Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Inside the Pre-Season Preparations: Sport Science Services for Leeds United
Recently, Leeds Beckett University and Leeds United collaborated to create an innovative partnership, bringing together academic expertise and professional sports excellence.
This collaboration aims to enhance the services offered to athletes and provide students with unique opportunities to work closely with prominent sports figures and cutting-edge research.
In this joint blog, Dr. Daniel Snape, a renowned researcher in endurance and environmental physiology and Marina Alexander, an HCPC registered radiographer, share their insight on the transformative impact of this partnership and how the integration of academic research and professional sports play a huge role in the learning environment and contribute to the success of both athletes and students.
As sports scientists, we have had the unique privilege of working with Leeds United’s men’s first team during their pre-season preparations. This summer, our role is to provide cutting-edge sports science services, including Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) and Resting Metabolic Rate testing. These services are crucial for ensuring the players are in peak condition for the demanding season ahead. Additionally, Leeds United's sports science and medical teams have been using our specialised laboratory spaces within the Carnegie School of Sport building for their own extensive testing.
One of the standout tools we use is DEXA. For those unfamiliar, DEXA scans provide detailed and precise measurements of body fat, lean mass, and bone density. This technology is invaluable for tracking long-term changes in body composition. Whether it's monitoring recovery, assessing energy balance, or evaluating the impact of nutritional interventions, DEXA offers unparalleled insight.
For professional footballers, understanding these metrics can be the difference between good and exceptional performance. Body composition scans using DEXA have a low radiation dose, making them ideal for tracking changes over time. Players usually have about three body composition scans per year—one at preseason, one at the start of the season, and another mid-season, as decided by the club.
Resting Metabolic Rate testing is another critical component of our pre-season services. Through indirect calorimetry, we measure the number of calories a player's body burns at rest. This data specifically helps inform daily calorie intake to maintain optimal energy balance around training and recovery. Conducted in a fasted state in the morning, this test ensures that each player’s nutritional programme is in tune with their unique metabolic needs.
Integrating DEXA and Resting Metabolic Rate testing into a footballer's routine is not just about collecting data; it is about providing holistic support that enhances performance, maintains health, and reduces injury risk. These assessments allow for the individualisation of nutrition plans, strength and conditioning programmes.For instance, if a player's lean mass is lower than desired, a tailored strength programme can be implemented. Similarly, if body fat is not optimal for performance, nutritional adjustments and specific conditioning routines can be applied.
In addition to DEXA and Resting Metabolic Rate, our facilities offer a range of advanced sports science services. Leeds United players have access to isokinetic testing, which measures muscle strength around key joints using Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometry. This is especially useful for injured players, providing precise data to guide rehabilitation.
Biomechanical analysis of running is another service we provide. By evaluating a player’s running gait, we can identify strengths and areas for improvement, optimising their running efficiency and reducing injury risks. This data-driven approach ensures that every aspect of a player’s physical performance is monitored and enhanced.
Beyond these specialised tests, our Health and Performance Hub offers additional resources such as an anti-gravity treadmill, athlete preparticipation cardiac screening, altitude and heat training, and maximal oxygen uptake testing, which measures the body’s highest rate of oxygen transport and utilisation. These services are designed to push the boundaries of athletic performance, providing professional teams like Leeds United with every advantage.
Our team is dedicated to expanding the frontiers of sports science, with research initiatives including women's football and more.
Our collaboration with Leeds United this pre-season underscores the critical role of sports science in professional football. By offering access to specialised facilities and services through our Health and Performance Hub, we are helping ensure that every player can achieve their best.
As we continue to grow and innovate, we are committed to providing the highest level of support to athletes and teams. In addition, ensuring that students participating in such a programme will gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge sports science facilities, and providing them with invaluable skills and knowledge for their future careers.
Daniel Snape
Dr Dan Snape, Research Fellow in Sport & Exercise Physiology, leads applied sport science support services for elite athletes, teams, military and civilian populations, specialising in heat and altitude acclimation, physiological profiling, and metabolic assessment. He teaches undergraduate and postgraduate environmental physiology and exercise science, supervises MSc and PhD research projects, and mentors sport science professionals.
