Student Profiles / Leanne Simoncelli
Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health MSc
Leanne Simoncelli has recently completed the MSc Sports Medicine and Exercise Health course, finishing in two years on a part time basis. She qualified as a physiotherapist from the University of Cape Town, South Africa in 2004 and is currently working in private practice at Marylebone Physiotherapy and The St Mary’s Clinic at St Mary’s University in Twickenham. She is also the lead Physiotherapist at Hampstead and Westminster Hockey club who are in the premier league and has provided pitch-side physio for Barnes Rugby 1st XV for the past 5 years.
Leanne said “The UCL and ISEH MSc course has been brilliant. I have really enjoyed all aspects of the course from the clinical and surgical observations, the process of the research project, the practical session’s and particularly the quality of teaching. I found out about this MSc from Sports Physician Dr Eleanor Tillet when we met volunteering in the polyclinic at the London 2012 Olympics at Eton Dorney during the rowing and sprint canoe events.
The Multi-disciplinary approach is what attracted me to this course. The opportunity to study with and practice techniques with GP’s, Sports and Exercise registars, Surgeons, Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Sports Scientists. The content is cutting edge evidence based knowledge. Both the internal and external lecturers are all top of their field and included: Surgeons, Elite Sports Physicians, Radiographers and Elite Sports Physiotherapists. We were also introduced to the medical management of disability sport which I have had no previous exposure to. We also had links with the Performing Arts Medicine students, exercise physiologists and neurophysiologists.
The core learning involved deeper understanding of Musculoskeletal conditions; Injuries specific to particular sports; Current evidence based assessment and management of Injuries; Advanced sports injury prevention; Screening and profiling processes; Understanding the cellular mechanisms of how exercise is a ‘medicine’ and useful in managing chronic conditions such as diabetics, cancer, COPD and cardiac conditions. My research into the sports specific outcomes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has really polished my clinical approach to Lower Limb rehabilitation. I have enjoyed learning how to use new gadgets and technology to assess and record functional outcomes.
The facilities at UCL and the ISEH are world class and it’s in a brilliant central location with lots of easy transports links. There is easy access to advanced technology and equipment in both the Physiology Lab and the Physiotherapy gym. All teaching sessions are recorded and having online access to these videos if you miss a session or for revision is an excellent resource.
Since starting the course I have enjoyed a wider exposure to the sporting world. I have worked as a sports physio at the Commonwealth games in Glasgow, the European games in Baku, London Marathon, The London Ride 100, A rowing training camp in Portugal, England Academy netball training camps in Sheffield, European Trophy Championships for Ladies Hockey, Sark island Adventure with NIKE athletes, Sainsbury School Games in Manchester. In a few weeks I will be providing Physio support to the match officials at Twickenham and Milton Keynes at the Rugby World Cup.
I thoroughly recommend the MSc in Sports Medicine and Exercise Health at UCL/ISEH.”