Clinical Exercise
and Rehabilitation
Research Centre 

The Clinical Exercise and Rehabilitation Research Centre drives and delivers exceptional research within fields such as respiratory conditions, diabetes, health interventions, sport performance to name just a few. Our research is framed by multi-disciplinary perspectives providing both depth and breadth to our investigations which benefits our partners and collaborators. We have over 50 active researchers who undertake research within our research clusters: 

We deliver impactful research that benefits the individuals, practitioners and organisations that we work in partnership with. The work of the research centre also builds on the University of Derby’s submission to the Research Excellence Framework in 2021 in Allied Health Professionals (Unit of Assessment 3) and Psychology (Unit of Assessment 4). Our research has been externally rated as 'internationally excellent' and in some cases 'world leading'. 

Our aims

Our ground-breaking research is spread across two research clusters:

Rehabilitation and Respiratory Research Cluster

The Rehabilitation and Respiratory Research Cluster includes an extensive blend of academics who specialise in research in rehabilitation and respiratory conditions from multiple perspectives such as elite sport performance, strength and conditioning, coaching and psychology, and sports, health and physiotherapy. Our research expertise includes Long COVID, COPD as well as Inspiratory Muscle Training. We also investigate specific conditions including Type 1 diabetes, neurodisability and stroke rehabilitation, balance and fall prevention in adults, as well as physical activity with people with dementia. Our researchers have experience of orthopaedic and musculoskeletal conditions including metatarsophalangeal joint replacement with adults and running injuries and injury prevention with elite military units.

 
Physical Activity and Performance Research Cluster

The Physical Activity and Performance Research Cluster has two aims. Our first aim is to undertake research and evaluation into the impact and implementation of physical activity and health interventions across the lifespan.  Our physical activity research is centred on the effectiveness and the experiences of individuals and communities as well as physical activity and health professionals. Secondly, we aim to undertake research which enhances the performance of individual athletes, sports teams and organisations including professional and elite teams and organisations at the highest level in a range of sports.

Research expertise is enhanced with access to an excellent range of facilities and high-quality data collection methods and with the support of an outstanding technical team. Our research cluster members also have experience in developing partnerships with leading organisations in the field which has enhanced the quality and applied nature of our research. 

Research Centre Leads

Professor Andy Pringle is the Research Centre Lead. Andy is a Professor of Physical Activity and Health Intervention. The Deputy Leads for the Centre are Dr Lisa Ledger, Head Occupational Therapy and Dr Jack Parker, Senior Lecturer in Sport, Therapy and Rehabilitation.

"In the Centre of Clinical Exercise and Rehabilitation, we undertake research and evaluation that aims to inform practice which benefits both communities of practice and local communities. Our research reaches across health, physical activity and sport." - Professor Andy Pringle, Research Centre Lead

Andy Pringle whilst doing his field work. In a forest path, with his bike
Professor Andy Pringle

Andy is a Professor of Physical Activity and Health. He undertakes teaching, research and PhD supervision in the area of impact and implementation of physical activity interventions for health improve...

Dr Lisa Ledger

Head of Discipline, Occupational Therapy. Areas of clinical specialism include posture management, wheelchairs and seating. PhD research focused on pressure ulcer prevention, person centred practice. ...

Dr Jack Parker

Dr Jack Parker is currently a Senior Lecturer in Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation at the University of Derby. His research focuses on rehabilitation and in particular, neuro-disabiliti...

Our research

A woman adjusting an oxygen mask on another person on a running machine
Optimising Performance and Training: An Interactionist Perspective 

A team of University of Derby researchers are evidencing the importance of ‘nurture’ in developing talented performers. And they are leading a multi-country collaborative programme into ps...

Research Clusters

A lecturer and female Sport Therapy and Rehabilitation student working in our Sport clinic.
Rehabilitation and Respiratory Research Cluster

The Rehabilitation and Respiratory Research Cluster has over 30 research active staff undertaking multi-disciplinary research in exercise and rehabilitation, and respiratory diseases and conditions. O...

