New sports biomedicine degree

A new degree in sports biomedicine was launched with a fitness competition between TV personality Gail Porter and Rector Fred MacAulay. The two raced on exercise bikes while wired up to heart monitor machines in a contest demonstrating the essential elements of the study of sports biomedicine.

The new degree gets off the starting blocks in October 2002, building on the University's excellence in teaching anatomy and physiology - rated first in the UK this year - combined with its top quality sports expertise and facilities. It will provide graduates with a sound understanding of the medical science behind sports and fitness.

Designed with the needs of the athlete and the coach in mind, the degree will equip graduates for a range of careers in the fitness and sports industries as well as consultancy work, management, research and teaching in the health care, nutrition and pharmaceutical industries.

Consultant to Britain's Olympic team and to the scientific panel of the International Olympic committee Professor Ron Maughan said at the launch: "We need to fix two big problems. Scotland's athletes currently fail to reach their full potential and deserve better biomedical support. We also need to get the message across to the Scots that fitness equals health for the heart, lungs and bones. We desperately need more practitioners in this area. This degree could play an important role in elevating Scottish sporting performance on the world stage and embedding sport in Scottish life."

Professor of anatomy and physiology at the University of Dundee, Mike Rennie said: "This Sports Biomedicine programme takes a stride beyond movement studies and sports management. It will help us understand the impact of lack of exercise on health as well as the basis of excellence in sport. Fully understanding those links is the first step to doing something about the problem. By turning out a new generation of graduates in sports biomedicine we hope Dundee will contribute to a general and long term improvement in Scottish health.

Next Page
Return to December 2001 Contact