Dr Harry Roberts
Academic and research departments
Section of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.About
Biography
I am a Lecturer of Sport and Exercise Science within the School of Biosciences and Medicine.
I received my PhD in Exercise Physiology from Bangor University under the supervision of Prof. Jeanette Thom, where I explored the effects of physical activity and ageing on knee cartilage morphology and joint biomarkers. I then completed a post-doc in Cancer and Exercise, where I worked on the GAP-4 INTERVAL trial investigating the effect of effects of high-intensity interval training in men with metastatic prostate cancer. Following this, I was appointed as a Teaching Fellow in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Surrey. Further to my academic work, I am passionate about applied practice, and have significant experience of working within exercise referral and cardiac rehabilitation and I continue to support individuals with long term health conditions wishing to exercise.
ResearchResearch interests
My research interests are linked to understanding how exercise can be used to enhance health, whether that is through the promotion of healthy ageing, or exercise interventions for individuals with long term conditions / clinical populations. Of particular interest is the use of exercise / physical activity in the context of cancer prevention and control. I am also interested in the effect of exercise and ageing on injury, joint health, and serum biomarkers. Current research projects include: the use of intense exercise for survival among men with metastatic cancer (INTERVAL study) and exploring injury and joint health among ultra-endurance athletes.
Research interests
My research interests are linked to understanding how exercise can be used to enhance health, whether that is through the promotion of healthy ageing, or exercise interventions for individuals with long term conditions / clinical populations. Of particular interest is the use of exercise / physical activity in the context of cancer prevention and control. I am also interested in the effect of exercise and ageing on injury, joint health, and serum biomarkers. Current research projects include: the use of intense exercise for survival among men with metastatic cancer (INTERVAL study) and exploring injury and joint health among ultra-endurance athletes.
Teaching
Together with colleagues from the School of Biosciences and Medicine I teach on the BSc Sport and Exercise Science programme.
I currently lead two modules on the Sports and Exercise Science programme.
Anatomy and Kinesiology - This module provides students with a fundamental understanding of human anatomy by considering the form and function of the skeleton, muscle, bone & articulations, and examining their interaction during human movement, exercise and sport.
Performance Training and Assessment - This module builds on knowledge of exercise physiology (BMS2063) and an understanding of training methods (BMS1044) by exploring in greater depth how the body adapts to chronic exercise (i.e. from a cellular / molecular to whole body level), the mechanisms responsible and the impact on sports performance. This module evaluates current practice with respect to training and assessments of athletes. Students will have the opportunity to conduct physiological assessments following BASES sport testing guidelines.
In addition to these modules, I teach on a variety of modules across the programme including, Principles of exercise, fitness and health, Exercise physiology and biochemistry, and Exercise referral and prescription.
Finally, I also coordinate the CIMSPA vocational qualifications that are embedded within the Sport and Exercise Science programme.
Publications
Highlights
Roberts, H. M., Law, R. J. and Thom, J. M. (2019) ‘The time course and mechanisms of change in biomarkers of joint metabolism in response to acute exercise and chronic training in physiologic and pathological conditions’, European Journal of Applied Physiology. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, 4(0123456789). doi: 10.1007/s00421-019-04232-4.