Dr Darren Cooper

Dr Darren Cooper in sports attire smiling at camera

Principal Lecturer in Sports Therapy, Course Leader for MSci Sports Therapy., Lead for Continuing Professional Development in Learning and Teaching

School of Sport and Exercise Science

Academics

Contact Details

email: d.cooper@worc.ac.uk
tel: 01905 542623

Darren joined the University of Worcester in June 2013; his areas of expertise are Sports Therapy, Elite Sports Performance, Sports Biomechanics and Learning and Teaching.

Alongside academia, Darren trained as an elite rower on GB’s World Class Start Programme for a number of years competing at elite regattas around the country and trialling against international athletes. After rowing, he took up triathlons and has competed in all distances from sprint to Ironman, aiming to complete at least one Ironman distance race per year.

Darren’s interest in sport has led to numerous and extensive injuries that have meant that being a Sports Therapist has been very beneficial and saved him a fortune! He has worked with athletes professionally since 2003 ranging from dedicated amateurs to Olympians and World Record holders.

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Education (Durham) Thesis title: The Effectiveness of Instructional Video in the Acquisition of Cognitive, Affective and Psychomotor Skills in Practical Sports Therapy Rehabilitation (http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/11498/), Durham University (2016)
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, Teesside University (2008)
  • MSc Sports and Exercise, Teesside University (2005)
  • BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy, Teesside University (2004)
  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

Teaching & Research

Teaching

Darren enjoys teaching all areas of Sports Therapy and is currently teaching on a range of Sports Therapy modules from Academic Study Skills to Peripheral and Spinal Manual Therapy. He has taught on every module across the Sports Therapy degree and assists with the development of modules and assessments.

Research

Darren is currently undertaking a variety of research projects within Sports Therapy, Sports Biomechanics and Learning and Teaching. His main focus is currently exploring the application of forces within manual therapy techniques (from a clinical, and learning and teaching perspective) and methods of quantifying the efficacy of these forces.

Publications

Peer reviewed journal articles

Bryant, J, Cooper, D., Peters, D.M. and Cook, Matthew (2023) The Effects of Static Stretching Intensity on Range of Motion and Strength: A Systematic Review. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 8 (37). ISSN 2411-5142

Galis, J. and Cooper, D. (2022) Application of a Floss Band at Differing Pressure Levels: Effects at the Ankle Joint. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 36 (9). pp. 2454-2460. ISSN 1064-8011

Galis, J. and Cooper, D. (2020) Application of a Floss Band at Differing Pressure Levels: Effects at the Ankle Joint. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research. ISSN 1064-8011 (Published Online ahead of In Press)

Cooper, D., Bevins, J. and Corbett, M. (2018) The Development and Evaluation of a Novel Repurposing of a Peripheral Gaming Device for the Acquisition of Forces Applied to a Hydraulic Treatment Plinth. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 36. pp. 87-91. ISSN 2468-7812

Houten, D. and Cooper, D. (2017) How Does Cryotherapy Effect Ankle Proprioception in Healthy Individuals?Somatosensory and Motor Research, 34 (3). pp. 158-171. ISSN Print 0899-0220 Online 1369-1651

Cooper, D., Higgins, S. and Beckmann, N. (2017) Online Instructional Videos as a Complimentary Method of Teaching Practical Rehabilitation Skills for Groups and Individuals. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 45 (4). pp. 546-560. ISSN 0047-2395 Online: 1541-3810

Cooper, D. and Higgins, S. (2015) The Effectiveness of Online Instructional Videos in the Acquisition and Demonstration of Cognitive, Affective and Psychomotor Rehabilitation Skills. British Journal of Educational Technology, 46 (4). pp. 768-779. ISSN 1467-8535

Book section

Cooper, D. (2018) Medical Issues in Basketball. In: The Science of Basketball. Routledge, Abingdon, Oxon, pp. 143-155. ISBN Paperback: 978-1138701540; Hardback: 978-1138701533

Conference or workshop items

Cooper, D., Iles, D., Hickman, D and Holland, C (2019) Engaging Students to Transform a 3rd Year Practical Assessment. In: Learning and Teaching Conference 2019: Learning in Partnership, 12th - 13th June 2019, University of Worcester. (Unpublished)

Hope, H. and Cooper, D. (2018) Working With Vulnerable Students to Maximise Engagement and Achievement at Level 6. In: FACE 2018: Transformative Higher Education – Access, Inclusion and Lifelong Learning, 4th - 6th July 2018, University of Worcester. (Unpublished)

Hope, H. and Cooper, D. (2018) Working With Vulnerable Students to Maximise Engagement and Achievement at Level 6. In: The University of Worcester Annual Learning and Teaching Conference 2018, 13th - 14th June 2018, University of Worcester. (Unpublished)

Cooper, D. (2015) The Effectiveness of Instructional Video in the Acquisition of Cognitive, Affective and Psychomotor Skills in Practical Sports Therapy Rehabilitation. In: HEA Social Sciences Conference, 3-4 December 2015, The Studio, Manchester. (Unpublished)

Cooper, D. (2010) Student Evaluation of Instructor-Made Interactive Videos for Teaching and Reinforcing the Acquisition of Practical Skills. In: 3Rivers Consortium Conference, March 2010, Sunderland University. (Unpublished)

Cooper, D. (2010) Student Evaluation of Instructor-Made Interactive Videos for Teaching and Reinforcing the Acquisition of Practical Skills. In: University of Teesside 10th Annual Learning & Teaching Conference, 3rd February 2010, Teesside University. (Unpublished)

Wright, M., Cooper, D., Harrison, C., Cooley, D. and Fleming, L. (2009) From Injury to Record Breaking Performance: A Case Study on Interdisciplinary Sports Science Support to an Elite Ultra Distance Runner. In: First International Sports Science and Sports Medicine Conference, 20th – 22nd August 2009, Newcastle upon Tyne 

Professional Bodies

Member of the Society of Sports Therapists (MSST)

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

External Responsibilities

  • External Examiner for the University of Derby
  • External Examiner for Leeds Trinity University