Case studies : Sport and exercise physiologist: Dr Stewart Laing

Dr Stewart Laing has a degree in sports science and a PhD from Bangor University. He is a sport and exercise physiologist and an exercise physiology lecturer.

After completing my degree I undertook a part-time PhD, funded by Bangor University and the Sports Council for Wales, providing athlete support for the Welsh Yachting Association and the Welsh Canoe Association. I then took a job as the sports scientist for the British Olympic Association (BOA) . Here I gained valuable experience working in multi-disciplinary teams in high pressure environments, such as the Beijing and Vancouver Olympic Games.

I was promoted to senior sports scientist, presented research at international conferences and gained a range of crucial qualifications. I then left the BOA to take a part-time lecturing position at Bangor University, whilst at the same time establishing my own sport and exercise physiology consultancy business.

During my degree I learnt the practical skills necessary to test and monitor athletes, the research skills to help me control and manipulate training interventions, and the scientific knowledge to educate athletes and coaches. I also took a range of coaching qualifications to help me work as a practitioner, and made friends who have gone into similar fields of work and who I now collaborate with on a range of projects.

As a lecturer my typical day is very varied and generally consists of:

• checking and responding to emails from personal tutees, project students and other members of staff;
• planning or delivering lectures on biomechanics, performance physiology or physiology of elite athletes;
• applying for grants for research that can help improve athletes’ performance or improve ways of monitoring adaptations from training;
• testing athletes in the lab for their fitness and training state.

I always try to fit some training in to the day as it is important to stay fit for the role as a sports scientist working with teams and athletes.

As a sports science consultant I can be asked to work anywhere in the country. Typically, the day starts early with some sort of hydration assessments or athlete monitoring to ensure that they are fit and ready for the day’s training or competition. Monitoring of training and reporting of results to athletes and coaches usually follows. This requires a quick turn around of results with detailed explanations for each athlete ahead of a second training session or race.

My role has developed from being the student learning the skills and theory behind sports and exercise science, to being the person educating athletes and coaches. I am performing the research that is now being delivered to students during their sports science degree about the best methods and practice for working with athletes to improve performance.

I particularly enjoy the variety of my job. I converse with so many people in a number of different situations: on the field of play to groups of athletes; in lectures theatres to hundreds of students or conference delegates; and in one-to-one situations to students, athletes or coaches. I also love passing on the knowledge and experiences I have gained to others. The opportunity to travel the world and meet people from different sporting backgrounds is a real bonus.

The most challenging part of my job is being organised. I have to keep a really detailed diary because of meetings, appointments and being in so many different locations.

I would like to progress to senior lecturer and increase the number of research publications I have. I would also like to develop my own business further to make it a successful consultancy company.

My advice to students is to gain experience from a variety of different situations, working with both team and individual sports. Put yourself in front of audiences to stand and present. Show that you can successfully complete a number of tasks and manage your time across different tasks. Get experience of working under pressure and meeting deadlines, and show that you can work as part of a team as well as lead a team.