People

Prof Valerie Gladwell

Honorary Professor
School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences
Prof Valerie Gladwell

Profile

Biography

Research interest: I am passionate about enhancing lifelong health and wellbeing, with the use of physical activity, whether by deliberate activity or by stealth. My research has investigated how the environment shapes physical activity, particularly the natural environment ("Green Exercise"). I am particularly interested in the use of physical activity for those of working age both within workplaces and alternative places of work (including home working). There are a plethora of reasons to shape physical activity behaviour and I am keen to explore how these interact as part of a whole system. I work with a range of stakeholders and partners including Essex County Council on Sport England's Local Delivery Pilot (https://www.activeessex.org/essex-local-delivery-pilot/) where I am one of the Project Managers of the Evaluation Consortium. I have also undertaken research and evaluation with a range of businesses, trying to co-design where I can. History: In 2000, I joined the University of Essex in the Centre for Sports & Exercise Science as a Lecturer in Sport Science which was in within the School of Biological Sciences. Prior to this I studied for my PhD entitled "Reflex mechanisms eliciting the changes in heart rate caused by isometric exercise" under the guidance of Professor John Coote in the Medical School at the University of Birmingham. I gained my PhD in 2001. Also at the University of Birmingham, I studied for my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science. Personal bit: I am a keen athlete- inspired by my 3 children and am currently training with my son to do my first triathlon (an Ironman Italy 2021). I am also keen to get others involved in Sport including setting up a girls’ and then a Ladies cricket team at my local club. I am a qualified Level 2 cricket coach and Level 2 British Swimming Official. In Summer 2016, I received the English Cricket Board Coach Awards: Outstanding Contribution for all the work that I do for cricket coaching. I use my volunteering to help me understand the needs to the local community and which aids me with my research

Qualifications

  • PhD University of Birmingham, (2001)

  • BMedSci University of Birmingham, (1997)

Appointments

University of Essex

  • Professor, SRES, University of Essex (1/10/2020 - present)

  • Senior Lecturer, School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, University of Essex (1/8/2017 - present)

  • Senior Lecturer, Biological Sciences, University of Essex (1/1/2009 - 1/8/2017)

  • Lecturer, University of Essex (1/9/2000 - 1/1/2009)

Research and professional activities

Research interests

Physical activity for health

With increasing rates of obesity and cardiovascular disease, we need new approaches to both prevention and rehabilitation following major diseases without the side-effects of drug intervention and the direct cost of pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, improving general health and well-being would reduce the financial burden that accompanies ill-health and the care of these individuals including days off sick. Therefore my overarching theme to get individuals to enage with physical activity particularly those of a working populations who have increased pressures in the workplace and increasing sedentary time. Physical activity has been shown to improve both physiological and psychological well-being, as well as reductions in obesity and cardiovascular disease. There are, however, important cultural and other barriers to physical activity to overcome particularly the use of green environments. Therefore perceptions, accessibility and attitudes to physical activity need to be assessed. Adherence to exercise (through enjoyment) and the support of employers is vital, if physical activity, in particular if "Green Exercise", is to be implemented as an effective therapy.

Green Exercise

I am currently the principal investigator for physiology in "Green Exercise". The research is interdisciplinary with links within the School and within the University. In 2009 I was awarded a prestigious ESRC interdisciplinary career personal fellowship (£300,000)- Green Exercise: The combination of physical activity in a natural environment The work conducted built on my innovative expertise in the area of autonomic control and on work that I have conducted on recovery from exercise and stress; in addition, it will build on the expertise in "Green Exercise" that currently exists in the School, which to date has focussed on psychological measures."Green Exercise" could be used as a powerful tool to help fight the growing incidence of cardiovascular disease. The synergistic combination of exercise and exposure to nature could help supplement current expensive drug-based therapies. Furthermore, adherence to exercise might improve. We aim to highlight the physiological changes that result from an interaction between the environment and exercise and also the impact "green exercise" has on our health and well-being. Thus, "Green Exercise" may be possible to use a simple and inexpensive and yet powerful tool to improve the quality of life of many individuals and to reduce costs of health care. I was also awarded a British Heart Foundation PhD studentship in 2010 and Daniel Brown successful completed his PhD in the area of Green Exercise. The research is concentrated on the working population. Working life incorporates everyday stressful situations. As stress is one of the triggers of acute CVD, this project investigates whether exposure to natural environments at lunch-time with or without exercise can help reduce reaction to stress. We will examine the acute responses to stress after exposure to different environment). We will also investigate if there are alterations in response to stress where participants are undertake exercise several times a week for 8 weeks. This project examines not only physiological and psychological responses but also examines biochemical changes that are occuring in the body in response to stress. We are mainly looking at cortisol (which is found in saliva) but will also be investigating changes in alpha-amylase.

