About the Centre
The Centre for Human Performance Research (CHPR) is founded on the concept of human functioning (the ability to performance task / roles effectively). Focused on a range of different domains of human endeavour and performance ranging from sport performance to the military, creative performance to occupational performance.
The Centre for Human Performance Research is hosted within the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Health Sciences University.
A key focus of the research centre will be to develop research underpinned knowledge transfer activity, seeking to positively impact upon different domains of human performance.
The specific aims of the research centre are to:
- To undertake contemporary research that further knowledge and understanding relating to human performance
- To develop evidence-informed approaches to maximizing human performance.
- To foster an interprofessional and interdisciplinary approach to the study of human performance.
- To develop national and international partnerships in research and knowledge exchange relating to human performance.
- Develop a programme of internal and external dissemination events.
Key Research Themes
Sport performance
Tactical populations (military and police)
Human-technology interactions
Healthcare and medical professionals
Physical activity and human functioning
Creative performance
Business / occupational performance
Research Projects
Biathlon prone shooting
An interdisciplinary assessment of biathlon prone shooting. In the winter sport of biathlon, which combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting, success depends on skiing speed, shooting accuracy and time spent on the shooting range.
Move Mojo
Creating Inclusive Physical Education for Children with Disabilities and enhancing human performance and functioning. This project focused on shifting mindsets, building confidence, and gathering evidence that inclusive PE can work in mainstream and SEND school settings.
Active Bodies, Active Minds
Attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common type of neurodiversity with 5-7% of children diagnosed worldwide. There is increasing interest in physical activity as an adjunctive therapy to help children successfully manage ADHD symptoms and thrive at school, both in learning and in social interactions. Now, on-going research has been designed to embed this knowledge in tools for primary school teachers.
Head of Centre
Professor Stewart Cotterill
PhD Psychol AFBPS HCPC FBASES FHEA – Head of School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Professor of Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology, and Director of Education and Student Experience
Stewart is Head of School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at HSU, Director of Education and Student Experience, and a Professor of Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology.
Full bio
Team Members 
- Dr Zoe Wimshurst
- Dr Steph Tibbert
- Dr Alister Du Rose,
- Dr Alyx Taylor
- Dr Michelle Evans
- Dr Danny Miller
- Dr Simon Otter
- Dr Elaine Hall
- Marcus Sanger
- Phill Heritage
- Dr Miles Cassidy-Rice
- Dr Oliver Thomson
- Dr Vijay Pabbathi
- Prof Steven Vogel
- Niola Bayer
- Fran Wiggins
- Elodie Frati
PHD Students
- James Beere
- Parag Sawant
- Daniel Osen
Human Performance Laboratory
The Sport Performance Centre and Human Performance Lab are situated in Garnet Campus. These spaces provide a range of sport science, performance and rehabilitation testing, analysis and intervention services to external clients and user groups, as well as for students to learn with. You can read more about our clinical facilities at HSU here.
Opportunities for students and researchers
- MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology
- MSc Performance Psychology
- BSc Sport & Exercise Science
- MSc Sport Rehabilitation and Therapy
PhD Supervisors
Contact Information
If you would like to find out more about the centre or our work, please contact the Head of the Centre, Prof Stewart Cotterill (stewart.cotterill@hsu.ac.uk)
Latest Research News
Stay up to date with our discoveries, events and impact stories from across the HSU research community.
An innovation developed through HSU’s Centre for Osteopathic Research and Leadership (CORaL) has been selected by the World Health Organization as one of just 21 projects worldwide to feature at the WHO Global Summit.
In October, HSU was pleased to celebrate the publication of the Priorities for Osteopathic Care (PROCare) study in BMJ Open.
Earlier this week, we were pleased to welcome 13 new PhD students to Health Sciences University during our induction event.
We're proud to share exciting research from Professor Steven Vogel and Emeritus Professor Alan Breen at HSU, part of a unique longitudinal study examining how UK chiropractors, osteopaths and physiotherapists manage low back pain.
The Chiropractic Research Council (CRC) has gifted its funds to the new National Centre for Chiropractic Research (NCCR) based at Health Sciences University (HSU) and in partnership with London South Bank University, McTimoney College, Teesside University, and the University of South Wales.
