Sport & Exercise Lab awarded BASES accreditation

On 4th March, our recently updated sport and exercise laboratories received accredited status from the British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES). confirming the high professional standards of the lab's staff, facilities, equipment, and procedures. BASES is widely recognised as the leading UK professional body in sport and exercise sciences and accreditation is a reflection of the high quality work that is undertaken at the University both with students and in active research in both sport and exercise/health.

A thorough quality assurance process was undertaken to confirm the appropriateness and standard of the lab’s facilities, equipment, procedures and staffing. The process began with a written application to BASES, which was followed by a pre-inspection visit to highlight areas for improvement. In preparation for the inspection, all of the labs policies and standard operating procedures have been reviewed and updated. Equipment servicing and calibration records were updated and extensive work was undertaken by staff members to ensure equipment validity and reliability met the standards required by BASES.

On the day, the inspection visit was conducted on behalf of BASES by Professor Andrew Jones. Professor Jones’ background involves extensive sport science support to a number of athletes including Paula Radcliffe and currently, Professor Jones works as the Head of Sport and Health Sciences and leader of the ‘Bioenergetics and Human Performance’ Research Group at Exeter University. More recently, his research has focused on the role of dietary nitrate (primarily beetroot juice supplementation) in enhancing nitric oxide production and in modulating blood pressure, blood flow, muscle efficiency and performance.

In addition to reviewing the lab policies and procedures, Prof Jones observed the lab staff conduct a lactate threshold assessment with a well-trained runner. This consisted of a series of three minute exercise stages at progressive intensities, during which blood lactate, respiratory gases, heart rate and perceived exertion were recorded until a sustained increase in blood lactate concentration was noticed. During the test, Professor Jones assessed the appropriateness of our protocol, health and safety control and general professionalism. Following the test, the team had to interpret the data collected and provide concise, informative feedback to the athlete relating to predicted race times, training zones and areas for potential improvement.

The support and guidance from Prof Jones received throughout this process was really valuable and we would like to thank him for his time and support. The feedback on our final submission and visit was very encouraging and was a reflection of the high quality work that goes on in our lab. The sport and exercise laboratory at the University of St Mark & St John is now one of just over 20 accredited BASES labs in the country, a standard that shows we are able to work with the best athletes and provide the highest quality testing and analysis required for both performance and health related clients.

If you would like more information on the lab then please contact Ben Anniss, (banniss@marjon.ac.uk)