7 September 2012

'Mind over Body: training smarter not longer' - Café Science Extra event on 12th September

Want to get fit but can never find time to work out? A new fitness regime, to be discussed at a Café Science Extra event in Dundee next week, might be the answer to your health/time management conundrum.

Dr Ross Lorimer, a lecturer in sport psychology and coaching pedagogy at the University of Abertay Dundee, will discuss the benefits of training smarter rather than longer at Dundee Science Centre on Wednesday, 12th September.

He will deliver a talk on short bursts of high intensity exercise, discussing the mental challenges of engaging in this type of exercise programme and the psychological gains that can be made.

Dr Lorimer, whose research expertise lies in the psychological aspects of sports coaching, said, "High intensity exercise is time effective, physically demanding, and can make a real difference to a person's performance.

"Short bursts of intense activity may have similar mental benefits to longer duration exercise and can potentially improve an individual's mood and confidence as well as reducing their level of stress."

Dr Lorimer will be drawing on research which formed the basis of an upcoming book, 'The High Intensity Workout', that he has co-written with his Abertay colleague Dr John Babraj. The book, published by Dundee University Press, will be released later this month.

More than 3000 visitors have attended Café Science and Café Science Extra events since their launch in January 2008. The monthly Café Science events take the form of informal discussions led by leading local researchers that allow members of the public the opportunity to learn more about the ground-breaking science happening in Dundee.

With Café Science Extra, the focus is on up-and-coming scientists from the University of Dundee and Abertay University, the James Hutton Institute, and Dundee Science Centre.

'Mind over Body: training smarter not longer' takes place at Infusion coffee shop, Dundee Science Centre - Sensation at 6pm on Wednesday, 12th September. Doors open at 5.30pm, and the event is free and open to all. There is no need to book in advance but an early arrival is recommended.

More information is available at www.cafesciencedundee.co.uk.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277