About
Research
Email: christopher.thomas@stmarys.ac.uk
Biography
At St Mary’s, Christopher supports teaching, curriculum development, and applied research within Strength and Conditioning and Sport Science. His work centres on integrating biomechanics and performance science into both undergraduate and postgraduate learning, ensuring students gain a strong scientific foundation alongside practical, industry-relevant experience.
Christopher is an experienced academic and applied performance practitioner in Strength and Conditioning and Sport Science. His career has spanned elite sport, clinical performance, and high-performance academy systems in both the UK and the Middle East.
Christopher completed his PhD in Strength and Conditioning, where his research focused on change of direction biomechanics, inter-limb asymmetry, and strength and power diagnostics. He has since developed a strong research profile, publishing over 60 peer-reviewed journal articles and presenting his work at international conferences.
Prior to joining St Mary’s, Christopher held a lead role at Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital in Qatar, leading multidisciplinary performance and research initiatives in collaboration with physicians, physiotherapists, sport scientists, and coaches. Christopher also worked at Aspire Academy in Qatar, overseeing athlete support structures and contributing to innovation and applied research projects across organisational stakeholders.
Christopher is an accredited member of the UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA), holds the NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) qualification, and is currently working towards Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).
At St Mary’s, Christopher teaches across Strength and Conditioning programmes, while supervising MSc and PhD research. Alongside his academic role, he continues to contribute to applied performance environments and collaborative research initiatives.
Research
Research profile
Thomas, C., Dos’ Santos, T., Comfort, P., & Jones, P. A. (2024). Male and female soccer players exhibit different knee joint mechanics during pre-planned change of direction. Sports Biomechanics, 23(1), 118-131.
Thomas, C., Dos' Santos, T., Warmenhoven, J., & Jones, P. A. (2022). Between-limb differences during 180 turns in female soccer players: application of statistical parametric mapping. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 36(11), 3136-3142.
Thomas, C., Jones, P. A., & Dos’ Santos, T. (2022). Countermovement jump force–time curve analysis between strength-matched male and female soccer players. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(6), 3352.
Dos' Santos, T., McBurnie, A., Thomas, C., Jones, P. A., & Harper, D. (2022). Attacking agility actions: Match play contextual applications with coaching and technique guidelines. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 44(5), 102-118.
Dos’Santos, T., Thomas, C., McBurnie, A., Comfort, P., & Jones, P. A. (2021). Change of direction speed and technique modification training improves 180 turning performance, kinetics, and kinematics. Sports, 9(6), 73.
Dos’ Santos, T., Thomas, C., & Jones, P. A. (2021). The effect of angle on change of direction biomechanics: Comparison and inter-task relationships. Journal of Sports Sciences, 39(22), 2618-2631.
Dos’ Santos, T., Thomas, C., McBurnie, A., Donelon, T., Herrington, L., & Jones, P. A. (2021). The cutting movement assessment score (CMAS) qualitative screening tool: Application to mitigate anterior cruciate ligament injury risk during cutting. Biomechanics, 1(1), 83-101.
Dos’ Santos, T., Thomas, C., McBurnie, A., Comfort, P., & Jones, P. A. (2021). Biomechanical determinants of performance and injury risk during cutting: a performance-injury conflict?. Sports Medicine, 51(9), 1983-1998.
Dos' Santos, T., Thomas, C., Comfort, P., & Jones, P. A. (2022). Biomechanical effects of a 6-week change of direction speed and technique modification intervention: Implications for change of direction side step performance. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 36(10), 2780-2791.
Dos’ Santos, T., Thomas, C., & Jones, P. A. (2021). How early should you brake during a 180 turn? A kinetic comparison of the antepenultimate, penultimate, and final foot contacts during a 505 change of direction speed test. Journal of sports sciences, 39(4), 395-405.