Latest News

Year 12 and 13 students recently took part in an exciting educational visit to the Sports Science Labs at Kingston University. The experience provided a valuable opportunity for students to use hands-on clinical and performance-testing equipment while exploring potential future careers within the sport and exercise industry.

The day began with a tour of the university campus, with our first stop being the award-winning Town House library. This five-floor building is a central place for learning with many reading spaces ranging from quiet independent study areas to specialist teaching spaces. Students then visited the teaching kitchen, where those studying sport nutrition develop their
practical skills to support their academic learning. Seeing this facility helped students understand
how nutritional theory is applied in real-life setting to improve sporting performance.

Following this, the group moved into the Physiology Labs. There, students were introduced to the equipment used to measure and monitor human performance. A particular highlight was the opportunity to take part in a submaximal VO2max max. This test estimates an individual’s maximal oxygen uptake through exercise performed at controlled, submaximal intensities while physiological measurements are collected, providing a safe and practical method for predicting cardiovascular fitness. Students were able to see how data is collected in real time, and all students took the opportunity to record and interpret their results. This demonstrated how information can be used by coaches, sport scientists and medical professionals to evaluate fitness and design training programmes.

Finally, students moved on to the biomechanics labs, where they explored the force platforms and the 3D motion analysis equipment. In the 3D analysis, reflective markers are placed on key points of the body, and cameras track their movement to create a detailed model of how the body moves. These tools allow scientists to measure the forces produced during movements and analyse movement patterns, helping to improve athletic performance, reduce injury risk, and inform rehabilitation programmes.

The impact of the visit was extremely positive. Many students commented on how valuable it was to experience university-standard facilities and to see the direct links between their classroom studies and real careers. The trip helped to raise aspirations, increase confidence about higher education, and inspire students to consider pathways within sport.

Jack | Danny | Ellis | Benjamin | Dylan | Anya | Avery | Olivia | Ines | Orla