At a Glance
What I'm Working On Now
Last updated:
- Recently published: CASES Expert Statement on Guidance for Reporting of Physiological Assessments: Sport Performance Testing (2026)
- Contributing to the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement for Sport and Exercise Sciences
- Supervising 5 PhD candidates across sleep, recovery, speed training, and blood flow restriction research
- Chairing the CASES Physiology and Nutrition Division — overseeing professional standards and accreditation
- Delivering applied sport science support to elite boxing athletes through Boxing Science
About
I am Associate Professor of Sport Physiology and Performance in the School of Sport and Physical Activity, Sheffield Hallam University and Co-Founder of Boxing Science, an organisation that provides scientific support to boxers and combat athletes worldwide.
I have co-authored 50+ peer-reviewed publications in sport science and strength and conditioning, with 1,624 citations and an h-index of 25. I have worked with Olympians, Paralympians and professional boxers, leading scientific support for 15 world-title contests — including Olympic Gold medallist and two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua OBE.
I am Chair of the CASES Physiology and Nutrition Division and received the CASES Applied Practitioner Award in 2021 for sustained, outstanding and innovative sport science service delivery. I am Ethics Lead for the School of Sport and Physical Activity, and was Course Leader for BSc Sport Technology and BSc Sport and Exercise Science from 2021 to 2025.
Through Boxing Science, I have delivered workshops to over 500 coaches across the UK, Europe, North America and Asia, with the platform reaching 30,000 unique users per month. My research has accumulated over 225,000 reads on ResearchGate. I have provided expert commentary for The Times, Wall Street Journal, BBC, Sky Sports, Live Science and Runners World. In 2024, I provided scientific support for Russ Cook's ("Hardest Geezer") run across the full length of Africa.
Work Experience
Director & Chair of Physiology and Nutrition Division
Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES)
- Providing strategic leadership for the Physiology and Nutrition Division
- Overseeing professional standards and accreditation processes
- Contributing to the governance and direction of the organisation
Associate Professor of Sport Physiology and Performance
Sheffield Hallam University
- Course Leader for BSc Sport Technology and BSc Sport and Exercise Science (), managing up to 350 students and 30 staff
- SHU Academic Board member (2021 - 2024)
- Currently supervising 5 PhD candidates
Co-Founder
Boxing Science
- Provides scientific support to boxers and combat athletes worldwide
- Led scientific support for boxers in 15 world-title contests
Ethics Lead, School of Sport and Physical Activity
School of Sport and Physical Activity, Sheffield Hallam University
- Leading research ethics governance for taught programmes
- Ensuring ethical compliance across student research projects
- Providing guidance on ethical considerations in sport and exercise science research
Laboratory Director
School of Sport and Physical Activity, Sheffield Hallam University
- Managed laboratory operations and equipment
- Oversaw research and teaching laboratory activities
- Ensured compliance with safety and ethical standards
Chief External Examiner
Birmingham Newman University
- Ensured academic standards and quality assurance
- Reviewed assessment processes and student outcomes
Senior Lecturer
Sheffield Hallam University
Associate Lecturer
Sheffield Hallam University
Lab Technician
Sheffield Hallam University
Invited Talks & Keynotes
"Boxing Science: Past, present and future"
BASES Sport Performance Division Combat Conference ()
"The Science and Practice of Speed Endurance Training"
English Institute of Sport ()
"High-Intensity Interval Exercise for Combat Sports"
UKSCA National Conference ()
"The Science and Practice of HIIT"
Stoke City FC ()
"High-Intensity Conditioning for Combat Sports"
BASES Annual Conference ()
"New Concepts in Conditioning for Combat Athletes"
Sports Medicine & Science Conference ()
"The Science Behind Boxing"
S&C Education Conference ()
PhD Supervision
Completed
Dr Lee Bell
Completed
Now Senior Lecturer in Strength and Conditioning, SHU
Dr Ollie Turner
Completed
Now Head of Sports Nutrition for Aquatic Sports, UK Sports Institute
Dr Steve Thompson
Completed
Now Senior Lecturer in Strength and Conditioning, SHU
Dr Matthew Debney
Completed
Now Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Physiology, SHU
Current
Jonathan Fraser
Towards a novel physical training language framework in Tennis
Kieran Burke
Sleep restriction in team sports athletes
Max Jones
Recovery methods in elite professional soccer
Owen McNally
Speed training in elite professional soccer
Jordan Boriel
Blood flow restriction interventions to enhance recovery
Grants & Funding
Recovery Methods in Elite Professional Football
Aston Villa FC
Nutritional Characteristics of Elite Squash Players
England Squash
Boxing Science Innovation Project
South Yorkshire Innovation Programme, Research England
SHU Speed Symposia
TASS
Control of Thermal Stress Experienced by Specialist Police Officers
Metropolitan Police of London
Velocity Based Training Research
UKSCA
Professional Skills Matrix Development
Sheffield Hallam University
Consultancy
Strength & Conditioning Consultancy
Boxing Science
Publications
Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications
CASES Expert Statement on Guidance for Reporting of Physiological Assessments: Sport Performance Testing
Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (2026)