Breaking up Sedentary Time

I am interested in investigating breaking up sedentary time with physical activity in short bouts by using calisthenics. This has shown to improve vascular function and now investigating other benefits including balance and proprioception. (MSc student investigating).

Cardiovascular Physiology

Workplace wellbeing

Workplace health and wellbeing is also a key interest: have conducted several studies in businesses and have helped improved their health and wellbeing. Awarded Bronze Chairman’s award (2012) (BAE Systems) in the category of ‘Supporting our Total Performance Culture Category. Also part of the University of Essex team that was awarded for the University of Essex Highly Commended for Workplace Health for the Business in the Community (East of England). I also supported my husband's company in winning the East Anglia Daily Times Health and Wellbeing award 2014. I am also worked with other local companies including Copella and Essex County Council.

Behavioural change theories into practice for physical activity for health

Working with Essex County Council and others to look at how to bring about behaviour change

Conferences and presentations

Nothing about us without us”: The challenges and opportunities of collaborative approaches to data collection and analysis

School of Health and Social Care Staff & Student research Conference, University of Essex, Colchester, United Kingdom, 15/6/2022

Teaching and supervision

Current teaching responsibilities

  • Exercise Physiology (SE203)

Previous supervision

Abigail Jackson
Abigail Jackson
Thesis title: Predicting Lifelong Participation in Physical Activity: The Role of Dispositional and Contextual Motivation in Physical Education
Degree subject: Sport and Exercise Psychology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 3/7/2024
John-James Wooller
John-James Wooller
Thesis title: Exteroceptive Influences on Total Mood Disturbance and Perceived Stress During Green Exercise
Degree subject: Sport and Exercise Science
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 19/7/2019
Elliott Flowers
Elliott Flowers
Thesis title: Exploring the Role of Beliefs on Green Exercise Behaviours and Outcomes.
Degree subject: Sport and Exercise Psychology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 12/9/2018
Robert Reginald Southall-Edwards
Robert Reginald Southall-Edwards
Thesis title: Physical Capability & Sedentary Behaviour in UK Office Workers
Degree subject: Sport and Exercise Science
Degree type: Master of Science (by Dissertation)
Awarded date: 28/6/2018
Sophie Elizabeth Carter
Sophie Elizabeth Carter
Thesis title: Breaking Up Sedentary Time: Changes to Endothelial Function, Energy Expenditure and Heart Rate
Degree subject: Sport and Exercise Science
Degree type: Master of Science (by Dissertation)
Awarded date: 30/4/2015
Daniel Kenneth Brown
Daniel Kenneth Brown
Thesis title: Reducing Cardiovascular Disease Risk and Allostatic Load: Investigating the Use of Green Exercise in Modifying Psychophysiological Stress Profiles in a Working Population
Degree subject: Sport and Exercise Science
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 11/3/2015

Publications

Publications (3)

Malloy, E., Cushen-Brewster, N., Heard, G., Blundell, J. and Gladwell, VF., (2024). A service evaluation of the north east Essex Diabetes Service (NEEDS)

Brinkley, AJ., Cusimano, KM., Freeman, P., Southall-Edwards, R. and Gladwell, VF., (2024). ‘It's About Collaboration’: A Whole-Systems Approach to Understanding and Promoting Movement in Suffolk

Protogerou, C., Gladwell, VF. and Martin, C., (2024). Conceptualizing Sleep Satisfaction: A Rapid Review.

