Lecturer in Exercise Physiology
A lack of physical activity is now the fourth biggest cause of major chronic disease and premature death. My research focuses on 1) the accurate measurement of human movement, physical activity and sleep across the lifecourse using wearable sensors 2) the effect of physical activity and sleep on mood, emotional resilience and mental health.
I published the first measures of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in adults aged over 85 years, the fastest growng age group in the Western world, using advanced wrist worn sensors. Currently, I am developing research programmes aimed at tackling the growing burden of mental health problems using lifestyle related interventions.
My teaching is typically based around human physiology, pathophysiology and physiological measurement.
Overall, I aim to translate high quality research into improved clinical practice, quality of care and evidence for policy.
Teaching and supervision
Research interests for potential research students
Research
Lifestyle factors such as being physically active and getting good quality sleep are associated with reduced stress, anxiety and depression. Therefore, my current work aims to investigate the mechanisms by which physical activity and sleep improve mental health and develop interventions to improve physical activity, sleep and other lifestyle factors to combat stress, anxiety and depression.
For this and future work, I am working with clinicians at Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and researchers at University of Sunderland, Newcastle University, Oxford University and Cambridge University. Overall, this work will improve our understanding of the therapeutic effects of physical activity and sleep on mental health.
Publications
Article
Innerd, Paul, Harrison, Rory and Coulson, Morc (2018) Using open source accelerometer analysis to assess physical activity and sedentary behaviour in overweight and obese adults. BMC public health, 18 (1). p. 543. ISSN 1471-2458
Archer, David, Hogg, Robert, Coulson, Morcombe, Soos, Istvan, Anderson, Steven, Innerd, Paul and Leyland, Sandra (2017) Influence of body mass index and gender on physical activity in primary school children during PE and non-PE school days. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 76. E33-E33. ISSN 0029-6651
Innerd, Paul, Catt, Michael, Collerton, Joanna, Davies, Karen, Trenell, Michael, Kirkwood, Thomas B. L. and Jagger, Carol (2015) A comparison of subjective and objective measures of physical activity from the Newcastle 85+ study. Age and Ageing, 44 (4). pp. 691-694. ISSN 0002-0729
- Human physiology
- Physical activity
- Exercise
- Sedentary behaviour
- Sleep
- Circadian rhythm
- Measurement
- Physical activity monitoring using wearable technology
My other academic interests include the development of innovations in the NHS to assist healthcare professionals to deliver high quality care for patients. I have a number of colleagues across higher education institutions, NHS trusts and in the private sector.
