The ISEH - Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health

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The ISEH - Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health Olympic health legacy, delivering excellence in research education & clinical services in sport & ex

Our vision is to be the leading institute for sports and exercise medicine in the world. The ISEH will provide excellence in elite sports performance and sports injury prevention and management whilst bridging the gap between elite sport, amateur sports and exercise prescription for the improvement of the healthcare of the whole population. The ISEH will:

Provide elite athlete treatment - a worldwide centre of excellence
*Deliver world class teaching, training and research in sport and exercise medicine

*Deliver health care needs of sport and exercise to elite and amateur levels

*Bridge the gap between the elite athlete and the weekend warrior through offering elite performance and training (including NHS patients)

*Translate our findings from research to gave an impact on the health of the nation.

06/10/2026

Don't miss… Join us tomorrow, Wednesday 7 October, from 5-7pm for the ISEH Annual Sports Cardio-Respiratory Medicine Webinar 2026, a FREE virtual CPD evening bringing together experts in the field.

- Wednesday 7 October 2026
- Virtual event
- FREE CPD

It promises to be an engaging and informative evening, exploring the latest research, practical insights and emerging developments in sports and exercise pulmonology.
Our speakers will share their knowledge and perspectives on current practice and the evolving landscape of cardio-respiratory medicine in sport and exercise.

Chaired by ISEH’s Professor James Hull, Consultant Respiratory Physician, the event is suited to healthcare and sports medicine professionals. Talks will cover:

- What can the breathing pattern tell us about exertional dyspnoea, and why? Andrea Nicolò, PhD, Associate Professor, Exercise Physiology Lab, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome 'Foro Italico'

- Does menopause change how women breathe?
Dr Kate Rattley, PhD, FHEA, Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences, Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health

- Accessible diagnostics and therapeutics for patients with exercise limitation caused by excessive dynamic airways collapse. Professor Tod Olin, Associate Professor and Director, Exercise and Performance Breathing Centre, Division of Paediatric Pulmonary Medicine

Followed by a Q&A for further discussion and understanding.

Secure your place:
https://iseh.co.uk/event/iseh-annual-sports-cardio-respiratory-medicine-webinar-2026

Physical activity is known to be good for brain health. However, there is less evidence on the importance of eating a he...
29/09/2026

Physical activity is known to be good for brain health. However, there is less evidence on the importance of eating a healthy diet.

This study from ISEH’s alumni Dr Robert Atkinson, and senior author Dr John J Mitchell and supported by the ISEH epidemiology team, looked at whether physical activity and diet quality were linked to better thinking and memory in middle-aged adults.

Key points:

- Physical activity and a healthy diet may both help to support brain health and cognitive function during middle age.
- The study included 3,028 people from the 1970 British Cohort Study, 55% were women
-At age 46, participants wore an activity monitor for one week and completed a diet questionnaire.
- Researchers scored participants on how closely participants followed a Mediterranean-style diet.
- Participants completed tests measuring memory and thinking at ages 46 and 51.
- People who had a healthier diet at age 46 generally had better cognitive performance at age 51, regardless of their physical activity levels.

The study concluded that a healthy diet may be particularly important above, and beyond physical activity, for protecting cognitive health during middle age.

Dr Robert Atkinson is an ISEH alumnus who recently graduated from the MSc in Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health, a programme he chose because of his strong interest in improving population health through healthy lifestyle interventions.

Access the study published in JECH: https://jech.bmj.com/content/early/2026/08/04/jech-2025-225100

18/09/2026

Taking place soon… We invite healthcare and sports medicine professionals to join us on Wednesday 7 October for the ISEH Annual Sports Cardio-Respiratory Medicine Webinar 2026, a FREE virtual CPD evening bringing together experts in the field.

It promises to be an engaging and informative evening, exploring the latest research, practical insights and emerging developments in sports and exercise pulmonology.

Our speakers will share their knowledge and perspectives on current practice and the evolving landscape of cardio-respiratory medicine in sport and exercise.

- Wednesday 7 October 2026
- Virtual event
- FREE CPD

This event will be Chaired by ISEH’s Professor James Hull, Consultant Respiratory Physician.

