Professor Paul Worsfold | University of Chester

Paul joined the department in 2005 as area leader for Biomechanics and Performance Analysis and has taught across all levels. He has supervised more than 50 Masters Dissertations and 6 PhD students.

He has provided scientific research and consultancy for national and international teams, individuals and governing bodies. This includes the English Rugby Football Union where he developed and managed research projects using GPS within the English Premiership and player development within the English national squad. Paul is also Head of Biomechanics at the English Institute of Sport where he leads the national delivery of biomechanical services to Olympic, Paralympic and Professional sports. Paul is a member of the International Foot and Ankle Biomechanics Community, International Society of Biomechanics in Sports, International Society of Performance Analysis and BASES where he is also a member of the BASES Scientific Programme Committee. Paul has also provided biomechanical testing for a number of international equipment manufacturers and specializes in assessing the interaction between the equipment and the athlete. He has also acted as an expert biomechanical witness for sports equipment manufactures within litigation cases in the USA. Paul is an invited reviewer for a number of leading International sport and exercise science journals and editor for the Sport and Exercise Science section of University of Chester Press. Paul’s applied research has also featured in a government dossier ‘Supporting a UK success story: the impact of university research’.

External Roles

Paul has been an external examiner for a number of sports science programmes including University of Derby, Bournemouth University (Anglo-European College of Chiropractic), Cardiff Metropolitan University and University of Chichester. Paul has also been invited as a subject specialist on validation panels for undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Paul's specialist areas are Sports Biomechanics and Performance Analysis and he teaches on the following undergraduate and postgraduate modules:

Applied sports biomechanics (Level 6)
Applied performance analysis (Level 6)
Contemporary Issues in sports biomechanics (MSc)
Measurement issues in sports biomechanics (MSc)
Applied sports biomechanics (MSc)
Contemporary issues in performance analysis (MSc)
Applied performance analysis (MSc)
Measurement issues in performance analysis (MSc)

Paul also supervises dissertation students at level 6 and masters level.

Research interests

Sports equipment design and development
The application of biomechanics and performance analysis in sport
The assessment of motion, technique and impact analysis in sport
Talent (potential) identification / development

Selected Publications

Waldron, M., Gray, A., Worsfold, P. & Twist, C. (2016). The reliability of Functional Movement Screening (FMS) and in-season changes in physical function and performance among elite rugby league players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 30, 910-918.

Cahill, N., Lamb, K., Worsfold, P.R., Heady, R. & Murray, S. (2013). The Movement Characteristics of English Premiership Rugby Union Players. Journal of Sport Sciences. 31(3): 229-237

Worsfold, P.R. (2011); Invited Review: The golf shoe, the past, present and future. Journal of Footwear Science, 3(3), 139-150.

Waldron, M., Worsfold, P.R., Twist, C. & Lamb, K.L. (2011). Concurrent validity and test re-test reliability of a Global Positioning System (GPS) and timing gates to assess sprint performance variables. Journal of Sports Sciences, 29(15),1619.

Waldron, M., Twist, C., Highton, J., Worsfold, P.R., & Daniels, M. (2011). Movement and physiological match demands of elite rugby league using portable global positioning systems. Journal of Sport Sciences. 29(11), 1223-1230.

Worsfold, P.R., Smith, N., & Dyson, R. (2009). Kinetic assessment of golf shoe outer sole design features. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine 8, 607-615

Papers accepted or in press

2020

Burnie, L. Barratt, P. R., Davids, K., Worsfold, P. R., Wheat, J. S. (2020) "Biomechanical measures of short-term maximal cycling on an ergometer: a test-retest study". Sports Biomechanics. (in press).

2018

Burnie, L. Barratt, P. R., Davids, K., Stone, J., Worsfold, P. R., Wheat, J. S. (2018) Coaches’ philosophies on the transfer of strength training to elite sports performance. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching. 13 (5): 729-736.

2016

Nicolls, S. & Worsfold, P. (2016). The observational analysis of elite coaches within youth soccer: The importance of performance analysis. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching 11(6), 825-831. DOI

2014

Roddy, R., Lamb, K. & Worsfold, P.R. (2014). The importance of perturbations in elite squash: an analysis of their ability to successfully predict rally outcome. International Journal of Performance Analysis of Sport.14(3), 652-679.

