Biography

I joined the department from Canterbury Christ Church University, where I gained my PhD entitled ‘The influence of walking on risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome’ after graduating from the Master of Science in Exercise Physiology from Loughborough University. I am a Registered Clinical Exertise Physiologist with the Academy for Heathcare Science, an ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist and CIMSPA Senior Activity and Health Practioner in cardiac rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation, exercise and cancer reabilitation, falls prevention and stroke rehabilitation for falls prevention. I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

My teaching responsibilities and research interests predominantly relate to the health benefits of physical activity, particularly clincal exercise physiology and prehabilitation, and also in the broad area of nutrition in the health setting. I collaborate with various researchers and clinicians from the Faculty of Science and Health and local NHS Trusts to work on collaborative teaching and research programmes to harness the variety of expertise in the South Coast area. I convened and lead the MSc in Clincal Exercise Physiology and have a particular interest in students' professional development and the broader development of the sport and exercise workforce, leading to me being appointed as the BASES Director for the International Confederation of Sport and Exercise Science Practice.

Research interests

Areas in which I have researched include investigating the ergogenic effect of caffeine on high-intensity aerobic cycling performance and the influence of hypotonic carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions on metabolism and performance during intermittent high intensity running. My general research interests include investigating the minimal physical activity levels to improve health and decrease risk factors associated with chronic diseases, the interaction of nutritional products and exercise on physiological function, physical activity promotion strategies, the evaluation of exercise referral services and the application of exercise in the clinical setting. My recent research projects include investigating the acute cardiorespiratory responses to interval training and resistance exercise training, exploring the effect of diagnosis of multiple myeloma, metastatic breast cancer or heart failure on physical function and quality of life and exercise preferences and the efficacy of a UK-wide virtial multimodal lifestyle programme for people affected by cancer.

Collaborative research I am involved with investigates the integration and optimisation of exercise applications into routine health care, such as refining the exercise prescription and delivery for a range of populations affected by heakthc conditions, particularly through clinical exercise physiology workforce development and the use of digital technology in education and multimodal interventions for people affected by cancer.