Cyclist and researcher analysing performance graph
Physical Activity and Performance Research Cluster

The Physical Activity and Performance Research Cluster aim to undertake research and evaluation into the impact and implementation of physical activity and health interventions across the human lifesp...

Join us

If you are interested in our research and would like to find out more, would like to join our research cluster or are applying for a PhD in this research area, please contact Research Centre Lead Professor Andy Pringle, a.pringle@derby.ac.uk, or Deputy Research Centre Leads Dr Lisa Ledger, L.Ledger@derby.ac.uk and Dr Jack Parker, J.Parker@derby.ac.uk for more information.

Publications

  • Ashton, R.E., Philips, B.E. and Faghy, M., (2023). The acute and chronic implications of the COVID-19 virus on the cardiovascular system in adults: A systematic review. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases. 
  • Ashton, R.E., Aning, J.J., Tew, G.A., Robson, W.A. and Saxton, J.M., (2021). Supported progressive resistance exercise training to counter the adverse side effects of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a randomised controlled trial. Supportive Care in Cancer, 29(8), pp.4595-4605. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00520-021-06002-5 
  • Ashton, R. E., Tew, G. A., Aning, J. J., Gilbert, S. E., Lewis, L., & Saxton, J. M. (2020). Effects of short-term, medium-term, and long-term resistance exercise training on cardiometabolic health outcomes in adults: systematic review with meta-analysis. British journal of sports medicine, 54(6), 341-348.  https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/6/341.abstract
  • Ashton, R. E., Tew, G. A., Robson, W. A., Saxton, J. M., & Aning, J. J. (2019). Cross-sectional study of patient-reported fatigue, physical activity and cardiovascular status in men after robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy. Supportive Care in Cancer, 27(12), 4763-4770. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00520-019-04794-1
  • Ashton, R.E., Aning, J.J., Tew, G.A., Robson, W.A. and Saxton, J.M., 2021. Supported progressive resistance exercise training to counter the adverse side effects of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a randomised controlled trial. Supportive Care in Cancer, 29(8),  pp.4595-4605. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00520-021-06002-5
  • Bates, L.C., Conners, R., Zieff, G., Adams, N.T., Edgar, K.M., Stevens, S., Faghy, M.A., Arena, R., Vermeesch, A., Joseph, R.P. and Keith, N., 2022. Physical activity and sedentary behavior in people with spinal cord injury: Mitigation strategies during COVID-19 on behalf of ACSM-EIM and HL-PIVOT. Disability and Health Journal, 15(1), p.101177. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2021.101177
  • Bentley, C. L., Powell, L., Potter, S., Parker, J., Mountain, G. A., Bartlett, Y. K., ... & Hawley, M. S. (2020). The use of a smartphone app and an activity tracker to promote physical activity in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: randomized controlled feasibility study. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 8(6), e16203.
  • Briggs, I., Chidley, J. B., Chidley, C., & Osler, C. J. (2021). Effects of caffeine ingestion on human standing balance: a systematic review of placebo-controlled trials. Nutrients, 13(10), 3527. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/10/3527.
  • Davis, N. M., Pringle, A., Kay, A. D., Blazevich, A. J., Teskey, D., Faghy, M. A., & Mina, M. A. (2022). Feasibility, Psychosocial Effects, Influence, and Perception of Elastic Band Resistance Balance Training in Older Adults. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(17), 10907.  https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/17/10907
  • Faghy, M. A., Owen, R., Thomas, C., Yates, J., Ferraro, F. V., Skipper, L., ... & Ashton, R. E. (2022). Is long COVID the next global health crisis? Journal of Global Health, 12. https://www.scienceopen.com/document_file/a3fdd78b-07d9-45ee-9194-87ecdf8490cb/PubMedCentral/a3fdd78b-07d9-45ee-9194-87ecdf8490cb.pdf
  • Ferraro, F. V., de Ruggiero, F., Marino, S., & Ferraro, G. (2021). Social Bottom-Up Approaches in Post-COVID-19 Scenario: The AGOGHÈ Project. Social Sciences, 10(7), 274. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci10070274