Waldron, M., Worsfold, P.R., Twist, C. & Lamb, K. (2014). Changes in anthropometry and performance, and their inter-relationships, across three seasons in elite youth rugby league players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. DOI

Waldron, M., Worsfold, P.R., Twist, C. & Lamb, K. (2014). A three-season comparison of match performances among selected and unselected elite youth rugby league players. Journal of Sport Sciences. 32(12), 1110-1119.

Gill. K.S., White. C.J. & Worsfold, P.R. (2014). Track cycling: An analysis of the pacing strategies employed during the devil elimination race. International Journal of Performance Analysis of Sport. 14(1), 330-344.

Worsfold, P.R. & Page, M. (2014). A biomechanical analysis of the rugby spin pass. International Journal of Performance Analysis of Sport. 14(1), 296-306.

Waldron, M., Worsfold, P.R., Twist, C. & Lamb, K. (2014). The reliability of tests for sport-specific skill amongst elite youth rugby league players. European Journal of Sport Science, 14. S471-77.

Waldron, M., Worsfold, P.R., Twist, C. & Lamb, K. (2014). The relationship between physical abilities, ball-carrying and tackling among elite youth rugby league players. Journal of Sports Sciences, 32(6), 542-549

2013

Cahill, N., Lamb, K., Worsfold, P.R., Headey, R. & Murray, S. (2013). The movement characteristics of English Premiership Rugby Union players. Journal of Sport Sciences. 31(3). 229-237.

Waldron, M., Gray, A., Worsfold, P.R. & Twist, C. (2013). The reliability of Functional Movement Screening (FMS) and in-season changes in physical function and performance among elite rugby league players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. DOI

2012

Worsfold, P.R. (2012). Coach behaviour analysis within elite youth football. International Journal of Performance Analysis of Sport. 12 (3). 651.

Waldron, M., Worsfold, P.R., Twist, C. & Lamb, K. (2012). The reliability of tests for sport-specific skill amongst elite youth rugby league players. European Journal of Sports SciencesDOI:10.1080/17461391.2012.714405, 29012

Smith, G., Lees, A., Lake, M. & Worsfold, P.R. (2012). Measurement procedures affect the interpretation of Metarsophalangeal joint function during accelerated sprinting. Journal of Sport Sciences, 30(14): 1521-7.

2011

Worsfold, P.R. (2011); Invited Review: The golf shoe, the past, present and future. Journal of Footwear Science, 3(3), 139-150.

Waldron, M., Worsfold, P.R., White, C. & Murray, S. (2011). Swarming behaviour in elite race bunch cycling: a case study. International Journal of Performance Analysis of Sport. 11(1), 14-25.

Waldron, M., Twist, C., Highton, J., Worsfold, P.R. & Daniels, M. (2011). Movement and physiological match demands of elite rugby league using portable global positioning systems. Journal of Sport Sciences. 29(11), 1223-1230.

Waldron, M., Worsfold, P.R., Twist, C. & Lamb, K.L. (2011). Predicting 30 m timing gate speed from a 5 Hz Global Positioning System (GPS) device. International Journal of Performance Analysis of Sport, 11, 575-582.

2010

Waldron, M. & Worsfold, P.R. (2010). Differences in the game-specific skills of elite and sub-elite youth football players: Implications for talent identification. International Journal of Performance Analysis of Sport, 10(1), 9-24.

2009

Worsfold, P.R., Smith, N. & Dyson, R. (2009). Kinetic assessment of golf shoe outer sole design features. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine 8, 607-615.

Worsfold, P.R. & Macbeth, K. (2009). The reliability of television broadcasting statistics in soccer. International Journal of Performance Analysis of Sport 9, 344-353.

2008

Worsfold, P.R., Smith, N. A. & Dyson, R. (2008) Low handicap golfers generate more torque at the shoe-natural grass interface when using a driver, Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 7, 408-414.

2007

Worsfold, P.R, Smith. N.A. & Dyson, R. (2007). A Comparison of Golf Shoe Designs Highlight Greater Ground Reaction Forces with Shorter Irons, Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 6, 484-489.

2006

Worsfold, P.R., Smith. N.A. & Dyson, R. (2006). Modern Golf Shoe Traction Properties on Grass, Journal of Turfgrass and Sports Surface Science, 82, 2-12.

Books

Twist, C. & Worsfold, P.R. (Expected Publish Date December 2014). The Science of Rugby. Routledge ISBN 978-0-415-65628-3.

Book Chapters

Worsfold, P.R. (2013). Coach behaviour analysis within elite youth football. Chapter 3. Performance analysis of sport IX. Routledge ISBN 978-0-415-64339-9. July 2013.

