Derval Luntadila
Senior Sports Therapist
Derval graduated from The University of East London with a First Class BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy degree and is currently studying for an MSc in Physiotherapy at Brunel University of London.
Derval has experience working with a wide variety of age groups and occupations at the Sports & Exercise Rehab Clinic at the University of East London, as well as treating GB Fencers and volunteering to provide post-run massage at the London Marathon with Barnardo’s charity. He also worked at Nuffield Health Gym as Level 3 Qualified Wellbeing Personal Trainer.
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Derval is truly passionate about exercise and its importance in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and living a long, happy and fruitful life, as well as in society as we strive towards taking strain off the NHS. This is what drives his desire to help treat, rehabilitate but also prevent injuries to keep people active and on their feet, doing what they love!
Q&A with Derval
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What is the best thing about being a Sports Therapist?
Building relationships with people.
What sports are you interested in?
Football, Athletics, Tennis.
What sports do you do?
I play football and train in the gym 5 times a week.
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What is your favourite muscle and why?
The Hamstrings. These are the most commonly injured muscles in the sporting world, which highlights the importance of injury prevention within exercise as by training the hamstrings we can significantly reduce the chance of sustaining a hamstring injury. Strengthening the hamstrings can also unlock a new level of athleticism as they are vital in sprinting!
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What is your favourite joint and why?
The knee joint. It’s a complex joint that plays a vital role in supporting our body weight in movement. It’s truly fascinating, from the use of the patella in the stability and functionality of the knee, to the many muscles that are attached. Looking at the knee ligaments, it’s amazing how such a small, but tough piece of tissue as the ACL ligament stops our knee sliding forward as we do even simple things such as going from sitting to standing.
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What is your favourite stretch for the body?
Downward Dog into Cobra. This is a combination of two stretches commonly done in yoga. I particularly like this as the range of motion it puts the lower back through.
Who is your favourite sportsperson at the moment and why?
Bukayo Saka - Footballer at Arsenal. I admire his fearlessness and willingness to take responsibility to carry the team on his shoulders at such a young age for both club and country. After facing adversity following the Euro 2020 final, he was able to bounce back and hit top form, showing how you can still get up after being knocked down which can be applied for injury rehab too!
What are your sporting goals?
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Squat 3 plates (140kg)
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Bench press 120kg
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Start running more
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Get stronger!
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You are stranded on a desert island and are only allowed to have three things with you - what are they?
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An axe
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A sleeping bag
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A supersize cheesecake