Science on the Run is the podcast that gives you exclusive access to staff and students who teach and learn on the sport, exercise and health undergraduate courses at the University of Bath.   

Join hosts Dr Steffi Colyer and Dr Max Western as they help you understand what student life is like, get inspired by the world-leading sport and health research that underpins the undergraduate programmes, and ultimately discover why studying at Bath is so great.

Find out more about our sport, exercise and health courses: https://www.bath.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate-2025/sport-exercise-and-health/

Science on the Run

Would Lionel Messi have become one of the greatest football players of all time had he been born and raised as a player in England? Or would his physical deficiencies as a youngster have blocked his pathway and favoured stronger, faster young footballers?

Science on the Run talks to our resident game-changing growth and maturation expert Professor Sean Cumming, who explains the role of growth and maturation on sports performance and how ‘biobanding’ in youth sport and can improve an athlete’s pathway to success.

Views and opinions expressed by the participants in these recordings are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath.

Information correct at time of production. We may make changes to our courses or other aspects of your student experience in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in the field of studies, the requirements of accrediting bodies, or any unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances. Always refer to the University of Bath's website for the latest information. The views and opinions of those taking part in this video are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath. bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/disclaimer

Would Messi make it in England? (Prof Sean Cumming)

University of Bath Vice-Chancellor, Professor Phil Taylor, introduces the State of Disappearance exhibition.

State of Disappearance introduction (Vice-Chancellor, Professor Phil Taylor)

This episode of Science on the Run is focussed on nutrition and metabolism, in which two professors from the Centre for Nutrition, Exercise and Metabolism join us to discuss their fascinating research related to what, how and when we fuel our bodies, and where this content features on the BSc (Hons) Sport, Health and Exercise programmes at Bath. 

Views and opinions expressed by the participants in these recordings are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath.

Information correct at time of production. We may make changes to our courses or other aspects of your student experience in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in the field of studies, the requirements of accrediting bodies, or any unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances. Always refer to the University of Bath's website for the latest information. The views and opinions of those taking part in this video are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath. bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/disclaimer

No carbs before Marbs? (Profs James Betts and Javier Gonzalez)

Sports injury epidemiologist, Dr Stephen West, joins Science on the Run to discuss his and the Centre for Health, and Injury & Illness Prevention in Sport’s high impact research on training load monitoring and the prevention of injury in sports like rugby. 

Views and opinions expressed by the participants in these recordings are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath.

Information correct at time of production. We may make changes to our courses or other aspects of your student experience in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in the field of studies, the requirements of accrediting bodies, or any unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances. Always refer to the University of Bath's website for the latest information. The views and opinions of those taking part in this video are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath. bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/disclaimer

Tackling the big challenges in sports injuries (Dr Stephen West)

For this very special episode of Science on the Run, we invited two of our Sport and Exercise Science graduates, Lucy and Jack, back to campus to reflect on their time at Bath and the impact their studies have had on their career journeys to date in science and pro sport. 

Views and opinions expressed by the participants in these recordings are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath.

Information correct at time of production. We may make changes to our courses or other aspects of your student experience in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in the field of studies, the requirements of accrediting bodies, or any unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances. Always refer to the University of Bath's website for the latest information. The views and opinions of those taking part in this video are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath. bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/disclaimer

Life beyond Bath (part 1): the SES graduates’ stories (Sport and Exercise Science graduates, Lucy and Jack)

Two of our Health and Exercise Science graduates, Amalia and Ellie, join the podcast to discuss their time at the University, their pivotal placement years and explain how this informed and inspired their career choices in the nutrition industry and physiotherapy. 

Views and opinions expressed by the participants in these recordings are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath.

Information correct at time of production. We may make changes to our courses or other aspects of your student experience in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in the field of studies, the requirements of accrediting bodies, or any unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances. Always refer to the University of Bath's website for the latest information. The views and opinions of those taking part in this video are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath. bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/disclaimer

Life beyond Bath (part 2) the HES graduates’ stories (Health and Exercise Science graduates, Amalia and Ellie)

We close off the series by welcoming Dr Polly McGuigan, the Head of the Department for Health and Senior Lecturer in Biomechanics, who gives us an overview of our research profile that underpins our undergraduate programmes. Polly also shares her own multi-species research that explores how the musculoskeletal system determines, adapts and becomes specialised to tasks in both humans and animals. 

Views and opinions expressed by the participants in these recordings are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath.

Information correct at time of production. We may make changes to our courses or other aspects of your student experience in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in the field of studies, the requirements of accrediting bodies, or any unforeseen or unavoidable circumstances. Always refer to the University of Bath's website for the latest information. The views and opinions of those taking part in this video are their own and not necessarily those of the University of Bath. bath.ac.uk/corporate-information/disclaimer

How to get a horse on a treadmill (Dr Polly McGuigan)

A recording of the lecture from 13 June 2018, which overviews the tremendous contribution of Professor Darryl Almond to the research profile of the University of Bath. 

Darryl had a unique ability to use his expertise in physics to undertake cutting edge research across a range of subjects in science and engineering.

A Life Connected by Physics: A Tribute to Professor Darryl Almond

Additive manufacturing allows us to produce parts at a reduced size and weight. For amputees, this means we can create powered prosthetics that are both durable and a more comfortable fit. Working alongside Moog and Blatchford we set out to bring our powered prosthetics research to the commercial market. Professor Andrew Plummer discusses how this could be game-changing for the prosthetics industry.

Transcript:
"Imagine you got ill, maybe diabetes or had an accident and had to have a leg amputated. In days gone by, you could get a wooden leg, but that wasn't a great substitute particularly for above the knee amputees. Nowadays you might get a leg made from carbon fibre or light alloys, and subtly designed joints incorporating springs and shock absorbers to give a fairly natural and pleasant walking experience. They might even be computer-controlled. But you'll still be a long way from the league of a bionic man or bionic woman. Walking up slopes or stairs will still be slow and tiring because your new leg will have no muscle power. Your trailing leg really needs to push off every time it leaves the ground to propel you up and along, but building in muscle power into prosthetic legs is a formidable engineering challenge. Using existing technology, the leg ends up being too bulky, too heavy or using too much energy, not to mention the challenge of controlling the leg to automatically synchronise with your movements. I'm Andrew Plummer, Professor in the mechanical engineering department, so I lead the Power Transmission Motion Control research centre here at Bath and we have considerable experience in hydraulic actuation, this provides very high-power density by using pressurised oil, which means we can generate significant muscle power in a light and compact leg. And using additive manufacture we can further integrate these powerful hydraulic actuation components into incredibly light titanium prosthetic joints. At Bath we have been fortunate in having world-leading industrial partners. We were working with Moog and Renishaw on additive manufacture for hydraulic components and independently with Blatchford on smart powered prosthetics. Bringing the two strands of work together was, as they say, 'a no brainer'. I'm convinced this is a game-changer for future prosthetics technology."

Professor Andrew Plummer discusses additive manufacturing's potential for the prosthetics industry

In this talk, Professor Mott from the Faculty of Engineering and Design, debates the impact that COVID is having on engineering and technology businesses and how they need to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances.

Professor Peter Mott talk: Covid-19 and its impact on industry

The University of Bath podcasts are a series of public lectures available to download for free.

Enhance your understanding of subjects ranging from how babies develop to the workings of the universe. Learn from academics and business and industry experts.

The University of Bath is a leading UK insitution. We offer a distinctive blend of research-led teaching, an outstanding graduate employment record and personal development opportunties.

Would Messi make it in England? (Prof Sean Cumming)

University of Bath

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