Speakers:
- Andrea Nicolò, PhD, Associate Professor, Exercise Physiology Lab, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome, “Foro Italico”

- Kate Rattley, PhD, FHEA, Lecturer in Sport & Exercise Medical Sciences, Institute of Sport, Exercise & Health

- Professor Tod Olin, Associate Professor and Director, Exercise and Performance Breathing Centre, Division of Paediatric Pulmonary Medicine

Secure your place:
https://iseh.co.uk/event/iseh-annual-sports-cardio-respiratory-medicine-webinar-2026

Looking back on a memorable summer of sport and the Commonwealth Games, we celebrate super heavyweight boxer Damar Thoma...
17/09/2026

Looking back on a memorable summer of sport and the Commonwealth Games, we celebrate super heavyweight boxer Damar Thomas, who achieved the remarkable feat of winning gold in Glasgow.

Just four months before the Games, Damar sustained a significant injury while competing at the 77th Strandja International Boxing Tournament in Bulgaria.

As he worked towards a safe return to the ring, Damar spent time at ISEH, working closely with Prof. Mike Loosemore and David Bartlett as part of his rehabilitation and preparations for the Games.

Reflecting on his return to boxing, Damar said:
“When I got back into the ring, it was like I’d never left.”
Just months after his injury, he went on to achieve an incredible milestone, winning gold in Glasgow.

A huge congratulations to Damar from everyone at ISEH. We wish Damar every success as he continues his journey and looks ahead to the tournaments to come.

We recently caught up with Damar to congratulate him on his achievement and hear more about his remarkable journey, from injury and rehabilitation to the top of the Commonwealth Games podium.

Keep reading: https://iseh.co.uk/news/latest-news/damar-thomas-a-remarkable-road-to-commonwealth-games-gold

We’re very pleased to highlight the research and achievements of ISEH colleagues Professor Snehal Pinto Pereira, Emma Dh...
15/09/2026

We’re very pleased to highlight the research and achievements of ISEH colleagues Professor Snehal Pinto Pereira, Emma Dhir-Hewitt, Dr Amy Taylor, Dr John Vincent and Dr Jane Maddock, who recently attended the Social Medicine and Population Health Annual Scientific Meeting, where research, PhD success and mentoring took centre stage.

Dr Amy Taylor and Dr John Vincent both presented their research as posters. Amy showcased her research on a genome-wide association study of grip strength, while John presented findings on the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness, grip strength and symptoms of depression.

Emma Dhir-Hewitt’s abstract received one of the highest scores at the conference. Her presentation covered the first results chapter of her PhD, exploring the relationships between early-life socioeconomic status, obesity and subsequent cognitive ability in midlife.

Professor Snehal Pinto Pereira received the Mentor of the Year award, recognising her contribution to mentoring and supporting colleagues and students.

Dr Jane Maddock also attended the Annual Scientific Meeting, joining colleagues in representing ISEH at the event

We’re very pleased to invite healthcare and sports medicine professionals to join us for the ISEH Annual Sports Cardio-R...
04/09/2026

We’re very pleased to invite healthcare and sports medicine professionals to join us for the ISEH Annual Sports Cardio-Respiratory Medicine Webinar 2026 - a FREE virtual CPD evening exploring the latest developments and emerging thinking in sports and exercise pulmonology.

Date: Wednesday 7 October 2026
Time: 5:00pm–7:00pm
Venue: Online webinar

This event will be Chaired by ISEH’s Professor James Hull, Consultant Respiratory Physician.

Speakers:
- Andrea Nicolò, PhD, Associate Professor, Exercise Physiology Lab, Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome, “Foro Italico”

- Kate Rattley, PhD, FHEA, Lecturer in Sport & Exercise Medical Sciences, Institute of Sport, Exercise & Health

- Professor Tod Olin, Associate Professor and Director, Exercise and Performance Breathing Centre, Division of Paediatric Pulmonary Medicine

Join us for an engaging and informative evening bringing together leading experts to share their knowledge, research and practical insights into current and emerging developments in sports and exercise pulmonology.
Secure your place: https://r1.dotdigital-pages.com/p/79Y2-ON1

ISEH’s Professor James Hull recently contributed his expertise to an article in The Independent exploring the growing in...
28/08/2026

ISEH’s Professor James Hull recently contributed his expertise to an article in The Independent exploring the growing interest in VO₂ max-maxxing.

The article looks at what VO₂ max-maxxing is, and how it has moved beyond the world of elite sport, and why VO₂ max is gaining increasing attention in the wellness and longevity space.

