Dr Sophie Carter

Teaching

My main teaching responsibility lies in the area of Sport and Exercise Physiology. I am module leader for Level 3 Laboratory and Field-Based Testing in Sport and Exercise, Level 5 Physiology of Sport and Exercise, and Level 6 Research Project modules. I also supervise students at undergraduate and postgraduate level and am an academic tutor providing support to students throughout their time at University.

Courses I teach:

• Laboratory and Field-Based Testing in Sport and Exercise
• Fundamentals of Sport and Exercise Physiology
• Physiology of Sport and Exercise
• Applied Sport and Exercise Physiology
• Research Project

Research

I am Group Director of the Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health (PAtCH) Research Group.

My main research interests are investigating the effects of physical activity and sedentary behaviour on physical and mental health. My previous research has specifically focussed on investigating the effects of sedentary behaviour on cardiovascular health, using transcranial and vascular Doppler ultrasound to assess changes in cerebral and peripheral vascular function during prolonged sitting periods or using active break interventions. My research aims to contribute to understanding the negative health consequences of sedentary behaviour and to explore the effects of interventions to reduce sitting on cardiovascular health.

My current areas of research include:

• Workplace health and menopause
• Physical activity, sedentary behaviour and osteoarthritis
• Physical activity amongst autistic adults
• Golf participation and health

Publications and Conferences

Publications:

Maxwell, J.D., Bannell, D.J., Brislane, A., Carter, S.E., Miller, G.D., Roberts, K.A., Hopkins, N.D., Low, D.A., Carter, H.H., Thompson, A., Claassen, J.A.H.R., Thijssen, D.H.J. and Jones, H. (2022). The impact of age, sex, cardio-respiratory fitness, and cardiovascular disease risk on dynamic cerebral autoregulation and baroreflex sensitivity. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 122(6):1531-1541. doi: 10.1007/s00421-022-04933-3.

Dunstan, D.W., Dogra, S., Carter S.E. and Owen, N. (2021) Sit less and move more for cardiovascular health emerging insights and opportunities. Nature Reviews Cardiology, doi: 10.1038/s41569-021-00547-y, Q1

Carter, S.E., Draijer, R., Stewart, C.E., Moss, A.D., Thijssen, D.H.J. and Hopkins, N.D. (2021). Are acute sitting‑induced changes in inflammation and cerebrovascular function related to impaired mood and cognition?. Sport Sciences for Health, doi: 10.1007/s11332-021-00753-8, Q3

Roberts, K.A., Draijer, R., Hopkins, N.D., de Graaf, Y., Holder, S.M., Carter, S.E., Thijssen, D.H.J. and Low, D.A. (2021). Impact of green tea on the deleterious cardiometabolic effects of 7‐days unhealthy lifestyle in young healthy males. Physiological Reports, doi: 10.14814/phy2.14720 Q2

Carter, S.E., Draijer, R., Maxwell, J.D., Morris, A.S., Pedersen, S.J., Graves, L.E.F., Thijssen, D.H.J. and Hopkins, N.D. (2020). Using an e-Health Intervention to Reduce Prolonged Sitting in UK Office Workers: A Randomised Acceptability and Feasibility Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(23):E8942. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17238942 Q2

Carter, S.E., Draijer, R., Thompson, A., Thijssen, D.H.J. and Hopkins, N.D. (2020). Relationship Between Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity at Work and Cognition and Mood. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 16:1-13. doi: 10.1123/jpah.2019-0632. Q1

Ten Broeke, P., Olthof, M., Beckers, D.G.J., Hopkins, N.D., Graves, L.E.F., Carter, S.E., Cochrane, M., Gavin, D., Morris, A.S., Lichtwarck-Aschoff, A., Geurts, S.A.E., Thijssen, D.H.J. and Bijleveld, E. (2020). Temporal dynamics of sitting behavior at work. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America,117(26):14883-14889. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2001284117. Q1

Brislane, Á., Low, D. A., Carter, S. E., Holder, S. M., Jones, H. and Hopkins, N. D. (2019). Cerebral and peripheral vascular differences between pre- and postmenopausal women. Menopause: The Journal of The North American Menopause Society. 27(2):170-182, doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000001442 Q1

Carter, S. E., Draijer, R., Holder, S. M., Brown, L., Thijssen, D. H. J., Hopkins, N. D. (2019). Effect of different walking break strategies on superficial femoral artery endothelial function. Physiological Reports. 7(16):e14190 Q2

Carter S. E., Holder, S., Thijssen, D. and Hopkins, N. (2019). Taking regular breaks from sitting prevents reductions in brain blood flow. Frontiers for Young Minds, 7(77), doi: 10.3389/frym.2019.00077

