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Development of strategies to monitor stress and help avoid infections in athletes and games players

Summary of the impact

The impact of the research by Professor Gleeson on immune responses to exercise and predictors of infection risk in athletes has altered practice of sport science support personnel, coaches and athletes in several areas including: immunoendocrine monitoring procedures, training prescription and the use of nutritional interventions to reduce exercise stress responses and minimize risk of infection. In this way, the research conducted during 2008-2013 at Loughborough University has impacted internationally upon the ways in which sports scientists operate, and athletes and games players are prepared for competition.

Submitting Institution

Loughborough University

Unit of Assessment

Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Cardiorespiratory Medicine and Haematology, Clinical Sciences, Public Health and Health Services

Changes to Healthcare Practice within the NHS: Prehabilitation, Rehabilitation, and Perioperative Care Research for Patient Benefit

Summary of the impact

In this case study we describe an interrelated collection of impacts on healthcare in the NHS; these are summarised in the Table below.

Research Research Reach and Significance
Observational study of the difference in blood pressure between arms in vascular surgical patients Directly informed new care pathway for surgery to unblock a carotid artery Patients across Durham Tees Valley and North Yorkshire; eliminates risk of clinical error in blood pressure monitoring during surgery thus reducing potential harm (stroke, heart attack)
Validation of the 6-min walk test (6MWT) in non-cardiac surgical patients 6MWT now included in the North East Care Pathway for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Repair Patients across the North East NHS; 6MWT is a useful low-cost addition to the battery of pre-operative screening/ risk stratification tests
Randomised controlled trial (RCT) of exercise prehabilitation in AAA patients Exercise training now recommended to AAA patients awaiting surgery using brief negotiation in the clinical encounter Patients across Durham Tees Valley and North Yorkshire; likely improved fitness for surgery
RCT of exercise rehabilitation in intensive care unit (ICU) survivors Exercise training now recommended in ICU follow-up clinics via brief negotiation ICU patients in South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; likely accelerated return to adequate functional fitness
Diagnostic accuracy study of the STOP-BANG screening tool for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in specialist weight management patients Directly informed new pathway for referral of bariatric and specialist weight management patients into clinical Sleep Services Patients across Durham Tees Valley and North Yorkshire; Improved accuracy of diagnosis of OSA likely to require medical intervention

Submitting Institution

Teesside University

Unit of Assessment

Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Clinical Sciences, Public Health and Health Services

Improving outcome measurement in pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation

Summary of the impact

It is important that valid outcome measures are used to assess clinical services and interventions to demonstrate that services are effective. Additionally, outcomes of interventions need to be meaningful to the patients reporting them, as this adds value to the outcome of trials over and above the statistically significant difference derived mathematically. Singh and colleagues explored the minimum clinically important difference of the incremental shuttle walking test for individuals with chronic respiratory disease. As a result of Singh's research, this threshold is now included in international guidelines for pulmonary rehabilitation and has also been introduced into research and practice among people attending cardiac rehabilitation over the last 5 years.

Submitting Institution

Coventry University

Unit of Assessment

Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Cardiorespiratory Medicine and Haematology, Clinical Sciences

Safe and effective exercise for patients with heart disease

Summary of the impact

Prof Doherty's research is themed around `safe and effective exercise for patients with complex cardiac disease' where, until his leading research had been carried out, thousands of patients were denied access to such services. Prof Doherty implemented the first prospective randomised control trial (RCT) in this population which has: benefitted patients directly by enabling more programmes to offer rehabilitation to this group of patients; impacted on clinical guidance nationally and internationally; contributed to Department of Health policy; and influenced the public and clinical populations through the NHS, British Heart Foundation, Arrhythmia Alliance and professional clinical groups.

Submitting Institution

York St John University

Unit of Assessment

Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Cardiorespiratory Medicine and Haematology, Clinical Sciences, Public Health and Health Services

Exercise rehabilitation programmes in rural communities

Summary of the impact

The Physical Activity in Ageing, Rehabilitation and Health Research Group at Aberystwyth University has designed, implemented and evaluated rural Community Exercise Schemes (CESs), including GP referral of sub-clinical populations, and more specialised schemes, such as cardiac rehabilitation and falls prevention. This research has made a distinct and material contribution to the provision of CESs in the region by providing evidence to inform service planning and delivery, increase access to and engagement with services, improve health and influence professional standards, guidelines and training.

Submitting Institution

Aberystwyth University

Unit of Assessment

Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Clinical Sciences, Public Health and Health Services

High intensity training

Summary of the impact

High intensity training: Impact can be evidenced on multiple levels ranging from adding to the public debate on exercise duration and providing information to the sports industry. This includes publication of the findings/applied recommendations of this research in lay magazines (e.g. Men's Health), books (e.g. The High Intensity Workout Dundee University Press 2012) and television shows (e.g. Horizon). In addition, the research has informed coaches (ice hockey and rugby union) and people working in the fitness industry (personnel trainers), and has contributed to the debate on exercise for health (Scottish Government).

Submitting Institution

University of Abertay Dundee

Unit of Assessment

Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism

Summary Impact Type

Societal

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Clinical Sciences

Modified shuttle test (MST): Enabling exercise testing in clinical practice and research

Summary of the impact

The modified shuttle test (MST), developed at the University of Ulster by Professor Bradley and colleagues, is an evidence-based exercise test that is having the following impacts:

  1. Influencing practice through the availability of a robust easy to use exercise test.
  2. Informing best-practice guidelines in cystic fibrosis (CF).
  3. Shaping effectiveness evaluation.
  4. Influencing training in exercise testing

Submitting Institution

University of Ulster

Unit of Assessment

Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Cardiorespiratory Medicine and Haematology, Clinical Sciences, Public Health and Health Services

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