Sport and Physical Activity Research Centre

Sport and Physical Activity Research Centre

Sport and Physical Activity Research Centre

We are one of the largest sports and physical activity research clusters in the UK. Our expertise is delivered through four specialist groups that carry out internationally renowned, world-class research. 

Research groups

An athlete ready on the starting line
Sport and Human Performance
People walking and cycling through a park
Physical Activity, Wellness and Public Health
SPARC researchers using motion capture
Sports Engineering
A professional tennis match being played
Sport Industry

Study with us

We recruit high-quality, motivated students to carry out theoretical and applied PhD projects, which are often sponsored by external clients.

We have an excellent track record of working with MSc and PhD students and are incredibly proud of their achievements. Our students go on to secure high-value careers throughout the sports industry and academia.


Featured projects

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Swimmers in the London Aquatics Centre

Social return on investment of sport

Discover how the Sport Industry Research Group measures the wider non-financial impacts of sport and physical activity on society

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Bespoke software onsite used to analysis gymnasts performance and movements to help make improvements

Performance Innovation Research Partnership

Discover the technological innovations designed by Hallam’s Sports Engineering Research Group to support Team GB Olympic athletes

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Secondary school children in a sports hall doing physical activity

Sport England Secondary Teacher Training programme

SHP and colleagues in SIRG are evaluating Sport England's investment of £13.5m to improve student's experience of PE, school sport and physical activity

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AWRC1

AstraZeneca – OSPREY CR

Discover how SHU’s Physical Activity, Wellbeing and Public Health Research Group optimises prevention and quality of life following cardiac rehabilitation

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Featured case studies

More case studies
parkrunners exercising in outdoor space

The value of Sheffield's outdoor economy

Learn about the economic value of Sheffield's outdoor economy, investigated by the Sport Industry Research Group

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Schoolchildren playing a game of football

Validation of the Active Lives Children and Young People Survey

How we validated a major Sport England survey against physical activity data from schools

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AWRC

Cardiovascular disease

Discover ground-breaking research into cardiovascular disease, conducted by SHU’s Physical Activity, Wellbeing and Public Health Research Group

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Video assistant referee (VAR) technology in use

Assessing VAR for offside officiating

Find out how SHU’s Sports Engineering Research Group assesses the accuracy of offside lines on behalf of FIFA

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Our facilities

Our laboratories, workshops and offices provide an excellent environment in which we can deliver our cutting-edge work in research, knowledge transfer and education. The facilities are based both at the Collegiate campus and the new £14m world-leading Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre in Sheffield’s Olympic Legacy Park.


Part of the Health Research Institute

The Health Research Institute brings together academics and professionals to deliver research, innovation and knowledge exchange in health and wellbeing across the lifespan.