Within sport and exercise, staff have been publishing and presenting research on a range of topics including obesity, mega-events and morality.

Mark Hopkins has been working in the field of appetite and obesity with staff from Univeristy of Leeds. This research considers the individual variability and compensation in exercise induced weight loss.  As well as a host of publications, Mark has presented at venues across Europe and recently conducting some testing in Australia.

Paul Salisbury has been analysing the decision making processes behind bidding for large scale sporting events with staff at Loughborough University.

John Perry has been developing a new model and measure of sportsperonship and has further examined the role of morality in sport. Working with staff at the Univeristy of Hull, John is currently also conducting research into mental toughness.

In nutrition and food, staff have been working on a host of research projects targeted at children's nutritional intake, eating disorders, public health nutrition and delivering a cooking communities initiative.

Dr Lisa Gatenby has lead an initiative called ‘Cooking Communities’. This project uses after school clubs to promote intergenerational and cross community relationships through cooking and eating together.  Overall the project aims to break down barriers between generations, faiths, cultures and neighbourhoods through sharing cooking and eating experiences within the club and the community.  One objective is also to develop a toolkit to train teachers, teaching assistants and volunteer ‘Cooking Champions’ to run city wide clubs as well as Award Schemes for those involved. Lisa has also published a range of papers on the subject of children's nutritional intake.

Ieva Alaunyte has been researching the influence of dietary interventions on iron status and athletic performance of long-distance female runners as part of her PhD studies at Manchester Metropolitan University. Ieva has presented her work in a number of international nutrition conferences and published journal articles.

Our staff specialising in sport development and physical education have been working on projects largely aimed at increasing physical activity in children.

Dr Julie Brunton secured funding in order to establish an innovative research intervention programme to increase physical activity in children. The project, ‘Funky Feet’, has delivered quality physical activity to Key Stage 2 pupils across Leeds. This multi-site intervention reaches beyond school into the community through associated activities. Family involvement is also encouraged to ensure sustainability of the project through motivational techniques used with the children that incorporate the family and enhance activity outside of school.