Professor Remco Polman

Background

My initial training was in the Department of Psychology of the Faculty of Human Movement Sciences at the 'Vrije Universiteit', Amsterdam, The Netherlands. There I obtained in August 1992 my 'Doctorandus' qualification (MPhil) specialising in: Psychology of Human Movement with subsidiary subject Exercise Physiology. I obtained an individual fellowship from the EC that enabled me to work on my PhD degree under supervision of Professor John Whiting in the Psychology Department at the University of York, England. Subsequently, I obtained a University fellowship to continue my studies.
My Ph.D. has mainly been concerned with the control and learning of grasping/catching actions. After completion of my PhD, I have worked as a (senior) lecturer at the University of North London, the University of South Australia and Leeds Metropolitan University. Most recently I was a Reader in the Department of Sport, Health & Exercise Science at the University of Hull.
I am a Chartered sport and exercise psychologist by the British Psychological Society. In addition I am the chair elect for the Division of Sport and Exercise Psychology (DSEP) of the BPS and sit in a number of BPS committees (Standing Conference Committee, Professional Practice Board and Ethics Committee). I am also accredited for psychological research by BASES and for practice, research and teaching by the Dutch Association of Sport Psychology (VSPN).
I have presented at numerous conferences and have recently organised workshops on golf and rugby and I am currently part of the organising committee for the inaugural conference of DSEP. In addition I also have extensive experience in providing sport psychological support to athletes.

Research Interests

My research interests are in the following areas:

• Stress, coping and emotions in sport
• The psychology of sport injury rehabilitation
• Physical conditioning and match analysis in football
• Mental toughness in sport
• Exercise participation and obesity interventions
• Type D personality

Representative publications

Full Publications in refereed journals since 2004

Borkoles, E., Polman, R., & Levy, A. (2009/2010). Type-D personality and body image in men: The role of exercise status. Body Image: An International Journal of Research (accepted for publication 14th October 2009).

Polman, R.C.J., Borkoles, E., & Nicholls, A. (2009/2010). Type-D personality, stress and symptoms of burnout: The influence of avoidance coping. British Journal of Health Psychology (accepted for publication 12th October 2009).

Siegler, J.C., Polman, R.C.J., & Lever, R. (2009/2010). Effects of various sodium bicarbonate loading protocols on the time dependent extracellular buffering profile and perceived readiness for intense exercise. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (accepted for publication, proofs received).

Nicholls, A.R., Levy, A.R., Jones, L., Polman, R.C.J., & Rengamani, M. (2009/2010). An exploration of the two-factor schematization of relation meaning and emotions among professional rugby union players. International Journal of Sport Psychology (accepted for publication 16th September 2009).

Nicholls, A.R., Polman, R.C.J., & Levy, A.R. (2009/2010). Coping self-efficacy, pre-competitive anxiety, and subjective performance among athletes. European Journal of Sport and Exercise Science (accepted for publication August 2009).

Carson, F., & Polman, R.C.J. (2009). The facilitative nature of avoidance coping within sport injury rehabilitation. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sport (accepted for publication; proofs received).

Polman, R.C.J., Bloomfield, J. & Edwards, A. (2009). Specific speed, agility and quickness (SAQ) training differentially enhances neuromuscular functioning in comparison to the repeated performance of small-sided team games. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance (Accepted for publication 25th April 2009; published in December 2009 issue).

Forbes, H., Bullers, A., Lovell, A., McNaughton, L., Polman, R., & Siegler, J.C. (2009). Relative torque profiles of elite male youth footballer: Effects of age and pubertal development. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 30, 592-597.

Kaiseler, M., Polman, R.C.J., & Nicholls, A.R. Mental toughness, stress, stress appraisal, coping and coping effectiveness in sport. Personality and Individual Differences, 47, 728-733.
Nicholls, A.R., Levy, A.R., Grice, A., & Polman, R.C.J. (2009). Stress appraisals, coping, and coping effectiveness among international cross country runners during training and competition. European Journal of Sport Science, 9(5), 285-293.

Nicholls, A.R., Polman, R.C.J., Morley, D., & Taylor. (2009). Coping and coping effectiveness in relation to a competitive sport event: Pubertal status, chronological age, and gender among adolescent athletes. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 31, 229-317.

Vanicek, N., Strike, S., McNaughton, L., & Polman, R. (2009). Postural responses to dynamic perturbations in amputee fallers vs. non-fallers: A comparative study with able-bodied subjects. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 90, 1018-1025.

Jones, R.J.A., Polman, R.C.J. & Peters, D.M. (2009). Physical self-perceptions of adolescents in years 8, 9 and 10 in independent schools, state comprehensive schools and specialist sport colleges in England. Physical Education & Sport Pedagogy, 14(2), 109-124.

