About

As Associate Provost Learning and Teaching I help to shape the University's approach to how we teach and assess students. I am leading a range of initiatives aimed at improving student success and enhancing social mobility.   

Teaching responsibilities

I am an Exercise and Sport Scientist and teach on related programmes mainly in areas of the biomechanics of movement.

Research interests

My research interests can be split into two main areas, the biomechanics of jumping and plyometric training and the management of low back pain. Studying jump training inspired an interest in the loading experienced by the spine during such activity. Initial studies into the mechanics of intervertebral discs led me on a journey into the science of managing chronic pain and the relationship between psychological factors and clinical outcomes. 

Membership of professional bodies

• Member of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences
• Associate Member of the Ergonomics Society
• Fellow of Advance HE

Qualifications

• PhD Liverpool John Moores University, ‘An Experimental Analysis of Controlled Plyometric Training’.
• BSc (Hons) Sports Science, Liverpool Polytechnic (CNAA)

Experience in industry

I have provided professional consultancy to a number of sports governing bodies including: UK Athletics, GB Target Shooting Federation, International Sport Shooting Federation, Lawn Tennis Association, England Netball, GB Wheelchair Racing Association, International Paralympic Committee.

Additional interests and activities

I am an active athletics coach working with a combined events group. When not coaching I still compete on the track over distances from 400 - 3000m including hurdles and steeplechase. 

Recent publications

• Franklin ZC and Fowler NE (2018) Defensive High-Anxious Individuals Demonstrate Difference Responses to Pain Management to Those with Lower Levels of Defensiveness and Anxiety. Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain, 18 (2), 214-223
• Franklin ZC; Holmes PS and Fowler NE  (2018) Eye Gaze Markers Indicate Visual Attention to Threatening Images in Individuals with Chronic Back Pain. Journal of clinical medicine 8 (1)
• Franklin, Z.C., Smith, N.C. and Fowler, N.E. (2016). A qualitative investigation of factors that matter to individuals in the pain management process. Disability and Rehabilitation, 1-9.
• Winter, E.M., Abt, G., Brookes, F.B., Challis, J.H., Fowler, N.E., Knudson, D.V., Knuttgen, H.G., Kraemer, W.J., Lane, A.M., Mechelen, W., Morton, R.H., Newton, R.U., Williams, C. and Yeadon, M.R. (2016) Misuse of "Power" and Other Mechanical Terms in Sport and Exercise Science Research. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 30 (1), 292-300.
• Franklin, Z.C., Holmes, P.S. Smith, N.C. and Fowler, N.E. (2016). Personality Type Influences Attentional Bias in Individuals with Chronic Back Pain. Plos One. 11 (1), e0147035.
• Cepeda, C.C., Lodovico, A., Fowler, N. and Rodacki, A.L. (2015). Effect of an Eight-Week Ballroom Dancing Program on Muscle Architecture in Older Adults Females. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity. 23 (4), 607-12.
• Franklin, Z.C., Smith, N.C. and Fowler, N.E. (2015). Influence of Defensiveness on Disability in a Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Population. Pain Practice: The Official Journal of World Institute of Pain.
• Franklin, Z.C., Smith, N.C. and Fowler, N.E. (2014). Defensive high-anxious individuals with chronic back pain demonstrate different treatment choices and patient persistence. Personality and Individual Differences, 64, 84-88
• Lewis S., Holmes P., Woby, S., Hindle, J. and Fowler, N.E. (2014). Changes in muscle activity and stature recovery after active rehabilitation for chronic low back pain. Manual Therapy, 19 (3), 178-83.
• Lenton, J.P., van der Woude, L.H., Fowler, N.E., Nicholson, G., Tolfrey, K. & Goosey-Tolfrey, V.L. (2013). Hand-rim forces and gross mechanical efficiency at various frequencies of wheelchair propulsion. International Journal of Sports Medicine. 34 (2), 158-64
• Lewis, S.E., Holmes, P.S., Woby, S.R., Hindle, J. & Fowler, N.E. (2012). The relationships between measures of stature recovery, muscle activity and psychological factors in patients with chronic low back pain. Manual Therapy, 17 (1), 27-33
• Lewis, S.E., Holmes, P.S., Woby, S.R., Hindle, J. & Fowler, N.E. (2012). Short-term effect of superficial heat treatment on paraspinal muscle activity, stature recovery, and psychological factors in patients with chronic low back pain. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , 93 (2), 367-72
• Lewis, S.E., Fowler N.E., Woby, S.R. & Holmes, P.S. (2012). Defensive coping styles, anxiety and chronic low back pain. Physiotherapy , 98 (1), 86-8
• Healey, E.L., Burden, A.M., McEwan, I.M. & Fowler, N.E. (2011). Diurnal variation in stature: do those with chronic low-back pain differ from asymptomatic controls?, Clinical Biomechanics, 26 (4), 331-6
• Pereira, G., Correia, R., Ugrinowitsch, C., Nakamura, F., Rodacki A., Fowler N. & Kokubun, E. (2011). The rating of perceived exertion predicts intermittent vertical jump demand and performance. Journal of Sports Sciences, 29 (9), 927-32
• Lenton, J.P., Van Der Woude, L.H., Fowler, N.E. & Goosey-Tolfrey, V. (2010). Effects of 4-weeks of asynchronous hand-rim wheelchair practice on mechanical efficiency and timing. Disability And Rehabilitation, 32 (26), 2155-64
• Pereira, C., de Freitas, P. B., Rodacki, A., Ugrinowitsch, C., Fowler, N. & Kokubun, E. (2009). Evaluation of an Innovative Critical Power Model in Intermittent Vertical Jump. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 30, 802-807
• Lewis, S.E.& Fowler, N.E. (2009). Changes in intervertebral disk dimensions after a loading task and the relationship with stature change measurements. Archive of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 90, 1795-9
• Cristopoliski, F., Barela, J.A., Leite, N., Fowler, N.E. & Rodacki, A.L.F. (2009). Stretching exercise program improves gait in the elderly. Gerontology, 55, 614-20
• Pereira, G., Morse, C., Ugrinowitsch, C., Rodacki, A., Kokubun, E. & Fowler, N. (2009). Manipulation of Rest Period Length Induces Different Causes of Fatigue in Vertical Jumping. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 30, 325-330
• Camilotti, B.M., Rodacki, A.L., Israel, V.L. & Fowler, N.E. (2009). Stature recovery after sitting on land and in water. Manual Therapy, 14(6), 685-9