Alison Purvis

Sheffield Hallam University | SHU · College of Health Wellbeing & Life Sciences

A qualitative study conducted at a large UK post-92 university explored the experiences and perceptions of lecturers and their use of social media in learning and teaching contexts in different disciplines across the institution. Discussion between participants in two focus groups revealed a range of complex and interdependent factors that influenc...

Background There is a reported mismatch between macronutrient consumption and contemporary macronutrient guidelines in elite standard squash players. Suboptimal dietary practices could be due to a lack of nutrition knowledge among players. Subsequently, the purpose of this study was to assess the sports nutrition knowledge of elite squash players t...

Background: There is a reported mismatch between macronutrient consumption and contemporary macronutrient guidelines in elite standard squash players. Suboptimal dietary practices could be due to a lack of nutrition knowledge among players. Subsequently, the purpose of this study was to assess the sports nutrition knowledge of elite squash players...

Recent evidence has demonstrated the potential safety of such energy reduction via intermittent fasting (Varady et al., 2009), however, metabolic and psychological responses to extended fasting is largely unreported. The aim of this case study was to measure the effects of a 10-day water and electrolyte fast on biochemical and metabolic markers of...

The vertical treadmill (VertiRun) is an unresearched mode of exercise where users engage in a “running-like” action whilst body weight is supported by a recumbent bench and overhanging resistance cables are tethered to the user’s ankles. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of training on a VertiRun and any cross-training effect o...

The vertical treadmill (VertiRun) is an unresearched, partial weight-bearing exercise mode for lower limb rehabilitation. The user undertakes a “running-like” action whilst body weight is supported by a bench and the limb is drawn downwards against overhanging resistance cables on a vertically hung nonmotorised treadmill. This study sought to descr...

Background: Performing exercise in thermally stressful environments impairs exercise capacity and performance. Cooling during exercise has the potential to attenuate detrimental increases in body temperature and improve exercise capacity and performance. Objective: The objective of this review was to assess the effectiveness of practical cooling...

There are many examples of social media being used in higher education to enhance learning and teaching. While some academics are confident in exploring multiple strands of social media and blend them instinctively for a multi-dimensional learning experience; others are more tentative, preferring to understand the nature of the tool or process thor...

The purpose of this study was to quantify physiological and perceptual responses to hand immersion in water during recumbent cycling in a hot environment. Seven physically active males (body mass 79.8 ± 6.3 kg; stature 182 ± 5 cm; age 23 ± 3 years) immersed their hands in 8, 14 and 34°C water whilst cycling at an intensity (W) equivalent to 50% O2p...

Hot environments impair performance, yet sporting events are frequently scheduled in hot and humid environments (e.g., stages of the Tour de France). Evidence-based practical strategies that improve performance are of interest to scientists and applied practitioners. Cooling the body has been the subject of several reviews, two of which [1,2] inves...

Exercise in hot environments increases body temperature and challenges the function of cardiovascular, metabolic and thermoregulatory systems. Elevated body temperature as a consequence of prolonged and/or intense exercise impairs athletic performance and increases the risk of heat illness and serious medical conditions. Pre-exercise cooling techni...

This paper shares the strategy we have developed at Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) to educate and guide staff and students in their use of social media. Students need to understand their responsibilities to themselves and the institution, to develop sustainable strategies for using social media to enhance their learning and to develop their empl...

Ruddock, AD, Tew, GA, and Purvis, AJ. Reliability of intestinal temperature using an ingestible telemetry pill system during exercise in a hot environment. J Strength Cond Res 28(3): 861-869, 2014-Ingestible telemetry pill systems are being increasingly used to assess the intestinal temperature during exercise in hot environments. The purpose of th...

A level 6 module was developed in order to implement innovative assessment strategies and encourage higher level learning. The module tutor (one of this paper’s authors) was seconded from teaching duties (40%) to the University’s academic development unit to work on the module transformation. The rationale for the redesign of the assessment strateg...

The aim of this study was to compare the prolactin and blood pressure responses at identical core temperatures during active and passive heat stresses, using prolactin as an indirect marker of central fatigue. Twelve male subjects cycled to exhaustion at 60% maximal oxygen uptake (VO2peak) in a room maintained at 33 degrees C (active). In a second...

The anterior pituitary hormone prolactin (PRL), measured in the peripheral blood circulation, reflects alterations in central brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) and dopaminergic activity and is used as a marker of 'central fatigue' during active heat exposure. Significant correlations have consistently been found between PRL and core temperature...

Many fabrics and clothing 'systems' have been designed to enhance heat balance and provide greater thermal comfort for the wearer. However, studies on the effects of socks have largely been ignored in clothing research. It has been suggested that the thermal state of the extremities may alter core temperature and mental stress may be a major determ...

In soccer, goalkeepers routinely wear gloves that may restrict heat loss from the hands and cause thermal discomfort. In order to alleviate this problem phase control materials (PCMs) have been incorporated into gloves to reduce heat load inside the glove, thereby maintaining a comfortable temperature. The aim of this study was to assess the effica...