The Master’s Program in Sports Talent Development at the Industrial University of Santander (UIS) welcomed Nuria Sánchez Hernández, a renowned sports rehabilitation specialist from Valencia CF, who delivered the lecture “Injury Prevention Through Assessment Testing and Strength Training in Football Players.”
During the session, graduate students and faculty explored topics related to strength training, injury prevention systems, and movement assessment methods applied to high-performance sports, from youth development programs to the professional level.
A Career Dedicated to High-Performance Sport
Nuria Sánchez Hernández currently serves as a sports rehabilitation specialist at Valencia CF, a club that competes in Spain’s top professional football division, LaLiga EA Sports. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, three master’s degrees—in Injury Prevention, Physical Education Teaching, and Research in Specific Didactics and a Ph.D. in Specific Didactics in Education, all earned at the University of Valencia.
Before specializing in sports rehabilitation, she enjoyed a successful career as a professional football player, competing as a central defender for clubs including Valencia CF, Villarreal CF, and Leeds United.
During her visit to UIS, Sánchez praised the university’s facilities.
“The university showed me all of its facilities, and I found them truly outstanding. They are comparable to—or even better than—those of many universities around the world. The sports complex, campus, and athletic facilities are exceptional. I believe any professor would love to teach here, and any student would be fortunate to learn from such highly qualified faculty members,” she said.Strengthening International Collaboration
Strengthening International Collaboration
According to Adrián de La Rosa, professor in the Department of Physical Education and Sports at UIS, the visit gave students valuable insight into the realities of elite sports.
“We had the opportunity to learn from her experience as a former professional football player, university lecturer, and sports rehabilitation specialist at Valencia CF. Our goal is for students to understand that professional development requires integrating both practical experience and academic knowledge. This lecture marks the beginning of a series of sessions with professionals who are building their careers abroad,” he explained.
The event was made possible through the institutional cooperation agreement between the Industrial University of Santander and the University of Valencia, as well as the international academic partnerships established by UIS faculty members. As part of this collaboration, Nuria Sánchez Hernández is expected to join the master’s program in the future as a thesis supervisor and visiting lecturer, further strengthening the program’s internationalization and academic excellence.