  • Ferraro, F.V., Gavin, J.P., Wainwright, T.W. and McConnell, A.K., 2021. Association Between Inspiratory Muscle Function and Balance Ability in Older People: A Pooled Data Analysis Before and After Inspiratory Muscle Training. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 1(aop), pp.1-13. https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2020-0507
  • Fletcher, L. J., & Osler, C. J. (2021). Effects of mental fatigue on static upright stance and functional balance in older adults. Aging and Health Research, 1(4), 100043. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ahr.2021.100043.
  • Harrison, A. M., Safari, R., Mercer, T., Picariello, F., van der Linden, M. L., White, C., ... & Norton, S. (2021). Which exercise and behavioural interventions show most promise for treating fatigue in multiple sclerosis? A network meta-analysis. Multiple Sclerosis Journal, 27(11), 1657-1678. https://doi.org/10.1177/1352458521996002
  • Ledger, L., Worsley, P., Hope, J., & Schoonhoven, L. (2020). Patient involvement in pressure ulcer prevention and adherence to prevention strategies: An integrative review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 101, 103449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2019.103449
  • Ledger, L., & Morris, L. (2021). Pressure ulcer prevention and use of patient information leaflets. Journal of Community Nursing, 35(5).
  • Nakhaee, M., Mohseni-Bandpei, M., Mousavi, M. E., Shakourirad, A., Safari, R., Kashani, R. V., ... & Nakhaei, M. (2022). The effects of a custom foot orthosis on dynamic plantar pressure in patients with chronic plantar fasciitis: A randomized controlled trial. Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 10-1097. https://journals.lww.com/poijournal/Fulltext/9900/The_effects_of_a_custom_foot_orthosis_on_dynamic.79.aspx
  • Parker, J., Powell, L. and Mawson, S., 2020. Effectiveness of upper limb wearable technology for improving activity and participation in adult stroke survivors: systematic review. Journal of medical Internet research, 22(1), p.e15981. https://mhealth.jmir.org/2020/6/e16203/
  • Popovic, D., Bjelobrk, M., Tesic, M., Seman, S., Jayasinghe, S., Hills, A. P., ... & Network, P. I. V. O. T. (2022). Defining the importance of stress reduction in managing cardiovascular disease-the role of exercise. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases.
  • Powell, L. A., Parker, J., Weighall, A., & Harpin, V. (2022). Psychoeducation Intervention Effectiveness to Improve Social Skills in Young People with ADHD: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of attention disorders, 26(3), 340-357.
  • Pronk, N.P., Mabry, P., Bond, S., Arena, R. and Faghy, M.A., 2022. Systems science approaches to cardiovascular disease prevention and management in the era of COVID-19: A humpty-dumpty dilemma?. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2022.12.003
  • Redwood-Brown, A., Ralston, G. W., & Wilson, J. (2021). Incidence, severity and perceived susceptibility of COVID-19 in the UK CrossFit population. BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 13(1), 1-12. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13102-021-00318-9
  • Saxton, J. M., & Ashton, R. (2022). Exercise testing in breast and prostate cancer. In Sport and Exercise Physiology Testing Guidelines (pp. 258-266). Routledge.
  • Sheraz, S., Ayub, H., Ferraro, F.V., Razzaq, A. and Malik, A.N., 2022. Clinically Meaningful Change in 6 Minute Walking Test and the Incremental Shuttle Walking Test following Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(21), p.14270. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/21/14270
  • Safari, R., Jackson, J. and Sheffield, D., 2020. Digital self-management interventions for people with osteoarthritis: systematic review with meta-analysis. Journal of medical Internet research, 22(7), p.e15365.  
  • Safari, R. (2020). Lower limb prosthetic interfaces: Clinical and technological advancement and potential future direction. Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 44(6), 384-401. https://doi.org/10.1177/0309364620969226 
  • Borrie, A. & Ryall,E., (2024). Re-imagining talent development in sport: seeing a different world. Routledge: London  
  • Borrie, A. and Borrie, L. (2024). Relentless, emotional and amazing: - the world of high performance. in The Applied Sport and Exercise Practitioner. Borrie,A, Miles,A, Hooton,A, Chandler, C., and Watson,P. Ed. Routledge: London. 
