The Science Behind the Medals

Drawing on the expertise of Sheffield Hallam University’s renowned Centre for Sports Engineering Research, Sports Lab will explore the genetic advantages of top sportsmen and women and the remarkable technology used to enhance their performances. The exhibition will feature a series of specially created, fun interactives designed to test visitors’ physical abilities, as well as examples of the latest sporting technologies and the inspiration behind them. The displays will also showcase a wealth of objects tracing the development of sport through the ages, alongside local memorabilia telling Sheffield’s own sporting story.

But where does the history of photography fit in? Well, as apart of the exhibit, historical memorabilia includes the early motion capture photographs of Eadweard Muybridge!

Sports Lab will show how the forces exerted by the human body have been studied to improve performance, from Muybridge’s iconic photographs to the latest in motion capture technology. Visitors will have the opportunity to measure their own movements on our interactive dance floor, as well as show off their lightning reflexes in the Beat the Clock reaction test.