PARA SPORT

Loughborough leads the way in Para sport and can list a large number of students who have competed for Great Britain at the Paralympic Games including:

• Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE (Para-Athletics)

• Ellie Simmonds (Para-Swimming)

• Dan Greaves (Para-Athletics)

• Jonathan Broom-Edwards (Para-Athletics)

• Amy Conroy (Wheelchair Basketball)

• Clare Griffiths (Wheelchair Basketball)

• Jude Hamer (Wheelchair Basketball)

• Laurie Williams (Wheelchair Basketball)

• Mikey Jones (Para-Swimming)

• Crystal Lane (Para-Cycling)

• Sam Ruddock (Para-Athletics)

• James Hollis (Para-Swimming)

• Emma Hollis (Para-Swimming)

Paralympic National Governing Body Performance Programmes based at Loughborough include:

• Para-Athletics (British Athletics)

• Para-Triathlon (British Triathlon)

• Para-Powerlifting (British Weightlifting)

It is also home to Loughborough University Performance Programmes for Para sports where athletes with and without disabilities train alongside each other including: 

• Para-Athletics 

• Para-Cycling 

• Para-Swimming 

• Para-Triathlon  

They both benefit from strength and conditioning, performance lifestyle and nutrition education and physiotherapy.

A huge part of the Para sport world at Loughborough is the research they carry out. 

The University has a School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences which covers the exciting areas of medicine, molecular biology, nutrition, biomechanics, economics, pedagogy, psychology, sociology and sport management. It was awarded the number one position in the world in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017, 2018 and 2019.

The Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport focuses on research and practice in disability sport.  

“Their mission is to improve knowledge about Paralympic sport and to promote the substantial health and quality of life benefits that can be gained through participation in disability sport and physical activity. The centre is heavily involved in research, in addition to providing sport science support to a number of GB squads.”

Sports Technology Institute 

The Institute is home to the Sports Technology Research Group which is one of the world’s leading research groups of its kind and the largest in the UK. 

The Group has an incredible reputation internationally for its work with global brands including Adidas, Callaway Golf, Canterbury of New Zealand, Dunlop, Head, New Balance, Nike, Reebok, Slazenger, Spalding, Speedo and Umbro on the design, simulation, testing and manufacture of sporting goods.

Around 50 academics, research associates, technicians and PhD students carry out wide-ranging research including athletic footwear protective equipment, balls, bats, clubs, rackets and fitness equipment. 

With thanks to Loughborough University and Loughborough Sport for the use of videos and images in this article.

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