchers via an online survey that they face injury, illness and heat illness risk at similar rates to that of male firefighters. The report said specific issues such as protective equipment, clothing, health issues and long-term training need further consideration and improvement. Read More →

Boosting facilities for students

Posted on February 15, 2019 by Kerry Burnett

A new gym, learning space and seminar room have been unveiled at the University’s Eastbourne campus.

The Queenwood Seminar Room and Social Learning Spaces feature state-of-the-art furniture and technology to facilitate student collaboration. Key additions include two edit suit rooms, USB power chargers throughout and fixed and flexible furniture, including coffee tables and collaboration desks.

The Queenwood G30 seminar room has capacity for 54 people. The space is highly flexible and features bespoke desks that can be folded and stacked away. A height-adjustable lectern provides increased flexibility during lectures. Read More →

a picture of Nick with a paralympic athlete

Catching up with Professor Nick Webborn

Posted on February 15, 2019 by Kerry Burnett

How sport boosts international development

Posted on February 11, 2019 by Kerry Burnett

The University of Brighton has joined forces with a charity to study how sport is boosting international development and improving lives.

It is partnering with the Brighton-based charity TackleAfrica in funding a PhD student for three years to focus on the politics and production of evidential knowledge in sport-for-development.

The student, Arthur Gaillard, is researching how sport-for-development initiatives are monitored and evaluated, and will identify ways of demonstrating programme effectiveness and impact. Read More →

Marina speaks to the BBC One on overtourism

Posted on January 16, 2019 by Kerry Burnett

Professor Marina Novelli, Professor of Tourism and International Development and Academic Lead for the University’s Responsible Futures, appeared on BBC One’s Rip Off Britain programme as expert on the subject of overtourism.

Professor Novelli, who is globally renowned for her research on the impact of tourism, told the BBC: “The problem of overtourism is in need of much attention and research. The problem with tourism is primarily rooted in the lack of innovative planning strategies and sustainable management approaches.

“Much of the success of tourism is measured according to the number of visitors arriving at a destination, rather than the short, medium and long term positive and negative impacts that the sector brings to a destination. The currently widely used tourism growth paradigm does not work anymore. Read More →

The Spectacle of Fashion

Posted on January 10, 2019 by Kerry Burnett

Senior Lecturer, Susan Bishop, has an exhibition and talk taking place titled ‘The Spectacle of Fashion at Barkers Department Store 1928-1930‘.

In addition to teaching at the university Susan is a Fashion Historian and Curator with research interests which include historical department store fashion shows, marketing and consumer shopping habits.

In the 1920s Barkers department store Kensington, London, was a monument to Art Deco design and radical new thinking about retail as entertainment for the leisure classes.
Read More →