ETAMU Researchers Go Abroad to Tackle Global Sport Performance

Students and faculty standing in a row, holding up jersey's from a sports team.

A group of students and faculty from East Texas A&M University recently returned from a study abroad and research trip to Spain and Portugal, where they established new international partnerships in the field of sport science and performance analytics.

Organized through the College of Education and Human Services, the Department of Health and Human Performance and the Office of International Programs, the trip focused on collaborative research and relationship-building with European athletic organizations. Participants included graduate and undergraduate students alongside faculty researchers.

The group partnered with Póvoa Pro Academy, Marcet Football University and Partner Development Sports to explore advanced sport science methodologies and training models. Highlights of the trip included visits to professional athletic facilities, such as those of FC Porto in Portugal, where students and faculty met with executives, coaching staff and educators to discuss data-driven performance strategies and athlete development.

In addition to engaging in academic and research activities, the group traveled throughout multiple cities in Spain and Portugal, experiencing local culture and deepening their understanding of global approaches to health and human performance.

Graduate students on the trip represented programs in sport coaching, sport science, and sport and recreation management. Undergraduate participants were enrolled in nursing, allied health, and strength and conditioning tracks. Faculty involved included Dr. Steve Prewitt, study abroad coordinator and researcher, and Dr. Michael Oldham, the primary researcher for the project.

This initiative demonstrates East Texas A&M’s growing focus on experiential learning and global engagement, offering students firsthand opportunities to connect their academic work with real-world applications across international contexts. Experiences like these prepare students for careers in health, fitness, coaching and sport leadership across the globe.

Featured Photo: Students and Faculty Researchers | Michael Oldham