SHOKK & LJMU collaborate on Knowledge Transfer Partnership

SHOKK and the Physical Activity, Exercise and Health research group at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) share a passion for promoting physically active, healthy lifestyles for young people. After 10 years of informal collaboration, SHOKK and LJMU formally partnered via a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) in September 2010. SHOKK is the first company in the fitness industry to collaborate with an academic institution on a KTP.

The 3-year KTP is funded by the Technology Strategy Board, the Department of Health (England) and SHOKK. The purpose of the KTP is to help SHOKK increase their growth and productivity through the use of the knowledge, technology and skills that reside within LJMU.

The funding enabled SHOKK to employ Dr. Lee Graves (Paediatric Exercise Scientist) as Head of Research and Development. Dr. Graves is project manager, with Professor Gareth Stratton (Paediatric Exercise Scientist) and Dr. Zoe Knowles (Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist) forming the academic support team.

Key objectives of the KTP are to use research evidence in the field of paediatric exercise science to support and develop SHOKK products and services, with a focus on increasing member retention in SHOKK Youth Gyms. Fundamental to this is the development of SHOKK Tactics, our web-based behaviour monitoring, health assessment and retention system.

Dr. Lee Graves: “The continuing relationship with SHOKK will enable LJMU to use our unique world-leading scientific research approaches to help business and further promote effective health and exercise programmes for young people. This is a really exciting project that places science at the centre of its success and will build on our reputation in the global health and fitness market.”

For more information please contact the SHOKK Doc: shokkdoc@shokk.co.uk