Performance
Support

Performance Support

Physiology

The physiology team offer fitness testing and evaluation from our state-of-the-art human performance laboratory. They also offer ‘on-site’ support whether that’s a pitch, the pool or the athletics track. Our laboratory is a climate-controlled facility with a range of equipment including SRM bikes and watt bikes for cycling assessments, and a treadmill and Alter G treadmill for running based assessments.

 

The team offer performance profiling for individual as well as team-sport athletes. This process accurately assesses current fitness levels to set training zones and support coaches with planning the most effective training. Whether that is new goals or aiding an athlete’s return to sport.

“I used the Sports Physiology services extensively as a Performance scholar at the University of Birmingham and continue to use services as a Graduate Scholar to this day. The support I got from Ollie and the rest of the team was always world class and was invaluable to my training. The teams ability to work in a cross disciplinary approach allowed me to effectively use sports physiology as a tool towards improving my performance. For me, regular sub-maximal testing was one of the most important aspects of measuring my training.”
Jonathan Davies
Jonathan DaviesGB Senior Athlete, European U23 Cross Country Champion
Working closely with athletes and coaches
With cutting edge technology, the latest observation and monitoring techniques including Sub Max fitness tests, maximal fitness tests and body composition assessments, our experts can provide a bespoke support package for each individual.
What we offer
At Birmingham we offer one-to-one testing, individual consultations and analysis, as well as monitored sessions with our in house-physiologists. Our physiologists also attend competition with athletes, as well as providing remote physiology support.

Specialist Equipment

  • Alter-G Anti-Gravity Treadmill
  • Altitude Generator
  • Environmental Chamber
  • Performance Treadmill & Cycling Ergometers
  • Metabolic Analysis

Meet the Experts

Dave Sheldon, physiologist at University of Birmingham

Dave Sheldon

Sport Science Officer

Dave is a BSc Sport and Exercise Science and MSc Exercise Physiology graduate who brings 5+ years’ experience of delivering physiological support to elite student-athletes in triathlon and athletics. In his current role, Dave supports a wider range of sports and athletes across the UBSport’s scholarship programmes, performance teams and Birmingham Athletics Talent Hub, in order to maximise conditioning and fitness levels in relation to the key physiological demands of each sport. Dave is a keen runner and cyclist having previously competed to a high level as a 1500m runner. He also coaches a number of runners externally, helping them to improve their performance and ultimately find their potential.

Woman

Alex Taylor

Head of Performance & Coaching

Alex established the Performance Centre at the University of Birmingham Sport over 10 years ago. The aim of the centre is to provide integrated athlete-centred specialist support to talented athletes so that they can reach their sporting potential.