Associate Professor Joseph A Stone BSc, MSc, PhD
Associate Professor of Skill Acquisition and Performance Analysis
- School of Sport and Physical Activity
- Sport and Physical Activity Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Centre
- Health Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Institute
Summary
Joe is an Associate Professor of Skill Acquisition and Performance Analysis. His primary research interest focusing on using ecological dynamics as a guiding framework to examine sport and exercise. His role includes teaching on a range of degree programmes in Sport and Exercise Science, including modules in Skill Acquisition, Performance Analysis, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Methods and Psychology. He is also a Postgraduate Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Tutor in Sport and Physical Activity.
About
I completed a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science and an MSc in Sport and Exercise Science specialising in Performance Analysis and Biomechanics at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. I was subsequently awarded a PhD scholarship within the Centre for Sport and Exercise Science at Sheffield Hallam in 2011 in which I completed my PhD in 2014 entitled, “Emergent coordination patterns in interceptive actions: The role of different informational constraints".
Following my PhD, I was appointed as a Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science specialising in Skill Acquisition and Performance Analysis in September 2014. Having worked at SHU since then, I was promoted to Associate Professor in 2023.
My primary research interests focus on using ecological dynamics as a guiding framework to examine sport and exercise. My research was central to a ‘world-leading’ REF Impact case study titled: Improving Elite Coaching and Talent Development through Ecological Dynamics. My research is currently focused on areas such as ‘big data’ in performance analysis, applying ecological dynamics to applied sporting contexts and constraints-based coaching.
I am also the Postgraduate Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Tutor in Sport and Physical Activity which involves leading recruitment, admissions, progress monitoring, examinations and training of students studying for research degrees (MPhil & PhD) in the area of Sport and Physical Activity.
Finally, I teach across a range modules in my specialist area on degrees including BSc Sport and Exercise, MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science, MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology.
Teaching
School of Sport and Physical Activity
College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences
Subject Area
Sport and Exercise Science
Courses
BSc Sport and Exercise Science
MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science
MSc Sport and Exercise Psychology
Modules
I module lead and teach across a range of subjects in Sport and Exercise Science across undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Current examples include:
Level 4: Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology
Level 5: Sport and Exercise Analysis
Level 6: Applied Performance Analysis in Sport and Exercise Science
Level 7: Skill Acquisition and Developmental Perspectives
Publications
Journal articles
Farrokh, D., Davids, K., Araújo, D., Strafford, B.W., Rumbold, J.L., & Stone, J.A. (2025). . Acta Psychologica, 253.
Liu, J., Zhao, R., Cai, J., Wang, Z., Zhu, M., Wang, X., ... Huang, Z. (2025). . Clinical journal of sport medicine : official journal of the Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine.
Stone, J., Kubayi, A., Smith, A., & North, J. (2025). . International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport.
Higham, A., Newman, J., Rumbold, J., & Stone, J. (2024). . Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 1-26.
Lethole, L., Kubayi, A., Toriola, A., Larkin, P., & Stone, J. (2024). . BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 16 (1).
Kubayi, A., & Stone, J. (2024). . International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport.
Farrokh, D., Stone, J., Davids, K., Strafford, B., & Rumbold, J. (2024). . Theory and Psychology, 34 (2), 257-276.
Fitzpatrick, A., Stone, J., Choppin, S., & Kelley, J. (2024). . European Journal of Sport Science.
Fitzpatrick, A., Stone, J., Choppin, S., & Kelley, J. (2023). . International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport.
Higham, A., Newman, J., Rumbold, J., & Stone, J. (2023). . Qualitative Ï㽶ÊÓƵ in Sport, Exercise and Health.
Higham, A., Rumbold, J., Newman, J., & Stone, J. (2023). . Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 69.
Casal, C., Stone, J., Ivan-Baragano, I., & Losada, J. (2023). . Biology of Sport, 41 (1), 29-39.
Strafford, B., Davids, K., North, J., & Stone, J.A. (2022). . Journal of sports sciences.
Davies, M., Stone, J., Davids, K., Williams, J., & O’Sullivan, M. (2022). . International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching.
Nightingale, J., Appleyard, R., Mcnamara, J., Panchbhaya, M., Posnett, J., & Stone, J. (2022). . Radiography, 28 (2), 258-266.
