This thesis presents the first empirical findings of processes of destudentification, using the case study of the university town of Loughborough, UK. Within the context of recent profound changes to higher education, studenthood and local housing markets, the study is timely since understandings of the processes of destudentification and population restructuring remain underdeveloped (Sage et al. 2012a: 600). The thesis advances knowledge of student geographies in several ways. First, the thesis establishes a definition of the concept of destudentification, which encapsulates the complexities and diversities of the processes at local neighbourhood scales. Second, the discussion considers the overlaps between studentification and destudentification from a conceptual perspective. It is contended that although studentification (as a concrete outcome) is a necessary prerequisite for destudentification, destudentification is not an inevitable outcome of studentification. It is argued that both are distinct, yet interrelated, processes of urban change. Third, the empirical findings show that processes of destudentification and studentification can unfold in concurrent ways, and within and between different areas of a university town. Fourth, the discussion exposes some of the leading causes of destudentification and studentification, emphasising the complex interrelationships between the balance of supply and demand of student accommodation, and the ways that higher education institutions, accommodation providers and the student population mediate and influence the dynamic production and consumption of student housing. It is concluded that an understanding of the complex and diverse relationships between geographies of destudentification and studentification is essential for progressing knowledge of processes of urban change in university towns and cities.

This thesis advances understandings of the diversity of student populations, student accommodation pathways, and connections to processes of studentification. The massification of HE, coupled with widening participation and internationalisation agendas, has led to changes in the social composition of the student population. Alongside this transformation, student accommodation preferences are changing, and student accommodation is being supplied which contrasts with traditional notions of shared student housing. From this starting point, this thesis progresses existing knowledges of student geographies in several ways.

Introduction: Previous research has shown that sport performance can be facilitated in football using regulatory fit. However, little research has investigated effects of regulatory fit on performance and psychological responses within pressure conditions. Objective: To examine whether female football players experiencing promotion fit will perform better during a football passing task under perceived pressure, compared to a neutral (no fit; control) condition. Methods: In a pre–post-test, independent groups study design, 33 (M=18.03, SD=2.52) female football players were assigned into either an experimental group (n:15, i.e., promotion fit) or a control group (n:18, i.e., no fit). Participants completed a passing drill within two conditions, that is pre-test in no pressure and post-test in pressure, wherein the experimental group received promotion fit instructions while the control group received neutral instructions. Participants also completed a series of psychological measures that are relevant in the study of the performance–pressure relationship (i.e., affect, anxiety, self-confidence, and mental effort). Results: Participants in the promotion fit (experimental) group were protected against performance deterioration to a greater extent than participants in the control group. Furthermore, the experimental group showed psychological responses when performing under pressure that can explain why their performance was protected from deterioration: no difference in mental effort, cognitive anxiety, somatic anxiety, self-confidence and negative affect. Conclusion: Female football players experiencing promotion fit were protected against performance deterioration when performing under pressure. Such promotion fit experience influenced various psychological responses in the direction that are known to be beneficial in sport context when performing under perceived pressure. / Introduktion: Tidigare forskning visar att prestation inom idrott kan underlättas genom användningen av Regulatory fit. Dock, få studier har undersökt effekten av Regulatory fit på prestation och psykologiska reponser under pressade omständigheter. Objektiv: Att undersöka om kvinnliga fotbollsspelare under upplevelsen av promotion fit presterar bättre under upplevd press i en passningsövning, i jämförelse med fotbollsspelare som inte upplever promotion fit (kontrollgrupp) i en passningsövning. Metod: I ett för- och efter-test, oberoende gruppdesign, 33 (M=18.3, SD=2.52) kvinnliga fotbollsspelare tilldelades till antingen en experimentgrupp (n=15, i.e., promotion fit) eller en kontrollgrupp (n=18, i.e., inte fit). Deltagarna genomförde en passningsövning under två förhållanden, vilket innebar, för-test utan press och efter-test med press, där experimentgruppen erhöll instruktioner i promotion fit medan kontrollgruppen erhöll neutrala instruktioner. Deltagarna genomförde även en rad olika psykologiska mätningar som bär relevans inom området rörande press och prestation (i.e., affekt, ångest, självförtroende och mental ansträngning). Resultat: Deltagarna som upplevde promotion fit (experimentgrupp) skyddades mot försämring i prestation i större utsträckning än deltagarna i kontrollgruppen. Fortsättningsvis, experimentgruppen uppvisade psykologiska responser som kan förklara varför prestation under press var skyddat mot försämring: ingen förändring i mental ansträngning, kognitiv oro, somatisk oro, självförtroende och negativ affekt. Konklusion: Resultaten indikerar att kvinnliga fotbollsspelare som upplever promotion fit är skyddade mot försämring i prestation under upplevd press. Upplevelsen av promotion fit influerade diverse psykologiska repsonser i den riktning som anses vara fördelaktig inom idrottssammanhang vid prestation under upplevd press.

