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Physiological support can involve fitness assessments in the form of field or laboratory testing. This is usually the first stage of any athlete support system and is a vital part of the process. The process involves assessing the qualities of fitness that are important to the athlete and the sport. This will then provide a physiological picture of where the athlete or squad are at a given point in time. These results can then be discussed between the coach, athletes and scientific staff to establish the best way forward.
Field Testing
The performance services unit has developed field test batteries for the following sports:
The experts in the department can also be recruited to develop a battery of tests for any given sport.
The test batteries can be delivered at the Jordanstown, Coleraine or Magee campus or anywhere in Ireland and with sufficient sized squads testing can be administered from as little as £10 per athlete. All field test sessions are accompanied with very detailed analysis and a follow up report highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of an athlete or squad.
Laboratory Testing
The Ulster Sports Academy is the only organisation in Northern Ireland to boast BASES accredited sports science laboratories. The organisation has two separate physiology laboratories; one accredited for research purposes and the other accredited for scientific support to athletes.
The sports science laboratory at the Jordanstown campus is equipped with some of the most advanced equipment used in delivering gold standard support. This includes an online gas analyser, two HP Cosmos treadmills (one with safety arch), an SRM cycle ergometer, concept III rowing ergometers, concept II strength dynamometer and blood and hydration analysis equipment.
Laboratory assessments are most commonly used by endurance athletes (middle/long distance runners, road cyclists, triathletes and rowers), for determining lactate thresholds, running economy and VO2max. These tests can also be very useful for a games athlete returning back to training after a period of injury.
The information from these tests can be shared between coach, athlete and scientific staff to help to structure the athletes training for around three months.
Special service bundles have been specifically developed for runners and cyclists. These bundles represent excellent value for money. The bundle price has been significantly discounted to allow the athlete to avail of very comprehensive test batteries.
Middle and Long Distance Runners Packages
Blood Analysis
The physiologists have all been trained in venepuncture and have very close relationships with the haematology department of the Ulster hospital. This allows the Performance Services Unit to provide the most sophisticated blood analysis service in Northern Ireland.
This service can be used as part of a medical assessment procedure, as laid down by many national governing bodies, or alternatively it can be delivered throughout the season to help ensure that athletes and squads are not overtraining and have a fully functioning immune system.
Blood analysis services can be delivered in any location in Northern Ireland and prices are dependant upon number of athletes being delivered to and the specific blood markers to be analysed.
Health Screens
This recently launched service is an overall health screen aimed at the general population to raise awareness of the need for a sound diet and regular exercise. The appointment will last approximately one hour whilst the scientific staff conduct tests to assess the following:
After the test clients will be provided with a brief report and general fact sheets to help make gentle, but important, lifestyle changes. Clients will also have ten minutes to discuss their results with a member of staff.
The Environmental Chamber
The sports centre at the Jordanstown campus boasts the only environmental chamber in Ireland. This chamber can be programmed to replicate any environmental conditions (heat, cold, humidity and low levels of altitude) so that athletes can fully prepare themselves for exercising at stressful environments before they leave the country.
