Group
Physical Activity and Health Across the Lifespan Research Group (PAHAL)
Unit(s) of assessment: Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism
Research theme(s): Health Innovation
Overview
The Physical Activity and Health Across the Lifespan Research Group (PAHAL) led by Dr. Karah Dring (Senior Lecturer in Physical Activity and Health) encompasses academics whose expertise and research projects showcase the potential for physical activity to enhance the health and well-being of children, adolescents, and older adults. Through collaborative, interdisciplinary research, our academics examine an array of physiological (specialising in physical fitness, body composition, and cardiometabolic health), psychological (specialising in cognitive function and the associated academic achievement, self-control, and mental well-being), and social (specialising in independent living) variables. A key focus of the research group is to develop ecologically valid physical activity interventions that are accessible and feasible for the specialist population of interest, with considerations for their specific needs and the environments in which they are implemented so that the intervention has large reach to support future impact. In addition to the broader populations of young people and older adults, the research group also has specialisms in young people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder and their associated symptoms relating to cardiometabolic health and cognition, maturation, and the measurement of physical activity levels.
Collaborations and Partners
The research group collaborates with the following charities and associations:
- Waterloo Foundation
- Rosetrees Trust
- Education Endowment Foundation
- The Daily Mile Foundation
- Youth Sport Trust
- Active Notts and Active Derbyshire
- Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé Forest Community Trust
- Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé City Council
Research Group Researchers
Dr Karah Dring
Senior Lecturer
School of Science & Technology
Ruth Boat
Senior Lecturer
School of Science & Technology
Prof Simon Cooper
Professor
School of Science & Technology
John Morris
Associate Professor
School of Science & Technology
Michael Johnson
Principal Lecturer
School of Science & Technology
Daniele Magistro
Associate Professor
School of Science & Technology
Ryan Williams
Senior Lecturer
School of Science & Technology
LÃvia Rocha dos Santos
Associate Professor
School of Science & Technology
Athalie Redwood-Brown
Senior Lecturer
Sport Science
Ali Bowes
Senior Lecturer
School of Science & Technology
Caroline Sunderland
Associate Professor
School of Science & Technology
The Physical Activity and Health Across the Lifespan Research Group is supported by our postgraduate researchers:
- Dr Grace Walters
- Dr Rob Needham
- Elise Sibbick
- Scarlett Fountain
- Anna Dunn
- Caterina Ramos
- Nicola Camp
- Katie Garstang
- Hannah Lindsell
- Nathan Wood
- Charlotte Small
- Silvia Major
Research Projects
- Implementation of physically active lessons in the English and Maths curriculum in UK primary schools, and their effect on cognitive function and cardiometabolic health outcomes.
- Enhancing the physical activity levels, cardiometabolic health and cognitive function of adolescent girls (with associated evaluations of the effectiveness of the Girls Active programme).
- Refining and evaluating The Daily Mile for the enhancement of cardiometabolic health, cognitive function, and self-control in primary school aged children.
- Design, development and evaluation of physical activity interventions for the improvement of symptoms in children with ADHD and/or ASD; with mechanistic insights into how physical activity improves cognitive function in this population.
- Evaluation and modification of the secondary school PE curriculum for enhanced cardiometabolic health and cognitive function.
- Enhancement of family (with considerations for the parent-child dyad) physical fitness, cardiometabolic health, and cognitive function.
- Effect of physical activity on the gut microbiome of older adults.
- Examining the interplay between the gut microbiome and physical activity in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- Creation of educational and social movement towards an active and ageing society in the right spaces for older adults.
Funding:
Currently awarded internal and external research funding:
Project: Evaluating and enhancing the role of Physical Education (PE) in optimising cardiometabolic health and cognitive function in secondary school children: allowing every child to reach their potential (EPOCC);
Principal Investigators: Prof. Simon Cooper and Dr Karah Dring.
Project: Using physically active Mathematics lessons to reduce the attainment gap in pupils with socio-economic disadvantage.
Principal Investigator: Dr Ruth Boat.
Project: Characterisation of motor unit structure and function across adolescence.
Principal Investigator: Dr Ryan Williams.
Project: Effect of a cognitively engaging exercise intervention on cognition and education outcomes: mechanistic insights from the proteome response in children.
Principal Investigator: Dr Karah Dring.
Publications:
Publications examples from staff and postgraduates:
Walters et al., (2024). Effect of an acute bout of exercise on executive function and sleep in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 27: 100624.
Vagnetti et al., (2024). Social robots and sensors for enhanced aging at home: mixed methods study with a focus on mobility and socioeconomic factors. JMIR Aging, 7, e63092.
Sibbick et al., (2024). Associations of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness with cognitive function, self-control, and resilience in young people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Advanced Exercise and Health Science, 1 (1), pp. 51-58.
Gilbert et al., (2023). Effects of a games-based physical education lesson on cognitive function in adolescents. Frontiers in Psychology, 14: 1098861.
Walters et al., (2023). Short-term high-intensity rowing ergometry training improves rowing performance equally in healthy weight and obese adolescents. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 56(5), 885-892.
Dring et al., (2022). Effect of 5-weeks participation in The Daily Mile on cognitive function, physical fitness, and body composition in children. Scientific Reports, 12: 14309.
Magistro et al., (2022). An after-school football session transiently improves cognitive function in children. Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20 (1): 164.
Postgraduate Research Spotlight
Dr Grace Walters: Dr Walters is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow within the PAHAL research group. Her research expertise includes exploring and improving the health, wellbeing, and cognition of young people through physical activity with a particular interest in neurodivergence (including children and adolescence with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder).
Anna Dunn: Anna is a postgraduate researcher undertaking a PhD entitled ‘The Importance of Self-Control on Physical Fitness, Cardiometabolic Health and Well-Being in Young People'. In summary, Anna’s research explores the associations between self-control and health outcomes, and investigates interventions aimed at enhancing self-control in young people to support healthier decision-making and overall well-being.
Catarina Fernandes Ramos: Catarina is a postdoctoral researcher who is completing a PhD entitled ‘The effects of physical activity on the gut microbiome of older adults; implications for health ageing.’ Catarina’s research focuses on older adults as a population whereby there is a limited understanding of the effect of exercise/physical activity on the gut microbiome and the subsequent effects of this on their health and well-being.
Nicola Camp: Postgraduate Researcher completing a PhD entitled ‘Exploring the behavioural, physical and cognitive influences on ADL function in older adults, and how technology may support this.’ Nicola’s research aims to develop a greater holistic understanding of ADL function in older adults, with a view to develop a multidimensional, user-centred monitoring system using sensor data to assess and track physical, psychological, and social aspects of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) in older adults, improving health outcomes and promoting independent living. This system could provide more tailored support for older adults living at home, allowing them to safely live independently for as long as possible.
Dr Robert Needham: Dr Needham is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow whose expertise includes examining the effect of the PE curriculum on the cognitive function and cardiometabolic health of adolescents within the secondary school setting in the United Kingdom. This research will also examine the effect of a modified version of the PE curriculum on cognition and health outcomes in a randomised control study design.