This thesis explores the dynamic interface of supply and demand for student housing within the context of national sustainability policy and planning in the UK. These interconnections are increasingly important given the tripling of students tuition fees, which can alter the residential expectations of students, as well as implementing policy schemes that aim to retrofit the most energy inefficient dwellings. Using the university town of Loughborough as a case study, findings are presented from a mixed-methods research comprised of an online survey, semi-structure interviews, and focus groups. The thesis makes several original contributions to academic knowledge of student geographies. First, the discussion shows that the profile of student housing in the UK has dramatically changed which is underpinned by numerous drivers tied to changing policies, reforms, and reconfigurations of students residential expectations. Second, the thesis stresses the importance of examining the sustainability challenges unfolding in the housing sector and the ways these dynamics impact upon students residential experiences. Third, by establishing the first-ever student housing taxonomy, it is demonstrated that physical and sustainable discrepancies are evident in the types of accommodation that are supplied to students, allowing for a broader investigation of the student housing stock in the UK. Fourth, it is contended that the energy efficiency of a dwelling has a limited impact on students energy expenditure, indicating that students manage their energy consumption in various ways. In addition, it is advocated that the fuel poverty (FP) calculation framework could usefully be revised and adapted to more effectively identify students in FP conditions. Fifth, it is ascertained that students finances tend to have limited effects on their selection of housing. It is concluded that advancing the understanding of sustainability issues entangled in the student housing sector is crucial for progressing knowledge in student geographies.

A ninety minute competitive soccer match consists of many intermittent sprints resulting in fatigue, and consequently, a reduction in skill performance. The combination of caffeine and carbohydrate (CHO) has been shown to have ergogenic effects which help maintain skill measures during fatiguing states, however, there has been little research investigating this combination on soccer performance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of three sports drinks, including a placebo (PLA), a 6% CHO drink, and CHO + caffeine (CCAF; 5 mg/Kg body mass (BM)) on soccer-specific skills, throughout a fatigue-inducing soccer match. Twelve male soccer players completed three ninety minute intersquad matches played outdoors on a grass field in a randomized crossover design. Players consumed 5 ml/kg BM 45 minutes prior to kickoff and 3 ml/kg BM every 15 minutes during match play. Soccer passing skill was measured using the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT), shot speed, and 20m sprint performance were measured pre-match, immediately at halftime and immediately post-match. Countermovement jump (CMJ) was measured pre-match and post-match. Heart rate (HR) was measured continuously. Blood lactate, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and perceived fatigue were assessed every fifteen minutes throughout the match. Urine was collected pre-match for analysis of urine specific gravity (USG). BM was measured pre-match and post-match. LSPT total performance time was significantly better in the CCAF trial compared to the PLA trial at halftime (55.3 ± 10.3 s vs 66.5 ±8.7 s, p = .027). There were also significant improvements in penalty time (CCAF 8.2 ± 7.6 s vs. PLA 16.6 ± 7.8 s, p = .042) and movement time (CCAF 8.2 ± 7.6 s vs. PLA 16.6 ± 7.8 s, p = .028) during the CCAF trial in comparison to the PLA at halftime. HR and blood lactate was elevated throughout the PLA trial in comparison to the CHO trial. There were no other significant findings. Most players (50% - 83%) started all three matches in a dehydrated state (USG > 1.020). The CHO trial had significantly lower sweat rates (0.83 ± 0.25 L/hr) than both the PLA trial (1.06 ± 0.26 L/hr, p = .038) and the CCAF trial (1.11 ± 0.19 L/hr, p = .009). The addition of caffeine to a CHO sports drink significantly improved passing performance (quicker completion time and fewer penalties accumulated) over a PLA. All three sports drinks appeared to be equally as effective in preventing deterioration of soccer skill performance during a game situation. This suggests that the total volume of fluid consumed is of greater importance than the type of fluid. Caffeine appeared to have limited ergogenic effects on skill performance without any negative consequences. / Graduate