Journal articles (45)

Pettican, A., Southall-Edwards, R., Reinhardt, GY., Gladwell, V., Freeman, P., Low, W., Copeland, R. and Mansfield, L., (2024). Tackling physical inactivity and inequalities: implementing a whole systems approach to transform community provision for disabled people and people with long-term health conditions.. BMC Public Health. 24 (1), 636-

Protogerou, C., Gladwell, VF. and Martin, CR., (2024). Conceptualizing Sleep Satisfaction: A Rapid Review. Behavioral Sciences. 14 (10), 942-942

Moloney, S., Black, JM., Gladwell, V., Bury, N. and Devereux, G., (2024). Attitudes towards air quality during outdoor exercise amongst habitual exercisers. European Journal of Sport Science

Mear, E., Gladwell, V. and Pethick, J., (2023). Knee extensor force control as a predictor of dynamic balance in healthy adults. Gait and Posture. 100, 230-235

Holford, D., Tognon, G., Gladwell, V., Murray, K., Nicoll, M., Knox, A., McCloy, R. and Loaiza, V., (2023). Planning engagement with web resources to improve diet quality and break up sedentary time for home-working employees: A mixed methods study.. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology. 28 (4), 224-238

Mear, E., Gladwell, VF. and Pethick, J., (2022). The Effect of Breaking Up Sedentary Time with Calisthenics on Neuromuscular Function: A Preliminary Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19 (21), 14597-14597

Pettican, A., Goodman, B., Bryant, W., Beresford, P., Freeman, P., Gladwell, V., Kilbride, C. and Speed, E., (2022). Doing together: reflections on facilitating the co-production of participatory action research with marginalised populations. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health. 15 (2), 202-219

Protogerou, C., Gladwell, V. and Martin, C., (2022). Development of a self-report measure to assess sleep satisfaction: Protocol for the Suffolk Sleep Index (SuSI). Frontiers in Psychology. 13

Sterckx, A., Van den Broeck, K., Remmen, R., Dekeirel, K., Hermans, H., Hesters, C., Daeseleire, T., Broes, V., Barton, J., Gladwell, V., Dandy, S., Connors, M., Lammel, A. and Keune, H., (2021). Operationalization of One Health Burnout Prevention and Recovery: Participatory Action Research-Design of Nature-Based Health Promotion Interventions for Employees.. Frontiers in Public Health. 9, 720761-

Flowers, EP., Freeman, P. and Gladwell, VF., (2018). Enhancing the acute psychological benefits of green exercise: An investigation of expectancy effects. Psychology of Sport and Exercise. 39, 213-221

Wooller, JJ., Rogerson, M., Barton, J., Micklewright, D. and Gladwell, V., (2018). Can Simulated Green Exercise Improve Recovery From Acute Mental Stress?. Frontiers in Psychology. 9 (NOV), 2167-

Carter, SE. and Gladwell, VF., (2017). Effect of breaking up sedentary time with callisthenics on endothelial function. Journal of Sports Sciences. 35 (15), 1508-1514

Micklewright, D., St Clair Gibson, A., Gladwell, V. and Al Salman, A., (2017). Development and Validity of the Rating-of-Fatigue Scale. Sports Medicine. 47 (11), 2375-2393

Flowers, EP., Freeman, P. and Gladwell, VF., (2017). The Development of Three Questionnaires to Assess Beliefs about Green Exercise. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 14 (10), 1172-1172

Flowers, EP., Freeman, P. and Gladwell, V., (2016). A cross-sectional study examining predictors of visit frequency to local green space and the impact this has on physical activity levels. BMC Public Health. 16 (1), 420-

Wooller, JJ., Barton, J., Gladwell, VF. and Micklewright, D., (2016). Occlusion of sight, sound and smell during Green Exercise influences mood, perceived exertion and heart rate. International Journal of Environmental Health Research. 26 (3), 267-280

Gladwell, V., Kuoppa, P., Tarvainen, M. and Rogerson, M., (2016). A Lunchtime Walk in Nature Enhances Restoration of Autonomic Control during Night-Time Sleep: Results from a Preliminary Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 13 (3), 280-280

Rogerson, M., Gladwell, VF., Gallagher, DJ. and Barton, JL., (2016). Influences of green outdoors versus indoors environmental settings on psychological and social outcomes of controlled exercise. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 13 (4), 363-363