Rothwell, M., Davids, K., Woods, C., Otte, F., Rudd, J., & Stone, J. (2022). . Journal of Expertise, 5 (1), 28-37.
Higham, A., Newman, J., Stone, J., & Rumbold, J. (2021). . International Sport Coaching Journal.
Williams, M., Strafford, B., Stone, J., & Moran, J. (2021). . Frontiers in Physiology, 12.
Rothwell, M., Stone, J., & Davids, K. (2021). . Sports Coaching Review.
Carey, L., Stone, J., & Lavallee, D. (2021). . International Journal of Golf Science, 9 (1).
Strafford, B., Davids, K., North, J., & Stone, J. (2021). . Journal of Motor Learning and Development.
Carey, L., Stone, J., Hunter, A.M., & Donaldson, D.I. (2021). . Psychology of Sport and Exercise.
Anderson, E., Stone, J., Dunn, M., & Heller, B. (2021). . International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching.
Fitzpatrick, A., Stone, J., Choppin, S., & Kelley, J. (2021). . International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching.
Strafford, B., Davids, K., North, J., & Stone, J. (2021). . European Journal of Sport Science.
Stone, J., Smith, A., & Barry, A. (2021). . International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching.
Rothwell, M., Stone, J., & Davids, K. (2020). . Sport, Education and Society.
Stone, J., Rothwell, M., Shuttleworth, R., & Davids, K. (2020). . Qualitative Ï㽶ÊÓƵ in Sport, Exercise and Health.
Rothwell, M., Davids, K., Stone, J., O'Sullivan, M., Vaughan, J., Newcombe, D., & Shuttleworth, R. (2020). . Journal of Expertise, 3 (1), 55-65.
Strafford, B., Davids, K., North, J., & Stone, J. (2020). . Qualitative Ï㽶ÊÓƵ in Sport, Exercise and Health.
Judson, L.J., Churchill, S.M., Barnes, A., Stone, J.A., & Wheat, J. (2020). Joint moments and power in the acceleration phase of bend sprinting. Journal of Biomechanics, 109632.
Judson, L., Churchill, S., Barnes, A., Stone, J., Brookes, I., & Wheat, J. (2019). . Journal of Sports Sciences.
Fitzpatrick, A., Stone, J., Choppin, S., & Kelley, J. (2019). . International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport.
Strafford, B., Smith, A., North, J.S., & Stone, J. (2019). . International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport.
Beare, H., & Stone, J. (2019). . International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport.
Judson, L., Churchill, S., Barnes, A., Stone, J., Brookes, I., & Wheat, J. (2019). . Scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports, 29 (10).
Rothwell, M., Davids, K., & Stone, J. (2019). . Journal of motor learning and development, 7 (2).
Stone, J., Nimmins, J., & Strafford, B. (2019). . Journal of motor learning and development, 7 (1), 1-12.
Fitzpatrick, A., Stone, J., Choppin, S., & Kelley, J. (2019). A simple new method for identifying performance characteristics associated with success in elite tennis. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 14 (1), 43-50.
Migdalski, A., & Stone, J. (2019). . International journal of performance analysis in sport.
Stone, J., Strafford, B., North, J.S., Toner, C., & Davids, K. (2019). . Movement and sport sciences - Science and motricité.
Rothwell, M., Rumbold, J., & Stone, J. (2018). . International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology.
Judson, L.J., Churchill, S.M., Barnes, A., Stone, J.A., Brooks, I.G.A., & Wheat, J. (2018). . Sports Biomechanics.
Burnie, L., Barratt, P., Davids, K., Stone, J., Worsfold, P., & Wheat, J. (2018). . International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 13 (5), 729-736.
Rothwell, M., Davids, K., & Stone, J. (2018). . Journal of Expertise, 1 (1).
Strafford, B., Van Der Steen, P., Davids, K., & Stone, J. (2018). . Sports medicine - open, 4, 21.
Fitzpatrick, A., Davids, K., & Stone, J. (2018). ITF Coaching and Sport Science Review, 26 (74), 4-7.
Fitzpatrick, A., Davids, K., & Stone, J. (2018). . Human Movement Science, 58, 80-87.
Rothwell, M., Stone, J., Davids, K., & Wright, C. (2017). . European Journal of Sport Science, 17 (10), 1252-1260.
Hughes, A., Barnes, A., Churchill, S., & Stone, J. (2017). . International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 17 (4), 534-544.
