News

This section will keep you up-to-date with all the latest news from the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences.

Football players training

Loughborough University and Chelsea FC Academy launch strategic research collaboration

Loughborough University and Chelsea FC Academy have established an ambitious strategic research collaboration focused on coaching, coach development and player learning in elite youth football. The partnership combines Chelsea's world-leading academy environment with Loughborough's internationally recognised expertise in sport coaching, pedagogy and applied research.
A woman holding her head

World Menopause Day: Chronic pain linked to greater menopause symptom burden

With World Menopause Day taking place on 18 October, research from Loughborough University and University College London (UCL) highlights the importance of recognising chronic pain as a key factor in women's menopause experiences.
a pregnant woman holds her stomach

Snack-sized exercise could help more pregnant women stay active, study suggests

A new study from Loughborough University has found that encouraging pregnant women to build physical activity into their day through short 'activity snacks' could help them stay more active during pregnancy.
Prof leanne norman on the red carpet

Loughborough professor recognised as one of the 2026 Women of the Year

Professor Leanne Norman has been recognised as one of the 2026 Women of the Year for her contribution to advancing the position and experiences of women and girls in sport.
a man running in the woods

Want to run further, feel better and stay motivated? Exercise in nature – new study

A new study from Loughborough University has discovered that exercising in natural environments delivers a triple benefit: people run further and faster, they enjoy it more, and crucially, they're dramatically more motivated to stay active. For a population struggling with physical inactivity, this could be transformative.

“Ideas need to be explored and questions answered” – Tony Adams backs Loughborough partnership to improve professional athletes’ mental health

A mental health charity founded by former Arsenal and England captain Tony Adams is joining forces with Loughborough University to launch a new research hub aimed at improving the mental health and wellbeing of professional sportspeople.
A woman putting a white square patch on her arm

Can HRT prevent dementia? What the latest research tells us

An opinion piece written by Professor Eef Hogervorst for The Conversation platform.
Sydney Sweeney

Sydney Sweeney advert controversy: “Repeatedly presenting women through sexualised imagery reinforces the message that their bodies are more commercially valuable than their sporting competence”

US actor Sydney Sweeney has faced widespread criticism from female athletes over her appearance in a controversial advert for a sports betting company. Critics have claimed the advert sexualises women’s sport with Sweeney’s nude body covered by basketballs, footballs, and other sports equipment. Professor Leanne Norman, Director of the Loughborough University Flagship Institute for Women in Sport, explains how this campaign feels like a return to an outdated way of representing women.
Loughborough and Korinos colleagues stood in front of a 'women in sport' sign

Loughborough University and Kotinos agree strategic partnership to advance women’s sport in the MENA region

Loughborough University and Aspire Sports Consulting and Management LLC (Kotinos) have announced a new strategic research and evidence partnership aimed at advancing the evidence base for women’s sport across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
a golfer making a putt

“The power battle for golf, and its biggest players, might not be over just yet” – says sport finance expert following LIV Golf bankruptcy claim.

The news that LIV Golf is filing for bankruptcy protection with at least $45m (£33m) owed to players sent shockwaves through the sporting world this week. The breakaway league, which has proved controversial since its inception in 2021, now faces an uncertain future. Loughborough University’s sport finance expert Dr Dan Plumley believes golf’s power battle has now swung back in the favour of the PGA…but at a cost.