Professor Christopher Ring BSc MSc PhD

 

Professor in Psychology

School of Sport and Exercise Sciences

Contact details

Telephone +44 (0)121 414 4275

Fax +44 (0)121 414 4121

Email c.m.ring@bham.ac.uk

School of Sport and Exercise Sciences
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
United Kingdom

Qualifications

BSc (Hull, UK), MSc, PhD (Stony Brook, USA)

Biography

Christopher studied psychology at the University of Hull, graduating with a first class degree in 1987. He then studied psychology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook under the supervision of Jasper Brener, completing his doctorate in cardiac psychophysics in 1993. This was followed by a post-doctoral fellowship in respiratory psychophysiology at Ohio University. In 1995, he joined the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences at the University of Birmingham.

Research

- Behavioral Adjuvants to Vaccination
- Interoception
- Psychophysiology of Competition and Choking
- Social Neuroscience of Morality in Sport
- Sensorimotor Function

He is currently conducting studies in the following research topics: role of baroreceptors on nociception and pain; sensorimotor and cognitive deficits in hypertension, effects of exercise and mental stress on the immune response to vaccination, choking during sporting competition, and the social neuroscience of morality in sport.

Publications

Burns, V.E., Edwards, K.E., Ring, C., Drayson, M. &. Carroll, D. (in press). Complement cascade activation following an acute psychological stress task. Psychosomatic Medicine.

Edwards, K.E., Burns, V.E., Adkins, A.E., Carroll, D., Drayson, M. & Ring, C. (in press). Meningococcal A vaccination response is enhanced by acute stress in men. Psychosomatic Medicine.

McIntyre, D., Ring, C., Edwards, L. & Carroll, D. (in press). Simple reaction time as a function of the phase of the cardiac cycle in young adults at risk for hypertension. Psychophysiology. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8986.2007.00619.x

McIntyre, D., Kavussanu, M. & Ring, C. (in press). Effects of arterial and cardiopulmonary baroreceptor activation on the upper limb nociceptive flexion reflex and electrocutaneous pain in humans. Pain. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2007.10.018

Ring, C., France, C., al'Absi, M., Edwards, L., McIntyre, D., Carroll, D. & Martin, U. (in press). Effects of naltrexone on electrocutaneous pain in patients with hypertension compared to normotensive individuals. Biological Psychology. doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2007.10.006

Edwards, L., Inui, K., Ring, C., Wang, X. & Kakigi, R. (in press). Pain-related evoked potentials are modulated across the cardiac cycle. Pain. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2007.10.010

Ring, C., Patterson, S.M., Bacon, S.L., Veldhuijzen van Zanten, J.J.C.S., Willemsen, G. & Carroll, D. (in press). Reliability of hematocrit during rest and stress in healthy adults. Biological Psychology. doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2007.09.005

Veldhuijzen van Zanten, J.J.C.S., Kitas, G.D., Carroll, D. & Ring, C. (in press). Increase in systemic vascular resistance during acute mental stress in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with high grade systemic inflammation. Biological Psychology. doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2007.09.002

Edwards, L., Ring, C., McIntyre, D., Winer, J.B., & Martin, U. (in press). Cutaneous sensibility and peripheral nerve function in patients with unmedicated essential hypertension. Psychophysiology. doi:10.1111/j.1469-8986.2007.00608.x

KM Edwards, V Burns, LM Allen, JS McPhee, JA Bosch, D Carroll, MT Drayson, CM Ring. 2007. Eccentric exercise as an adjuvant of influenza vaccination in humans, Brain, Behaviour, and Immunity, 21, 209-217.

D de Boer, CM Ring, M Wood, C Ford, N Jessney, DB McIntyre, D Carroll. 2007. Time course and mechanisms of mental stress-induced changes and their recovery: hematocrit, colloid osmotic pressure, whole blood viscosity, coagulation times and hemodynamic activity, Psychophysiology, 44, 639-649.

McIntyre, D., Ring, C., Hamer, M. & Carroll, D. (2007). Effects of arterial and cardiopulmonary baroreceptor activation on simple and choice reaction times. Psychophysiology, 44, 874-879.

Edwards, L., Ring, C., France, C., al'Absi, M., McIntyre, D., Carroll, D. & Martin, U. (2007). Nociceptive flexion reflex thresholds and pain during rest and computer game play in patients with hypertension and individuals at risk for hypertension. Biological Psychology, 76, 72-82.

Edwards, K.E., Burns, V.E., Ring, C., Carroll, D. & Drayson, M. (2007). The acute stress-induced immunoenhancement hypothesis. Exercise and Sport Science Reviews, 35, 150-155.

Edwards, L., Ring, C., McIntyre, D., Carroll, D. & Martin, U. (2007). Psychomotor speed in hypertension: Effects of reaction time components, stimulus modality, and phase of the cardiac cycle. Psychophysiology, 44, 459-468.

France, C.R., al�Absi, M., Ring, C., France, J.L., Harju, A., Wittmers, L.E. (2007). Nociceptive flexion reflex and pain rating responses during endogenous opiate blockade in healthy young adults. Biological Psychology, 75, 95-100.

