Professor Robert Copeland PhD, C.Psychol, MMedSci, PgDip, BSc (Hons)
Director of The Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, Professor of Physical Activity and Health
Summary
Professor Rob Copeland is Director of The Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre, Professor of Physical Activity and Health at The Centre for Sport & Exercise Science, Sheffield Hallam University and a Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist with the Health Care Professions Council and British Psychological Society. Rob is also the Director for the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine in Sheffield, a London 2012 Olympic Games legacy programme that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of the nation through sport, exercise and physical activity.
About
Prof. Robert Copeland is a Chartered Sport and Exercise Psychologist (BPS, HCPC) and Professor of physical activity and health at Sheffield Hallam University. Rob is Director of the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) at Sheffield Hallam University, a world-leading research centre dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of the population through innovations that help people move. Following a £14m investment from the UK’s Department of Health and Social Care, the AWRC provides world class research and design capability through state-of-the-art, fully instrumented indoor and outdoor laboratories and access to academic expertise across health, engineering, robotics, software design, psychology, design, and the arts. The AWRC co-designs innovations and undertakes world-leading research that aims to prevent and treat chronic disease by helping people move (see www.shu.ac.uk/awrc).
Rob is also the Director of the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM) in Sheffield. The NCSEM is a 2012 Olympic Legacy programme to improve the health and wellbeing of the nation through sport, exercise and physical activity research and knowledge translation. Rob's specific area of expertise is physical activity and health, with his current research and knowledge transfer portfolio focusing on designing behaviour change interventions for public health benefit. Rob has over 100 peer reviewed articles and conference contributions, presenting and publishing nationally and internationally on physical activity, health systems and behaviour change and continues to hold this as his main focus of research.
Rob’s work through the AWRC and NCSEM has received national and international recognition, and has been the catalyst for systems change in Sheffield, including the development and delivery of the city's physical activity strategy - Move More, which Rob authored (see www.movemoresheffield.com/about). Rob has recently been appointed as the psychological and behaviour change lead for a prehabilitation consensus process in partnership with MacMillan, the Royal College of Anaesthetists Perioperative Medicine leadership group and NIHR. Rob's work for the NCSEM also involves the co-location of NHS clinics in 3 leisure centres across the City (delivering 80,000 appointments per annum including surgery schools), enhancing workforce health and wellbeing in the NHS through lifestyle modification programmes, designing active environments and communities as well as developing whole school approaches to physical activity.
Rob has significant research, consultancy and service evaluation experience in clinical and non-clinical populations and has presented and published nationally and internationally on physical activity and obesity related areas. Rob has been part of the last two REF submissions (2008 and 2014) for Sheffield Hallam University and principle investigator on grants relating to physical activity, obesity, workforce wellness and public health from national and international funding bodies generating over £12.5million in grant income.
Rob is a member of a number of national academic advisory boards and regularly reviews for international peer review journals and research submissions. He was also part of an expert panel (All Party Parliamentary Group) providing insight to national government on the promotion of physical activity and has led expert round-tables for Public Health England in preparation for the national framework on physical activity in the UK.
In other areas, Rob has worked as a psychologist within a wide range of professional sports including downhill mountain biking, golf, football, and snooker, and he has also worked with chief executives and senior manager's applying sports psychology techniques to a business environment to improve performance under pressure.
- physical activity
- health
- obesity
- sport and exercise psychology
- behaviour change
Research
'Fit for surgery' or 'fit for life'? Exploring the potential of using the perioperative encounter to promote regular exercise and physical activity: an expanded evidence synthesis. NIHR - £161,554. (2019 - Ongoing). Co-Investigator.
The evaluation of the Essex Local Delivery Pilot: A whole systems approach to promoting physical activity across Essex. Sport England - £750,000. (2019 - ongoing). Co-Investigator.
Developing UK wide principles and guidance for prehabilitation in oncology. MacMillan, the Royal College of Anaesthetists Perioperative Medicine leadership group and NIHR. (2018 - ongoing) Psychological and behaviour change lead.
An evaluation of Greater Manchester Moving – a realist exploration of whole systems approaches to physical activity promotion. Sport England - £333,000. (2018 - ongoing). Co-Investigator.
Developing Empowered Communities through a whole systems approach – Sport England - £160,000. (2018 - ongoing). Principal Investigator.
North of England Women’s Diet and ActivitY After Breast Cancer Trial (Acronym: NEW DAY-ABC). Yorkshire Cancer Research. (2018 - ongoing). £238,109. Co-Investigator.
Local Delivery Insight Pilot Programme - Doncaster Council. (2018 - ongoing). £120,000. Co-Investigator.
