Dr Jill Alexander

Following her undergraduate degree, she completed an MSc (by Research) in elite equine rider performance. Jill recently completed her Ph.D. titled; Utilisation of Cryotherapy in Sport: Understanding the Multifaceted Response. The findings of which provide a framework for the optimisation of cryotherapy for injury, recovery and performance in sport. She has recently presented this work at the 2022 FIFA Medical Conference in Lyon. 

 Jill has led several funded projects including a tripartite Knowledge Transfer Partnership cryotherapy project with us, Manchester Metropolitan University and ProMOTION EV1 and a collaborative project funded by the Federation Equestre Internationale to develop an evidence-based classification system in Elite Para Equestrian Dressage for the FEI. She has recent consultancy work with the FA Premier League, through funded research projects, to aid the development of policy guidelines. She is currently working on consultancy projects within elite sport reviewing recovery strategies, protocols and optimisation of cryotherapy applications within their environments and the impact on performance. She is the co-founder and Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Elite Sport Performance.

As the Course Leader for the MProf in Elite Performance programme, Jill is responsible for course development and facilitation of the programme. She ensures the course continues its outstanding reputation. Focussing on bringing together the development of research informed teaching and publication output of a practical applied nature, Jill teaches across several other programmes advocating real world and evidenced based practices simultaneously within teaching and learning.

Jill began her career as a graduate Sports Therapist in 2008, qualifying with a first-class (hons) degree. As an ex-gymnast competing nationally, sport has been an influential part of her career. Since graduating, Jill has worked in semi and professional rugby for several years at national and county level and most recently with the France national team at the U20’s World Cup. Alongside her roles, she has externally lectured for VTCT across many institutions.

In 2012, Jill continued her research development as a Research Associate within our School of Health, Social Work and Sport. This included project leading research into the effects of whole-body cryotherapy in elite rugby league through a tripartite commercially funded project with Wigan Warriors RUFL and BOC Linde. Jill’s role progressed through supervision of several commercially funded research projects in biomechanics, thermography and cryotherapy, most recently securing a £200k KTP research bid, for a three-year funded project in the remit of cryotherapy and sport in association with Manchester Metropolitan University. In 2013 Jill moved into a lecturing role on the BSc (hons) Sports Therapy programme teaching across several modules. In 2017, she became a Senior Lecturer and within that time has developed, taught and led across several programmes at the university.