A group of Sixth Form PE pupils, accompanied by Director of Sport Mr James Gaunt and Mr Andrew Dix, enjoyed a trip to Bath University recently, which gave pupils the opportunity to experience a day in the life of a student studying a degree in Sports Science. Visiting the prestigious university was a fantastic chance to see the differences in work from A Levels to degree standard work, and the many various paths of research that are open to pupils should they choose to pursue a degree, and career, in Sports Science.
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Upon the arrival, the group enjoyed a tour of the superb facilities that the university has to offer, before taking part in a series of field tests. Staff and pupils were pitted against each other in various disciplines, such as speed agility, flexibility and power tests – although Mr Gaunt is insistent that the results will remain undisclosed! Lucy Walker and Will Dolin were then lucky enough to be chosen to take part in the dreaded V02 max test, which is designed to give participants an idea of the maximal amount of oxygen that they can transport and utilise in one minute. Both pupils did incredibly well, with Will matching the V02 max of an average Premiership footballer, at 61.6 ml/kg/min. Ross Johnstone and Ollie Gerrard then volunteered to take part in the 30 second wingate power test. Ross generated an impressive 1346 watts of power; not quite the 2500 watts generated by Sir Chris Hoy- but still a very respectable effort!
After lunch, the pupils enjoyed a very informative lecture on sports nutrition, learning about the study and practice of nutrition and diet, as it relates to athletic performance. The talk centred on the type and quantity of fluid and food taken by an athlete. The subject would form an important focus for pupils looking to continue the studying Sports Science at university level.
Mr Gaunt commented on the day that ‘it was really interesting for the Sixth Formers to see the different areas of study available to them, and the detail that they can go into. They were all really eager to use the high tech equipment available, and could see the potential that research and original ideas have.’