The development of a workplace challenge for South Wales Police - South Wales Police School of Policing. (2018 - ongoing) £45,000. Principal Investigator.
Government’s Behavioural Insights Framework Agreement – Crown Commercial Service. (2018 - ongoing). Co-Investigator.
Rapid Review Physical Activity Toolkits - Armagh, Bambridge and Craigavon Borough Council - £6000. (2018). Principal Investigator.
The development of hygiene guidelines for sports pitches - Sport England £5,000. (2018). Principal Investigator.
Evaluation of the Moving Professionals Programme. Public Health England. £90,000. (2017- ongoing). Principal Investigator.
Understanding the experience of initiating community-based physical activity and social support by people with serious mental illness: Sheffield Health and Social Care Trust RCF Funding - £50,000. (2017 – ongoing). Principal Investigator.
Development of a mobile behaviour change application to increase brisk walking in middle-older aged adults: Active 10 - Public Health England - £90,000. (2017-18) Co-Investigator.
Optimising the benefit of a football for mental health - Sheffield Health and Social Care Trust RCF £8528 (2017). Co-Investigator.
Funding to support a cycle hub at NCSEM Sheffield HQ. LSTF2 £45,000. (2017) [Grant for capital programme for the City of Sheffield]. Co-Investigator.
Whole systems approaches to tackling obesity – Public Health England: £1.2million. (http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/wholesystemsobesity/). (2015- ongoing) Project Advisor.
Evaluation of Rotherham Get Active Get Healthy. £80,000. (2015 - ongoing) Principal Investigator.
Health Education England – Workforce wellbeing in the NHS. YETB. £100,000. (2015 - 2018). Principal Investigator
Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre Capital Development Grant. Department of Health. £14million capital programme (2015 - ongoing). Co-Investigator.
Regional physical activity evaluation events. Public Health England. £30,000. (2015 - 2017). Co-Investigator.
Evaluation of British Lung Foundation – Keep Active Keep Well programme. £30,000. (2015 - ongoing). Co-Investigator
Public Health England - A review of promising practice for interventions to promote physical activity. £10,000. (2014). Co-Investigator.
Public Health England - A rapid review of workplace interventions. £5000. (2014). Principal Investigator.
Yorkshire and Humber Academic Health Science Network (YH-AHSN) - Roll-out of a workforce wellness intervention across the public and private sector. £590,000 (2014-2017). Principal Investigator.
HEIF City Athletics Stadium: technology demonstrator: Tracking physical activity in diverse populations. £125,000 (2014-2015). Co-Investigator.
Academic Health Science Network (AHSN) - Improving Population Health, a workforce wellness intervention in the NHS. £265,000 (2012-2014). Principal Investigator.
National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine - Sheffield: £10million capital programme. Co-Investigator. (2012 - ongoing). Principal Investigator.
Evaluation of a lifestyle programme to enhance physical activity and healthy eating in young families in South West Essex. £5000. (2013 - 2014). Principal Investigator.
Design and evaluation of a family-based multi-component intervention to tackle overweight and obesity in Preston. £10,000. (2013 - 2016). Principal Investigator.
National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine - Sheffield: £10million capital programme. Co-Investigator. Project Manager (2012 - ).
Whole systems approaches to tackling obesity – Public Health England: £1.2million. Project Advisor (2015-)
Evaluation of Rotherham Get Active Get Healthy. £80,000. Principal Investigator (2015 - )
Health Education England – Workforce wellbeing in the NHS. YETB. £100,000. (2015 - )
Regional physical activity evaluation events. Public Health England. £30,000 (2015 - )
Evaluation of British Lung Foundation – Keep Active Keep Well programme. £30,000. Co-Investigator (2015 - )
Yorkshire and Humber Academic Health Science Network (YH-AHSN) - Roll-out of a workforce wellness intervention across the public and private sector. Principal Investigator. £590,000 (2014 -)
Design and evaluation of a family-based multi-component intervention to tackle overweight and obesity in Preston. Principal Investigator. £10,000. (2013 -)
Publications
Journal articles
Fleurent-Grégoire, C., Burgess, N., Denehy, L., Edbrooke, L., Engel, D., Dario Testa, G., ... Gillis, C. (2024). Outcomes reported in randomised trials of surgical prehabilitation: a scoping review. British Journal of Anaesthesia. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2024.01.046
Humphreys, L., Myers, A., Frith, G., Thelwell, M., Pickering, K., Mills, G.H., ... Copeland, R. (2024). The Development of a Multi-Modal Cancer Rehabilitation (Including Prehabilitation) Service in Sheffield, UK: Designing the Active Together Service. Healthcare, 12 (7). http://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12070742
