The Cátedra will focus on performance biomedicine using a multidisciplinary approach, combining genomics, the microbiome and advanced biomechanics to understand all the factors that influence athletes’ health

CEU Cardenal Herrera University (CEU UCH) and Villarreal Club de Fútbol have established the Cátedra Villarreal CF–CEU UCH, a research initiative dedicated to applied studies in elite and adapted sports. The aim is to promote scientific research, innovation and the transfer of knowledge to enhance professional athletic performance and prevent injuries. The Cátedra will also explore physical activity and adapted sports, collaborating with social and sporting organisations to promote inclusion through sport for children and young people with functional diversity.

The agreement establishing the Cátedra was signed today by Villarreal CF CEO Fernando Roig Negueroles and CEU UCH Rector Higinio Marín Pedreño during a presentation at the club’s facilities. Both institutions highlighted the pioneering university–club collaboration represented by the Cátedra Villarreal CF–CEU UCH, which seeks to generate scientific evidence that can be applied by clubs, sports medical services, federations, research centres and the wider academic community.

Driving performance improvement in elite sport

Javier Martínez Gramage, Director of the Cátedra and adjunct professor in the CEU UCH Department of Physiotherapy, specialising in clinical biomechanics, movement analysis and sports physiotherapy, explains:

“The Cátedra focuses on the comprehensive study of athletes from clinical, movement and omics sciences perspectives, aiming to generate knowledge that can improve both sporting performance and long-term health.”

“It will drive innovation through university research and ensure this knowledge is applied by coaches, doctors, physiotherapists and sports health professionals, improving performance, recovery and athletic longevity.”

Together with collaborator Overgenes, the Cátedra will carry out research in three key areas: molecular biology and the genetics of performance and recovery; analysis of the microbiome and its effect on metabolic response to training; and applied biomechanics for injury prevention using monitoring technologies, wearable sensors and artificial intelligence. The research team will work with a multidisciplinary approach to develop predictive models supporting clinical and performance decision-making, integrating biomechanical data, genomic biomarkers and microbiome analysis through advanced techniques and machine learning.

Social inclusion through adapted sport

In adapted sports, the Cátedra collaborates with A Contracorrent Esport i Oci Adaptat to research the benefits of adapted physical activity for participants’ quality of life and emotional well-being. “These findings will be used to design sports programmes for children and young people with motor functional diversity,” says Professor Martínez Gramage. “We will also study how sport can promote personal development, socialisation and self-esteem in people with reduced mobility.”

The Cátedra Villarreal CF–CEU UCH brings together a multidisciplinary team of experts in physiotherapy, sports sciences, biomedical engineering, molecular biology, medicine and pharmacy. It will also run ongoing educational and outreach programmes for both the university community and sports professionals, with activities at the club and university campuses in Villarreal, Castellón and Alfara del Patriarca, in collaboration with local organisations.

More information about the Cátedra Villarreal CF–CEU UCH is available on its official website.