By Freya Stapleton and Dave Sheldon
I began my journey as an exercise physiologist at the University of Birmingham, where I was fortunate to gain invaluable applied placement experience within the university’s athletics and triathlon performance programmes, as part of a 2nd year Applied Professional Practice and 3rd year Professional Dissertation modules. This experience encompassed:
1. Planning and delivering physiology support
2. Administering laboratory and field-based performance tests to enhance training programming
3. Producing and interpreting lab reports to support athletes’ progression
4. Communicating and working effectively within a multidisciplinary team
Before these placement experiences, I felt confident in my theoretical knowledge and understanding of key physiological principles, however, I hadn’t yet applied this knowledge in a professional setting and was fully aware that bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical application is a common challenge for students transitioning into their chosen field.
The mentorship I received during this placement was a pivotal aspect of my professional growth. Working closely with my placement supervisor and GSSPP member, Dave Sheldon, I had the opportunity to develop key technical skills, including blood sampling, data analysis, and the interpretation of physiological test results. His expert guidance and constructive feedback not only accelerated my learning curve but also deepened my understanding of applied physiology in real-world settings.
One of the standout experiences was my involvement in supporting a heat acclimation block for university scholar and para triathlete, Megan Richter, who at the time was preparing for the World Triathlon Championships in Abu Dhabi. This hands-on experience proved incredibly rewarding when the athlete went on to place 4th in that competition, and ultimately went on to win Gold in Paris 2024! Thus, underscoring the impact of effective preparation for performance in extreme environments.
Balancing the demands of my academic studies, personal athletic pursuits, and the responsibilities of my placement wasn’t always easy and at times, it felt overwhelming. However, these challenges ultimately helped me grow both professionally and personally, developing competencies that go far beyond technical knowledge. One key area of growth was my communication skills. I frequently found myself explaining complex physiological concepts to athletes and coaches, and in doing so, I learned to tailor my language to different audiences. I also had the opportunity to refine my presentation skills by delivering a workshop to the triathlon team, titled ”Maximising your Training with Brilliant Basics.” This experience helped me build confidence in presenting and allowed me to hone my ability to convey technical information in an engaging and accessible way.
I am incredibly grateful for the invaluable experience gained during my placement at Birmingham, which provided me with a solid foundation of skills to carry into my new role as a Performance Physiology intern with the Loughborough Sport Triathlon Performance team. Over the next two years, I will have the opportunity to contribute to this well-established program while pursuing a part-time MSc in Physiology and Nutrition of Sport and Exercise at Loughborough University. In this role I will be working closely with athletes’ coaches and other performance practitioners to optimise training and enhance performance outcomes. I’m excited to expand my professional network and expertise through the delivery of regular CPD sessions and interdisciplinary team meetings. In my second year, I’ll take on greater responsibilities as the program lead, serving as the primary planner for physiological support for the triathlon team.
D.Sheldon.1@bham.ac.uk