Psychology of Sport & Performance, & Sport Rehab Expert Talk Series

This series of expert talks focuses on two key areas:

• Psychology of Sport and Performance
• Sport Rehabilitation

The talks delivered by expert staff from AECC University College will explore contemporary understanding and best practice in these fields. The expert speakers will share their experiences working with professional, amateur, and elite sport, both in the UK and internationally. This exciting series of expert talks is designed to co-inside with the launch of London-based postgraduate courses in Sport and Exercise Psychology, and Sport Rehabilitation delivered from the Borough High Street site. The talks are available to anyone with an interest in sport from aspiring practitioners in these fields, coaches, athletes, students studying similar subjects at school, college or University, and members of the public.

25th May 2024

Psychology of expert human performance:

Sport, military, music, business, and the performing arts

In this expert talk Prof Cotterill will explores the way the brain responds under pressure across a range of different performance settings (sport, military, music, performing arts, business, emergency services). Specifically exploring the psychological factors that underpin success and will explore techniques and strategies to help all performers to achieve and maintain higher levels of performance.

Stewart Cotterill Is a Professor of the Psychology of Human Performance at AECC University College. He has been working for the last 20 years as a psychologist in a range of professions including professional sport, the UK Military, the emergency services, business, music, and the performing arts. Stewart also teaches on the new MSc Sport & Exercise Psychology running in London from September 2024, and also teaches on the University online Masters courses in Sport and Exercise Psychology; Performance Psychology; and Military Psychology.

15th June 2024

Progressing rehabilitation after sports injury

In this specialised talk Michelle will explore the way we progress rehabilitation following a sports injury. She will delve into the rehabilitation model and methods of incorporating exercise prescription for an injured athlete.

Michelle serves as the course leader for both the MSc Sport Rehabilitation and Therapy programme and the MSc Sport and Exercise Rehabilitation programme. With eleven years of experience lecturing in Sport and Exercise Therapy, her primary focus lies in supporting Transplant Athletes at the British and World Transplant Games. Michelle collaborates within a multidisciplinary team to assist athletes and mentor students navigating the intricacies of these diverse sporting events.

6th July 2024

Psychology of injury, pain and recovery

In this expert talk Prof Cotterill will seek to explore the psychological challenges that sports performers experience following injury. Exploring the challenges that might also be present through the rehabilitation process, and in seeking to return to play/performance/ In addition, Stewart will present a range of strategies that can be utilised by athletes, coaches, and support staff to enable the athlete to better cope with the challenges experienced.

Stewart Cotterill Is a Professor of the Psychology of Human Performance at AECC University College. He has been working for the last 20 years as a psychologist specifically focused on injury rehabilitation in both professional and amateur sport as well as supporting injured service personnel to return to full functioning in the UK Military.

Stewart also teaches on the new MSc Sport & Exercise Psychology running in London from September 2024, and also teaches on the University online Masters courses in Sport and Exercise Psychology; Performance Psychology; and Military Psychology.

10th August 2024

The importance of vision for sport performance

Around 80% of the information that your body receives comes through your eyes. Athletes spend hours each week improving the speed, strength and endurance of their muscles but if they are inefficient at processing visual information, it this training a waste of time? In this talk Zöe will discuss the role of the visual system in elite performance, the differences between expert and novice performers, as well as how to train and improve your own vision for performance.

If you need your eyes open to perform then this talk is for you. It is directly aimed at those interested in sport (be that as an athlete, coach, official, or teacher) but would also be relevant to anyone who has to make fast decisions based on what they are seeing.

Zoe is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology, and vision training specialist. She has significant experience of delivering vision coaching to elite athletes, including Formula 1 drivers, Great Britain Hockey, Harlequins Rugby, British Shooting, Premier league Football clubs and many more.