Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health (ISEH)

This week, we were delighted to welcome back John Mitchell, a final-year PhD candidate and Research Fellow at the ISEH, following his stay in Australia. There, he completed an MRC-funded research placement with Professor Stamatakis's team at the University of Sydney. Their collaborative project focuses on advancing research in wearable technology, specifically investigating how smartwatches can help analyse daily movement, sedentary behaviour, and sleep patterns. Organised by Professor Mark Hamer, Chair in Sport and Exercise Medicine at ISEH, this placement serves as a knowledge exchange initiative, driving the future of wearable tech in health research. #sportsmedicine #exercisemedicine #research

Join our team! UCL, a partnering organisation of ISEH, is seeking a proactive and committed academic with expertise in clinical applications of physical activity and statistics to join our dedicated team for a one-year, full-time maternity cover position, starting January 2025. The successful candidate will contribute to teaching on the BSc in Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences programme, as well as for medical sciences students across the Division of Surgery and Interventional Sciences. Based at ISEH, our programme places a strong emphasis on the clinical application of exercise and physical activity for disease prevention, disease management, and injury prevention. The role involves maintaining high educational standards for both undergraduate and postgraduate students in alignment with UCL’s Connected Curriculum framework. To learn more about this role and apply, please visit: https://lnkd.in/duQrpvcS Please kindly apply before the application deadline of 3rd November 2024; early applications are encouraged, as we may close the advert if we receive a high volume of submissions. #SEMjobs #sportsmedicine #lecturer

Alongside UCL Institute of Education and UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, we were delighted to welcome speakers and attendees to the Inaugural Brain-Body Interactions Symposium, that took place on Saturday 11th October at UCL. The symposium, chaired by ISEH’s Dr Flaminia Ronca, focused on the influence of lifestyle factors on brain health, offering a unique platform to explore the intricate relationships between the brain and body. Key topics included nutrition, exercise, psychology, stress, sleep, ageing, technology, and the environment. It was a fantastic opportunity to engage in pioneering discussions on these critical issues. The event featured speakers from diverse fields, all united by a shared commitment to advancing brain health. We would like to congratulate the following speakers for winning the 3-minute presentation and poster competitions: - Monica Raviraj for “It’s probably just my hormones!?” - Montana Jackson for “Subjective, not objective, intensity of physical activity predicts mood change” - Niall Simmons for “Perimenopausal physical activity reduces post-menopause dementia risk” - (poster) Dwaynica Greaves for “The acting self and neural self processing” Dr Flaminia Ronca, Associate Professor and Programme Lead, shared more about this insightful event: “Prof Alan J Thompson reminded us of how much we still need to understand on the application of exercise in clinical settings, particularly in neuro-rehabilitation; so we can design targeted programmes for particular therapeutic goals. In fact, Benjamin Tari, PhD highlighted the applicability of passive exercise for such contexts. “Prof Antonia Hamilton reminded us of the power of movement and synchrony in connecting us at a social level, and Guido Orgs’s team gave us a deeper insight into how we connect through dance and performance. “Our Keynote speakers Prof Takeshi Hashimoto and Assoc Prof Christiane Wrann reminded us of the importance of running parallel animal model and human science studies, to fully understand the mechanistic pathways that explain brain body interactions and behaviours. The afternoon talks provided a multidisciplinary insight into the workings of the brain, from mechanistic pathways of platelet reactivity and bile acids on neural health, to brain-muscle coupling during rehabilitation, to using EEG in VR settings. “Our ECRs gave a fantastically well handled panel discussion, ranging from genetics, to female hormones, to concussion and risk of dementia in contact sports. “Finally, in this collaborative spirit, we launched the International Society of Exercise Neuroscience #ISENS ! (info soon) “I am still overwhelmed by the richness of the day, and cannot wait for the next one!” IOE - UCL's Faculty of Education and Society

We’re proud to share that later this month, the first International Olympic Committee – IOC Course on "Respiratory Care for Olympic Athletes," will take place in Rome, Italy on 25-26 October 2024. This course, led by ISEH’s Prof. James Hull, Consultant Respiratory Physician and Prof. Martin Schwellnus, visiting Chair in Sport and Exercise Medicine, aims to equip participants with the skills to identify patterns of respiratory illness, assess risk factors, and recognise key clinical features of acute respiratory conditions in athletes. Those in attendance will learn to perform and interpret specialised tests for diagnosing respiratory conditions both in clinical settings and in the field, distinguishing between infectious respiratory diseases, asthma, and EILO. To find out more or secure your place, visit: https://lnkd.in/dPh4seZF #respiratoryhealth #athletehealth 

