UEA teams up with Norfolk company to support elite motorsport athletes
By: Communications
The MoveX Lab, based in UEA’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, is a leading research facility specialising in biomechanics and exercise physiology, offering expertise in human movement, musculoskeletal health, and physiological function.
This collaboration with Wymondham-based motorsport performance specialists, Gridshark Athletic Performance, will help racing drivers - from young karting talents to elite-level motorsport professionals - optimise their physical conditioning, improve performance, and reduce injury risk through advanced movement analysis, strength testing and physiological assessments.
Gridshark, founded 18 months ago by ex-Formula 1 driver performance coach Paul Jewiss, works with drivers as young as eight years old through to those competing on the international stage.
With athletes frequently racing in extreme environments like Dubai, understanding individual physiology is crucial for performance optimisation, hydration strategies, and overall resilience to environmental stressors.
Gridshark’s Head of Performance Darren Jones sees significant value in the MoveX Lab’s facilities.
He said: “Driver athletes and motorsport athletes need good cardiovascular fitness, core and neck strength.
“Even young kart racers experience up to 2.5G in corners, and when you add a heavy helmet, that’s a considerable strain on their body. Good grip and leg strength are also essential, but overall body fitness is key.”
Currently, one of the only motorsport-specific testing facilities in the UK is located at Silverstone. The partnership between MoveX Lab and Gridshark aims to offer world-class physiological and biomechanical assessments right here in East Anglia.
“We were approached by a professional speedway driver who required in-depth VO2 max testing,” Jones adds.
“Normally, athletes would have to travel long distances or pay a premium for such assessments. With the MoveX Lab’s expertise, we are developing a comprehensive testing package tailored to driver athletes who are reaching the top of their sport.”
Paul Jewiss, founder and head coach at Gridshark, said: “Our partnership with MoveX Lab highlights the level of investment we place on our athletes to ensure we are leaving no stone unturned in the pursuit of developing future champions.
“I am confident that the expertise of the team at MoveX Lab will only enhance the quality of coaching the team at Gridshark already provides, which includes fitness, nutrition, mindset and psychology as well as physiotherapy and race weekend support."
This initiative underscores MoveX Lab’s commitment to enhancing athletic support alongside regional partners.
Dr Kathryn Mares, Associate Professor in Physiotherapy and Lead for the MoveX Lab, said: “At the MoveX Lab, we aim to use our experience from our education and research portfolios to engage with external partners and create real-world impact.
“We work directly with people and businesses, including top athletes and people living with the impact of long-term conditions such as stroke, providing expert assessments and analysis.
“Whether it’s helping runners improve efficiency, assisting professional sports teams like Norwich City Football Club, advancing clinical treatments, or testing deep sea divers for fitness, our goal is to optimise physical function for better health, performance and recovery.”
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