Gladwell, V., Kuoppa, P., Tarvainen, M. and Rogerson, M., (2016). A Lunchtime Walk in Nature Enhances Restoration of Autonomic Control during Night-Time Sleep: Results from a Preliminary Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 13 (3)

Carter, SE., Jones, M. and Gladwell, VF., (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), 503-509

Weinstein, N., Balmford, A., DeHaan, CR., Gladwell, V., Bradbury, RB. and Amano, T., (2015). Seeing Community for the Trees: The Links among Contact with Natural Environments, Community Cohesion, and Crime. Bioscience. 65 (12), 1141-1153

Brown, DK., Barton, JL., Pretty, J. and Gladwell, VF., (2014). Walks4Work: Assessing the role of the natural environment in a workplace physical activity intervention. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health. 40 (4), 390-399

Wood, C., Gladwell, V. and Barton, J., (2014). A Repeated Measures Experiment of School Playing Environment to Increase Physical Activity and Enhance Self-Esteem in UK School Children. PLoS ONE. 9 (9), e108701-e108701

Wood, C., Gladwell, V. and Barton, JL., (2014). A repeated measures experiment of school playing environment to increase physical activity and enhance self-esteem in UK school children. PloS One. 9 (9), creators-Gladwell=3AValerie=3A=3A

Brown, DK., Barton, JL. and Gladwell, VF., (2013). Viewing Nature Scenes Positively Affects Recovery of Autonomic Function Following Acute-Mental Stress. Environmental Science & Technology. 47 (11), 5562-5569

Gladwell, VF., Brown, DK., Wood, C., Sandercock, GR. and Barton, JL., (2013). The great outdoors: how a green exercise environment can benefit all. Extreme Physiology & Medicine. 2 (1), 3-

Brown, D., Grimwade, D., Martinez-Bussion, D., Taylor, MJ. and Gladwell, V., (2013). The Validity of the ActiPed for Physical Activity Monitoring. International Journal of Sports Medicine. 34 (05), 431-437

Lipponen, JA., Gladwell, VF., Kinnunen, H., Karjalainen, PA. and Tarvainen, MP., (2013). The correlation of vectorcardiographic changes to blood lactate concentration during an exercise test. Biomedical Signal Processing and Control. 8 (6), 491-499

Gladwell, V., Brown, DK., Wood, C., Sandercock, G. and Barton, JL., (2013). The Great Outdoors: how a green exercise environment can benefit all. Extreme Physiology & Medicine. 2 (3)

Przybylski, AK., Murayama, K., DeHaan, CR. and Gladwell, V., (2013). Motivational, emotional, and behavioral correlates of fear of missing out. Computers in Human Behavior. 29 (4), 1841-1848

Brown, DK., Grimwade, D., Martinez-Bussion, D., Taylor, MJD. and Gladwell, V., (2013). The Validity of the ActiPed for Physical Activity Monitoring. International Journal Of Sports Medicine. 34 (05), 431-437

Hime, A., (2013). Master's degrees in science. The Biochemist. 35 (1), 33-34

Gladwell, VF., Brown, DK., Barton, JL., Tarvainen, MP., Kuoppa, P., Pretty, J., Suddaby, JM. and Sandercock, GRH., (2012). The effects of views of nature on autonomic control. European Journal of Applied Physiology. 112 (9), 3379-3386

Brown, DK., Barton, JL., Pretty, J. and Gladwell, VF., (2012). Walks4work: Rationale and study design to investigate walking at lunchtime in the workplace setting. BMC Public Health. 12 (1), 550-

Brown, DK., Barton, JL., Pretty, JN. and Gladwell, V., (2012). Walks4work: Rationale and study design to investigate walking at lunchtime in the workplace setting. BMC Public Health. 12 (1), creators-Gladwell=3AValerie=3A=3A

Gladwell, VF., Sandercock, GRH. and Birch, SL., (2010). Cardiac vagal activity following three intensities of exercise in humans. Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging. 30 (1), 17-22

Sandercock, G., Gladwell, V., Dawson, S., Nunan, D., Brodie, D. and Beneke, R., (2008). Association between RR interval and high-frequency heart rate variability acquired during short-term, resting recordings with free and paced breathing. Physiological Measurement. 29 (7), 795-802

