Earlier in February, the A Level PE and BTEC Sport and Exercise Science students were able to visit the University of Essex, which is renowned for its excellent facilities and having one of the best sports science programmes in the country.
In the morning of their trip, the Year 12 students were given an insightful introduction to what studying sports science at university entails before being given the chance to partake in some activities focusing on sports psychology.
It was interesting for the students to investigate the different effects of “pressure” on people performing relatively simple tasks such as putting a golf ball 6 feet or seeing how encouraging performers and the influence of others around us can cause our performance in sport to improve or decline.
In the afternoon session the students were involved in lab and field based testing for gifted and talented performers. They took part in a number of different tests to assess their current fitness levels and areas for improvement. The tests included 20m sprints, 10 second max power Watt bike test, vertical jump and a sit and reach test. The data was collected and can be used by the students for their assignments and personal fitness programmes.
The morning session for the Year 13 students consisted of a detailed insight into exercise physiology where they opened our eyes to the vast world of the anatomy and physiology of the human body.
We participated in many activities such as the sub maximal YMCA test, vertical jump and mid thigh pull. These tests were to show us how the theory we have studied in class links to real life scenarios and how it is used with professional athletes.
For the second part of the session the focus was on biomechanics and how kinetics and kinematics can help us understand the action of forces changing motion and this can help improve performance.
We participated in activities including countermovement jumps using a force trace and straight line sprints using time gates to provide an accurate measure for speed and velocity alongside a golf swing which, using their equipment, we were able to calculate angular velocity and displacement.
The trips were extremely insightful and enjoyed by all.
JJ E, Year 12 and Keon S, Year 13