Myers, A., Barlow, R., Baldini, G., Campbell, A., Carli, F., Carr, E., ... Copeland, R. (2024). International consensus is needed on a core outcome set to advance the evidence of best practice in cancer prehabilitation services and research. British Journal of Anaesthesia. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2024.02.021
Pettican, A., Southall-Edwards, R., Reinhardt, G.Y., Gladwell, V., Freeman, P., Low, W., ... 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). http://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18051-6
Jones, G., Bailey, L., Beeken, R.J., Brady, S., Cooper, C., Copeland, R., ... Peckham, E. (2024). Supporting physical activity through co-production in people with severe mental ill health (SPACES): protocol for a randomised controlled feasibility trial. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 10. http://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-024-01460-0
Keen, C., Phillips, G., Thelwell, M., Humphreys, L., Evans, L., & Copeland, R. (2023). Establishing Innovative Complex Services: Learning from the Active Together Cancer Prehabilitation and Rehabilitation Service. Healthcare, 11 (23). http://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11233007
Pritchard, M.W., Lewis, S.R., Robinson, A., Gibson, S.V., Chuter, A., Copeland, R., ... Smith, A.F. (2023). Effectiveness of the perioperative encounter in promoting regular exercise and physical activity: a systematic review and meta-analysis. eClinicalMedicine, 57. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101806
López-Fernández, J., López-Valenciano, A., Pearce, G., Copeland, R., Liguori, G., Jimenez Gutierrez, A., & Mayo, X. (2023). Physical Inactivity Levels of European Adolescents in 2002, 2005, 2013, and 2017. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20 (4). http://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043758
Tew, G.A., Bailey, L., Beeken, R.J., Cooper, C., Copeland, R., Brady, S., ... Peckham, E. (2023). Physical activity in adults with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: a large cross-sectional survey exploring patterns, preferences, barriers, and motivating factors. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20 (3). http://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032548
Saxton, J.M., Pickering, K., Wane, S., Humphreys, H., Crank, H., Anderson, A.S., ... Wilson, C. (2022). Co-designed weight management intervention for women recovering from oestrogen-receptor positive breast cancer. BMC Cancer, 22 (1). http://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-022-10287-y
Saxton, J.M., Pickering, K., Wane, S., Crank, H., Anderson, A.S., Cain, H., ... Wilson, C. (2022). The experiences and perceptions of female breast cancer patients regarding weight management during and after treatment for oestrogen-receptor positive disease: a qualitative study. BMC Cancer, 22 (1). http://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-022-10238-7
Oliver, H., Thomas, O., Neil, R., Moll, T., & Copeland, R.J. (2022). Stress and psychological wellbeing in British police force officers and staff. Current Psychology, 42 (33), 29291-29304. http://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-03903-4
Machaczek, K., Quirk, H., Firth, J., Carney, R., Copeland, R., Pollard, N., ... Goyder, E. (2022). A whole systems approach to integrating physical activity to aid mental health recovery – translating theory into practice. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 23. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.mhpa.2022.100480
Reid, H., Smith, R., Williamson, W., Baldock, J., Caterson, J., Kluzek, S., ... Copeland, R. (2022). Use of the behaviour change wheel to improve everyday person-centred conversations on physical activity across healthcare. BMC Public Health, 22 (1). http://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14178-6
Mayo, X., Iglesias-Soler, E., Liguori, G., Copeland, R., Clavel, I., Del Villar, F., & Jimenez, A. (2022). A modifiable factors-based model for detecting inactive individuals: are the European assessment tools fit for purpose? The European Journal of Public Health. http://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckac116
Pritchard, M.W., Robinson, A., Lewis, S.R., Gibson, S.V., Chuter, A., Copeland, R., ... Smith, A.F. (2022). Perioperative exercise programmes to promote physical activity in the medium to long term: systematic review and qualitative research. Health and Social Care Delivery Research, 10 (21). http://doi.org/10.3310/NZPN0787
Lowe, A., Myers, A., Quirk, H., Blackshaw, J., Palanee, S., & Copeland, R. (2022). Physical activity promotion by GPs: a cross-sectional survey in England. BJGP Open. http://doi.org/10.3399/BJGPO.2021.0227
Mitropoulos, A., Goodwill, S., Copeland, R., & Klonizakis, M. (2022). The relationship between physical activity and severity of covid-19 symptoms in non-hospitalised individuals. European Journal of Public Health. http://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckac097
Reid, H., Caterson, J., Smith, R., Baldock, J., Jones, N., & Copeland, R. (2022). What do healthcare professionals want from a resource to support person-centred conversations on physical activity? A mixed-methods, user-centric approach to developing educational resources. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 8, e001280. http://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2021-001280