Carter, S. E., Draijer, R., Holder, S. M., Brown, L., Thijssen, D. H. J., Hopkins, N. D. (2018). Regular walking breaks prevent the decline in cerebral blood flow associated with prolonged sitting. Journal of Applied Physiology, 125(3):790-798. Q2

Carter, S. E., Hartman, Y., Holder, S., Thijssen, D. H. and Hopkins, N. D. (2017). Sedentary behaviour and cardiovascular disease risk: mediating mechanisms. Exercise and Sports Sciences Reviews. 45(2):80-6. Q1

Carter, S. E. and Gladwell, V. F. (2016). Effect of breaking up sedentary time with callisthenics on endothelial function. Journal of Sports Sciences. 35(15):1508-1514. Q1

Thijssen, D. H., Carter, S. E. and Green, D. J. (2016). Arterial structure and function in vascular ageing: are you as old as your arteries? Journal of Physiology, 15;594(8):2275-84. Q1

Carter, S. E., Jones, M. and Gladwell, V. F. (2015). Energy expenditure and heart rate response to breaking up sedentary time with three different physical activity interventions. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, 25(5):503-9. Q1

Carter, S. E., Faulkner, A. and Rakobowchuk, M. (2014). The role of prostaglandin and antioxidant availability on recovery from forearm ischemia-reperfusion injury in humans. Journal of Hypertension, 32(2):339-51. Q1

Conference Presentations:

Acute effects of a prolonged sitting period on cerebrovascular function, cognitive performance and mood, 3rd Okanagan Cardiovascular and Respiratory Symposium, British Columbia, Canada, Oral presentation, 2018

Acute effects of a prolonged sitting period on cerebrovascular function, cognitive performance and mood, A Celebration of Women in Research, Liverpool, UK, Poster presentation, 2017

Acute effects of a prolonged sitting period on cerebrovascular function, cognitive performance and mood, Northern Vascular Biology Forum, Liverpool, UK, Poster presentation, 2017

The effect of sedentary behaviour on cerebrovascular function, cognition and performance in adults, Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences Sedentary Behaviour Seminar, Liverpool, UK, Oral presentation, 2017

Can prolonged sitting impair cerebral blood flow and autoregulation? Dick Thijssen Professorial Research Symposium, Liverpool, UK, Oral presentation, 2017

Relationship between sedentary behaviour and cognitive performance, European College of Sport Science Congress, MetropolisRuhr, Germany, Oral presentation, 2017

The effect of breaking up prolonged sitting on cerebral blood flow, Northern Vascular Biology Forum, Hull, UK, Oral presentation, 2016

The effect of breaking up prolonged sitting on cerebral blood flow, Liverpool John Moores Faculty of Science Postgraduate Research Day, Liverpool, UK, Oral presentation, 2016

The effect of breaking up prolonged sitting on cerebral blood flow, American College of Sports Medicine, Boston, MA, Poster and Mini Oral presentation, 2016

Energy expenditure and heart rate response to breaking up sedentary time with three different physical activity interventions, Physiology 2014, London, UK, Poster presentation, 2014

The role of prostaglandin and antioxidant availability on recovery from forearm ischemia-reperfusion injury in humans, International Union of Physiological Sciences (IUPS) Congress, Birmingham, UK, Poster presentation, 2013

Invited Talks:

Thompson Rivers University, Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada: ‘Can prolonged sitting impair cerebral blood flow and autoregulation?', 2018

Professional Activities

I am a BASES Accredited Sport and Exercise Scientist. I have completed peer reviews for journals including Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, Experimental Physiology, Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases and Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism. I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and hold a Postgraduate Certificate with Distinction in Academic Practice. I am Chair of the School of Science, Technology and Health Ethics Committee.

Academic Achievements

APS select award from The American Physiology Society for the best recently published article in physiological research; ‘Regular walking breaks prevent the decline in cerebral blood flow associated with prolonged sitting’; 2018.

Runner-up Best Graduate Presentation at the 3rd Okanagan Cardiovascular and Respiratory Symposium 2018

Excellent Progress Award 2016-17, Liverpool John Moores University Research Degrees Committee

1st Place Oral Presentation at the Liverpool John Moores University Faculty of Science Research Day 2016

Runner-up of the Undergraduate Human and Exercise Physiology theme Physiological Society Poster Competition at the International Union of Physiological Sciences (IUPS) Congress 2013

Rob Clarke Undergraduate Abstract Award at the IUPS Congress 2013

Human Performance Unit Project Prize from the University of Essex for the most outstanding final year project in a Sports Science degree 2013

Richard Watson Prize from the University of Essex for the most outstanding performance on a Sports Science degree 2013

Physiological Society Prize from the Physiological Society for the best final year project 2013