New sports testing service offered by Heriot-Watt and Oriam

Heriot-Watt University is strengthening its reputation as a leader in sport and exercise science with the launch of a new Sport and Health Testing service, designed to optimise athletic performance and enhance wellbeing across all levels of sport.

Developed in partnership with Oriam, Scotland’s Sports Performance Centre, the service is open to all, from elite athletes to members of the public, and draws on the latest advances in sport science to support individuals, teams, and organisations in achieving their performance and health goals.

The comprehensive programme is built around three central pillars — performance testing and analysis, health services, and nutrition and metabolism — combining these disciplines to create an integrated approach to performance and wellbeing.

Delivered by Heriot-Watt’s Sport and Exercise Science experts within Oriam’s world-class facilities found at Heriot-Watt’s Edinburgh campus, the service unites academic expertise with practical application.

Every assessment is designed to give users a clearer, evidence-based understanding of their current performance status and future training potential, ensuring they benefit from the same level of scientific insight used by professional athletes.

Dr David King, Assistant Professor in Sport and Exercise Sciences at Heriot-Watt University and academic lead for the project, explained: “This service brings together a range of performance-related data to help users understand and enhance their training. For example, we can inform the relative contribution of fat and carbohydrates during a VO₂ max test, and provide individualised training zones based on lactate responses. In our clinical health assessments, someone experiencing symptoms such as chest discomfort can undergo an ECG to investigate potential issues.

“We also offer testing to measure and understand resting metabolic rate, followed by nutritional consultations to help individuals optimise their diet and activity levels in line with their goals.

“What makes this project special is the combination of advanced performance testing, clinical health screening, and nutritional analysis, all under one roof. Whether you’re an elite athlete, training for a charity marathon, or simply looking to understand your body better, this service gives you access to science-led insights that can transform your performance.”

Chris Sellar, Director of Delivery at Oriam, said: “The launch of this new and innovative service marks another step forward in bringing Heriot-Watt University’s Sport & Active Well-being Strategy, Excellence Across Sport, to life. It represents an exciting collaboration between Oriam and Heriot-Watt Sport & Exercise Science, harnessing the University’s world-class expertise, equipment, and facilities to their fullest potential.

“Delivered through the Oriam Clinic—which has grown significantly in recent years from offering physiotherapy and massage to now providing group rehabilitation, hydrotherapy, and post-op recovery programmes—this new service expands our reach even further by introducing advanced sport and health testing for the wider community.

“This is just the first phase of our development, and we’re already looking ahead to broaden our offering with an even wider range of specialist tests and services.”

Accessible, personalised, and performance-driven, the new Sport and Health Testing service at Oriam is open to individuals, teams, and organisations. Bespoke packages are available to meet a variety of needs, from competitive preparation to general health optimisation.

To find out more or to book a personalised assessment, visit the Sport and Health Testing page.