University of Westminster students on the Sport and Exercise Nutrition MSc course learnt about exercise physiology and how to test an athlete’s physiology in a way that is relevant to their sport, by conducting tests on and advising Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Bonfield.
The real-life testing in the University’s state-of-the-arts exercise laboratory was part of the Assessment of Health and Fitness module, led by Dr Jane Naufahu. Dr Naufahu designed the assessment to give students an opportunity to apply their knowledge acquired on the course in real life. Fuelling an athlete requires an understanding of their physiology and the needs of their sport. Therefore, the exercise asked the students to determine the most appropriate physiological tests to perform, run the testing with a real-life client, and then evaluate and produce a report on the results.
In this instance, the real-life client became Professor Bonfield, who is a former national cycling champion, training for upcoming endurance cycling events. After receiving Professor Bonfield’s summary of his athletic background and current goals of cycling far and fast, the students identified VO2max testing to measure aerobic capacity. Knowing the results of these tests the client learns where they currently stand and what areas they need to work on to achieve their fitness goals.
The student exercise nutritionists concluded that Professor Bonfield was very fit, with a VO2max that was superior for the 30-39 age group.
Student sport and exercise nutritionist Stephanye Spagola said: “Working with Peter on his fitness tests was a remarkable experience. His enthusiasm and energy were infectious, and it was inspiring to witness his excitement during the tests. Peter's fitness levels were impressive, showcasing a commendable dedication to his sport. The results from the tests reinforced his robust physical condition, further fuelling his passion for continued participation in sports.”
She added: “The laboratory dynamics were notably enhanced by having Peter as a client; his willingness to contribute to our group's success made the process exceptionally rewarding. This assessment work, especially with Peter as our athlete, was not only my favourite but also incredibly enriching, providing me with invaluable insights and skills.”
Another student Yunona Klimenko said: “Collaborating with Peter, a distinguished former elite cyclist who serves as our University's Vice-Chancellor and President, was an extraordinary experience. Peter's exceptional professionalism, enthusiasm, and dedication to excellence were evident throughout our partnership. Peter demonstrated remarkable fitness across all assessments, particularly excelling in his VO2 max test, where he achieved a superior performance score of 51. It was a privilege to work with Peter, whose indomitable spirit and proactive approach inspired our team.”
Assessment of Health and Fitness Module Leader Dr Jane Naufahu said: “It is very rewarding to see how students’ confidence and key transferrable skills develop as they practice for this coursework. At the beginning many have never been in an exercise physiology lab before. After ten weeks they are able to run the fitness testing session with external clients with a high degree of proficiency and professionalism. This is an authentic assessment which not only develops highly technical skills but also considerably strengthens students’ communication skills. The clients love it too!”
Co-course Leader of the Sport and Exercise Nutrition MSc course Dr Sinead Roberts said: “This assessment reflects what these students will be doing in their careers as sports nutritionists. Our aim throughout the Sport and Exercise Nutrition MSc course is to expose our students to real-world experiences and client interactions so that they develop the applied knowledge and skills to succeed when they graduate. You cannot understand what can (and will!) go wrong, and how individuals rarely conform to the 'standard' guidelines, until you dive in and actually do it in practice!”
This assessment directly contributed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3: Good Health and Wellbeing and 4: Quality Education. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn more about Nutrition and Public Health courses at the University of Westminster.
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