The University of Northampton

Mr Tony Kay

Post Held

Senior Lecturer in Sport & Exercise Biomechanics

Contact Details

Office: Sports Hall 2
Telephone: 01604 892577
Email: tony.kay@northampton.ac.uk

Academic Qualifications:

In progress - PhD, Edith Cowan University
2003 - MSc Sport Science, Brunel University
2000 - PGCE, Greenwich University
1998 - BA (Combined Hons) Sport Science (2.1), Canterbury Christ Church College

Teaching Responsibilities:

Course leader BSc Health & Exercise Degree (Hons)
Module Leader SPO1003, SPO1008, SPO2005, SPO3008 and SPO3018

Membership of Professional Bodies:

British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences
United Kingdom Strength & Conditioning Association

Research Activity:

The neurophysiology & mechanics of muscular force production
The mechanisms underpinning stretch-induced force losses
The influence of maximal contractions on tendon mechanics & force production

Professional Affiliations:

British Association of Sport & Exercise Sciences
United Kingdom Strength & Conditioning Association

Other Interests:

Karate & Kickboxing training methods
Fitness testing & training methods in the health & fitness industry

Teaching and Other Academic Experience:

2003-Present - Senior Lecturer in Sport & Exercise Biomechanics, The University of Northampton
2000-2003 - Lecturer in Sport Science, PE & Health, John Ruskin College of Further Education
1998-2000 - Lecturer in Sport Science, South East Essex College of Further Education

Other Professional Qualifications:

2000 D34 Internal Verifiers Award, Greenwich University
1998 British Amateur Weight Lifting Association (B.A.W.L.A.) Leaders Award
1998 National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (N.P.L.Q.), Royal Life Saving Society
1998 Volleyball Assistant Coach (Level 1), European Volleyball Association
1998 Basketball Assistant Coach (Level 1), British Basketball Association
1994 Karate Instructor, Shorai Karate Association

Consultancy:

Previous consultancy work with numerous teams and individuals including Shorai Karate Association, Southend United Football Club, Sevenoaks Rugby Club & Sevenoaks & Canterbury Councils Health Clubs

Publications:

Kay A.D. & Blazevich A.J. Concentric muscle contractions prior to static stretching minimize but do not remove stretch-induced force deficits. Journal of Applied Physiology, In Press.
Kay A.D. & Blazevich A.J. Isometric contractions reduce plantarflexor moment, Achilles tendon stiffness and neuromuscular activity but remove the subsequent effects of stretch. Journal of Applied Physiology, 107 (4), 1181-1189, 2009.
Kay A.D. & Blazevich A.J. Moderate-duration static stretch reduces active and passive plantarflexor moment but not Achilles tendon stiffness or active muscle length. Journal of Applied Physiology, 106 (4), 1249-1256, 2009.
Kay A.D. & Blazevich A.J. Reductions in active plantarflexor moment are significantly correlated with static stretch duration. European Journal of Sport Science, 8 (1), 41-46, 2008.

Presentations:

Blazevich A.J., Miller S., Waugh C., Fath F., Kay A.D., Thorlund J.B. & Aagaard P. Influence of Plantarflexor Stretch Training on Fascicle Length and Strain, H-Reflex Amplitude and Muscle Force Production. (Oral) 14th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Oslo/Norway, June 24-27, 2009.
Baross A.W., Wiles J.D., Kay A.D. & Swaine I. The relationship between EMG and either heart rate or blood pressure during a single-leg incremental isometric exercise test. (Poster) British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Annual Conference, Leeds, United Kingdom, September 1-3, 2009.
Kay A.D. & Blazevich A.J. Isometric contractions reduce plantarflexor moment, Achilles tendon stiffness and neuromuscular activity but remove the subsequent effects of stretch. (Poster) 5th annual conference of the United Kingdom Strength & Conditioning Association, Wyboston, United Kingdom, June 5-7, 2009.
Kay A.D. Performance and Injury Implications of Passive Stretch and Maximal Contractions: Their Effects on Achilles Tendon Stiffness, Neuromuscular Activity and Force Production. (Invited oral) Northampton Sports Science & Medicine Group, Northampton, United Kingdom, May 13, 2009.
Kay A.D. & Wiles J.D. The Mechanical & Neurophysiological Responses of the Human Hamstring Muscle to Repeated Passive Static Stretch. (Winner of Best Oral Presentation - Biomechanics Section) British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Annual Student Conference, Portsmouth, United Kingdom, April 16-17, 1998.