Dr James Steele has been appointed ukactive’s principal investigator, spearheading the association’s Research Institute ahead of a year of milestone research reports. Steele takes the reins from Dr Steven Mann as the not-for-profit’s research lead.
So who is James Steele? Alongside his role at ukactive, he’s also associate professor of sports and exercise science at Southampton Solent University, providing an effective link between university-based academic work, the real-world intervention studies of the ukactive Research Institute and ukactive’s members and partners.
Steele arrived at Southampton Solent University as an undergraduate in 2007, completing a degree in applied sport science in 2010 before choosing to continue studying towards his PhD.
During his degree, he worked with sports players at all levels, including international and Paralympic, while also studying a range of age groups, from schoolchildren to the elderly. In his PhD, he focused on people suffering chronic lower back pain and investigated the use of resistance training in its treatment.
RESISTANCE TRAINING Steele has worked across a range of areas of physical activity and exercise, although his work has primarily revolved around resistance training.
Steele’s research has demonstrated that simple applications of resistance training can be very effective and he has developed a keen interest in its potential as a mode of exercise in the area of public health. This interest has expanded to a wider interest in the value of physical activity and exercise in the health and wellbeing of the nation.
Steele has recently been appointed to the working group tasked with revising the chief medical officer’s physical activity guidelines for adults. The group is scheduled to produce a technical report with recommendations.
Current guidance recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week.
Leading the ukactive Research Institute, Steele plans to further upweight major research taking place to increase the evidence base around physical activity and exercise. The ultimate goal is to illuminate the ways in which exercise benefits health.
Dr James Steele has been appointed ukactive’s principal investigator, spearheading the association’s Research Institute ahead of a year of milestone research reports. Steele takes the reins from Dr Steven Mann as the not-for-profit’s research lead.
So who is James Steele? Alongside his role at ukactive, he’s also associate professor of sports and exercise science at Southampton Solent University, providing an effective link between university-based academic work, the real-world intervention studies of the ukactive Research Institute and ukactive’s members and partners.
Steele arrived at Southampton Solent University as an undergraduate in 2007, completing a degree in applied sport science in 2010 before choosing to continue studying towards his PhD.
During his degree, he worked with sports players at all levels, including international and Paralympic, while also studying a range of age groups, from schoolchildren to the elderly. In his PhD, he focused on people suffering chronic lower back pain and investigated the use of resistance training in its treatment.
RESISTANCE TRAINING Steele has worked across a range of areas of physical activity and exercise, although his work has primarily revolved around resistance training.
Steele’s research has demonstrated that simple applications of resistance training can be very effective and he has developed a keen interest in its potential as a mode of exercise in the area of public health. This interest has expanded to a wider interest in the value of physical activity and exercise in the health and wellbeing of the nation.
Steele has recently been appointed to the working group tasked with revising the chief medical officer’s physical activity guidelines for adults. The group is scheduled to produce a technical report with recommendations.
Current guidance recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week.
Leading the ukactive Research Institute, Steele plans to further upweight major research taking place to increase the evidence base around physical activity and exercise. The ultimate goal is to illuminate the ways in which exercise benefits health.
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick
Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and
private membership under one roof.
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana
Heritage
Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive
storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade-
long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas
attraction.
Plans for the AU$180 million redevelopment of Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville, Australia, are
progressing, with the project set to transform the attraction into a global centre for reef
education and conservation.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Disney has reaffirmed its commitment to investing US$30 billion in its US parks and cruise
business by 2033, using new America250 celebrations to underline the role its attractions play
in supporting jobs, tourism and economic growth.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
+ More news
COMPANY PROFILES
TechnoAlpin Indoor TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. With the Indoor snow division, TechnoAlpin c [more...]
Taylor Made Designs Founded in 1993, Taylor Made
Designs supply corporate clothing
and brand-enhancing merchandise
to [more...]
Simworx Ltd The company was initially established
in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew
Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
Clip 'n Climb Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and
investors more than 40 colourful and unique
Cha [more...]
