Warming Up the Right Way: A Practical Session with Strength & Conditioning Coach Mathias Chifano

As part of their Testing & Training module, our Bachelor in Sport and Exercise Science students took part in a practical session led by Mathias Chifano, Strength & Conditioning Coach.

A proper warm-up is often overlooked, but it plays a crucial role in athletic performance and injury prevention. During the session, students learned the key principles behind designing an effective warm-up, exploring how factors such as movement preparation, activation and progressive intensity all contribute to getting the body ready to perform.

Working directly with a professional in the field gave students valuable insight into how warm-up protocols are designed and delivered in a real training environment, bridging the gap between the theory they learn in class and the practical application used by coaches and athletes. It's this kind of hands-on exposure to industry expertise that helps students better understand the reasoning behind training decisions, rather than simply following a set routine.

This session is one part of a broader look at performance testing within the module. Next up, students will move on to endurance tests and lab-based VO2max assessments, continuing to build their practical skills in athletic testing and performance analysis as they progress through the module.