Centre for Physical Activity and Life Sciences

Organisation profile

The Centre focuses on multidisciplinary aspects of physical activity interventions in sedentary, active and clinical populations, and the microbiological, genetic and molecular aspects of disease progression to target national and global challenges to health.

The Research Centre aims to:

• Bring together researchers examining physiological, psychological and biomechanical aspects of physical activity interventions in sedentary, active and clinical populations, and the microbiological, genetic and molecular aspects of disease progression.
• Develop research capacity by providing training for undergraduate to postdoctoral researchers and supporting early career researchers to become independent research leaders targeting national and global challenges to health.

The Centre for Physical Activity and Life Sciences is a multidisciplinary Centre including expertise in Biosciences, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Podiatry, and Occupational Therapy.  The Centre includes three main Special Interest Groups; Molecular Biosciences, Sport & Exercise Medicine, and Interdisciplinary Physical Activity & Health Promotion.  The main interests of researchers in these Groups are outlined below:

• Molecular Biosciences
  • Immunogenetics
  • Clinical genetics and genomics
  • RNA-based gene therapy
  • Cancer biology
  • Neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders
  • Monozygotic twin studies
  • Bioethics
  • Antimicrobial resistance
  • Molecular Mechanisms of Bacterial Pathogenesis
  • Infection control

• Sport & Exercise Medicine
  • Functional decline during ageing and fall risk
  • Sarcopenia and osteoporosis
  • Eccentric exercise in healthy and ageing populations
  • Cognitive impairment, pain and balance in ageing
  • Tendinopathy
  • Muscle stretching techniques and strain injury
  • Isometric resistance training and hypertension
  • Exercise-induced muscle damage
  • Heat- and cryo-based therapy
  • Concussion in impact sports Infection control

• Interdisciplinary Physical Activity & Health Promotion
  • Social exercise prescription in the built environment
  • Dancing groups to promote older adult health
  • Sociology of physical activity
  • Whole-systems partnership development
  • Child physical activity and nutrition programmes