Vanicek, N., Strike, S., McNaughton, L., & Polman, R. (2009). Gait patterns in transtibial amputee fallers vs. non-fallers: Biomechanical differences during level walking. Gait & Posture, 29(3), 415-420.

Nicholls, A.R., Polman, R.C.J., Levy, A., & Backhouse, S. (2009). Mental toughness in sport: Achievement level, sport type, gender, age, and experience differences. Personality and Individual Differences, 47, 73-75.

Levy, A.R., Nicholls, A.R., Marchant, D.C., & Polman, R.C.J. (2009). Organisational stressors, coping and coping effectiveness: A longitudinal study with an elite coach. International Journal of Sport Science & Coaching, 4(1), 31-45.

Barnett, C., Vanicek, N., Polman, R., Hancock, A., Brown, B., Smith, L., & Chetter, I. (2009). Kinematic gait adaptation in unilateral transtibial amputees during rehabilitation. Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 33(2), 135-147.

Levy, A., Polman, R., Nicholls, A., & Marchant, D.C. (2009). Sport injury rehabilitation adherence: Perspective of recreational athletes. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 7(2), 212-229.

Marchant, D.C., Polman, R.C.J., Clough, P.J., Jackson, J.G., Levy, A.R., & Nicholls, A.R. (2009). Mental toughness: Managerial and age differences. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 24(5), 428-437.

Nicholls, A.R., Jones, C.R., Polman, R.C.J., & Borkoles, E. (2009). Acute sport-related stressors, coping, and emotions among professional rugby union players during training and matches. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sport, 19, 113-120.

Nicholls, A.R., Backhouse, S.H., Polman, R.C.J. & McKenna, J. (2009). Stressors and affective states among professional rugby union players. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sport, 19, 121-128.

Levy, A.R., Polman, R.C.J., & Marchant, D. (2008). Examining the revised theory of planned behavior for predicting exercise adherence: A preliminary prospective study. Athletic Insight, 10(3). http://www.athleticinsight.com/Vol10Iss3/ExercisePlanned.htm
Polman, R. (2008). Editorial. Sport & Exercise Psychology Review, 4(2), 3-4.

Nicholls, A.R., Polman, R.C.J., Levy, A., & Backhouse, S. (2008). Mental toughness, optimism/ pessimism and coping behavior among athletes. Personality and Individual Differences, 44, 1182-1192.

Levy, A.R., Polman, R.C.J., & Borkoles, E. (2008). Examining the relationship between perceived autonomy support and age in the context of rehabilitation adherence in sport. Rehabilitation Psychology, 53(2), 224-230.

Nicholls, A.R., & Polman, R.C.J. (2008).Think aloud: Acute stress and coping strategies during golf performances. Anxiety Stress and Coping, 21(3), 283-294.

Carson, F., & Polman, R.C.J. (2008). Anterior crucial ligament injury rehabilitation: A psychological case study of a professional rugby player. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology, 2, 71-90.

Borkoles, E., Nicholls, Bell, K., Butterly, R., & Polman, R. (2008). An interpretive phenomenological analysis of exercise experiences among people diagnosed with moderate disability Multiple Sclerosis. Psychology and Health, 23(4), 427-441.

Levy, A., Polman, R.C.J., & Clough, P. (2008). Adherence to sport injury rehabilitation programs: An integrated psycho-social approach. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sport, 18, 798-809.

Bloomfield, J. Polman, R.C.J., O’Donoghue, P., & McNaughton, L. (2007). Effective speed and agility conditioning methodology for random intermitted dynamic type sports. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 21(4) 1093-1100.

Nicholls, A., Polman, R., Levy, A., Taylor, J.A., & Cobley, S. (2007). Stressors, coping, and coping effectiveness: Gender, sport type, and level of ability differences. Journal of Sports Sciences, 25(13), 1521-1530.

Midgley, A., McNaughton, L.R., Polman, R., & Marchant, D. (2007). Criteria for determination of the maximal oxygen uptake: A brief critique and recommendations for future research. Sports Medicine, 37(12), 1019-1028.

Avramidou, E., Avramidis, S., & Polman, R. (2007). Competitive anxiety in life savers and swimmers. International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education, 2, 121-130.

Polman, R.C.J., Nicholls, A., Cohen, J., & Borkoles, E. (2007). The influence of game location and outcome on behaviour and mood states among professional Rugby League players. Journal of Sports Sciences, 25(13), 1491-1500.

Nicholls, A.R., & Polman, R.C.J. (2007). Performance related stressors, coping, and coping effectiveness among international adolescent Rugby Union Football players: A 31-day diary study. Journal of Sport Behavior, 30(2), 199-218.

Bloomfield, J., Polman, R.C.J. & O’Donoghue P.G. (March 2007). Physical demands of outfield positions in FA Premier League Soccer. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 6, 63-70.