Effects of a 5-Day Back Squat Overreaching Protocol on Strength Performance, Perceived Recovery and Wellness Responses: A Pilot Trial
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 10(2) (2025)
Strength Training Practices in Amateur and Professional Boxing
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 39(6), 672-679 (2025)
Physiological and Nutritional Considerations for Elite Squash: A Systematic Review
Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise (2024)
Reliability of three landmine-punch-throw variations and their load-velocity relationships performed with the dominant and nondominant hands
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance (2024)
Strength and conditioning practices of judo athletes and S&C coaches: a survey-based investigation
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 38(4), e160-e173 (2024)
Fluid balance, sodium losses and hydration practices of elite squash players during training
Nutrients, 15(7) (2023)
"Is it a slow day or a go day?": the perceptions and applications of velocity-based training within elite strength and conditioning
International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching (2022)
The role of strength on punch impact force in boxing
Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 36(10), 2957-2969 (2022)
"I want to create so much stimulus that adaptation goes through the roof": high-performance strength coaches' perceptions of planned overreaching
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 4 (2022)
High-intensity conditioning for combat athletes: practical recommendations
Applied Sciences, 11(22) (2021)
Areas of Expertise & Professional Skills
Areas of Expertise
Teaching & Supervision
Editorial & Professional
Peer Review
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Sport Physiology
Sheffield Hallam University
Research focused on sport physiology and performance
Master of Science (MSc)
Sport Science
Sheffield Hallam University
Advanced study in sport science principles and applications
Bachelor of Science (Hons.)
Sport Science
Sheffield Hallam University
Foundation in sport and exercise science
Media & Public Engagement
Over 100 media outputs providing expert commentary and public engagement across broadcast, print and digital platforms.
"Here's how we helped 'Hardest Geezer' run the full length of Africa"
Scientific support for Russ Cook's record-breaking run across Africa (2024)
Expert commentary on boxing science and combat sports
Featured in The Times, Wall Street Journal, BBC and Sky Sports
The Conversation articles
Multiple articles with 20,000+ combined reads
ResearchGate
225,000+ reads across published research
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Alan Ruddock research?
Alan's research spans sport physiology, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), thermoregulation, combat sports science, and velocity-based training. His work bridges academic research and applied elite sport performance, with particular expertise in boxing science and strength and conditioning.
What is Boxing Science?
Boxing Science is an applied sport science consultancy co-founded by Alan in 2013. It provides scientific support to elite combat sport athletes worldwide, including sport science support for 15 world-title boxing contests. The platform delivers workshops to coaches and reaches 30,000 unique users per month.
What are Alan's key credentials?
Alan holds a PhD in Sport Physiology from Sheffield Hallam University. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (FCASES), a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), a Chartered Scientist (CSci), and the 2021 recipient of the CASES Applied Practitioner Award.
What is Alan's publication and citation record?
Alan has co-authored 50+ peer-reviewed publications in journals including the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, and Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. His work has accumulated 1,624 citations with an h-index of 25 and i10-index of 31.
Which elite athletes has Alan worked with?
Alan has worked with Olympians, Paralympians, and professional boxers. Most notably, he led scientific support for boxers in 15 world-title contests, including Olympic Gold medallist and two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua OBE. In 2024, he provided scientific support for Russ Cook's record-breaking run across Africa.
Where does Alan work?
Alan is Associate Professor of Sport Physiology and Performance in the School of Sport and Physical Activity at Sheffield Hallam University, UK. He was Course Leader for BSc Sport Technology and BSc Sport and Exercise Science from 2021 to 2025.
Available For
Keynote Speaking
Conference keynotes and invited talks on sport physiology, HIIT, combat sports science, and bridging research with elite performance.
Consultancy
Applied sport science consultancy for elite athletes, professional sports teams, and national governing bodies.
External Examining
External examining for undergraduate and postgraduate sport science programmes across UK higher education institutions.
PhD Supervision
Doctoral supervision in sport physiology, exercise performance, combat sports, and applied strength and conditioning research.
Advisory Boards
Academic and industry advisory roles in sport science, athlete performance, and sport technology.
Media & Expert Commentary
Expert commentary for broadcast, print, and digital media on sport science, boxing, combat sports, and exercise physiology.
Get In Touch
I welcome enquiries about research collaboration, applied sport science consultancy, PhD supervision, speaking engagements, and media commentary.
Google Scholar
View PublicationsLocation
School of Sport and Physical Activity
Sheffield Hallam University, UK