UoG professor achieves international recognition for contribution to sports science

A University of Gloucestershire professor has achieved international recognition for his significant contribution to the development of sports science.

Professor Mark De Ste Croix, who recently presented research at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) World Conference on Prevention of Injury and Illness in Sport, has been made a Fellow of the European College of Sports Science (ECSS).

The award from the ECSS, which is dedicated to the promotion and application of science in sport, exercise, physical activity and health, is made annually to a limited number of eminent sport and exercise science researchers from around the world.

Professor De Ste Croix, Professor of Paediatric Sport and Exercise within the University’s School of Education and Science, said: “I am delighted to have been made a Fellow of the European College of Sports Science in recognition for my significant contribution to the development of sport science.

“I have been fortunate to work with colleagues across Europe throughout my career and have encouraged early career researchers to collaborate with International colleagues.

“Being at the forefront of research in sport and exercise science provides our students with the opportunity to learn from experts in the field, and we focus heavily on student involvement in our research projects, something the ECSS supports.

“I look forward to continuing the development in the field of paediatric sport and exercise science with a focus on injury risk and prevention and coach education, alongside excellent colleagues and research students.”

Professor De Ste Croix will be presented with his award at the annual congress of the ECSS in Glasgow in July, where he will chair and share research carried out at the University – an FA Women’s High-Performance Football Centre – at a symposium focusing on women’s football.

At the IOC World Conference, in Monaco, Professor De Ste Croix was invited to present research carried out in collaboration with the English Cricket Board (ECB) around injury risk and prevention in youth cricket.

The study explored the results of an injury risk-management programme delivered by Professor De Ste Croix and developed with the ECB to promote a significant change in coach development in youth cricket to reduce injuries.

Professor De Ste Croix was accompanied at the IOC Conference by University colleague Dr Craig Barden – Lecturer in Sports Therapy – who presented the first study of injury risk in international basketball following work with the Great Britain men’s basketball team.

Sports science experts at the University work with world-leading organisations to reduce injury in youth sport, recently signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Podium Analytics to monitor injuries in basketball in the UK.

Picture: Professor Mark De Ste Croix, right