Dr Steve Meadows

After working in the health and fitness industry for many years, Steve gained his first degree in Sport Science, Health and Health Promotion at Canterbury Christ Church University, where he also did his MSc in Sport and Exercise Science. His PhD study investigated METs expenditure of cardiac patients during exercise – which is another way of looking at their oxygen uptake (VO2). Subsequent published work in this area has critiqued the use of standard MET values for a clinical population. His research work reflects his practical engagement with various clinical exercise rehabilitation groups. As a qualified BACPR Phase IV exercise instructor he has worked in cardiac rehabilitation for 15 years. He has also set-up a community-based stroke rehabilitation and a Parkinson’s exercise class. All these sessions provide valuable work experience opportunities for students to get involved in.

He is keen for students to develop not just their academic and research skills, but also to broaden their horizons on the opportunities available to sport and exercise graduates. He is keen to see exercise used as medicine for prevention and chronic disease management, and these areas are his teaching specialisms.

He is the undergraduate admissions officer for SSES and programme director for the Sport and Exercise for Health degree. He is a great advocate of ‘practising what he preaches’ and prefers his bike, skateboard or micro-scooter to driving. In his spare time he enjoys kayaking, cycling, reading, live music and spending time walking his cocker spaniel or on his allotment. 

My current research interests relate to exercise in cardiac, stroke and Parkinson’s populations, but also the broader factors that impact on health and people’s ability to exercise and preserve, or improve their health and functional capacity.

Steve's most recent research project is an investigation into brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in acute and chronic exercise for people with Parkinson’s. There are many unexplored issues related to the field of clinical exercise physiology and psychology. This is made more interesting and complex when most people experience clinical health problems later in life. Getting and keeping people more active is critical to maintain and improving health throughout the life-course. Strategies that work in a real-life setting is a focus of my research interest, along with the evaluation of intervention outcomes. My passion is to see research being undertaken in applied settings, providing a ‘living laboratory’ for the researcher and students.  

Steve's teaching focuses on exercise prescription, referral and rehabilitation, exercise for special populations, human anatomy and physiology.