University strengthens focus on sports and physical activity research

The University of Wolverhampton has strengthened its focus on sports and physical activity research by welcoming two new Visiting Professors to the Institute of Human Sciences.

Dr Amtul Carmichael and Professor Roger Wolman are joining the University’s Sport and Physical Activity Research Centre (SPARC) with immediate effect.

SPARC works with a number of high profile sports and health organisations including; English Institute of Sport, GB Rowing, England Athletics, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Elmhurst Ballet School, 76 Harley Street, British Judo Association, and English National Ballet as well as Queens Hospital in Burton Upon Trent, Spire Parkway Hospital and BMI The Priory Hospital in the West Midlands.

Tracey Devonport, Professor of Applied Sport and Exercise Sciences in the Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, said: “These two new appointments form part of the University’s wider strategic plan to further strengthen work in this area.

“SPARC’s dynamic and multidisciplinary themes drive our research and enterprise activity supporting our vibrant undergraduate and postgraduate community.

“It’s wonderful to welcome two Visiting Professors with a wealth of medical and research experience behind them to further boost success in our fields of research.”

Dr Carmichael has extensive background experience in breast cancer treatment as a consultant, oncoplastic breast surgeon for over 16 years and is engaged in basic science research to enhance the understanding of the effective treatment of breast cancer, looking at the role of obesity and physical activity/exercise in prevention and improved prognosis.

Amtul has experience supervising PhD students from the University and she is working with University researchers on investigating the effects of exercise before and after breast cancer surgery and the effects of a dance-based intervention on the health of breast cancer patients awaiting hormone therapy commencement.

Professor Wolman is a specialist in Rheumatology and Sport & Exercise Medicine. He has worked at the British Olympic Medical Centre where he completed a Doctorate on bone health in female athletes, including research on professional dancers. He has a wide experience in Sports Medicine working with several professional dance companies, a number of football clubs and with the British Olympic Association, including the 2012 Olympic Games.

Roger has worked as an NHS Consultant at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and was involved in setting up and developing the National Institute of Dance Medicine and Science along with the University and other partners. He is the medical advisor to One Dance UK and is involved with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport Return to Work Taskforce for the dance sector. His recent research with the University has focused on the effect of vitamin D supplementation on muscle function and injury incidence.

Anyone applying for a course through Clearing can register their interest and arrange a phone call with the University on results day on Thursday 13th August or visit our next virtual Open Day on Saturday 15th August for more information. Alternatively call us on the Clearing Hotline on 01902 518585 or contact us through our Social Media channels:

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ENDS