  • Bostock, J., Bull, M., Woodward, J., & Jonathan, S. (2021). Mission alignment or drift? Theorising a conceptual model to examine the commodification of Football Sport Community Trusts. Managing Sport and Leisure, 13(1), 2152-7857. 
  • Bostock, J., & Breese, R. (2021). Theorising organisational resilience for sport management research and practice. Managing Sport and Leisure, 1-17
  • Briggs, I., Chidley, J.B., Chidley, C. and Osler, C.J., 2021. Effects of caffeine ingestion on human standing balance: a systematic review of placebo-controlled trials. Nutrients, 13(10), p.3527.
  • Briley, S.J., Vegter, R.J., Goosey‐Tolfrey, V.L. and Mason, B.S., 2022. Alterations in shoulder kinematics are associated with shoulder pain during wheelchair propulsion sprints. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 32(8), pp.1213-1223. 
  • Bossuyt, F. M., Mason, B. S., Briley, S., O'Brien, T. J., Boninger, M. L., Arnet, U., & Goosey-Tolfrey, V. L. (2022). Shoulder tendon adaptations following a graded exercise test to exhaustion in highly trained wheelchair rugby athletes with different impairments. Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 2, 112. 
  • Campbell, B. C., Davy, J. P., Pote, L., & Christie, C. J. (2022). The effect of time of day on adolescent fast bowling performance: A pilot study. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 17479541221080630
  • Cavill, N., Richardson, D., Faghy, M., Bussell, C., & Rutter, H. (2020). Using system mapping to help plan and implement city-wide action to promote physical activity. Journal of public health research, 9(3), jphr-2020
  • Campbell, B. C., Davy, J. P., Pote, L., & Christie, C. J. (2022). The effect of time of day on adolescent fast bowling performance: A pilot study. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 17479541221080630
  • Giles, D., Barnes, K., Taylor, N., Chidley, C., Chidley, J., Mitchell, J., & España-Romero, V. (2021). Anthropometry and performance characteristics of recreational advanced to elite female rock climbers. Journal of Sports Sciences, 39(1), 48-56. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2020.1804784
  • Dobell, A., Pringle, A., Faghy, M. A., & Roscoe, C. M. (2021). Educators Perspectives on the Value of Physical Education, Physical Activity and Fundamental Movement Skills for Early Years Foundation Stage Children in England. Children, 8(5), 338. https://doi.org/10.3390/children8050338
  • Dobell, A., Pringle, A., Faghy, M. A., & Roscoe, C. M. (2020). Fundamental movement skills and accelerometer-measured physical activity levels during early childhood: A systematic review. Children, 7(11), 224.
  • Duncan, M. J., Clarke, N. D., Bolt, L., Eyre, E., & Roscoe, C. M. (2022). Fundamental Movement Skills and Physical Fitness Are Key Correlates of Tactical Soccer Skill in Grassroots Soccer Players Aged 8–14 Years. Journal of Motor Learning and Development, 1(aop), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1123/jmld.2021-0061
  • Gibson, L., & Groom, R. (2021). Understanding ‘vulnerability’and ‘political skill’in academy middle management during organisational change in professional youth football. Journal of Change Management, 21(3), 358-382. https://doi.org/10.1080/14697017.2020.1819860
  • Kime, N., Zwolinsky, S., Pringle, A., & Campbell, F. (2022). Children's and young People's diabetes services: What works well and what doesn’t? Public Health in Practice, 100272 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666535222000489
  • Kojman, Y., Beeching, K., Gomez, M. A., Parmar, N., & Nicholls, S. B. (2022). The role of debriefing in enhancing learning and development in professional boxing. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 22(2), 250-260. 
  • Mitchell, J., Maratos, F. A., Giles, D., Taylor, N., Butterworth, A., & Sheffield, D. (2020). The visual search strategies underpinning effective observational analysis in the coaching of climbing movement. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1025. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01025/full
  • Nicholls, S. B., James, N., Wells, J., & Parmar, N. (2022). Performance analysis practice within Olympic and Paralympic sports: A comparison of coach and analyst experiences. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2022.2054623
