Students jump into hands-on sport science research
Released: 05.05.26
Students at Plymouth Marjon University are gaining hands-on research experience as part of a collaborative project exploring how athletes’ jump performance is affected under different loading conditions.
The research brings together Plymouth Marjon University, Southampton Solent University and Cardiff Metropolitan University, and focuses on understanding how vertical jump mechanics change when external load is applied during the downward motion - a method widely used in strength and conditioning but not yet fully understood from a biomechanical perspective.
Dr Tommy Bright, Researcher and Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science at Plymouth Marjon University said: “These training methods are used in practice, but the underpinning biomechanical characteristics are not yet fully understood. This research is being delivered at scale with approximately 80 participants, while giving students genuine responsibility within a live research project.
“Marjon students play an integral role in the research team, contributing to all stages of the process - from setting up laboratory equipment and instructing athlete participants, to coding and quality-checking the data.”
“Giving students experience of applied testing gives them a deeper understanding of data collection and the realities of working in sport and exercise science - preparing them for both employment and further study.”
Researchers are using force platform technology in the university’s Sport and Health Science laboratory, which measure ground reaction forces.
19‑year‑old first year sport and exercise science student Katelin Lovell, from Salisbury, said: “There are so many opportunities here at Marjon.
“Being involved in lab work and this research project has been really interesting. It’s helped me understand how what we learn in lectures is applied in real-life situations.”
Beyond research, students studying sport and exercise science, football science, therapy, rehabilitation and postgraduate degrees also gain experience in health and wellbeing testing, including lactate threshold testing, VO₂ max assessment, and capillary blood analysis.
Many work with athletes and community clients, including elite gymnasts currently training onsite.
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