1. Tell us about your Sports Therapy programme
We were the first university to deliver the BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy, accredited by The Society of Sports Therapists, with the programme first established in 1996. Since then, our Sports Therapy provision has continued to develop and now also includes an MSc Sports Therapy, providing both undergraduate and postgraduate routes into the profession.
2. Meet the team
*Left to right in the image below*
👋 Meet Paul Starrs, Deputy Head of Health Sciences!
🏃 When not working, Paul enjoys long distance running
📚 Research interests: Sports-related concussion, blood flow restriction training, and ACL reconstruction rehabilitation innovations
🎓 Teaching focus: Exercise medicine and acute care in the pre-hospital emergency setting
👋 Meet Chris Phillips, Senior Lecturer in Health Sciences and BSc Course Leader!
⚽ When not working, Chris enjoys football and exploring different places with his dog
📚 Research interests: Prevention and management of running related injuries
🎓 Teaching focus: Injury assessment and therapeutic interventions
👋 Meet Mia Preece, Senior Lecturer in Health Sciences!
🎸 When not working, Mia enjoys figure skating, strength training, and playing the guitar
📚 Research interests: Balance and postural stability and sports biomechanics
🎓 Teaching focus: Injury rehabilitation, musculoskeletal anatomy and biomechanics
👋 Meet Raffaella Pontonutti, Senior Lecturer and Clinical Coordinator!
🏋️ When not working, Raf enjoys going to the gym
📚 Research interests: Evidence base of therapeutic interventions and muscle dysmorphia
🎓 Teaching focus: Clinical supervision and business development
👋 Meet Aldo Lena, Senior Lecturer in Health Sciences and MSc Course Leader!
🚴 When not working, Aldo enjoys cycling
📚 Research interests: Body composition and the immediate effects of cryotherapy
🎓 Teaching focus: Musculoskeletal anatomy, injury assessment and therapeutic interventions
3. What has your programme been involved in recently that you’d like to share with Society members?
Raffaella Pontonutti has been invited to speak to physiotherapists and paramedics through the Islington GP Federation about developing a referral pathway between their services and our on-site Injury and Rehabilitation Clinic. The invitation was prompted by the excellent outcomes achieved by several patients treated at the clinic, who subsequently reported their progress and recovery to their GPs. These outcomes have highlighted the value of a collaborative approach to patient care and rehabilitation and the potential benefits of strengthening links between primary care services and University clinics.
4. Is there something people might not know about your programme?
The university’s pioneering Sports Therapy course has produced many graduates who now teach on, and have developed, courses at other institutions!
5. What message would you like to share with current or future Sports Therapy students?
Always believe in yourself – you’re capable of achieving more than you realise!