  • O’Brien, T. J., Briley, S. J., Mason, B. S., Leicht, C. A., Tolfrey, K., & Goosey-Tolfrey, V. L. (2022). A high-intensity warm-up increases thermal strain but does not affect repeated sprint performance in athletes with a cervical spinal cord injury. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 1(aop), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2021-0073
  • Outram, T., & Wheat, J. (2021). Test-retest reliability of segment kinetic energy measures in the golf swing. Sports Biomechanics, 20(3), 344-359.  https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2018.1553244
  • Parnell, D., Groom, R., Widdop, P., & Ward, S. (2018). The sporting director: Exploring current practice and challenges within elite football. In Routledge handbook of football business and management (pp. 155-170). Routledge. 
  • Prendergast, G., & Gibson, L. (2022). A qualitative exploration of the use of player loans to supplement the talent development process of professional footballers in the under 23 age group of English football academies. Journal of Sports Sciences, 40(4), 422-430. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2021.1996985
  • Rajan, R. A., Kerr, M., Evans, H., & Outram, T. (2021). A prospective clinical and biomechanical analysis of feet following first metatarsophalangeal joint replacement. Gait & Posture, 89, 211-216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.07.020
  • Roscoe, C. M., Pringle, A., Chandler, C., Faghy, M. A., & Barratt, B. (2022). The Role of Physical Activity in Cancer Recovery: An Exercise Practitioner’s Perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6), 3600. 
  • Rutherford, Z., Zwolinsky, S., Kime, N., & Pringle, A. (2021). A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of CARE (Cancer and Rehabilitation Exercise): A physical activity and health intervention, delivered in a community football trust. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(6), 3327. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/6/3327
  • Rylands, L. P., & Roberts, S. (2019). Performance Characteristics in BMX Racing: A Scoping Review. Journal of Science and Cycling, 8(1), 3-10. https://doi.org/10.28985/1906.jsc.02
  • Sawiuk, R., Leeder, T. M., Lewis, C. J., & Groom, R. (2022). Planning, delivering, and evaluating formalised sport coach mentoring: exploring the role of the Programme Director. Sports Coaching Review, 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1080/21640629.2022.2045139
  • Sherwood, C., Read, P., Till, K., Paxton, K., Keenan, J., & Turner, A. (2021). Strength, power and speed characteristics in Elite Academy Soccer. Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning, 29(2), 13-22. 
  • Townsend, K. S., Rylands, L. P., & Canham, D. (2020). A Comparative Time Motion Analysis of the Flip Turn and Suicide Turn during the Individual Medley Discipline. Journal of Exercise Physiology Online, 23(2)
  • Taylor, N., Giles, D., Panáčková, M., Mitchell, J., Chidley, J., & Draper, N. (2020). A Novel Tool for the Assessment of Sport Climbers’ Movement Performance. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 15(6), 795-800. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2019-0311
  • Vishnubala, D., Iqbal, A., Marino, K., Whatmough, S., Barker, R., Salman, D., Pringle, A., & Nykjaer, C. (2022). UK Doctors Delivering Physical Activity Advice: What Are the Challenges and Possible Solutions? A Qualitative Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(19), 12030. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/19/12030
  • Weldon, A., Clarke, N., Pote, L., & Bishop, C. (2021). Physical profiling of international cricket players: an investigation between bowlers and batters. Biology of Sport, 38(4), 507-515.  https://www.termedia.pl/Physical-profiling-of-international-cricket-players-an-investigation-between-bowlers-and-batters,78,42154,0,1.html
  • Zhang, S., Roberts, R., Woodman, T., Pitkethly, A., English, C., & Nightingale, D. (2021). Foresee the glory and train better: Narcissism, goal setting, and athlete training. Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology.
  • Zhang, S., & Boardley, I. (2022). The ‘selves’ in banned performance enhancement: Investigating narcissism and compassion in the context of doping. Performance Enhancement & Health, 100243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peh.2022.100243
  • Zhang, S., Roscoe, C & Pringle, A. (2023). Self-Compassion and Physical Activity: The Underpinning Role of Psychological Distress and Barrier Self-Efficacy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/2/1480