Sport Performance Centre
Our services
Led by our sport and exercise science students, under the supervision of qualified sport and exercise scientists, the clinic provides data and reports to inform your training.
We have purpose-built facilities for assessing performance across a range of sports, including exercise physiology and biomechanics labs, a strength and conditioning suite and environmental chamber. Sport scientists aim to optimise athletic performance, promote health, and contribute to the advancement of sports and exercise-related knowledge through research and evidence-based practices.
Typical assessments include:
- VO2 max (running, cycling, race wheelchair) - measures your maximal oxygen uptake, maximal heart rate and metabolic responses.
- Lactate threshold testing - a submaximal test which evaluates your metabolic response to various exercise intensities to allow training intensities to be determined.
- Exercise economy - measures submaximal oxygen use across a range of intensities.
- Body composition (skinfold measurement by ISAK qualified staff) - assesses fat and fat-free components of your body mass and measures limb lengths, limb girths and skinfold thickness.
- Strength and power assessment - evaluates muscle power and force output (peak, mean and rate of force development) using a variety of tests.
- Team sport physical performance assessment - involves testing repeated sprint ability (maximum horizontal speed and acceleration), vertical jump tests (multiple protocols for lower limb power), isometric mid-thigh pull, nordic (hamstring health), abduction and adduction (peak force and right left ratio) and body composition.
- Sport performance masterclasses and workshops - for example, running masterclasses, designing a training plan, making sense of training data, injury risk reduction (including some practical components).
We can cater for most tests due to the bespoke nature of our offering so please ask us if you have any queries.
The clinic is open to the public, including children (with an appropriate adult), and accepts direct self-referrals for all assessments.
What to expect
Students perform some basic pre-assessment screening procedures which cover aspects of medical history and sport training experience, plus blood pressure measurement. This is to determine if it is safe to perform your chosen tests, many of which are maximal in nature.
Students record all physiological and biomechanical outputs from the tests you undertake. You are provided with a brief verbal outline of your results, plus a detailed written report and interpretation of the findings.
The reports are designed so that you can use them to direct your training efforts to improve performance.
Depending on the test procedures you have selected, the session can last between one to two hours.
All performance tests are free of charge.
How to make an appointment
Email exerciseclinic@tees.ac.uk. Clinics run throughout the year, except over Christmas and for two weeks in September, with reduced appointment availability during the students' summer break.
Contact us
Sport Performance Centre
School of Health & Life Sciences
Olympia Building (room OLY1.09)
Teesside University
Middlesbrough
TS1 3BX
