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 ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist, BACPR Phase IV Instructor and Postural Stability Instructor 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 and also in the broad area of sport and exercise nutrition, with greater focus on the health benefits of functional foods. I was previously responsible for starting to bring together groups of researchers and clinicians from the Faculty of Science and local NHS Trusts to work on collaborative teaching and research programmes to harness the variety of expertise in the South Coast area. 

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. Current 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.

Collaborative research I am involved with investigates the integration and optimisation of exercise applications into routine health care, such as refining the prescription of pulmonary muscle training in chronic respiratory diseases, investigating the efficacy and effectiveness of providing exercise services for a wider range of cardiac diseases, facilitating exercise and education for type II diabetes through defined physical activity pathways and the use of multimodal digital interventions for people affected by cancer.