Matt Portas graduated from Teesside University for both his Undergraduate degree in Sports Science and his Masters degree in Sport and Exercise Science. He now lectures at Teesside in the areas of Biomechanics, Strength and Conditioning and Personal Development. He was awarded University Teaching Fellow status in 2011 and in a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Matt specializes in supporting students through transitions in Higher Education and has presented his work by invitation on around the globe on this topic as well as contributing to various publications.

Matt is a professional member of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Science. He has extensive experience supporting the training process to elite and professional athlete populations where for over 15 years he has provided coaching and scientific support to a broad range of sports, particularly gymnastics and football. Matt is also an experienced coach educator and provides guidance and delivery to sport governing bodies and private organizations to support the professional development of sport coaches and other staff. He is also experienced in developing content and curriculum design for governing body and similar awards.

Matt’s research interests are based in the biomechanics of football performance. He specialises in the quantification of motion kinematics and kinetics during football performance. He has a particular interest in the mobility and stability of football players and the focus of his research is to identify solutions the will reduce injury and further enhance performance in these athletes. Matt has extensive experience of using GPS, accelerometry and motion capture technology to quantify footballer performance and biomechanics during training activities.

Matt has provided consultancy to professional football clubs and organisations that provide physical preparation services to elite players. He also has experience in product testing and validation to evaluate the Biomechanical benefits of a product. Matt has developed course material with industry partners  and has delivered programmes to support the continued professional of professionals in the Sport and Exercise industry.