Ring, C., France, C.R., al'Absi, M., Beesley, L., Edwards, L., McIntyre, D., Carroll, D. & Martin, U. (2007). Effects of opioid blockade with naltrexone and distraction on cold and ischemic pain in hypertension. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 30, 59-68.

De Boer, D., Ring, C., Curlett, A.C., Ridley, M. & Carroll, D. (2007). Mental stress-induced hemoconcentration and its recovery: A controlled study of time course and mechanisms.

Psychophysiology, 44, 161-169.

Edwards, L., Ring, C., McIntyre, D., Carroll, D, Clarke, R., Webb, O. & Martin, U. (2006). Increases in arousal are associated with reductions in the human nociceptive flexion reflex threshold and pain ratings: Evidence for dissociation between nociception and pain. Journal of Psychophysiology, 20, 259-266.

McIntyre, D., Edwards, L., Ring, C., Parvin, B. & Carroll, D. (2006). Systolic inhibition of nociceptive responding is moderated by arousal. Psychophysiology, 43, 314-319.

Edwards, K.E., Burns, V.E., Ring, C. & Carroll, D. (2006). Individual differences in the interleukin-6 response to maximal and submaximal exercise tasks. Journal of Sports Sciences, 24, 855-862.

De Boer, D., Ring, C. & Carroll, D. (2006). Time course and mechanisms of hemoconcentration in response to mental stress. Biological Psychology, 72, 318-324.

Phillips, A.C., Carroll, D., Burns, V.E., Ring, C., Macleod, J. & Drayson, M. (2006). Bereavement and marriage are associated with antibody response to influenza vaccination in the elderly. Brain, Behavior & Immunity, 20, 279-289.

Edwards, K.E., Burns, V.E., Ring, C. & Carroll, D. (2006). Sex differences in the interleukin-6 response to acute psychological stress. Biological Psychology, 71, 236-239.

Edwards, K.E., Burns, V.E., Reynolds, T., Carroll, D., Drayson, M. & Ring, C. (2006). Acute stress exposure prior to influenza vaccination enhances antibody response in women. Brain, Behavior & Immunity, 20, 159-168.

Bacon S.L., Ring, C., Saw Hee F.L., Lip, G.Y.H., Blann, A.D., Lavoie, K.L., & Carroll, D. (2006). Hemodynamic, hemostatic, and endothelial reactions to psychological and physical stress in coronary artery disease patients. Biological Psychology, 71, 162-170.

Carroll, D., Davey Smith, G., Phillips, A.C., Ring, C. & West, P. (2006). Birth-weight, adult blood pressure, and blood pressure reactions to acute psychological stress. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 60, 144-145.

France, C.R., Al�Absi, M., Ring, C., France, J., Brose, J., Spaeth, D., Harju, A., Nordehn, G., & Wittmers, L.E. (2005). Assessment of opiate modulation of pain and nociceptive responding in young adults with a parental history of hypertension. Biological Psychology, 70, 168-174.

Veldhuijzen van Zanten, J.J.C.S., Ring, C., Carroll, D. & Kitas, G.D. (2005). Increased C reactive protein in response to acute stress in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, 64, 1299-1304.

Carroll, D., Phillips, A.C., Ring, C., Der, G. & Hunt, K. (2005). Life events and haemodynamic reactions to acute mental stress in middle-aged and elderly men and women. Psychophysiology, 42, 269-276.

Ring, C., Carroll, D., Hoving, J., Ormerod, J., Harrison, L.K., & Drayson, M. (2005). Effects of competition, exercise, and mental stress on secretory immunity. Journal of Sports Sciences, 23, 501-508.

Phillips, A.C., Burns, V.E., Carroll, D., Ring, C., & Drayson, M. (2005). The association between life events, social support and antibody status following thymus-dependent and thymus-independent vaccinations in healthy young adults. Brain, Behavior & Immunity, 19, 325-333.

Phillips, A.C., Carroll, D., Ring, C., Sweeting, H. & West, P. (2005). Life events and acute cardiovascular reactions to mental stress: A cohort study. Psychosomatic Medicine, 67, 384-392.

Lane, D., Ring, C., Lip, G.Y.H., & Carroll, D. (2005). Depression, indirect clinical markers of cardiac disease severity and mortality following myocardial infarction. Heart, 91, 531-532.

Burns, V.E., Ring, C. & Carroll, D. (2005). Factors influencing influenza vaccination uptake in an elderly, community-based sample. Vaccine, 23, 3604-3608.

Veldhuijzen van Zanten, J.J.C.S., Thrall, D., Wasche, D., Carroll, D. & Ring, C. (2005). The influence of hydration status on mental and postural stress-induced hemoconcentration. Psychophysiology, 42, 98-107.

Al�Absi, M., France, C.R., Ring, C., France, J., Harju, A., McIntyre, D., & Wittmers, L.E. (2005). Nociception and baroreceptor stimulation in hypertension-prone men and women. Psychophysiology, 42, 83-91.