Twist, C., Waldron, M., Worsfold, P.R., & Gabbett, T.J. (2013). Monitoring team sport athletes using Global Positioning System technology. Chapter 6. Global Positioning Systems: Signal Structure, Applications and Sources of Error and Biases. Ed Ya-Hui Hsueh. Nova Science Publications, Inc. 2013.

Worsfold, P.R., Smith. N.A. & Dyson, R. (2008). Weight transfer time moderation by golf handicap. Chapter 9. In Crews, D and Lutz, R (Eds.) Science and Golf V. Proceedings of the World Scientific Congress of Golf Congress, Phoenix, Arizona, LPGA Foundation. ISBN 978-0-9788734-1-7.

Conferences / Published Abstracts

Worsfold, P.R., & Smith. N.A. (2002). A kinematic analysis of foot movement patterns during the golf swing. In: World Scientific Congress of Golf IV: The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, UK.

Worsfold, P.R., Smith. N.A., & Dyson, R. (2006). Force generation at the golf shoe-sole to grass turf interface occurring with alternative spike designs. International Society of Biomechanics in Sports.(Proceedings of the XXIV International Symposium on Biomechanics in Sports. Salzburg, Austria) p502 – 505.

Worsfold, P.R., Smith. N.A., & Dyson, R. (2006). Influences of golf club selection on ground reaction forces on natural grass surface. International Society of Biomechanics in Sports. (Proceedings of the XXIV International Symposium on Biomechanics in Sports. Salzburg, Austria) p839 – 843.

Worsfold, P.R., Smith. N.A., & Dyson, R. (2007). Dynamic versus mechanical testing of golf shoe-sole interface design on a natural grass surface. Sports Surfaces Research Forum. (Proceedings of the 1st Sports Surfaces Research Forum Conference. Loughborough, UK).

Worsfold, P.R., Smith, N. A., & Dyson, R. (2009). The assessment of golf-shoe interface traction on natural grass. European Conference on Sports Science, Oslo, Norway (2009).

Worsfold, P.R., Smith, N. A., & Dyson, R. (2009). In-shoe planter pressure measures during the golf swing performance wearing metal and alternative spiked golf shoes. International Society of Biomechanics in Sports. Proceedings of the 27th International Symposium on Biomechanics in Sports. Limerick, Ireland.

Smith, G., Lake, M., Sterzing, T & Worsfold, P.R. (2010). The influence of sprint spike stiffness on sprinting performance and Metatarsophalageal joint kinematics. 2nd International Foot and Ankle Biomechanics Conference. Seattle, USA.

Worsfold, P.R. (2010). An investigation into lower limb muscle activation during the golf swing. 2ndInternational Foot and Ankle Biomechanics Conference. Seattle, USA.

Waldron, M. Twist, C., Worsfold, P. & Lamb, K. (2011). Movement, physiological and technical demands of elite youth rugby league and the relationship to closed performance and anthropometry. Proceedings from British Association of Sports & Exercise Sciences annual conference 2011 (University of Essex).

Waldron, M., Worsfold, P., Twist, C. (2012) A longitudinal analysis of growth and performance in selected and non-selected youth rugby league players. European college of sports science. Bruges, Belgium 4th-7th July 2012.

Cahill, N., Worsfold, P.R., & Lamb, K. (2012). The use of Global Positioning Systems in elite rugby union. World Congress of Performance Analysis of Sport IX (25th – 28th July 2012), University of Worcester, UK.

Worsfold, P.R. (2012). Coach behavioural analysis within elite youth football. World Congress of Performance Analysis of Sport IX (25th – 28th July 2012), University of Worcester, UK.

Invited Presentations

Worsfold, P.R., Cahill, N. (2010). The validity and reliability of GPS in rugby union. The National Rugby Football Union Annual Conference (Rugby House, Twickenham, London).

Worsfold, P.R. (2010). The application of biomechanics and performance analysis within GB Olympic sports. (Norwegian School of Sports Sciences. Oslo, Norway).

Worsfold, P.R., Cahill, N. (2011). The assessment of player motion using GPS in rugby union. The National Rugby Football Union Annual Conference (Rugby House, Twickenham, London).

Worsfold, P.R. (2011). The demands of playing elite rugby union. The Rugby Football Union Medical Conference (Rugby House, Twickenham, London).

Worsfold, P.R., Cahill, N. (2011). The use of GPS in elite rugby. IRB medical conference (Lensbury, London).

BSc (Hons), PGCTLHE, PhD