Dr Claire Fitzsimons
Lecturer in Physical Activity for Health
- Moray House School of Education and Sport, ISPEHS
- University of Edinburgh
Contact details
- Tel: +44 (0)131 651 6049
- Email: claire.fitzsimons@ed.ac.uk
Address
- Street
-
Moray House School of Education and Sport, SL 2.31
- City
- Post code
- EH8 8AQ
Availability
I work part time Tuesday-Thursday
Background
I have a degree in Physiology (2001) and a PhD in Exercise Physiology in Older Adults (2006) from the University of Edinburgh. Upon completion of my PhD I was appointed as the Project Co-ordinator of SPARColl (Scottish Physical Activity Research Collaboration) at the University of Strathclyde (2006-2009) and following this as a Lecturer in Human Movement Sciences (2009-2011).
In 2012 I was appointed as a Chancellor's Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh (2012-2018). My research fellowship was focused on sedentary behaviour in older adults. Time spent sedentary has been linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease and some cancers. My fellowship explored how older people perceive sedentary behaviours, the health risks and testing out possible interventions.
I am currently a Lecturer in Phyiscal Activity for Health in the Phyiscal Activity for Health Research Centre at the University of Edinburgh. I am currently working on a number of research projects with both older adults and stroke survivors to encourage reducing and breaking up sedentary behaviours.
Undergraduate teaching
I teach on the Exercise Prescription for Rehabilitation on the Applied Sports Science programme
Postgraduate teaching
I teach on the MSc Physical Activity for Health.
Physical Activity for Health (MSc/PgDip/PgCert)
Areas of interest for supervision
I supervise student projects with a particular focus on older adults and sedentary behaviour and/or physical activity
Current PhD students supervised
Divya Sivaramakrishnan: Evaluating the health benefits of incorporating yoga into the physical activity plan of older adults, Year 3
Past PhD students supervised
Tessa Strain: Adherence to the current physical activity guidelines in Scotland, graduated July 18
Research summary
My research is focused around supporting adults and clinical populations (particularly stroke survivors) to reduce and break up their sedentary time. I am interested in the development of interventions including perceptions of older adults and stroke survivors on their sedentary behaviours, measurement of sedentary time and how best to feedback to people on the amount of time spent sedentary.
Current research interests
I am currently working on a number of research projects which cluster under the topic of sedentary behaviour: 1. Improving sedentary behaviour and physical activity in community-dwelling older adults: development feasibility testing of a novel technology-supported intervention. Sit Less and Move More: funded by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government (£299k, Nov17-Feb20), I am a co-investigator on this study which is exploring the development of an intervention to support older Scottish adults to sit less and move more and achieve all components of the current physical activity recommendations. This project is exploring the use of a novel device called an Activator to feedback to study participants on their upright time and steps. 2. Too much sitting in extended bouts in stroke survivors: A qualitative study to inform novel interventions. Funder: Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government. £225k. July 2015 – January 2019 (study paused Dec17-Aug18 ). Principal Investigator: guided by the COM-B model of behaviour change this study is interviewing stroke survivors about their sedentary behaviours to inform the development of future interventions. 3. Development and evaluation of strategies to reduce sedentary behaviour in patients after stroke and improve outcomes. Funder: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Programme Grant for Applied Research. £3 Million. October 2017 – September 2024. Co-investigator, co-work package lead. Lead Institution: University of Leeds. This programme of research called RECREATE will develop and rigorously test an intervention which aims to reduce and break up sedentary time after stroke.Past research interests
1. A feasibility study to identify an effective method to provide feedback and remote monitoring on sedentary behaviour in stroke survivors. Funder: Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation, £39k, April 2016-April 2018. Principal Investigator. Lead institution: University of Edinburgh. 2. Seniors USP: Seniors - Understanding Sedentary Patterns. Funder: MRC Lifelong Health and Wellbeing Initiative. £992k. January 2014 – October 2017. Co-investigator, co-work package lead, member of the Dissemination Advisory Group. Lead Institution: Glasgow Caledonian University.Knowledge exchange
1. Intervening on sedentary behaviour in older adults: from results to practice. Funder: University of Glasgow Impact Acceleration Account. £20k. October 2016 – June 2017. Co-investigator. Lead Institution: University of Glasgow.
Affiliated research centres
Current project grants
Too much sitting in extended bouts in stroke survivors: a qualitative study to inform novel interventions. Chief Scientist Office, Scottish Government, £225k, July 2015 - January 2019. Principal Investigator
Development and evaluation of strategies to reduce sedentary behaviour in patients after stroke and improve outcomes. Funder: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Programme Grant for Applied Research. £3 Million. October 2017 – September 2024. Co-investigator, co-work package lead. Lead Institution: University of Leeds.
