Part of the secret to the outstanding Welsh successes at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games can be traced to the work at Welsh Universities over the past three years.
Welsh researchers in performance science came together to form the Welsh Institute of Performance Science (WIPS) in 2015 in the wake of the Glasgow Games – and it has given a vital edge to athletes and coaches in the latest research in the field of sporting performance.
WIPS researchers, based in universities across Wales, have been working with elite athletes in different disciplines, from athletics to cycling and swimming. Among the research projects that have helped to make a difference are ‘Technique optimisation for swimmers’, ‘Tapering for competition’, ‘Warm bath study for heat acclimatisation’, ‘Breathe to win’ and ‘Optimising athletic development’
Among the Welsh gold medalists Down Under was former Swansea University student Alys Thomas, who set a Games record in winning the 200 metres butterfly in the 10th fastest time ever.
As well as academic expertise, WIPS also involves businesses in the sector and Sport Wales, the governing body for sport in Wales.
Thomas’s old alma mater, Swansea University, leads the academic side of the new Institute, working with colleagues from Bangor, Cardiff, Cardiff Metropolitan and the University of South Wales.
WIPS was set up to ensure academic research is answering key performance questions set by Sport Wales and their priority sports. In addition, it also aims to maximize the impact of sports science research in academia, an area where Wales is very strong.
In the last assessment of the universities’ research strengths, A-STEM, a sports science research team based at Swansea University, was ranked 5th in the UK for impact.
Liam Kilduff, Professor of Performance Science at Swansea University, is the co-chair of the WIPS strategic management board.
“WIPS is a great example of an effective collaboration between Sport Wales and the academic community in Sports Science here in Wales. There is significant strength in Performance Science research here in Wales and by coupling this with the great work Sport Wales do we aim to ensure Welsh athletes continue to be competitive on the international stage,” said Prof Lilduff.
“The project has delivered way beyond my expectations and this is due to the great work of our academic partners, Welsh Government and in particular the staff at Sport Wales and the respective national governing bodies we have worked with.”
With Wales having bagged 10 gold medals on the Gold Coast, and stunned many onlookers with their skill and competitiveness in so many sports, it looks as though the work of the WIPS over the past few years is bearing fruit.
Brian Davies, Sport Wales Director of Elite Sport, says: “Having access to performance science experts at universities across Wales has provided Welsh athletes and coaches with key gains in their training and preparation.
“The partnership has brought benefits across Welsh elite sport, but the potential use of the research further down the sporting pathway and also for public health benefits are also hugely exciting.”