Polman, R.C.J., Kaiseler, M., & Borkoles, E. (2007). Effect of a single bout of exercise on the mood of pregnant women. Journal of Sport Medicine and Physical Fitness, 47(1), 103-111.

Polman, R.C.J., Rowcliffe, N., Borkoles, E. & Levy, A. (2007). Pre-competitive state anxiety, objective and subjective performance and causal attributions in competitive swimmers. Pediatric Exercise Science, 19, 39-50.

Carroll, S., Borkoles, E., & Polman, R (2007). Short-term effects of a non-dieting lifestyle intervention programme on weight, cardio-metabolic risk and psychological well-being in obese pre-menopausal females with the metabolic syndrome. Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism, 32(1), 125-142.

Nicholls, A.R., & Polman, R.C.J. (2007). Coping in sport: A systematic review. Journal of Sports Sciences, 25(1), 11-31.

Levy, A., Polman, R.C.J., Clough, P., Earle, K., & Marchant, D. (2006). Mental toughness as a determinant of beliefs, pain and adherence in sport injury rehabilitation. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 15(3), 246-254.

Levy, A., Polman, R.C.J., Clough, P., & McNaughton, L. (2006). Adherence to sport injury rehabilitation programmes: A conceptual review. Research in Sports Medicine: An International Journal, 14(2), 149-162.

Bloomfield, J., Polman, R.C.J., & O’Donoghue, P.G. (2006). Reliability of the Bloomfield Movement Classification. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 7(1), 20-27.

Nicholls, A. R., Holt,. N.L., Polman, R. C. J., & Bloomfield, J. (2006). Longitudinal analyses of stress and coping among professional rugby players. The Sport Psychologist, 20(3), 314-329.

Scott, J.P.R., McNaughton, L.R., & Polman, R.C.J. (2006). Effects of sleep deprivation and exercise on cognitive and motor performance and mood. Physiology and Behavior, 87, 396-408.

Nicholls, A. R., Holt, N. L., Polman, R. C. J., & James, D. W. G. (2005). Stress, coping, and coping effectiveness among international adolescent golfers. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 17, 326-332.

Nicholls, A. R., Holt, N. L., & Polman, R. C. J. (2005). A phenomenological analysis of coping effectiveness in golf. The Sport Psychologist, 19, 111-130.

Nicholls, A. R., Polman, R. C. J., and Holt (2005). The effects of an individualized imagery interventions on flow states and golf performance. Athletic Insight, March, Vol 7, Issue 1.

Bloomfield, J.R., Polman, R.C.J., Butterly, R. & O’Donoghue, P.G. (2005). An analysis of quality and body composition of four European soccer leagues. Journal of Sport Medicine and Physical Fitness, 45(1), 58-67.

Bloomfield, J., & Polman, R.C.J. (2004). The ‘Bloomfield Movement Classification’: Motion analysis of individual players in dynamic movement sports. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 4(2), 20-31.

Polman, R.C.J., & Houlahan, K. (2004). A cumulative stress and training continuum model: A multidisciplinary approach to unexplained underperformance syndrome. Research in Sports Medicine: An International Journal, 12, 301-316.

Polman, R.C.J., Pieter, W., Bercades, L.& Ntoumanis, N. (2004). Relationship between psychological and biological factors for physical activity and exercise behaviour in Filipino students. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 2, 81-97.

Polman, R.C.J., Walsh, D., Bloomfield, J., & Nesti, M. (2004). Effective conditioning of female soccer players. Journal of Sports Sciences, 22, 191-203.

Publication in professional journals since 2004

Polman, R.C.J., & Borkoles, E. (2008). The usefulness of sport psychology in coping with stress. In Touch, autumn, issue 124, 15-21.

Carroll, S., Borkoles, E., & Polman, R. (2008). Jolly, fat and fit: Are Santa Claus and his goodwife role models for the non-dieting HAHA (Happy, Active – Healthy, Active lifestyle) paradigm? The Sport and Exercise Scientist BASES, issue 18, December, pp. 28-29.

Vanicek, N., Strike, S., McNaughton, L., & Polman, R. (2008). The use of outcome measures in outpatient amputee rehabilitation in England. British Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Amputee Rehabilitation Journal, 29, 13-19.

Hancock, A., Brown, B., Polman, R., & Vanicek, N. (2007). Monitoring the incidence of falls and fear of falling in lower limb amputees in the United Kingdom. British Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Amputee Rehabilitation Journal, 27, 23-27.

Hancock, A., Vanicek, N., Brown, B., Chetter, I., & Polman, R. (2006). Kinematic adaptation of gait patterns in transtibial amputees: From early walking aid to prosthesis. British Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Amputee Rehabilitation Journal, 25, 23-24.

Book chapters, Electronic Publications since 2004

Carson, F., & Polman, R.C.J. (2010). Facilitating the psychological rehabilitation from ACL injury. In Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL): Causes of Injury, Adverse Effects and Treatment Options. Nova Science Publishers.

