Biography

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Physical Education; University of British Columbia (1986)
  • Master of Science (Sports Science), Loughborough University (1987)
  • PhD Exercise Physiology and Effort Perception, Clinical Populations, Keele University (2003)
  • Fellow of the Higher Education Authority
  • Fellow of the British Association of Sport & Exercise Sciences

Background and experience

John has over 30 years experience in applied exercise science in health, medicine and rehabilitation, which includes running his own exercise and physiotherapy business for 21 years. Between 1989 and 2006, John led on the foundations of the exercise and health curriculum and research at Keele in the predecessor schools of the School of Allied Health Professions. Since then he led teaching and research in the area of cardiovascular health and rehabilitation at the University of Chester and exercise medicine at the University Centre Shrewsbury. He has returned to Keele University in 2021 to continue and further develop these areas.

He has held many national and international leadership positions, including: a Founding Committee Member of the Exercise Professionals Group of the British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (BACPR, 2001 - present); Founding Chair of the Division of Physical Activity for Health of the British Association of Sport & Exercise Sciences (BASES, 2003 - 2007); President of the BACPR (2009 -2011), Founding Chair of the International Council for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (ICCPR, 2012 - 2016) and Panel Member of the World Health Organisations (WHO) policy group on Ischaemic Heart Disease and Rehabilitation (2017 - present).

His most current role is as a lead advisor to the newly formed professional body of Clinical Exercise Physiology, UK, which is registered with the Registration Council of Clinical Physiologists/Academy of Health Care Sciences.

Research and scholarship

John's research and scholarship include publications in many sports medicine and exercise science journals; author/editorship of three textbooks and numerous chapters in national and international textbooks and guidelines, including the International Olympic Committee's Manual of Sports Cardiology. His work has featured many times in the public domain, including broadsheet newspapers in the UK, US, Canada and India and numerous appearances as a presenter on radio and television with the BBC and ITV.

Specific areas of his work include field-based testing and exercise prescription in clinical populations; effort perceptions and ratings of exertion and pain, sedentary behaviour and occupational health, cardiometabolic and vascular health and rehabilitation.

Teaching

John's main areas of teaching include: Exercise testing and prescription, principles of cardio-pulmonary assessment, sedentary behaviour, public health and physical activity, research design and analysis.

Publications

Supervision

PhDs

  • Ratings of Perceived Exertion (M.Morris, University of Chester)
  • Exercise Rehabilitation in Heart Failure (R. Leslie, Wolverhampton Hospitals and University of Chester)
  • Sedentary Behaviour in Cardiometabolic Health in Office Workers (E. Deery, University of Chester)

MPhil and MRes

  • Exercise in Peripheral Vascular Disease (G. McGregor, Shrewsbury Hospital and University of Wolverhampton
  • Exercise in Cystic Fibrosis (I. Waller, Manchester Centre for CF and University Centre Shrewsbury)
  • Paper-based postural supports for children with CP in Kenya (C. Barton, Mid Wales Health Board and University Centre Shrewsbury)

Collaborations and grants awards

John has collaborated in teaching and research with leading UK and international institutions, including NIHR and MRC level funded projects with Imperial College London, Kings College London, and York University Toronto. He has held positions as visiting lecturer/professor with St George's Hospital, London University, UCL and the Azerbaijan State Academy of Physical Education and Sport, the Sir R.N. Reliance Hospital Mumbai, Imperial College London, The Asian Heart Institute Mumbai and the Singapore Heart Foundation

School of Allied Health Professions
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Keele University
Staffordshire
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