D Lane, D Carroll, CM Ring, DG Beevers, GYH Lip. 2001. Mortaility and quality-of-life twelve months after myocardial infarction: Effects of depression and anxiety, Psychosomatic Medicine, 63, 221-230.

Lane, D., Carroll, D., Ring, C., Beevers, D.G., & Lip, G.Y.H. (2000). Effects of depression and anxiety on mortality and quality-of-life four months after myocardial infarction. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 49, 229-238.

Lane, D., Carroll, D., Ring, C., Beevers, D.G., & Lip, G.Y.H. (2000). Do depression and anxiety predict recurrent coronary events twelve months after myocardial infarction? Quarterly Journal of Medicine, 97, 739-744.

Ring, C., Harrison, L.K., Winzer, A., Carroll, D., Drayson, M., & Kendall, M. (2000). Secretory immunoglobulin A and cardiovascular activity during mental arithmetic, cold pressor and exercise: Effects of alpha-adrenergic blockade. Psychophysiology, 37, 634-643.

Carroll, D., Ring, C., Suter, M., & Willemsen, G. (2000). The effects of an oral multivitamin combination with calcium, magnesium, and zinc on psychological well-being in healthy young male volunteers: A double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Psychopharmacology, 150, 220-225.

Jameson, C., & Ring, C. (2000). Contributions of local and central sensations to the perception of exertion during cycling: Effects of work rate and cadence. Journal of Sports Sciences, 18, 291-298.

Willemsen, G., Ring, C., McKeever, S., & Carroll, D. (2000). Secretory immunoglobulin A and cardiovascular activity during mental arithmetic: Effects of task difficulty and task order. Biological Psychology, 52, 127-141.

Harrison, L.K., Carroll, D., Burns, V.E., Corkill, A.R., Harrison, C.M., Ring, C., & Drayson, M. (2000). Cardiovascular and secretory immunoglobulin A reactions to humorous, exciting, and didatic film presentations. Biological Psychology, 52, 113-126.

Ring, C., Carroll, D., Willemsen, G., Cooke, J., Ferraro, A. & Drayson, M. (1999). Secretory immunoglobulin A and cardiovascular activity during mental arithmetic and paced breathing. Psychophysiology, 36, 602-609.

Winzer, A., Ring, C., Carroll, D., Willemsen, G., Drayson, M. & Kendall, M. (1999). Secretory immunoglobulin A and cardiovascular activity during mental arithmetic, cold pressor and exercise: Effects of beta-adrenergic blockade. Psychophysiology, 36, 591-601.

Barsky, A.J., Ahern, D.K., Brener, J., Surman, O.S., Ring, C. & Dec, G.W. (1998). Palpitations and cardiac awareness after heart transplantation. Psychosomatic Medicine, 60, 557-562.

Willemsen, G., Ring, C., Carroll, D., Evans, P., Clow, A. & Hucklebridge, F. (1998). Secretory immunoglobulin A and cardiovascular reactions to mental arithmetic and cold pressor. Psychophysiology, 35, 252-259.

Schneider, T.R., Ring, C. & Katkin, E.S. (1998). A test of the validity of the method of constant stimuli as an index of heartbeat detection. Psychophysiology, 35, 86-89.

Clow, A., Doyle, A., Hucklebridge, F., Carroll, D., Ring, C., Shrimpton, J., Willemsen, G. & Evans, P. (1998). Endogenous monoamine oxidase A inhibitory activity (tribulin), measured in saliva, is related to cardiovascular reactivity in normal individuals. Journal of Neural Transmission, 52 (Suppl.), 71-77.

Willemsen, G., Petchot-Bacque, J.-P., Alleaume. B., Suter, M., Ring, C. & Carroll, D. (1997). A double-blind placebo-controlled study of the effects of an oral multivitamin combination with calcium and magnesium on psychological well-being and cardiovascular reactions to stress in healthy young male volunteers. European Journal of Clinical Research, 9, 175-184.

Knapp, K., Ring, C., & Brener, J. (1997). Sensitivity to mechanical stimuli and the role of general sensory and perceptual processes in heartbeat detection. Psychophysiology, 34, 467-473.

Ring, C., & Brener, J. (1996). Influence of beliefs about heart rate and actual heart rate on heart beat counting. Psychophysiology, 33, 541-546.

Carroll, D., Ring, C., Shrimpton, J., Evans, P., Willemsen, G. & Hucklebridge, F. (1996). Secretory immunoglobulin A and cardiovascular responses to acute psychological challenge. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 3, 266-279.

Ring, C., Liu, X. & Brener, J. (1994). Cardiac stimulus intensity and heartbeat detection: Effects of tilt-induced changes in stroke volume. Psychophysiology, 31, 553-564.

Brener, J., Ring, C. & Liu, X. (1994). Effects of data limitations on heartbeat detection in the method of constant stimuli. Psychophysiology, 31, 309-312.

Brener, J., Liu, X. & Ring, C. (1993). A method of constant stimuli for heart beat detection: Comparison with the Brener-Kluvitse and Whitehead methods. Psychophysiology, 30, 657-665.

Ring, C. & Brener, J. (1992). The temporal locations of heart beat sensations. Psychophysiology, 29, 535-545.

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