Kaiseler, M.H., & Polman, R.C.J. (2010). Chapter 5: Gender and coping in sport: Do male and female athletes cope differently? In A.R. Nicholls (Ed.) Coping in sport: Theory, Methods, and Related Constructs. Nova Science Publishers, ISBN: 978-1-60876-488-4. https://www.novapublishers.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=11651

Polman, R.C.J., Clough, P.J., & Levy, A.R. (2010). Chapter 8: Personality and Coping in Sport: The Big Five and Mental Toughness. Nova Science Publishers, ISBN: 978-1-60876-488-4. https://www.novapublishers.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=11651

Avramidou, E., Avramidis, S., & Polman, R. (2008). Competitive anxiety in life savers and swimmers (5.8.3). In S. Avramidis (Ed.), Handbook on safety and lifesaving, p. 499. Athens, Greece: European Lifeguard Academy. (ISBN 978-960-90816-9-6)

Bloomfield, J., Polman, R., & O’Donoghue, P. (2008). Deceleration and turning movements performed during FA Premier League soccer matches. In T. Reilly & F Korkusuz (Eds.), Science and Football VI (pp.). New York: Routledge (ISBN 978-0-415-42909-2).

Polman, R., & Borkoles, E. (2007). Relationship between physical self-perceptions and body composition following a 10 week exercise program for previously sedentary participants. In R.G. Craven, J. Eccles, & M.T. Ha (Eds.), Self-concept, motivation, social and personal identity for the 21st century (pp. 1-8). Sydney: Self Research Centre. ISBN 1741081483.

Bloomfield, J., Jonsson, G., Polman, R., Houlahan, K., & O’Donoghue, P. (2005). Temporal pattern analysis and its application in soccer (chapter 16). In L. Anolli, G. Riva, S. Duncan Jr, & M.S. Magnusson (Eds.), The hidden structure of interaction: From neurons to culture patterns (pp. 237-250). Amsterdam: IOS Press (ISBN: 1-58603-509-6).

Bloomfield, J., Polman, R.C.J., and O’Donoghue, P.G. (2006). Reliability of the Bloomfield Movement Classification. In: (Edited by) H. Dancs, Hughes, M. and O’Donoghue, P.G., Performance Analysis of Sport 7. Cardiff, CPA UWIC Press. pp. 197-204.

Polman, R. (2004). Physical self-perceptions and body composition in fitness instructors, regular exercisers and non-exercisers. In H.W. Marsh, J. Baumert, G.E. Richards & U. Trautwein (Eds.), Self-concept, Motivation and Identity: Where to from here? (pp. 765-773). Sydney: Self Research Centre, University of Western Sydney (ISBN 1741080738).

Gray, J., & Polman, R. (2004). Craft idiocy, Erikson and Footballing Identities. In H.W. Marsh, J. Baumert, G.E. Richards & U. Trautwein (Eds.), Self-concept, Motivation and Identity: Where to from here? (pp. 288-293). Sydney: Self Research Centre, University of Western Sydney (ISBN 1741080738).

Successful Grant Applications

- The Circulation Foundation, Owen Shaw Award. The use of outcome measures in outpatient amputee rehabilitation in the UK. Principle applicant N. Vanicek, University of Hull; co-applicatnts:  Polman, R., Hancock, A., & Cole, M-J (£3000).

- UCLan Arnoux Part-time PhD bursary scheme 2009: Dey, P., Richards, J., Polman, R., Milston, A., & Sutton, C. What prevents participation in obese people?

- MRC Lifelong Health & Wellbeing: Psychomotor health across the lifespan: Consequences for ‘active, happy & healthy ageing’ (£42,000). PI R.Polman (UClan); Co-applicants: J Richards, J Selfe, P Dey (UClan), N Vanicek, C Dobson, M Fagan, A Nicholls (Hull), E Borkoles, J McKenna (Leedsmet), R Masters, B Abbernethey, J Maxwell (Hong Kong University).

- British Vascular Foundation (2008). Gait and Balance in New Unilateral Transtibial Amputees (Co-applicant £3000).

- The British Academy: Overseas conference grants (£300).

- British Vascular Foundation (2006). Biomechanical performance in sit-to-stand as a predictor for falling in transtibial amputees. (Co-applicant £3000).

- British Vascular Foundation (2005). Early walking aids for transtibial amputees – does an articulated knee have benefits? (co-applicant £3000).

- Hull and East Yorkshire Hospital HNS Trust Grant (2004). Early walking aids for transtibial amputees – does an articulated knee have benefits? (co- applicant, £5000).

- Faculty research fund £1540 project on stress and coping in junior athletes. Leeds Metropolitan University, Faculty of Cultural and Educational Studies (2002).