Doctor Ben Strafford BSc (Hons) MSc, PhD, FHEA
Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science
Summary
Ben is a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science in the School of Sport and Physical Activity.
About
I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and teach across the taught undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the School of Sport and Physical Activity. I also supervise PhD students in areas related to my area of expertise.
My primary research interests investigate topics in human movement science guided by the framework of ecological dynamics. My current research portfolio includes published papers in areas relating to human movement science, coach development, constraints-based coaching, physical literacy, pedagogical science, expertise and performance analysis.
Teaching
School of Sport and Physical Activity
College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences
Sport and Exercise Science
BSc (Honours) Sport and Exercise Science
BSc (Honours) Physical Activity, Sport and Health
BSc (Honours) Sport Coaching
MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science
MSc Sports Engineering with Artificial Intelligence
I currently teach on the following modules:
Undergraduate
Level 4: Scientific Principles of Sport (Biomechanics Lead)
Level 5: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Sport and Exercise
Level 5: Coaching and the Scientific Process
Level 6: Performance Analysis of Sport
Level 6: Independent Project in Sport and Physical Activity (Module Leader)
Taught Postgraduate
Level 7: Applied Project in Sport and Physical Activity
Level 7: Research Methods in Sport and Physical Activity
Level 7: Human Factors in Sports Engineering
Research
- Health Research Institute
Publications
Journal articles
Strafford, B., Bell, L., & Stone, J. (2025). Snooker Science: A Cross-Discipline Scoping Review. Communications in Kinesiology, 1 (7). http://doi.org/10.51224/cik.2025.7647
Ngeh, E.N., Young, R., Kuaban, C., McLean, S., Strafford, B., & Lidster, J. (2025). Cameroonian Physiotherapists’ Practice, Confidence, and Perception of Health Promotion for People at Risk or with Cardiovascular Diseases: A Qualitative Study. Healthcare, 13 (10). http://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13101172
Farrokh, D., Davids, K., Araújo, D., Strafford, B.W., Rumbold, J.L., & Stone, J.A. (2025). Towards an ecological dynamics theory of flow in sport. Acta Psychologica, 253. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.104765
Nieto, I., Mayo, X., Davies, L., Reece, L., Strafford, B., & Jimenez, A. (2024). Striving for Global Consensus: A Systematic Review of Social Return on Investment Applied to Physical Activity and Sport. Journal of physical activity & health, 21 (12), 1246-1262. http://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2024-0174
Ngeh, E., Mclean, S., Kuaban, C., Young, R., Strafford, B., & Lidster, J. (2024). People at Risk of, or with Cardiovascular Diseases’ Perspectives and Perceptions of Physiotherapist-Led Health Promotion in Cameroon: A Mixed-Methods Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21 (10). http://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21101386
Rothwell, M., Bjerke, Ø., Strafford, B., Robinson, T., Haslingden, C., Navarro, M., & Davids, K. (2024). Re-imagining performance spaces and locations in ecological dynamics: Implications for pedagogical practices in physical education. European Physical Education Review, 31 (2), 279-294. http://doi.org/10.1177/1356336x241260245
Aulton, C., Strafford, B., Davids, K., & Chiu, C.-.Y. (2024). Optimising the Use of Machine Learning and Computer Vision in Sport: An Ecological Dynamics Perspective. Journal of Expertise, 7 (2), 20-31. https://www.journalofexpertise.org/articles/volume7_issue2/JoE_7_2_Aulton_etal.html
Nieto, I., Mayo, X., Davies, L., Reece, L., Strafford, B.W., & Jimenez Gutierrez, A. (2024). Consensus on a social return on investment model of physical activity and sport: a Delphi study protocol. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 6. http://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2024.1334805
Farrokh, D., Stone, J., Davids, K., Strafford, B., & Rumbold, J. (2024). Why isn’t flow flowing? Metatheoretical issues in explanations of flow. Theory and Psychology, 34 (2), 257-276. http://doi.org/10.1177/095935432412374
Rothwell, M., Strafford, B., Cragg, S., Ribeiro, J., & Davids, K. (2023). Reconceptualising knowledge in the athlete-coach learning system: A mixed method case study of harnessing bi-directional self-organising tendencies with a national wheelchair rugby league team. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 5. http://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2023.1196985
Bell, L., Strafford, B., Coleman, M., Korakakis, P.A., & Nolan, D. (2023). Integrating deloading into strength and physique sports training programmes: an international Delphi consensus approach. Sports Medicine - Open, 9. http://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-023-00633-0
