Overview
Rebecca joined Sport and Health Sciences in 2016 to complete a PhD in Physical Activity and Health under the supervision of Dr Richard Pulsford. Rebecca’s PhD investigates the influence of habitual physical activity on indices of vascular health. Her work focusses on the timing, pattern and volume of habitual activity and the impact this has on specialist measures of vascular function; a surrogate marker and early indicator of cardiovascular disease.
During her Undergraduate 'Professional Training Year', Rebecca worked as a Research Assistant at the Diabetes and Vascular Research Centre (DVRC). Here, she developed a strong understanding of specialist measures of vascular function and how this is linked to disease through investigating the magnitude of impaired vascular response in adults with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. During her Masters study in Sports Medicine, Rebecca developed a passion for physical activity and the impact it has on a huge range of health conditions. Her PhD therefore aims to combine these skills and expertise learnt at Undergraduate and Postgraduate level.
Rebecca also works as a Research Practitioner at the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust working on both commercial and NIHR-funded clinical research trials. Rebecca works on a broad portfolio of studies including multi-centre interventional, observational and Phase III clinical trials covering a variety of different clinical conditions. However, Rebecca’s research specialism remains in musculoskeletal studies including physiotherapy / exercise interventions across different clinical conditions.
Qualifications
MSc Sports Medicine, University of Glasgow, Distinction
BSc Medical Sciences with Professional Training, University of Exeter, 1st Class.
Publications
Journal articles
Brailey G, Metcalf B, Lear R, Price L, Cumming S, Stiles V (In Press). A comparison of the associations between bone health and three different intensities of accelerometer-derived habitual physical activity in children and adolescents: a systematic review. Osteoporosis International
Lear R, Metcalf B, Brailey G, Nunns M, Bond B, Hillsdon M, Pulsford R (2023). Associations of habitual physical activity and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity; a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
PLoS One,
18(4).
Abstract:
Associations of habitual physical activity and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity; a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
The aim of this review was to understand the association between habitual physical activity (hPA) and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) in an ostensibly healthy adult population. Searches were performed in MEDLINE Web of Science, SPORTDiscus and CINAHL databases published up to 01/01/2022 (PROSPERO, Registration No: CRD42017067159). Observational English-language studies assessing the relationship between cfPWV and hPA (measured via self-report or device-based measures) were considered for inclusion in a narrative synthesis. Studies were excluded if studying specific disease. Studies were further included in pooled analyses where a standardised association statistic for continuous hPA and cfPWV was available. 29 studies were included in narrative synthesis, of which 18 studies provided sufficient data for pooled analyses, totalling 15,573 participants. A weak, significant, negative correlation between hPA and cfPWV was observed; partial r = -0.08 95%CI [-0.15, -0.01]; P = 0.045. Heterogeneity was high (I2 = 94.5% P
Abstract.
Author URL.
Lear R, O'Leary M, O'Brien Andersen L, Holt CC, Stensvold CR, van der Giezen M, Bowtell JL (2019). Tart Cherry Concentrate Does Not Alter the Gut Microbiome, Glycaemic Control or Systemic Inflammation in a Middle-Aged Population.
Nutrients,
11(5).
Abstract:
Tart Cherry Concentrate Does Not Alter the Gut Microbiome, Glycaemic Control or Systemic Inflammation in a Middle-Aged Population.
Limited evidence suggests that the consumption of polyphenols may improve glycaemic control and insulin sensitivity. The gut microbiome produces phenolic metabolites and increases their bioavailability. A handful of studies have suggested that polyphenol consumption alters gut microbiome composition. There are no data available investigating such effects in polyphenol-rich Montmorency cherry (MC) supplementation. A total of 28 participants (aged 40-60 years) were randomized to receive daily MC or glucose and energy-matched placebo supplementation for 4 wk. Faecal and blood samples were obtained at baseline and at 4 wk. There was no clear effect of supplementation on glucose handling (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and Gutt indices), although the Matsuda index decreased significantly in the MC group post-supplementation, reflecting an increase in serum insulin concentration. Contrastingly, placebo, but not MC supplementation induced a 6% increase in the Oral Glucose Insulin Sensitivity (OGIS) estimate of glucose clearance. Serum IL-6 and C reactive protein were unaltered by either supplement. The faecal bacterial microbiome was sequenced; species richness and diversity were unchanged by MC or placebo and no significant correlation existed between changes in Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium abundance and any index of insulin sensitivity. Therefore, 4 weeks of MC supplementation did not alter the gut microbiome, glycaemic control or systemic concentrations of IL-6 and CRP in a middle-aged population.
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Author URL.
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