Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences

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Knowing Sport: Science Cafés inspired by London 2012

Discover the science behind sport and exercise over a coffee or a pint.

This summer, a series of FREE exciting interactive Science Cafés for adults and Science Centre Workshops children and families hosted by sport and exercise science experts are being held in community locations across Glasgow. Over a coffee or a pint, discover the science behind exercise and sport and how it is relevant to your everyday life. This is your chance to quiz the experts.

Knowing Sport has been granted the prestigious London 2012 Inspire mark, the badge of the London 2012 Inspire programme which recognises exceptional and innovative projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

These events are free, fun and informal, with something for everyone, whether you are an Olympic athlete, a couch potato or anything in between. People with no science background are particularly welcome.

  

The Science Cafés

The Science Café events are based on the established Café Scientifique concept (www.cafescientifique.org/) where ‘experts’ will speak informally in community locations for 15-20 minutes, without notes or scientific jargon followed by an open-ended ‘ask me anything’ interactive question and answer session. Refreshments will be available throughout, so the audience can enjoy a coffee, a pint, or a glass of wine while learning about cutting edge science in language accessible and relevant to the complete non-scientist. The Science Cafés will cover three themes, each performed at three locations throughout the city.

See Also:


The genetics of sporting performance

(Dr Colin Moran, University of Stirling)

 Dates and locations

  • Tuesday 12th June 2012, 19:00-21:00, Drumchapel Community Centre, Glasgow
  • Saturday 30th June 2012, 11:00-13:00, Penilee Community Centre, Glasgow
  • Monday 30th July 2012, 19:00-21:00, The Tron Theatre, Glasgow

Overview

Dr Colin Moran will talk about a variety of sports genetics topics including:

  • The basis of genetics and genetic variation
  • Genetics and race
  • How genes influence sporting performance
  • How genes are affected by the environment we live in to influence sports performance and health
  • Can we predict the next sporting stars by measuring their genes?
  • Is gene doping the next performance enhancing drug?

 


The science and technology behind preparing Olympians

(Dr Niall MacFarlane, University of Glasgow)

Dates and locations

  • Monday 18th June 2012, 19:15-21:15, St Francis Centre, Gorbals, Glasgow
  • Monday 9th July 2012, 19:00-21:00, Milton Community Campus, Glasgow
  • Friday 3rd August 2012, 19:00-21:00, Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow

 

Overview

Dr Niall MacFarlane will talk about the range and applications of science and technology for elite sports performers and how that technology has impacted on the general population. He will describe how technology helps us to understand the limits to human activity and how technology can be used to improve our functional capacity.


Exercise: Why it’s not just for Olympians

(Dr Jason Gill, University of Glasgow)

Dates and locations

  • Friday 22nd June 2012, 17:00-20:00, The Bridge, Easterhouse, Glasgow
  • Monday 16th July 2012, 19:00-21:00, Toryglen Regional Football Centre, Glasgow
  • Wednesday 25th July 2012, 19:15-21:15, St Francis Centre, Gorbals, Glasgow

 

Overview

Dr Jason Gill will talk about:

  • What have we learned from bus drivers and postmen about the benefits of physical activity?
  • How little physical activity can we get away with?
  • Why those who do the least activity at the moment have the most to gain by becoming more active?
  • How are the health benefits of exercise influenced by your genetic background?
  • Why do some people find it harder than others to lose weight?
  • Why is sitting down too much particularly bad for you?

Glasgow Science Centre Workshops

(Viki Penpraze, University of Glasgow)

Dates and locations

  • Public sessions: 30th June – 1st July 2012, available 10:00-17:00
  • There will also be Workshops for Schools on 6th, 7th & 8th June 2012.

Overview

As part of a visit to Glasgow Science Centre children and families can explore Knowing Sport's two interactive, guided exhibits about 'Exercise: why it's not just for Olympians' and 'Measuring Olympic Champions'.

Children will be able to investigate what is going on in the body at rest and in response to exercise at different intensities. They will work out the different physical and mental requirements to compete at the top level in different sports and make physical measurements on themselves which can help to predict sporting performance. These measurements will include height, reaction time, jump height and sprinting speed. Children will be able compare their results with results from tests on Olympic athletes. Are they as fast as Usain Bolt? Are they as powerful as Sir Chris Hoy?

All Science Café events are free and require no booking. All are welcome. Just show up on the day. And bring a friend.

Science Centre Workshops are included in the price of admission to the Glasgow Science Centre.

For more information about any of the Knowing Sport events, please contact Dr Jason Gill (jason.gill@glasgow.ac.uk).

The University of Glasgow and the University of Stirling was selected to be part of the Knowing Sport public engagement programme that forms part of the International Convention on Science, Education and Medicine in Sport (ICSEMIS 2012).

ICSEMIS 2012 will bring together the world’s leading scientists, academics and researchers in disciplines related to sport in advance of the 2012 Games. To book your place to attend ICSEMIS 2012 (19th-24th July 2012) please click the following link: http://www.icsemis2012.com/