Welcome to the website of Dr Jon Roberts, a Reader in Sports Equipment and User Interactions at Loughborough University in the UK. Jon is Head of the Sports Technology Research Group and has over 20 years experience in the application of science, technology and engineering in sport. In that time he has collaborated with many of the global sports equipment brands and governing bodies as well as with SMEs and coaches.

To learn more about his research interests, projects that he has been involved in and the papers he has published, please click the button here >>>

Elite players’ perceptions of football playing surfaces

Football (or soccer) is a global game traditionally played on natural grass pitches. To thrive, grass needs a favourable environment in which to grow and, as a result, pitch quality can vary considerably. In 2004, third generation artificial turf was approved for use in competitive fixtures providing it meets a minimum set of requirements outlined…

Measurement of the shape and deformation of the foot when running

Knowledge of the three dimensional shape of the human foot is important in the design of shoes to facilitate correct fit. The measurement of human foot shape has to date, been almost exclusively performed when the foot is stationary. However, the foot is a complex structure, which changes shape during the movements and loadings associated…

Effect of golf club mass and MOI on performance and swing kinematics

Mass and moment of intertia (MOI) are quantities that express a body’s tendency to resist linear and angular acceleration repsectively. Total club mass and MOI about the butt end of the club, therefore, have the potential to affect the ability of a golfer to accelerate the club during the downswing, which in turn could influence…