Denna, I., Sandercock, G. and Gladwell, V., (2008). Evaluation of human autonomic response to mental stress 24 hours post-exercise. Acta Cardiologica. 63 (4), creators-Sandercock=3AGavin=3A=3A

Sandercock, G., Voss, C. and Gladwell, V., (2008). Twenty-metre shuttle run test performance of English children aged 11 – 15 years in 2007: Comparisons with international standards. Journal of Sports Sciences. 26 (9), 953-957

Micklewright, D., Sellens, M., Gladwell, V. and Beneke, R., (2006). Blood lactate removal using combined massage and active recovery. Biology of Sport. 23 (4), 315-325

Gladwell, V., Head, S., Haggar, M. and Beneke, R., (2006). Does a Program of Pilates Improve Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain?. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation. 15 (4), 338-350

Gladwell, VF., Fletcher, J., Patel, N., Elvidge, LJ., Lloyd, D., Chowdhary, S. and Coote, JH., (2005). The influence of small fibre muscle mechanoreceptors on the cardiac vagus in humans. The Journal of Physiology. 567 (2), 713-721

Micklewright, D., Griffin, M., Gladwell, V. and Beneke, R., (2005). Mood State Response to Massage and Subsequent Exercise Performance. The Sport Psychologist. 19 (3), 234-250

Gladwell, VF. and Coote, JH., (2002). Heart rate at the onset of muscle contraction and during passive muscle stretch in humans: a role for mechanoreceptors. The Journal of Physiology. 540 (3), 1095-1102

Gladwell, VF. and Coote, JH., (2002). Heart rate at the onset of muscle contraction and during passive muscle stretch in humans: a role for mechanoreceptors. JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON. 540 (3), 1095-1102

Book chapters (3)

Rogerson, M., Barton, J., Gladwell, V. and Pretty, J., (2019). The Green Exercise Concept: Two intertwining pathways to health and wellbeing. In: Physical Activity in Natural Settings: Green Exercise & Blue Mind. Editors: MacIntyre, T. and Aoife, D., . Routledge. 75- 94. 9781315180144

(2019). The Routledge Companion to Rural Planning. In: The Routledge Companion to Rural Planning. Editors: Scott, M., Gallent, N. and Gkartzios, M., . Routledge. 495- 507

Gladwell, V. and Brown, DK., (2016). Green Exercise in the Workplace. In: Green Exercise Linking Nature, Health and Well-being. Editors: Barton, JL., Bragg, R., Wood, C. and Pretty, JN., . Routledge. 139- 149. 9781138807648

Conferences (1)

Lipponen, JA., Gladwell, VF., Kinnunen, H., Karjalainen, PA. and Tarvainen, MP., (2011). Vectorcardiographic changes during exercise test - Correlates to lactate and anaerobic threshold?

Grants and funding

2020

Fitness and Sleep Programme Modules Content for AI Wellbeing Product

Keep Fit Eat Fit Wellbeing Ltd

2019

Well-being of staff and compressed working hours

Century office Equipment (Essex) Ltd

Additional work in the action research workload in stage 2 (evaluation) and stage 3 analysis and report writing.

Essex County Council

Wellbeing in the Workplace: An impact evaluation at selected NHS Forest sites

The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare

Evaluation_Local Delivery Pilot for Sport England

Sport England

Proposal for Additional work for Centre for sustainable Health funded by the Health Foundation

The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare

Literature review for Good Relations for their client Football foundation on the benefits of football facilities

Good Relations Limited

2018

Improving workplace wellbeing by engaging with nature

University of Essex

Evaluating physical activity behaviour change in Essex: Part of the local delivery pilot

Essex County Council

Essex Local Delivery Pilot (LDP) - A Tender specification for the second phase of the evaluation of the initial 'Action Research Test and Learn' programme

Essex County Council

The Morning Adrenaline rush

Good Relations Limited

2017

UK Active Short term research

UK Active

2016

Green Exercise - ukactive

University of Essex

Secondment to Essex County Council (HEAL)

University of Essex

2010

Physiological Experiments

Wellcome Trust

Reducing the incidence of cardiac events

British Heart Foundation

2008

Green Exercise: Environment & Exercise

Economic & Social Research Council

Contact

vglad@essex.ac.uk

Location:

Colchester Campus