Principal Lecturer in Applied Biomechanics and Strength and Conditioning
As well as a Biomechanist at the University, I am an accredited strength and conditioning (S & C) coach with the UK Strength and Conditioning Association and the British Olympic Association, which gives me the opportunity to apply the theories that I teach.
During my 21 years as an S&C coach I have worked with a range of sports performers and governing bodies, from elite team sports to including international track and field athletes. I was formally an English Institute of Sport S&C coach, but now work for the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme and consult in elite Rugby Union.
Qualifications
- PhD - University of Bedfordshire
- MSc Fitness Science - United States Sports Academy
- BSc (Hons) Sports Studies - West London Institute
Teaching Expertise
- Kinesiology and Biomechanics
- Strength and Conditioning
- Sport Science Support and Performance Analysis
Research Interests
- Optimising training programmes for developing, strength, power and speed
- The effect of warm-up modalities on physical performance and muscle function
- The role of musculotendinous unit stiffness in high speed performance
Research Projects
- Olympic Lifting Equipment (2011) - ₤6000
- UEFA (2011) The effect of climate and fatigue on referees decision making - ₤10,000
- Daily Mail (2011) The effect instability shoes have on walking gait - ₤1000
- RiT Bid: Measurement of Back Function (2009) - £1500
- Human Performance Centre (2009) - ₤52,000
- Biometrics Movement Analysis System (2009) - ₤15,000
- Opta Jump Gait Analysis System (2009) - ₤15,000
- RSscan Gait Analysis System (2009) - ₤11,000
- Woodway Non Motorised Treadmill (2010) - ₤30,000
- European Social Fund (2003) Supported Distance Learning - £25,000
- High 5 Nutritional Supplements (2007) - £30,000
External Roles
- SCUK Senior Tutor and Tutor Assessor (2003-)
- EIS Strength and Conditioner (2004-06)
- Journal of Sport Sciences (2006-) – Reviewer
- BASES Safeguarding and Child Protection working committee (2007-)
- Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (2008-) – Reviewer
- European Journal of Applied Physiology (2009-) – Reviewer
- TASS Strength and Conditioner (2009-)
- Mens Health/Lucazade Power Challenge Trainer (2009)
- British Journal of Sports Medicine (2009-) – Reviewer
- Sports Biomechanics (2010-) – Reviewer
- Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise (2011-) – Reviewer
- International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance (2011-) - Reviewer
Publications
- Sculthorpe, N., Grace, F., Jones, P. and Fletcher, I. (2010)The effect of short term creatine loading on active range of movement. J App Physiol Nut Metabolism, 35: 507-511
- Fletcher, I.M. (2010) The effect of different dynamic stretch velocities on jump performance. Eur J App Physiol, 109: 491-498
- Fletcher, I.M. and Monte-Colombo, M.M. (2010) An investigation into the possible physiological mechanisms associated with changes in performance related to acute responses to different preactivity stretch modalities. J App Physiol Nut Metabolism, 35: 27-34
- Fletcher, I.M. and Monte-Colombo, M.M. (2010) An investigation into the effects of different warm-up modalities on specific motor skills related to soccer performance. J Strength Cond Res, 24: 2096-2101
- Fletcher, I.M. (2010) The effects of pre-competition massage on the kinematic parameters of 20m sprint performance. J Strength Cond Res, 24: 1179-1183
- Grace, S. and Fletcher I. (2009) FUNdamentals of Agility. Coachwise Business Solutions
- Fletcher, I. & Anness, R. (2007) The acute effects of combined static and dynamic stretch protocols on 50m sprint performance in track and field athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 21, 784-787
- Fletcher, I. & Jones, B. (2004) The effect of different warm-up stretch protocols on 20m-sprint performance in trained rugby union players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 18: 885-8
- Fletcher, I. & Hartwell, M. (2004) The effect of an 8-week combined weights and plyometrics training programme on golf drive performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 18: 59-62
- Fletcher, I. (2004) Resistance Training in Rugby Union. RFU Technical Journal. August
- Fletcher, I. (2004) Does your warm-up regime help your players performance? RFU Technical Journal. May
- Turner, D. & Fletcher, I. (2003) Why Elite Athletes Do not always make the best coaches. Faster Higher Stronger. April. 28-29
- Beasley, N., Fletcher, I. & Keillar, E. (2003) Use of , and attitudes towards, protective equipment by professional rugby union players. Journal of Sport Sciences. 4: 260-261
Recent Conference Presentations
- Fletcher I. and Mills, D. (2011) Knee Function: Relationship to Football Specific High Speed Motor Capabilities. ECSS Annual Congress, University of Liverpool
- Chapillon, J.C., Sculthorpe, N., Fletcher, I. (2010) The Effect of Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation on EMG Response to Passive Dorsiflexion. International Conference on Creatine in Health and Sport. University of Cambridge
- Sculthorpe, N., Grace, F., Jones, P. and Fletcher, I. (2010) The Effect of Short Term Creatine Monohydrate Loading on Active Range of Movement. International Conference on Creatine in Health and Sport. University of Cambridge
- Wyld, K., Fletcher, I., Castle, P., Sculthorpe, N. and Riley, W. (2009) Do different forces in a patella tendon tap test elicit differing stretch reflex responses? BASES Annual Conference
- Fletcher, I.M. (2009) Does dynamic stretch velocity effect jump height? BASES Annual Conference
- Fletcher, I.M. (2009) What percentage of maximal force causes an optimum increase in range of motion in a propreoceptive neuromuscular facilitated stretch regime? UKSCA Annual Conference
- Fletcher, I.M. (2008) Biomechanical Principles in Sprint Running. Keynote presentation at The England Athletics Coaching Conference
- Fletcher, I.M. (2005) Core Conditioning. Key note presentation at Conditioning in Soccer Annual Conference
- Fletcher, I.M. (2004) Developing Flexibility in Young Athletes. Key note presentation at Conditioning in Soccer Annual Conference
- Fletcher, I.M. (2004) The effect of pre-competition massage on sprint performance. BASES Annual Conference
Contact Details
T: +44 (0)1234 793291
E: iain.fletcher@beds.ac.uk
