Leeds Beckett University
Leeds Beckett University (LBU) continues to give students an insight into the world of elite sport by investing in Catapult, the same technology used in many top-level sporting leagues and clubs.
LBU — one of the largest providers of sports courses in the UK — continually invests in its facilities, learning resources and teaching to ensure students can thrive and get hands-on experience with the technology that is used at the top of elite sport.
This user story discusses:
- LBU Providing a practical student experience
- A £45 million investment
- Student perspective: Matthew Wallis, BSc Sports Coaching
As part of these investments, LBU has been working with Catapult for more than nine years across multiple undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and currently has access to more than 120 Catapult wearable devices and 20 Catapult Vision video analysis licenses which empower decisions on performance, athlete risk, and return-to-play.
Dean of School Peter Mackreth says: “the range of technology available provides staff and students with everything they need to teach and learn effectively. This ranges from student projects to supporting international athletes.”
–> Click here to download our free eBook: Uses of Athlete Monitoring Technology in Academia
Providing a practical student experience
“The Catapult technology is used by a range of student and staff activities. It provides LBU with excellent technology to support students and staff with a fantastic educational experience and is used on several courses – BSc Sport and Exercise Science, BSc Sports Coaching, MSc Strength, Conditioning, and many more,” explains Mackreth.
Using Catapult provides LBU students with a first-hand experience of viewing live data and downloading data to monitor the distance, speed, acceleration and deceleration profiles that are covered during training drills. This allows students to understand how to monitor the training load of elite athletes, and how this can be used in practice to optimise performance and reduce the injury risk to athletes.
“It’s important for us that students at LBU access technology and equipment that are widely used in practice. This ensures that students are well prepared, and succeed in their employment after university,” says Mackreth.
Catapult equips LBU students with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to progress a successful career post-study.
Mackreth says, “Catapult is commonplace in professional sport. Therefore it is important our students are familiar with the technology and we’re a university that prides itself on providing teaching that is impactful in practice.”
£45 million investment
The university recently invested £45 million into a new state-of-the-art sports research facility. The facility consists of highly specialised teaching and research laboratories, as well as elite training equipment and infrastructure for athletes and sports partners.
“LBU has a world-class sports science facility, with excellent equipment for students to use during their degrees. This allows students to be confident that they will gain a high-quality degree, student experience and develop essential employability, and research skills for a successful career,” mentions Mackreth.
–> Check out the video below to see how Catapult features as part of LBU’s sports education investments.
Student perspective: Matthew Wallis, BSc Sports Coaching
In addition to his LBU studies, Wallis is a data analyst for England Rugby. He says through using Catapult technology in his studies, he has “gained the practical ability to use the software that is used at the top of sports.”
Wallis continues: “LBU has provided the opportunity to get practical experience in the field and learn from professionals in the industry. Using Catapult has positively affected my career ambitions. I would thoroughly recommend Leeds Beckett and Catapult to other students.”
More content for you:
1. Free eBook: Uses of Athlete Monitoring Technology in Academia
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