The way science is changing the future of sport is in the spotlight as Imperial College London joins forces with QPR for the football club’s community day this weekend.
The White City university is one of the partners of the football club – who have won four of their last six league matches – in an annual event staged before the home game against Rotherham United on 18 March.
The Science and Sport Family Day will look at issues such as how fast a football travels, what do so-called sports drinks contain, and what will the racing bikes and sports wheelchairs of the future look like.
The free festival of sport, music, food and drink will give the community the chance to see how the future of sport is being changed by science.
There is also a chance to train with QPR coaches and footballers, and work with scientists from Imperial to explore new sporting discoveries.
Other activities include testing boxing skills with new smart electronic gloves, examining lung power with the latest medical instruments, racing drones around an obstacle course and trying out water-purifying bicycles.
The event is staged at the PlayFootball pitches in South Africa Road from 11.30am to 2.30pm.
Local unsung community heroes from the public sector and charities will also be honoured at a half-time presentation on the pitch at the QPR v Rotherham game.
Many are benefiting from a special £9.99 ticket deal for the day.
QPR chief executive Lee Hoos said: “We wanted to show our gratitude to those unsung heroes whose contribution to the community often goes unnoticed.”
Prof Maggie Dallman of Imperial said of the university’s link with the community day: “Science affects our day-to-day lives, and this event is a chance to work together and discover more about how it shapes the future of the sports we enjoy.”
Imperial is developing a major new campus in White City, and sees part of its role as working with the community and businesses.
In January, it announced it is developing The Invention Rooms, a community engagement space in Wood Lane, opening later this year.
