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Welcome to the Research Hub for the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Rehabilitation, Sport and Psychology Research includes four areas or expertise: Sport performance, Psychology, Rehabilitation, and Physical activity for Health. Current research includes studies on sports performance, psychology in sport, physical activity for mental and physical health, vision in sport, and rehabilitation in different populations.
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How different leaders impact the emotional state of their team
The aim of the study was to explore how different types of athlete leaders in a team impact the emotional state of their team members and whether any gender differences exist.
Prof Stewart Cotterill and his team found that female athletes are more susceptible to emotional influence when compared to male athletes. Female athletes also experienced a greater variation in the perceived impact of different types of leaders on their emotional state.
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Rugby Coaches’ view of the role of the team captain
This study explored the views of the coach regarding the function of the captain in professional rugby union. The results suggest that the coach views the captain as an extension of their authority in the team and on the pitch. Also, that leadership groups are increasing important to support the captain, though the criteria for the selection of the most appropriate captain still appears a little vague. There are also question marks about how captains can be supported to further develop their required skills and expertise.
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Peripheral perception under pressure
A research study involving Dr Zoe Wimshurst from our Psychology research group explored the contribution of cardiac vagal activity, derived from heart rate variability (HRV), on peripheral perception under pressure. Participants carried out a peripheral perception task whilst under pressure. Results showed that cardiac vagal activity did not significantly affect peripheral perception.
![Clinical Skills Suite](https://www.hsu.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Clinical-Skills-Suite.jpg)
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Latest News
Discover and read all the latest news, press releases and happenings here at Health Sciences University.
![Dr Mahitha Naidu](https://www.hsu.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/image0.jpeg)
Dr Mahitha Naidu has recently graduated from the MSc Podiatry (Pre registration) course at Health Sciences University.
![Brain Health Clinic](https://www.hsu.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/BHC.jpg)
Health Sciences University, in collaboration with Dorset HealthCare, has launched a new Brain Health Clinic on its Bournemouth campus.
![Chiro Picture With No Face](https://www.hsu.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/School-template-Chiro-6.jpg)
Carla tells us more about her experience of the course so far and what she enjoys about being part of the HSU community.
![Dan Egelstaff](https://www.hsu.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Dan-Egelstaff-Picture.jpg)
Dan Egelstaff is a First Year student on the MSc Occupational Therapy (pre-registration) course. The degree at Health Sciences University appealed to Dan when he was working as a Learning Disabilities Support Worker during the Covid-19 pandemic.
![Natalia Purkiss](https://www.hsu.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Natalia-Purkiss-Picture.jpg)
Natalia Purkiss is in her first year of the MSc Occupational Therapy (pre-registration) course at Health Sciences University.
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The first of a series of special networking events between NIHR Wessex Experimental Medicine Network (WEMN) and HSU has taken place.