Yeh, H.-.P., Stone, J., Churchill, S., Brymer, E., & Davids, K. (2017). . International Journal of Environmental Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and Public Health, 14 (7), 752.
Stone, J., Maynard, I., North, J.S., Panchuk, D., & Davids, K. (2017). . Acta Psychologica, 174, 80-88.
Fitzpatrick, A., Davids, K., & Stone, J. (2016). . Journal of Sports Sciences, 35 (22), 2204-2210.
Yeh, H.-.P., Stone, J., Churchill, S., Wheat, J., Brymer, E., & Davids, K. (2015). . Sports Medicine, 46 (7), 947-953.
Stone, J.A., Maynard, I.W., North, J.S., Panchuk, D., & Davids, K. (2015). . Psychological Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, 79 (5), 829-843.
Stone, J., Maynard, I., North, J., Panchuk, D., & Davids, K. (2015). . Experimental Brain Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, 233 (2), 449-458.
Stone, J., Panchuk, D., Davids, K., North, J., Fairweather, I., & Maynard, I. (2014). . Behavior Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Methods, 46 (4), 984-991.
Conference papers
Higham, A., Newman, J., Rumbold, J., & Stone, J. (2024). . In FEPSAC 17th Congress 2024, Innsbruck, (pp. 779-780). FEPSAC:
Strafford, B., Davids, K., North, J., & Stone, J. (2024). . In Runswick, O. (Ed.) Expertise and Skill Acquisition Network (ESAN 2023), Manchester, UK, 17 May 2023 - 18 May 2023.
Higham, A., Newman, J., Rumbold, J., & Stone, J. (2023). Using photovoice to see the bigger picture: An exploration of how football coaches experience and make-sense of well-being over the course of a competitive season. In 14th ICCE Global Coach Conference, Singapore.
Ding, J., Huang, Z., O'Donoghue, P., Strafford, B., & Stone, J. (2023). THE INFLUENCE OF SCORELINE ON PASSING PERFORMANCE IN ELITE SOCCER. In ECSS Paris 2023, Paris, 4 July 2023 - 7 July 2023 (pp. 158).
Stone, J., Strafford, B., Carey, L., Middleton, N., & Stubbs, W. (2023). Examining golf putting performance in representative environments using the Zen Greenstage. In Runswick, O. (Ed.) 10th meeting of Expertise and Skill Acquisition Network, ​Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, 17 May 2023 - 18 May 2023 (pp. 18).
Jones, G., Stone, J., Rothwell, M., Rumbold, J., Davids, K., & Otte, F. (2021). . In Sport Sciences Congress 2021, University of Lisbon, 13 July 2023 - 21 July 2023 (pp. 80). Sports Sciences Congress:
Stone, J., Strafford, B., North, J., & Davids, K. (2019). . In 3rd Scientific Conference on Motor Skill Acquisition, Kisakallio, Finland, 13 November 2019 - 15 November 2019.
Stone, J., Rothwell, M., & Davids, K. (2019). . In Bunc, V., & Tsolakidis, E. (Eds.) European College of Sport Science Conference, 3 July 2019 - 6 July 2019 (pp. 663). European College of Sport Science:
Rothwell, M., Davids, K., & Stone, J. (2019). . In Expertise and Skill Acquisition Network 2019, London, England, 14 May 2019 - 15 May 2019.
Stone, J., Fitzpatrick, A., & Davids, K. (2017). . In Second Scientific Conference on Motor Skill Acquisition, Finland, 15 November 2017 - 17 November 2017.
Burnie, L., Barratt, P., Davids, K., Stone, J., Worsfold, P., & Wheat, J. (2017). Coaches' philosophies of strength and sport specific training in elite performance programmes. In European College of Sport Science conference.
Rothwell, M., Stone, J., & Davids, K. (2017). . In Expertise and Skill Acquisition Network Conference, Coventry, England, 17 May 2017.
Hughes, A., Barnes, A., Churchill, S., & Stone, J. (2016). Performance indicators that discriminate winning and losing in elite men's and women's Rugby Union. In World Congress of Performance Analysis of Sport.
Yeh, H., Stone, J., Churchill, S., Brymer, E., & Davids, K. (2016). . Procedia Engineering, 147, 793-798.
McInerney, C., Foster, L., Choppin, S., Stone, J., & Goodwill, S. (2016). A review of spatio-temporal metrics in invasion game sports. In World Congress of Performance Analysis of Sport XI.
