Sport therapy skills put into practice at RunThrough Southampton

Sport and Exercise Therapy students were on hand at the event on Sunday 4 October, leading runners through their pre-race warm-ups before providing sports massage and injury advice at the finish line.

The opportunity gave students the chance to apply the knowledge and techniques developed through their course in a live sporting environment, while supporting participants before and after their races.

Beth Taylor, Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Therapy at Southampton Solent University, said:

“Events like RunThrough Southampton give our students an invaluable opportunity to put their learning into practice and build confidence by working directly with athletes and members of the public.

“From leading warm ups to providing post-race treatment and advice, they are able to experience the demands of working in a busy sporting environment while developing the professional skills they will need in their future careers.

“We’re really proud of how our students represented Solent and supported runners throughout the event.”

Maria Demucha, a final-year Sport and Exercise Therapy student, said:

“Volunteering at the Southampton RunThrough event was a really valuable experience, from providing soft tissue therapy to leading the warm-ups for multiple races.

“Solent University always provides us with opportunities to gain practical experience outside of lectures, and being able to lead such a large group has given me more confidence moving forward.”

Solent’s Sport and Exercise Therapy course is accredited by The Society of Sports Therapists (SST), with student membership providing access to opportunities including jobs, placements, scholarships and professional resources, alongside insurance cover for placements.

Practical experience is a key part of the course, with students regularly given opportunities to support major sporting events. Previous experiences have included the London Marathon and Southampton Marathon, while students most recently travelled to the Gothia Cup, the world’s largest international youth football tournament.