Jacky Forsyth, PhD

Career Highlights

• Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology in the School of Health, Science and Wellbeing at Staffordshire University, UK, 2018–present, Senior Lecturer, 2007–2018
• Co-Founder of the Women in Sport and Exercise Academy Network (WiSEAN)
• Associate of the Centre for Health and Development (CHAD)
• Volunteer Sports Science Support at Donna Louise Children’s Hospice Trust, 2015–present
• Coach of the North Staffordshire Rowing Club, 2015–present
• Honorary Research Associate at Liverpool John Moores University, UK, 2005–2009
• Senior Lecturer, Quality Coordinator, and PhD Supervisor at Glyndwr University, Wrexham, Wales, 1998–2007
• Published several peer-reviewed research articles on improving health through exercise for pre- and post-menopausal women and a book on exercise for women
• Certified in Internal Quality Assurance
• Received a teaching excellence fellowship award from Staffordshire University, 2008
• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and member of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences

Education

• PhD in Exercise Physiology from Liverpool John Moores University, UK, 2005
• Masters of Philosophy in Exercise Physiology from St. Andrews University, Fife, UK, 1995
• Bachelor of Arts with Honors and Qualified Teacher Status in Physical Education and Geography from the University of Warwick, Coventry, UK, 1989

Featured Publications

• “Exercise Interventions for Preventing and Treating Low Bone Mass in the Forearm: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, vol. 101, no. 3, 01 Mar 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2019.07.007
• The Exercising Female: Science and Its Application. London, Routledge, 2019.
• “Opportunities and barriers that females face for study and employment in sport.” Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Education, vol. 24, Jun 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.jhlste.2019.01.005
• “Effects of lifestyle exercise of premenopausal bone health: a randomised controlled trial.” Journal of Bone and Mineral Metabolism, vol. 32, 08 Nov 2013, 10.1007/s00774-013-0527-9

My Journey in Nutrition

My main priority through my work as an exercise physiologist is to raise awareness and cultivate further research of the key factors that influence women in sport and exercise. In various research studies, I have investigated how estrogen and exercise contribute to female bone strength, and the impact of other health factors, like the menstrual cycle, hormonal contraception, menopause and osteoporosis, on physical activity. I’ve also carried out fitness testing and health appraisals to improve physiological performance.

Over the years, I have worked at various universities in the UK, where I have participated in research, sports science support for athletes, quality assurance in teaching and learning, and external examinations, in addition to teaching my own classes. At Staffordshire University, I created Peak Condition, a student-led sports science support service and led courses on nutrition and metabolism; exercise physiology; employability and entrepreneurship in the sports industry; personal training; and physiological support of athletes.

My work has also moved into the private sector in the areas of sport, fitness, and health, and I undertake consultancy for various athletes at local, regional, and national events. Since 2015, I have enjoyed coaching young members of the North Staffordshire Rowing Club.

Because I’m passionate about advancing women’s health through sports science, it’s an honor to have the chance to work together with Flo’s excellent team on fitness-related content.

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