The overall aim of this research project is to address novel aspects of integration between respiratory function and human performance and health.
Specific aims are:
- to develop a novel method of evaluating the contractile properties of the human diaphragm and to determine the role these properties may play in the loss of respiratory muscle function with fatigue in young and older adults;
- to explore maladaptation of the respiratory system in response to heat stress and dehydration in young and older adults; and
- to evaluate generic exercise-based rehabilitation for chronic breathlessness and to provide exploratory data on the feasibility and acceptability of a state of the art decision making tool where patients exercise at home in a virtual group supported by an “exercise-avatar”.
The impact of the research is wide ranging and long lasting, with the potential to make a difference to the lives of elderly people and clinical populations, including patients with COPD, heart failure and asthma.
Research Outputs
Marshall, H., Gibson, OR., Romer, LM., Illidi, CR., Hull, JH. and Kippelen, P. (2020) ''. Journal of Applied Physiology, 130 (3). pp. 517 - 527. ISSN: 8750-7587
Meet the Principal Investigator(s) for the project
Dr Lee Romer - Dr Romer holds a Readership in Human and Applied Physiology. After completing undergraduate and postgraduate studies at Brunel, he worked for several years at the British Olympic Medical Centre where he was responsible for the design, management and provision of physiological support services to Olympic Governing Bodies. He completed a PhD at the University of Birmingham and received post-doctoral training at the John Rankin Laboratory of Pulmonary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. He rejoined Brunel in 2004 and served as Division Lead from 2014 to 2018.
Related Research Group(s)
Applied Respiratory Research Group - Applied respiratory research meeting the needs of respiratory-related healthcare
Physical Activity in Health and Disease - The centre conducts interdisciplinary research to improve human health and performance through regular physical activity and exercise, and by limiting sedentary behaviour.
Partnering with confidence
Organisations interested in our research can partner with us with confidence backed by an external and independent benchmark: The Knowledge Exchange Framework. Read more.
Project last modified 02/10/2023