www. northumbria. ac. uk45 Sport Sciences Within the Department of Sport Sciences, we have several key research themes: Exercise Regulation ( Pacing) Research in exercise regulation focuses on the physiological, neural, and psychological control mechanisms of the body during activities of daily living and exercise. This unit uses electroencephalography ( EEG), electromyography ( EMG), transcranial magnetic stimulation ( TMS), and multiple physiological system analysis to assess basic brain function and exercise control processes, with results both influencing innovative theories of integrative control and practice ( e. g. sports science support for national teams). The multidisciplinary nature of this research has involved international collaborations with engineers and complex system specialists ( e. g. National Institute of Health, USA; University of Cape Town, South Africa). The English Institute of Sport have recently supported a PhD studentship to investigate pacing strategies. Biochemistry, Nutrition, Health and Exercise The School has facilities for biochemical analysis, body composition analysis, a metabolic kitchen, Near Infrared Spectroscopy monitoring of brain oxygenation and further physiological monitoring capacity. The group has been successful in obtaining Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council funding ( Industrial CASE award) to examine the role of cytokines in fatigue as well as funding from a variety of international industrial partners ( GlaxoSmithKline, Masterfoods, etc.) to investigate the impact of nutritional strategies in recovery from exercise. The group has links with schools within the region to investigate the relationship between exercise- induced energy expenditure, appetite and food intake. Ian Walshe PhD student profile " I'm from Rugby in Warwickshire and initially heard about Northumbria from a friend who did her undergraduate degree here. After doing a bit of investigating I found Northumbria to be progressive and ambitious. My area of research is in sport science in relation to the immune system. I have a real interest in the area and only a few universities in the UK specialise in this. The first few months of my PhD have been a huge learning curve for me; I have learned many skills which are particular to my area of research. The Graduate School have also provided many training workshops, ranging from writing for publication to academic teaching skills."

46School of Psychology and Sport Sciences Biomechanics Research Unit The School has extensive biomechanical equipment for 3D and 2D motion analysis, force platforms, isokinetic dynamometry, musculoskeletal modelling software, and a range of data acquisition. The Unit has received research funding from international industrial partners ( Biomet, De Puy International) as part of a strong collaboration with local NHS orthopaedic departments, looking at the effectiveness of implant designs in knee and hip replacement surgery in helping patients return to normal levels of functioning. Psychopathology Research Group A focus of this group is to extend the knowledge base of psychologically destructive behaviours in sport ( e. g. anorexia athletica and body dysmorphia). The group have recently obtained a grant from the Alcohol Education Research Council ( AERC) to investigate the use and abuse of alcohol in UK undergraduate students. Psychology Research in the Department of Psychology has been conducted to the very highest standards. This can be seen in our portfolio of publications in peer- reviewed journals and books. Many of these are in the highest impact journals in the relevant fields. In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise 90% of the research in Psychology was recognised as being of international quality or above. Research is conducted through two leading research centres: Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Centre ( BPNRC) The BPNRC has earned an international reputation for its leading research into the effects of nutritional interventions on behaviour, cognition and mood. A focus is the neuroscience of nutrition. The research is basic and theory- driven as well as applied and has ranged from fundamental investigations assessing the neurocognitive effects of the most basic units of brain fuel - oxygen and glucose - through a huge portfolio of controlled trials unravelling the mechanisms of cognitive and mood effects of herbal extracts, nutraceuticals and food supplements, and projects that have probed the psychopharmacology of commonly consumed everyday substances such as caffeine, alcohol and social drugs. The Centre is housed in a specialist laboratory and office space that was purpose designed to allow the flexibility for conducting multiple simultaneous controlled trials on the neurobiological and psychological effects of dietary interventions. Facilities include EEG and Near Infrared Spectroscopy. Our range of computerised cognitive assessment tools include our own COMPASS assessment battery, and internet and mobile phone testing technology. Research funding to the Centre is in excess of £ 1.8 million since 2001, including major grants from the BBSRC and industrial sources such as Pharmaton SA, CDR Ltd, GlaxoSmithKline, Bayer, Nestlé, Unilever, and Masterfoods. Please visit the BPNRC website www. nutrition-neuroscience. co. uk/ for more information.