BASES 2019 - Student Conference

Over 240 students, academics and exhibitors from across the UK (and further afield) arrived in Dundee on the 17- 18 April for the annual British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) Student Conference 2019, co-hosted by the University of Dundee and Abertay University, and supported by Dundee & Angus Convention Bureau.

Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andrew Atherton, addressing the attendees at the Dalhousie Building.

There was a sizable TORT Centre student presence at this year’s conference, eleven in total with eight students studying courses at the TORT Centre being asked to disseminate their research at this year’s conference.

• Jasmine Aikman (Intercalated BMSc Applied Orthopaedic Technology, 2018-19) presented a poster on “Preventing injury in the hockey sweep pass”. Supervised by Professor Rami Abboud.

• Erin Brown (Intercalated BMSc Applied Orthopaedic Technology, 2018-19) orally presented her research topic entitled “Drop handlebars versus aero handlebars: a comparative analysis of the respiratory response”. Supervised by Dr Tim Drew.

• Tim Brow (Intercalated BMSc Applied Orthopaedic Technology, 2018-19) orally presented his research topic entitled “The effect of short and long-term foam rolling on lower limb kinematics in cyclists”. Supervised by Dr Tim Drew.

• Ryan Dewar (MRes in Sport Biomechanics and Rehabilitation, 2017-18) orally presented his research topic entitled “Comparison of ankle braces in reducing ankle inversion during a basketball rebounding task”. Supervised by Professor Rami Abboud.

• Cinthuja Pathmanathan (MRes in Sport Biomechanics and Rehabilitation, 2018-19) orally presented her research topic entitled “Biomechanical analysis of balance test and the implications for rehabilitation”. Supervised by Dr Weijie Wang.

• Elizabeth Ramsay (Intercalated BMSc Applied Orthopaedic Technology, 2018-19) presented a poster on “Does accuracy improve when shooting a rifle at 25m using EasyHit compared to a standard sight?” Supervised by Professor Rami Abboud.

• Madeleine Reece (Intercalated BMSc Applied Orthopaedic Technology, 2018-19) presented a poster on “The barbell back squat: how do resistance bands affect muscle activation and knee kinematics?” Supervised by Professor Rami Abboud.

• Calum Sreenan (Intercalated BMSc Applied Orthopaedic Technology, 2017-18) orally presented his research topic entitled “Can Infrared Technology be used to Target and Improve the Recovery of Athletes?” Supervised by Professor Rami Abboud.

Left: Lizzie Ramsay expanding upon her excellent research poster; Right: Tim Brow giving his fascinating talk on the effects of foam-rolling on cyclists.

BASES 2019 had a vibrant and engaging programme, and took place within the University of Dundee’s award winning Dalhousie Building, with exhibitors located in prime positions to speak with students and academics throughout the conference.

Seven internationally respected keynote speakers provided real-world take home messages within the areas of Physical Activity (Professor Nanette Mutrie, MBE, FBASES & Dr Paul Kelly), Nutrition (Dr Matthew Furber) and Performance Sport (Dr Niall Elliott and Kim Murray), alongside a lively debate on the place of Sprint Interval Training from Dr John Babraj and Dr Paul Swinton.

There were 12 breakout sessions providing insight from invited speakers on each of the five BASES divisions alongside career development workshops. There were 145 outstanding student posters and free communications presented. The competition for the student awards was highly contested, with the judging panel noting the very high standard of submissions and presentations. The conference culminated with a Civic Reception and a dinner and ceilidh in the Apex City Quay & Spa Hotel on the Wednesday night attended by the two Principals of the host universities.

Professor Rami Abboud delivered a one-hour breakout session with a provocative theme on “Biomechanics in sports: who cares?”. The attendees were treated to a special interactive session making biomechanics look easy focussing on how research enhances our clinical knowledge to put into practice to improve physical and mental health, tackle disease, prevent injury and enhance athletic performance.

Left: Professor Rami Abboud giving a talk on “Biomechanics in sports: who cares?” at a breakout session on day 1; Right: Jasmine Aikman presenting her research poster on “Preventing injury in the hockey sweep pass”.

Professor Rami Abboud, Head of Department of Orthopaedic & Trauma Surgery/Director of the Institute of Motion Analysis & Research, stated:

“I would like to congratulate all our students who presented their TORT Centre based research at BASES 2019. You did so eloquently and expertly and you did the Department, the School of Medicine and the University of Dundee proud. It is testimony to the small dedicated team of staff I have that so many students’ abstracts were selected for presentation by the BASES organising committee. It was an excellent and a very well-organised conference by the whole team and I am thankful for Dr Audrey Duncan for inviting me to be part of this great event, which gives students the opportunity to participate in the area they specialise in, to network and make new colleagues and to be inspired by the world of sport and its abilities to - Transform Lives! All students on our TORT courses are guided and supported technically by Dr Graham Arnold and Mr Sadiq Nasir and expertly on how to disseminate their research orally, in written form and via scientific posters by Dr Gordon Spark and Mr Ian Christie.”