A Welwyn sports lecturer has won a prestigious award for his research into heat tolerance.

Dr Luke Oates, who is an associate lecturer in sports and exercise science at Middlesex University, has won the Prof Edward Winter Early Career Researcher Award for his work on heat acclimation in sport.

He secured the award through BASES, the accrediting body for sport and exercise scientists in the UK, and picked up a £1,000 prize.

"It means a lot to me to be recognised for my research," he said.

"It will be an excellent opportunity for me to network and collaborate with other researchers and practitioners and great to be involved in decisions being made within BASES."

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Last year, Luke provided expert opinion and insight on heat risk for England players competing in soaring temperatures at the World Cup in Qatar.

He is currently working on a short-term heat acclimation in an ageing population study with Middlesex Univerity colleagues Dr Laura Wilson and Dr Emma Ward.

"We are looking to see if four days of acclimatising people aged 65 and over to the heat can have positive adaptations that will have protective effects against the negative impacts of the heat," he explained.

"I am also a bit of a stats person so have always enjoyed that side of sporting performance."