Stone, J., Panchuk, D., Davids, K., North, J.S., & Maynard, I. (2014). . Procedia Engineering, 72, 156-161.
Stone, J., Panchuk, D., Davids, K., North, J., & Maynard, I. (2014). An Integrated ball projection technology for the study of dynamic interceptive actions. In Expertise and Skill Acquisition Network.
Judson, L., Churchill, S., Barnes, A., Stone, J., & Wheat, J. (2017). . In 35th International Conference on Biomechanics in Sports, 2017, German Sport University Cologne, 14 June 2017 - 18 June 2017.
Rothwell, M., Davids, K., & Stone, J. (2017). Harnessing Socio-Cultural Constraints on Athlete Development to create a Form of Life. In Second scientific conference on motor skill acquisition, Kisakallion Urheiluopisto, Finland, 14 November 2017 - 17 November 2017.
Book chapters
Rothwell, M., Davids, K., Stone, J., Araujo, D., & Shuttleworth, R. (2020). . In Baker, J., Cobley, S., & Schorer, J. (Eds.) Talent Identification and Development in Sport. International Perspectives. 2nd edition. New York: Routledge:
Theses / Dissertations
Higham, A. (2024). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Stone, J., Rumbold, J., & Newman, J.
Strafford, B. (2022). Parkour as a donor sport for athlete development in team sports. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Stone, J., Davids, K., & North, J.
Presentations
Strafford, B. (2023). Understanding donor sports for athlete learning and development. Presented at: Sport Movement Skill Conference 2023, Minnesota, USA, 2023
Strafford, B., Davids, K., North, J., & Stone, J. (2021). Exploring coach perceptions of Parkour-style training for athlete development in team sports. Presented at: 9th Expertise and Skill Acquisition Network
Stone, J. (2020). Representative Learning Designs in Sport practice: how technology can help. Presented at: Latrobe University Sport Coaching Symposium
Strafford, B. (2018). How Parkour-style training can enhance athleticism in sport performers. Presented at: Sheffield Industry Partnership Workshop, Rotherham United Football Club
Rothwell, M., Davids, K., & Stone, J. (2017). . Presented at: Second Scientific Conference on Motor Skill Acquisition, Finland, 2017
Stone, J., Rumbold, J., & Rothwell, M. (2017). Top gun to rugby league drop-out. Presented at: Sport and Medicine conference
Mcinerney, C., Foster, L., Choppin, S., Stone, J., & Goodwill, S. (2016). . Presented at: XI World Congress of Performance Analysis of Sport, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain, 2016
Mcinerney, C., Foster, L., Choppin, S., Stone, J., & Goodwill, S. (2016). . Presented at: XI World Congress of Performance Analysis of Sport, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain, 2016
Stone, J., North, J., Panchuk, D., Davids, K., & Maynard, I. (2014). An Integrated ball projection technology for the study of dynamic interceptive actions.
Postgraduate supervision
Current PhD students:
Tim Robinson: The impact of different pedagogical approaches in age grade rugby union.
Andrew Higham: Exploring coach wellbeing in professional English football environments.
Gérard Jones: Investigating how augmented feedback can be used to guide attentional search in football.
Marianne Davis: Developing a non-linear pedagogical model of skill acquisition for coaching show jumpers. Co-supervisor with Professor Keith Davids
David Farrokh: Exploring flow in youth sport through the lens of ecological dynamics.
Seb (Junyuan) Ding: Examining Passing Networks in Soccer from an Ecological Dynamics Perspective.
Sam Hydes: Exploring the implementation of a Department of Methodology.
Huang, Zhanyu: Applying ecological dynamics to Chinese Rugby Sevens
Completed supervised PhD students:
Hsiaopu Yeh: Physical, psychological and emotional effects of nature-based affordances of green physical activity.
Ciaran McInerney: Determining spatio-temporal metrics that distinguish play outcomes on field hockey.
Laura Judson: Biomechanics of bend sprinting in the acceleration phase.
Anna Fitzpatrick: Important performance characteristics in elite grass court tennis: implications for practice.
Martyn Rothwell: Exploring forms of life in rugby league.
Emma Anderson: Representative measurements of tennis player movement.
Ben Strafford: Examining the role of Parkour as a donor sports for team sports.