Strafford, B., Davids, K., North, J., & Stone, J.A. (2022). Feasibility of parkour-style training in team sport practice: a Delphi study. Journal of sports sciences. http://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2022.2154459
Williams, M., Strafford, B., Stone, J., & Moran, J. (2021). Parkour-Based Activities in the Athletic Development of Youth Basketball Players. Frontiers in Physiology, 12. http://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2021.771368
Strafford, B., Davids, K., North, J., & Stone, J. (2021). Exploring coach perceptions of Parkour-style training for athlete learning and development in team sports. Journal of Motor Learning and Development. http://doi.org/10.1123/jmld.2021-0005
Strafford, B., Davids, K., North, J., & Stone, J. (2021). Effects of Functional Movement Skills on Parkour Speed-Run Performance. European Journal of Sport Science. http://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2021.1891295
Rudd, J.R., Pesce, C., Strafford, B.W., & Davids, K. (2020). Physical Literacy - A Journey of Individual Enrichment: An Ecological Dynamics Rationale for Enhancing Performance and Physical Activity in All. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1904. http://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01904
Strafford, B., Davids, K., North, J., & Stone, J. (2020). Designing parkour-style training environments for athlete development: insights from experienced Parkour Traceurs. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health. http://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2020.1720275
Strafford, B., Smith, A., North, J.S., & Stone, J. (2019). Comparative analysis of the top six and bottom six teams’ corner kick strategies in the 2015/2016 English Premier League. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport. http://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2019.1677379
Seifert, L., Papet, V., Strafford, B.W., Coughlan, E.K., & Davids, K. (2019). Skill transfer, expertise and talent development: An ecological dynamics perspective. Movement & sport sciences - Science & motricité. http://doi.org/10.1051/sm/2019010
Stone, J., Nimmins, J., & Strafford, B. (2019). Effect of puck mass as a task constraint on skilled and less-skilled ice hockey players performance. Journal of motor learning and development, 7 (1), 1-12. http://doi.org/10.1123/jmld.2017-0058
Stone, J., Strafford, B., North, J.S., Toner, C., & Davids, K. (2019). Effectiveness and efficiency of virtual reality designs to enhance athlete development: An ecological dynamics perspective. Movement and sport sciences - Science and motricité. http://doi.org/10.1051/sm/2018031
Strafford, B., Van Der Steen, P., Davids, K., & Stone, J. (2018). Parkour as a donor sport for athletic development in youth team sports: insights through an ecological dynamics lens. Sports medicine - open, 4, 21. http://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-018-0132-5
Conference papers
Strafford, B., Stone, J., Davids, K., & North, J. (2024). Effect of action-scaled and body-scale affordances on perceived wall height and anticipated climbing ability in Parkour. In ECSS Glasgow 2024. https://www.ecss.mobi/DATA/CONGRESSES/GLASGOW_2024/DOCUMENTS/2024_BOA_Web.pdf
Strafford, B., Davids, K., North, J., & Stone, J. (2024). Feasibility of Parkour-style training in team sport practice: A Delphi study. In Runswick, O. (Ed.) Expertise and Skill Acquisition Network (ESAN 2023), Manchester, UK, 17 May 2023 - 18 May 2023. https://www.esan-network.co.uk/uploads/1/2/2/3/122302783/esan_2023_book_of_abstracts.pdf
Aulton, C., Strafford, B., Davids, K., & Chuang-Yuan, C.H.I.U. (2023). OPTIMISING THE USE OF MACHINE LEARNING AND COMPUTER VISION IN SPORT: AN ECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS PERSPECTIVE. In ECSS Paris 2023, Paris, 4 July 2023 - 7 July 2023 (pp. 186). https://www.ecss.mobi/DATA/CONGRESSES/PARIS_2023/DOCUMENTS/BOA_Paris_2023_Web.pdf
Ding, J., Huang, Z., O'Donoghue, P., Strafford, B., & Stone, J. (2023). THE INFLUENCE OF SCORELINE ON PASSING PERFORMANCE IN ELITE SOCCER. In ECSS Paris 2023, Paris, 4 July 2023 - 7 July 2023 (pp. 158). https://www.ecss.mobi/DATA/CONGRESSES/PARIS_2023/DOCUMENTS/BOA_Paris_2023_Web.pdf
Stone, J., Strafford, B., Carey, L., Middleton, N., & Stubbs, W. (2023). Examining golf putting performance in representative environments using the Zen Greenstage. In Runswick, O. (Ed.) 10th meeting of Expertise and Skill Acquisition Network, Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, 17 May 2023 - 18 May 2023 (pp. 18). https://www.esan-network.co.uk/uploads/1/2/2/3/122302783/esan_2023_book_of_abstracts.pdf
Strafford, B., Davids, K., North, J., & Stone, J. (2021). Exploring coach perceptions of Parkour-style training for athlete development in team sports. In Expertise and Skill Acquisition Network.
