Southampton Solent University students provided crucial recovery treatments to London Marathon runners.
On Sunday, April 27, students from the BSc (Hons) sports and exercise therapy course supported participants with post-race recovery.
The 29 students worked in partnership with Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity, Guy’s Cancer Charity, Evelina London Children’s Charity, and the MS Trust.
Under the supervision of course leader Lynsey Northeast and lecturer Natasha Furnell, they offered muscular treatments to help runners recover from the gruelling 26.2-mile race.
The students used their professional training to reduce soreness, promote healing and ensure runners left the finish line in better shape.
Ms Northeast said: "The London Marathon provides an exceptional opportunity for our students to apply their skills in a high-pressure, real-world environment.
"To have 29 willing volunteers there on the day was fantastic, and it was great to see the impact they were having.
"This is something that we’ve been lucky to offer all of our sports and exercise therapy students since 2019, giving them the chance to work with inspirational athletes supporting fantastic charities."
Adding to the day's success, Solent alumnus Mahamed Mahamed finished ninth in the elite men's race with an impressive time of 2:08:52.
The university's sports and exercise therapy course is accredited by The Society of Sports Therapists (SST).
Students benefit from industry placements, scholarships, job opportunities and resources, including insurance coverage for work-based learning.
Placement opportunities include working with some of the UK’s top sports teams, providing invaluable experience before graduation.
Students on sports-related courses have access to a state-of-the-art sports complex, which includes two sports halls, dedicated strength and conditioning and teaching gyms and a specialised sport and exercise therapy floor.
The therapy floor has three clinic spaces, providing an ideal environment for students to practise their skills in a real-world setting, treating athletes and clients under the supervision of experienced faculty members.
Southampton Solent University has around 10,000 staff and students and offers more than 200 qualifications in areas including business, sport, technology, and the creative industries.
The university is also home to the only training centre of its kind in the world, the Warash Maritime School.
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