We’re very pleased to share that UCL, a partnering organisation of ISEH, will be hosting the National Undergraduate Sports and Exercise Medicine Society (USEMS) Conference 2024 on Saturday, 23rd November.   Theme: Breaking Barriers: Pushing Limits in Sports Medicine 📍 Location: UCL Cruciform Building & Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health 🗓️ Date: Saturday, 23rd November 2024 🕘 Time: 09:00 - 17:00   In partnership with ISEH and BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF SPORT AND EXERCISE MEDICINE (BASEM) and proudly supported by RUMS Medical Student Association this conference promises a day packed with world-class keynote speakers, interactive workshops, insightful poster/oral presentations, and valuable networking opportunities.   If you have a strong interest in Sports and Exercise Medicine, whether as a student or a professional, this conference is highly recommended. Attend to gain valuable insights from distinguished experts, including physicians, sports scientists, psychologists, surgeons, academics, nutritionists, and other leading professionals in the field. Abstract Submissions now open: Submit your research by October 14th 2024 for a chance to present at a nationally recognised conference and compete for prizes and certificates – more here:https://lnkd.in/ei8PKJpp Register your interest today to be first in line when tickets are released—Early Bird pricing will be available:  https://lnkd.in/eRzakAUj   The ISEH is proud to collaborate with UCL in offering a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Along with UCL, the ISEH is partnered with UCLH (University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust), HCA Healthcare UK, the UK Sports Institute, and the British Olympic Association.   🔗 For more information, follow UCL Sports & Exercise Medicine on Instagram @ucl.sem to stay informed of speaker and workshop announcements, and CPD accreditation updates. If you have any questions, please contact them via Instagram or email the conference leads:  yunus.ali.19@ucl.ac.uk / allegra.wisking.19@ucl.ac.uk. The Medical Defence Union (theMDU) Yunus Ali Allegra Wisking Dr Farhan Shahid Dr Richard John Allison Kirsty Hunter Dr Tom Gurney Joseph Warwick Rosalyn Cooke   #USEMS2024 #SportsMedicine #Conference #BreakingBarriers #UCL #ISEH #SaveTheDate

Let's explore the significance of strength and conditioning in the rehabilitation process after ACL injury. Dr Paul Read an independent high-performance consultant, Senior Lecturer and an honorary Associate Professor, shared some key insights into the critical role strength and conditioning plays in the recovery journey following such an injury ahead of our next ISEH Learning course. Speaking of the importance of this, he shared: “Following ACL injury and subsequent reconstruction it is common to display significant deficits in strength and sub optimal movement mechanics. Targeted strength and conditioning are essential to restore physical function to ensure individuals can return to their chosen sport and be ready to re-perform and reduce their risk of re-injury.” Key considerations for assessing athletes in strength and conditioning include: - When assessing athletes after ACL reconstruction, commonly used tests (such as hop tests) are often not sensitive in their ability to identify movement deficits. - Use of more sophisticated approaches including force plates are now more commercially available and have been shown to identify residual deficits. - Importantly the information from these assessments can be used to design individualised rehabilitation programs that enhance an individual’s readiness to return to sport   Next ISEH Learning course: There’s still time to join our in-person course, "Management of ACL Injury Rehabilitation: From Pre-Op to Return to Sport," taking place this Friday, 27th September, at our Central London facility. This one-day event will be led by three renowned experts: Dr Bruce Paton (Physiotherapy), Dr Paul Read (Strength and Conditioning), and Dr Richard John Allison (Nutrition). The course is divided into three key segments, focusing on how physiotherapy, strength & conditioning, and nutrition can collaborate to enhance recovery from ACL injuries. This workshop takes a multi-disciplinary approach to ACL injury management, covering treatment, rehabilitation, and optimal recovery strategies to help athletes return to sport. It is designed to help clinicians gain deeper insights into how physiotherapy, S&C, and nutrition contribute to the rehabilitation process. To find out more/ secure your place, visit: https://lnkd.in/em8V7s3G