Prof. James Hull shared:

“In its strictest sense, VO2 max is describing something called oxygen consumption - it’s a measure that describes the amount of oxygen that the body is able to use and metabolise.

“As we exercise, and our exertion level goes up, more oxygen is consumed - and the amount that’s able to be consumed is dependent on the efficiency of the interactions between our muscles, circulation, heart and lungs.

“Overall, it’s an integrated measure of your cardio, metabolic and respiratory fitness or capability.”

Read the full article here: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/vo2-max-test-fitness-cardio-longevity-b3033184.html

ISEH and UCL’s Prof. Snehal Pinto Pereira contributed to a recent Good Housekeeping feature exploring the importance of ...
27/08/2026

ISEH and UCL’s Prof. Snehal Pinto Pereira contributed to a recent Good Housekeeping feature exploring the importance of staying active as we move into our late 70s and beyond.

The feature follows actor Felicity Kendal, 79, and grandmother of 13, who recently shared how strength training, dog walking and hatha yoga form part of her weekly routine.

Prof. Snehal Pinto Pereira, Professor in Population Health and Applied Statistics, shared an important perspective on healthy ageing: “The goal isn’t to train like an athlete. It’s to preserve independence and quality of life,” while highlighting the types of exercise that would be most beneficial for this age group, further to her vast research in this area.

Keep reading: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/health/a73345310/felicity-kendal-fitness/

New systematic review: Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for adverse health outcomes among older adults, highli...
26/08/2026

New systematic review: Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for adverse health outcomes among older adults, highlighting the importance of identifying effective and engaging strategies that promote sustained physical activity. ISEH’s Dr Zarifa Kamilova, Doctorate Student at UCL, recently led a systematic review and meta-analysis, with co authors ISEH’s Professor Mike Loosemore MBE and Dr Bruce Paton and Professor John Buckley (UCL and Keele University).

The study evaluated and synthesised evidence from randomised controlled trials comparing dance interventions with exercise and non-exercise interventions among older adults. The review examined the effects of dance on cardiorespiratory fitness, quality of life (QoL), and muscle strength.

Dance is considered a moderate-intensity form of physical activity that may improve cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) while also encouraging continued participation.

Key points:

- A total of 17 studies with 1,881 older adults were included in the review (about 73% of the participants were women)- (the researchers searched six major research databases for suitable studies and only randomised controlled trials published between 2015 and 2025 were included).

- They compared dancing with regular exercise and with no exercise - focusing on heart and lung fitness, quality of life, and muscle strength.
No statistically significant difference in cardiorespiratory fitness was found between dance and conventional exercise (SMD −0.89; 95% CI −1.81 to 0.03; p = 0.0584).

- There was also no statistically significant difference in quality of life between dance and exercise (SMD 0.43; 95% CI −0.15 to 1.00; p = 0.14).

- Dance produced significantly greater improvements in muscle strength than conventional exercise (SMD 1.64; 95% CI 0.96–2.33; p < 0.0001).

- Their findings showed that dancing and regular exercise showed similar benefits for heart and lung fitness – and similar improvements in quality of life, while dancing showed greater improvements in muscle strength.

Overall, dance appears to be an effective alternative to conventional exercise for older adults, offering comparable benefits for cardiorespiratory fitness and quality of life and potentially greater benefits for muscle strength.

Keep reading: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2026.1902108/full

ISEH’s Dr Theo Farley recently published a study, (which included Professor Mike Loosemore MBE and a dedicated team of r...
10/08/2026

ISEH’s Dr Theo Farley recently published a study, (which included Professor Mike Loosemore MBE and a dedicated team of researchers including ISEH UCL sports medicine students), whereby they investigated the effectiveness of two practical neck strengthening programmes designed to improve isometric neck strength in male and female amateur rugby players.

This study (involving 142 male and female amateur rugby players) is believed to be the first to demonstrate an effective neck strengthening intervention in female athletes and also explored links between neck strength, body measurements, training experience, and concussion history.

Swipe for some key insights.

The authors have developed two protocols that are low-cost, time-efficient, and require minimal equipment, making them easy to implement in team training environments.

Dr Farley shared: "It is fantastic to have had so many UCL Sports Medicine students work on this project and have them represented as authors..."

Keep reading: https://iseh.co.uk/news/latest-news/new-study-investigating-the-effectiveness-of-two-practical-neck-strengthening-programmes-in-improving-isometric-neck-strength-among-male-and-female-amateur-rugby-players

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