Alex is an ESRC-Funded Doctoral Researcher at The School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences at The University of Birmingham. His research is concerned with the professional training, development and practice of fitness professionals and its impact on the lives of fitness/exercise participants. This research is founded on over five years of experience working in the fitness and leisure industries as an Advanced Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor and Sports Massage Therapist. Alex has presented findings from this research on both a national (UK) level, and worldwide at countries including Poland and Australia. In the context of sport, he has contributed to professional development research projects for the English Football Association (FA) as well as the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), and worked as a Strength and Conditioning Coach at Rugby Super League club, Hull Kingston Rovers. In addition, his other projects include organising a ‘Meet the Scientist’ public engagement event based on human anatomy at Thinktank science museum and serving as a fitness and exercise advisor, employed through a partnership between the Norfolk County Council, European Union Social Fund and World Skills London.
It is envisaged that findings from Alex’s research will inform the development of new forms of professional training and education that will, ultimately, allow fitness professionals to better meet the needs of the millions of people who rely upon their services and improve the health of the population.