In this brief clip from the recent Instagram live session ahead of our next ISEH Learning course (focused on management of ACL rehabilitation from pre op to return to sport), Dr Bruce Paton discussed the impact of ACL injuries on muscle mass. During the full talk, Dr Paton and Dr Richard John Allison highlight important considerations for healthcare professionals to keep in mind during recovery. Next ISEH Learning Course – Friday 27th September: Join us for a comprehensive, one-day in-person course designed to deepen your knowledge of ACL injury treatment and rehabilitation. This multidisciplinary workshop focuses on optimising an athlete’s return to sport. The course is structured into three key sections, each led by experts in their field: physiotherapy, strength and conditioning, and nutrition. Dr Bruce Paton, Dr Paul Read, and Dr Richard Allison will guide participants through their respective specialties, offering practical strategies for supporting effective athlete rehabilitation. To learn more or secure your place of the course, visit: https://lnkd.in/em8V7s3G #acl #athletehealth #sportsmedicine

Let’s discuss: Timing nutrients for recovery - In the recent Instagram live on the topic of ACL rehab and the importance of nutrition with two of the course leaders of our next ISEH Learning course taking place soon (Management of ACL Injury Rehabilitation: from Pre-Op to Return to Sport)," Dr Richard John Allison shared some key insight about the timing of nutrients and certain food groups and whether this was important. Some key points talked about further to this: - Timing isn’t always crucial; ensuring you get your nutrients (like vitamin D) regularly is more important than the exact time of day. - In the first 2-4 weeks of recovery, spreading protein intake throughout the day maximises muscle protein synthesis and helps prevent muscle loss. - For those aiming to build muscle, frequent protein intake throughout the day can improve muscle protein synthesis and support growth. - Research shows taking collagen before exercise is more effective than taking it afterward for maximising its benefits. Join us on 27th September at ISEH; there’s still time to sign up for our one-day, in-person course; this comprehensive workshop takes a multidisciplinary approach to ACL injury treatment and rehabilitation, focusing on optimising an athlete's return to sport. This workshop is designed to enhance clinicians' understanding of how these disciplines can collaboratively support effective athlete rehabilitation. Led by Dr Bruce Paton, Dr Paul Read along with Dr Richard Allison, the course will be structured into three main sections, highlighting the critical roles of physiotherapy, strength and conditioning, and nutrition in the recovery process, with each specialist leading their respective session. To find out more or to secure your place, visit: https://lnkd.in/em8V7s3G #nutrition #aclinjury #aclrehab #acl

This week, we hosted an insightful discussion bringing together ISEH’s Dr Bruce Paton and Dr Richard John Allison, two of the course leaders for our upcoming course, “Management of ACL Injury Rehabilitation: From Pre-Op to Return to Sport.” This course will be held later this month at our Central London facility. Ahead of the course they participated in a Q&A session on the topic of ACL rehab, where they discussed key considerations for treating athletes, emphasising the role of nutrition in recovery and addressing common misconceptions. There’s still time to register for our one-day in-person course: Our comprehensive course, taking place on Friday 27th September offers a multidisciplinary approach to treating and rehabilitating ACL injuries, focusing on optimising an athlete's return to sport. Joining Dr Bruce Paton, and Dr Richard Allison will be Dr Paul Read and each expert will conduct sessions tailored to their specialties in physiotherapy, strength and conditioning, and nutrition. With extensive experience working with elite and recreational athletes, they are well-prepared to guide health professionals through the recovery process and successful reintegration into sports. The full talk from the live Q&A is available to watch on our Instagram. 🤳 To learn more and secure your place, visit: https://lnkd.in/em8V7s3G #Aclinjury #sportsmed #aclrehab

This evening, Monday 16th September, join ISEH’s Dr Bruce Paton and Dr Richard John Allison for a live Q&A session at 7pm on Instagram, where they'll discuss the ACL Rehab Protocol. During the session, they’ll highlight key aspects of athlete treatment and the role of nutrition in recovery, addressing common myths and misinformation. We’re delighted to bring together two of the course leaders from the ISEH Learning course, “Management of ACL Injury Rehabilitation: From Pre-Op to Return to Sport”, for this Instagram Live session, ahead of the upcoming in-person course. Watch the 30-minute Q&A on Instagram via both ISEH’s account (@TheISEH) and Dr. Richard Allison’s account (@RichardAllisonNutrition). Feel free to send in your questions during the session! Any unanswered questions will help shape our future social media content. ISEH's September Learning Course: There’s still time to join our one-day, in-person course, taking place on Friday 27th September at our Central London facility. The course will be led by Dr Bruce Paton, Dr Richard Allison, and Dr Paul Read (Strength and Conditioning). Dr Read will focus on the critical role of strength and conditioning, how to address residual deficits, and ensuring athletes are prepared to return to sport. To learn more or to secure your place on this course, visit: https://lnkd.in/em8V7s3G #aclrehab #aclinjury #athletehealth