Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport

The Centre contributes significantly to research and practice in disability sport. It consists of two main research strands: Sport Performance and Health and Wellbeing.

Our mission is to improve knowledge about Paralympic sport and to promote the substantial health and quality of life benefits that can be gained through participation in disability sport and physical activity. The centre is heavily involved in research, in addition to providing sport science support to a number of GB squads.

No.1 in the world for sport-related subjects

QS World University Rankings 2017-2023

100% of our research impact rated 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent'

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Centre Director awarded with IPC award

Recognising our excellence in research in the field of Para sport

The activity profiles of elite Wheelchair Rugby athletes

Understanding the demands of the wheelchair rugby on athletes in order to prescribe them with specific, individualised training programmes.

Profiling elite Wheelchair Rugby athletes

Caffeine improves preloaded cycling but not handcycling performance

Experts in the Peter Harrison Centre have investigated whether the positive effects of caffeine seen in able bodied cycling are replicated in handcycling 10 km time trial performance.

The impact of caffiene on handcycling performance

The effect of wheel configuration on Wheelchair Basketball mobility performance

Our researchers have used a deflection test to assess the impact of wheel configurations on the mobility and performance of wheelchair basketball athletes.

Wheelchair Basketball mobility performance

Muscle mass and body temperature in the inflammatory response to upper-body exercise and heat

Investigating the role of muscle mass and body temperature: how do these factors influence the inflammatory response to upper-body exercise and heat?

Muscle mass and body temperature

PHC researcher working with a hand-cyclist

About us

The PHC is an internationally renowned disability sport research centre, focusing on sports performance and health and wellbeing.

A Doctoral Researcher monitor performance of an elite para-athlete

Our PhD research

Read the ground-breaking research produced by Doctoral Researchers working in the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport.

A coach and athlete training in Powerbase

IMPACT

Discover the impact of our sport performance and health and wellbeing research.

Coach and weightlifter training in Powerbase

Resources

Discover more about our research and the educational resources we produce with participants and athletes from rehabilitation to elite sport.

Members of the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport at a wheelchair basketball event

Our people

Find contact details and information regarding all members of staff affiliated with the Peter Harrison Centre.

Our team members

Doctoral Researchers Ellie-May Storr and Thomas Miller with their VC award plaque and certificate

Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport

Research and Innovation

The activity profiles of elite Wheelchair Rugby athletes

Caffeine improves preloaded cycling but not handcycling performance

The effect of wheel configuration on Wheelchair Basketball mobility performance