Doctor Lee Bell PhD, MSc, PGCE, SFHEA
Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science
- School of Sport and Physical Activity
- Sport and Physical Activity Research Centre
- Health Research Institute
Summary
I am a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science and Course Leader for the MSc Strength and Conditioning Coaching course. My teaching and research interests relate to strength and physique sports, with a specific interest in exercise programming and planning strategies, including deloading, tapering and planned overreaching. I currently teach across all levels of undergraduate and postgraduate study. I welcome research collaboration requests in any of my areas of interest.
About
I completed my BSc (Hons) at Sheffield Hallam University in 2003 and my MSc at Leeds Metropolitan University in 2011. I completed my PhD at Sheffield Hallam University in 2025, investigating overreaching and overtraining in strength sports. I have several years of experience in the fitness industry, and before becoming an academic, I was involved in roles such as Personal Training Tutor, Strength and Conditioning Coach, European Master Trainer, Lecturer, Exercise Referral Specialist, and Content Writer. In addition to my academic role, I consult privately with coaches and athletes.
Teaching
School of Sport and Physical Activity
College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences
Projects
Programming and Prescription of Training in Sport and Physical Activity
Testing and Analysis in Sport and Physical Activity
Advanced Testing and Monitoring in Strength and Conditioning
Planning and Programming for Strength and Conditioning
Sport and Human Performance
BSc Sport and Exercise Science
MSc Strength and Conditioning Coaching
MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science
Programming and Prescription of Training in Sport and Physical Activity
Testing and Analysis in Sport and Physical Activity
Advanced Testing and Monitoring in Strength and Conditioning
Planning and Programming for Strength and Conditioning
Publications
Journal articles
Strafford, B., Bell, L., & Stone, J. (2025). Snooker Science: A Cross-Discipline Scoping Review. Communications in Kinesiology, 1 (7). http://doi.org/10.51224/cik.2025.7647
Nolan, D., Maguire, P.J., & Bell, L. (2025). Menstrual Cycle, Hormonal Contraceptives and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Ladies Gaelic Football and Camogie: Prevalence of Use, Side-effects and Perceived Symptomology. Science and Medicine in Football. http://doi.org/10.1080/24733938.2025.2534455
Bell, L., Ruddock, A., Boriel, J., Maden-Wilkinson, T., Thompson, S., Wright, K., ... Rogerson, D. (2025). Effects of a 5-Day Back Squat Overreaching Protocol on Strength Performance, Perceived Recovery and Wellness Responses: A Pilot Trial. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 10 (2). http://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10020227
Shaw, M.P., Fernandes, J.F.T., McGawley, K., Bell, L., & McNamara, S. (2025). “You’re the Gatekeeper”: Exploring Open-Access Podcast Creation in the Sport and Exercise Sciences. Journal of Radio & Audio Media, 1-14. http://doi.org/10.1080/19376529.2025.2495349
Bell, L., Darragh, I., S. Kyle, T., Rogerson, D., & Nolan, D. (2025). A Practical Approach to Deloading: Recommendations and Considerations for Strength and Physique Sports. Strength and Conditioning Journal. http://doi.org/10.1519/SSC.0000000000000910
Costa, J., Neves, G., Nakamura, F.Y., Ribeiro, J., Ramos, A., Bell, L., ... Afonso, J. (2024). Relationship Between Short- and Long-Term Planning in Sports: A 12-Week Case Study of a Spanish Canoeing Coach. International Sport Coaching Journal, 1-16. http://doi.org/10.1123/iscj.2023-0077
Rogerson, D., Nolan, D., Korakakis, P.A., Immonen, V., Wolf, M., & Bell, L. (2024). Deloading Practices in Strength and Physique Sports: A Cross-sectional Survey. Sports Medicine - Open, 10 (1). http://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-024-00691-y
Bell, L., Strafford, B., Coleman, M., Korakakis, P.A., & Nolan, D. (2023). Integrating deloading into strength and physique sports training programmes: an international Delphi consensus approach. Sports Medicine - Open, 9. http://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-023-00633-0
Bell, L., Strafford, B.W., Coleman, M., Androulakis Korakakis, P., & Nolan, D. (2023). Integrating Deloading into Strength and Physique Sports Training Programmes: An International Delphi Consensus Approach. Sports Medicine - Open, 9 (1), 87. http://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-023-00633-0
Bell, L., Nolan, D., Immonen, V., Helms, E., Dallamore, J., Wolf, M., & Androulakis Korakakis, P. (2022). “You can't shoot another bullet until you've reloaded the gun”: Coaches' perceptions, practices and experiences of deloading in strength and physique sports. Frontiers in Sports and Active living, 4. http://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2022.1073223
Bell, L., Ruddock, A., Maden-Wilkinson, T., & Rogerson, D. (2022). Recommendations for Advancing the Resistance Exercise Overtraining Research. Applied Sciences, 12 (24). http://doi.org/10.3390/app122412509
Bell, L., Ruddock, A., Maden-Wilkinson, T., & Rogerson, D. (2022). “I want to create So much stimulus that adaptation goes through the roof”: high-performance strength coaches' perceptions of planned overreaching. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 4. http://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2022.893581
Bell, L., Ruddock, A., Maden-Wilkinson, T., Hembrough, D., & Rogerson, D. (2021). “Is It Overtraining or Just Work Ethic?”: Coaches’ Perceptions of Overtraining in High-Performance Strength Sports. Sports, 9 (6), 85. http://doi.org/10.3390/sports9060085
Grandou, C., Wallace, L., Coutts, A.J., Bell, L., & Impellizzeri, F.M. (2020). Symptoms of Overtraining in Resistance Exercise: International Cross-Sectional Survey. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 1-10. http://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2019-0825
Bell, L., Ruddock, A., Maden-Wilkinson, T., & Rogerson, D. (2020). Overreaching and Overtraining in Strength Sports and Resistance Training: A Scoping Review. Journal of Sports Sciences. http://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2020.1763077
Bell, L., & Ingle, L. (2013). Psycho-physiological markers of overreaching and overtraining in endurance sports: a review of the evidence. Medicina Sportiva, 17 (2), 81-97. http://www.medicinasportiva.pl/new/pliki/ms_2013_02_06_BellIngle.pdf
Book chapters
Bell, L., & Ruddock, A. (2022). Overreaching and overtraining. In Davison, R., Smith, P.M., Hopker, J., Price, M., Hettinga, F., Tew, G., & Bottoms, L. (Eds.) Sport and Exercise Physiology Testing Guidelines: Volume I – Sport Testing. The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Guide. 2nd Edition. (pp. 413-417). London: Routledge: http://doi.org/10.4324/9781003045281-75
Theses / Dissertations
Bell, L. (2025). Overreaching and Overtraining in Strength Sports and Resistance Exercise Training. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Rogerson, D., Ruddock, A., & Maden-Wilkinson, T.
Bell, L. (2025). Overreaching and Overtraining in Strength Sports and Resistance Exercise Training. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Rogerson, D., Ruddock, A., & Maden-Wilkinson, T. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00683
Postgraduate supervision
Supervision for projects related to Strength and Conditioning