Improving sedentary behaviour and physical activity in community-dwelling older adults: development and feasibility testing of a novel technology-supported intervention. Funder: Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government. £299k. November 2017 – February 2020. Co-investigator. Lead Institution: University of Glasgow
Past project grants
A feasibility study to identify an effective method to provide feedback and remote monitoring on sedentary behaviour in stroke survivors. Edinburgh and Lothians Health Foundation, £40k April 2016 - September 2017, Principal Investigator
Seniors USP (Understanding Sedentary Patterns). Medical Research Council, £985k, March 2014- July 2018, co-investigator
ESRC Impact Award, University of Glasgow in collaboration with Paths for All to develop sedentary behaviour information resources specific to older people. October 2016-March 2017, co-investigator
Institute for Academic Development, University of Edinburgh, £3,690, Co-investigator to develop interdisciplinary research and teaching in ‘Medicine & Science in Sport & PA’ 2014-2015
Proof of concept trial for the Vibrotactile activPAL™ (VTaP™) as a means to feedback on sedentary behaviour, Strathclyde Links, University of Strathclyde, £9,000, January 2010 – October 2010, co-principal investigator
The feasibility of a pedometer-based walking programme in combination with a physical activity consultation in Scottish adults aged 65 years and over in a primary care setting, Chief Scientist Office, Scottish Government, £130,358 and NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde R&D £27,124, Nov 2008-December 2010, co-investigator
Single Campus Project – Smart Move?, University of Strathclyde Dragon’s Den, £14,000, June 2008, co-investigator
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Stroke survivors' perceptions of their sedentary behaviours three months after stroke
In:
Disability and rehabilitation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2020.1768304
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (E-pub ahead of print) -
Factors influencing sedentary behaviours after stroke: findings from qualitative observations and interviews with stroke survivors and their caregivers
(15 pages)
In:
BMC Public Health, vol. 20, pp. 967
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09113-6
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Investigating the rigour of research findings in experimental studies assessing the effects of breaking up prolonged sitting – extended scoping review
In:
Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2020.04.007
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
A protocol for a systematic review of process evaluations of interventions investigating sedentary behaviour in adults
(5 pages)
In:
BMJ Open, vol. 9, pp. 1-5
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031291
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Stroke survivors’ perceptions of their sedentary behaviours three months after stroke
In:
Disability and rehabilitation
DOI: https://doi.org/doi/full/10.1080/09638288.2020.1768304
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Exploring adults’ experiences of sedentary behaviour and participation in non-workplace interventions designed to reduce sedentary behaviour: A thematic synthesis of qualitative studies
(16 pages)
In:
BMC Public Health, vol. 19, pp. 1-16
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-7365-1
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Understanding factors influencing sedentary behaviour after stroke: different priorities in different settings.
Research output: Contribution to Conference › Poster (Published) -
The effects of yoga compared to active and inactive controls on physical function and health related quality of life in older adults: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
(22 pages)
In:
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, vol. 16, pp. 1-22
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-019-0789-2
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
SEDENTARY BEHAVIOUR IN STROKE SURVIVORS: A QUALITATIVE (OBSERVATION AND INTERVIEW) STUDY INVOLVING STROKE SURVIVORS, CAREGIVERS AND STAFF
Research output: Contribution to Conference › Poster (Published) -
DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTERVENTION TO REDUCE SEDENTARY BEHAVIOUR AFTER STROKE: A CO-PRODUCTION APPROACH
Research output: Contribution to Conference › Poster (Published) -
Sedentary behaviour in stroke survivors: a qualitative (observation and interview) study involving stroke survivors, caregivers and staff
(57 pages)
In:
International Journal of Stroke, vol. 13, pp. 56
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Special issue (Published) -
CO-PRODUCING A COMPLEX INTERVENTION TO REDUCE SEDENTARY BEHAVIOUR AFTER STROKE: CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS
Research output: Contribution to Conference › Poster (Published) -
Understanding potential of greenspace as a therapeutic intervention post-stroke: a rapid review of evidence
Research output: Contribution to Conference › Poster (Published) -
RECREATE: Intervention development to support stroke survivors to reduce and break up sedentary behaviours
(77 pages)
In:
Journal of Physical Activity and Health, vol. 15, pp. 76
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Meeting abstract (Published) -
Sedentary behaviour after stroke: A new target for therapeutic intervention
(3 pages)
In:
International Journal of Stroke, vol. 14, pp. 9-11
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1747493018784505
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Editorial (E-pub ahead of print) -
What do older people do when sitting and why? Implications for decreasing sedentary behavior
(12 pages)
In:
The Gerontologist, pp. 1-12
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gny020
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (E-pub ahead of print) -
Interventions for reducing sedentary behaviour in people with stroke
In:
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, pp. 1-16
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012996
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Using the COM-B model of behaviour to understand sitting behaviour in U.K. office workers
(10 pages)
In:
Sport and Exercise Psychology Review, vol. 14, pp. 23-32
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published) -
Characteristics of a protocol to collect objective physical activity/sedentary behaviour data in a large study: Seniors USP (understanding sedentary patterns
In:
Journal for the Measurement of Physcial Behaviour, vol. 1, pp. 26-31
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/jmpb.2017-0004
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (E-pub ahead of print) -
Differences by age and sex in the sedentary time of adults in Scotland
(10 pages)
In:
Journal of Sports Sciences, vol. 36, pp. 1-10
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2017.1339904
Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article (Published)