Stone, J., Strafford, B., North, J., & Davids, K. (2019). Designing parkour-style training environments for athlete development: Insights from experienced Parkour Traceurs [abstract only]. In 3rd Scientific Conference on Motor Skill Acquisition, Kisakallio, Finland, 13 November 2019 - 15 November 2019.
Book chapters
Strafford, B., Davids, K., North, J., & Stone, J. (2025). Understanding parkour as a donor sport for athlete learning and development. In Leeder, T., & Beaumont, L. (Eds.) Understanding parkour as a donor sport for athlete learning and development. Routledge
Theses / Dissertations
Scott, G.H. (2025). Developing upper limb functional electrical stimulation clinical practice guidelines for stroke rehabilitation. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Peat, G., Smith, C., & Strafford, B. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00703
Strafford, B. (2022). Parkour as a donor sport for athlete development in team sports. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Stone, J., Davids, K., & North, J.
Internet Publications
Strafford, B. (2021). Using Donor Sports to Support Athletic Development. [Resource]. https://www.ukcoaching.org/resources/topics/guides/subscription/using-donor-sports-to-support-athletic-development
Media
Strafford, B. (2023). Using Donor Sports for Athletic Development in the Police Force. [Podcast]. Excellence in Training Academy
Strafford, B. (2021). GPP Episode 57 Ben Strafford, Parkour as a Donor Sport for Athletic Development. [Podcast]. GPP
Strafford, B. (2021). The Sports Coaching Podcast - Season 4 Episode 5 - What is a donor sport? & how can it be beneficial in youth development? S4EP4 - with Ben Strafford. [Podcast]. The Sports Coaching Podcast
Strafford, B. (2020). The Talent Equation 'Book Club' - a 'micro symposium' with Ben Strafford. [Podcast]. The Talent Equation
Presentations
Strafford, B. (2023). Understanding donor sports for athlete learning and development. Presented at: Sport Movement Skill Conference 2023, Minnesota, USA, 2023
Strafford, B. (2020). Ecological task analysis of enriched virtual reality environments in sport-specific domains. Presented at: Latrobe University Technology and Coaching Innovation Webinar
Strafford, B. (2019). Designing Parkour-style training environments. Presented at: 3rd Northern Research and Applied Practice Showcase in Sport and Exercise Psychology, Sheffield Hallam University
Strafford, B. (2018). How Parkour-style training can enhance athleticism in golfers. Presented at: Professional Golfers' Association Workshop, Sheffield Hallam University
Strafford, B. (2018). The role of donor sports in enriching athleticism in sport performers. Presented at: SPARC Symposium: How can contemporary research on skill acquisition and talent development enrich Athlete Development, Practice Designs and Performance Preparation in Sport, Sheffield Hallam University
Strafford, B. (2018). How Parkour-style training can enhance athleticism in sport performers. Presented at: Sheffield Industry Partnership Workshop, Rotherham United Football Club
Postgraduate supervision
Current PhD Students:
David Farrokh: Exploring flow in youth sport through the lens of ecological dynamics.
Seb (Junyuan) Ding: Examining Passing Networks in Soccer from an Ecological Dynamics Perspective.
Sam Hydes: Exploring the implementation of a Department of Methodology.
Cavan Aulton: Optimising the Use of Machine Learning and Computer Vision in Sport.
James Banks: Operationalising a Novel Model of Physical Education to Enable Healthier Lives.
Jonathan Fraser: Towards a novel physical training language framework in Tennis.
Completed supervised PhD students:
Geraldine Scott: Developing upper limb functional electrical stimulation clinical practice guidelines for stroke rehabilitation.