By Dr Liam Anderson Photo by Vikram TKV on Unsplash The professional football world in Europe is currently embarking on the pre-season phase of the season. When most people think of football pre-season, they picture players jogging through sun-soaked training camps or posing with new signings. But beneath the surface lies a period of immense intensity physically, psychologically, … Continue reading “Pre-Season: The Unseen Engine of Professional Football”
Tag: football
Representing the University of Birmingham at the World Congress of Science and Soccer 2025
By Dr Liam Anderson Last month, I had the privilege of attending the World Congress of Science and Soccer (WCSS) 2025 in Glasgow, representing the GSSPP and the University of Birmingham alongside Professor Barry Drust. The Congress was held at Ibrox and Celtic park, 2 of the worlds most prestigious football stadiums and brought together … Continue reading “Representing the University of Birmingham at the World Congress of Science and Soccer 2025 “
Exploring Performance Enhancement in Women’s Football: A Visit from Alek Gross
By Dr Liam Anderson Within the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, our Special Interest Groups (SIGs) play a vital role in focusing research efforts and fostering collaboration among staff and students. One such group, the Performance Enhancement SIG, includes several members of the GSSPP team, who are actively engaged in a broad network … Continue reading “Exploring Performance Enhancement in Women’s Football: A Visit from Alek Gross”
The Evolution of Performance Analysis Roles in Elite Football
By Jamie Kyte It’s clear that the role of Performance Analyst in elite sport, particularly in football, has undergone significant transformation in recent years. Once seen as a catch-all role that spanned pre-match, live game, post-match analysis, and everything in between, the Performance Analyst is now being segmented into more specialised roles, each focusing on … Continue reading “The Evolution of Performance Analysis Roles in Elite Football “
Acute Management of Pitch-Side Injuries with Ali James
By Matt Goodman Online Seminar with Ali James (Current Head of Physical Therapies at Aston Villa FC). Ali delivered a fascinating overview of pitch-side management of acute trauma in elite sport on Thursday 28th November to our Pitch-side Physiotherapy Students & MSc Sports & Exercise Medicine students. M.D.Goodman@bham.ac.uk
Industry Insights – Ben Mortlock
By Dan Lothian In the conversation between Dan Lothian and Ben Mortlock, Ben shares his journey in the sports industry, particularly in football, highlighting key insights about working in this competitive field. Ben began his career as a sports therapist in 2008, working with various clubs, including Grimsby Town, Tottenham Hotspur, Wolves and the England … Continue reading “Industry Insights – Ben Mortlock”
The PhD Journey – Insights From an Applied PhD Student
By Dr Jordan Slack As my PhD has come to an end, it has been a really valuable process for me to review my journey and reflect on how I have developed from a naïve academic coming out of my master’s degree – to trying to push myself to operate and perform at a PhD … Continue reading “The PhD Journey – Insights From an Applied PhD Student”
PhD students take their data collection abroad whilst helping football clubs prepare for their upcoming seasons
By Dr Liam Anderson With the long-anticipated start of the football season now well upon us, lots of work has been happening behind the scenes in pre-season to help elite players prepare for the upcoming season. Whilst collecting data for their PhD’s, students from the University of Birmingham who are embedded within elite football clubs … Continue reading “PhD students take their data collection abroad whilst helping football clubs prepare for their upcoming seasons “
Reflections on the value of my Performance Analysis Placement at UOB
By Jack Blyth – Applied Professional Practice placement student 2023/2024 at the University of Birmingham My student placement in the performance analysis discipline has been an enriching and enlightening experience. Through learning by doing, I have developed both my professional and personal competencies; from knowing little about the subject in September, to gaining the important … Continue reading “Reflections on the value of my Performance Analysis Placement at UOB”
Navigating Football Pre Season
By Dr Liam Anderson With the pre season period now well underway within professional football. GSSPP staff member Dr Liam Anderson recorded an educational video with Joe Baker from UoB GPS supplier, Catapult Sports to discuss ways in which preseason can be navigated to obtain it’s desired outcomes. L.Anderson.4@bham.ac.uk