Fowler Davis, S., Humphreys, H., Maden-Wilkinson, T., Withers, S., Lowe, A., & Copeland, R. (2022). Understanding the Needs and Priorities of People Living with Persistent Pain and Long-Term Musculoskeletal Conditions during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Public Involvement Project. Healthcare, 10 (6). http://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10061130
Humphreys, L., Carter, A., Sharrack, B., & Copeland, R. (2022). High-intensity interval training in people with mild multiple sclerosis: a mixed-methods feasibility study. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 29 (5). http://doi.org/10.12968/ijtr.2021.0073
Faghy, M.A., Maden-Wilkinson, T., Arena, R., Copeland, R.J., Owen, R., Hodgkins, H., & Willmott, A. (2022). COVID-19 patients require multi-disciplinary rehabilitation approaches to address persisting symptom profiles and restore pre-COVID quality of life. Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine. http://doi.org/10.1080/17476348.2022.2063843
Oliver, H., Thomas, O., Copeland, R., Hesketh, I., Jukes, M., Chadd, K., & Rocca, M. (2022). Proof of concept and feasibility of the app-based ‘#SWPMoveMore Challenge’: Impacts on physical activity and well-being in a police population. The Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles, 95 (1), 170-189. http://doi.org/10.1177/0032258x211024690
Briggs, L.G., Reitblat, C., Bain, P.A., Parke, S., Lam, N.-.Y., Wright, J., ... Psutka, S.P. (2022). Prehabilitation Exercise Before Urologic Cancer Surgery: A Systematic and Interdisciplinary Review. European urology, 81 (2), 157-167. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2021.05.015
Reece, L., Bissell, P., Sachdev, P., Wright, N., Mihrshahi, S., & Copeland, R. (2021). “The Balloon was Just the Kick Start I Had to do the Rest Myself”: Adolescents Living with Severe Obesity Experiences of an Intra-Gastric Balloon Alongside a Lifestyle Support Programme. . http://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-402543/v1
Lavín-Pérez, A., Collado-Mateo, D., Mayo, X., Liguori, G., Humphreys, L., Copeland, R., & Jimenez, A. (2021). Effects of High-Intensity Training on the Quality of Life of Cancer Patients and Survivors: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis. . http://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-146593/v1
Fowler-Davis, S., Young, R., Maden-Wilkinson, T., Hameed, W., Dracas, E., Hurrell, E., ... Copeland, R. (2021). Assessing the acceptability of a co-produced long COVID intervention in an underserved community in the UK. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (24). http://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182413191
Quirk, H., Bullas, A., Haake, S., Goyder, E., Graney, M., Wellington, C., ... Stevinson, C. (2021). Exploring the benefits of participation in community-based running and walking events: a cross-sectional survey of parkrun participants. BMC Public Health, 21 (1). http://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11986-0
Reece, L.J., Bissell, P., Sachdev, P., Wright, N., Mihrshahi, S., & Copeland, R. (2021). “The balloon was just the kick start, I had to do the rest myself”: Adolescents living with severe obesity experiences of an intra-gastric balloon alongside a lifestyle support programme. BMC Pediatrics, 21. http://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-021-02902-x
Reece, L., Bauman, A., Nau, T., Lee, K., Smith, B.J., Bellew, W., ... Copeland, R. (2021). Translating whole system approaches into practice to increase population physical activity [Abstract only]. Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14 (3). http://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.473
Myers, A., Quirk, H., Lowe, A., Crank, H., Broom, D., Jones, N., ... Copeland, R. (2021). The Active Hospital Pilot: a qualitative study exploring the implementation of a Trust-wide Sport and Exercise Medicine-led physical activity intervention. PLoS One, 16 (9). http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257802
Jones, B., Phillips, G., Valeriani, F., Edwards, T., Adams, E., Bonadonna, L., ... Beggs, C. (2021). End-to-end SARS-CoV-2 transmission risks in sport: Current evidence and practical recommendations. South African Journal of Sports Medicine, 33 (1), 1-17. http://doi.org/10.17159/2078-516x/2021/v33i1a11210
Lavín-Pérez, A.M., Collado-Mateo, D., Mayo, X., Liguori, G., Humphreys, L., Copeland, R.J., & Jimenez Gutierrez, A. (2021). Effects of high-intensity training on the quality of life of cancer patients and survivors: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Scientific Reports, 11 (1). http://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-94476-y
Steele, J., Wade, M., Copeland, R.J., Stokes, S., Stokes, R., & Mann, S. (2021). The National ReferAll Database: An Open Dataset of Exercise Referral Schemes Across the UK. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (9). http://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094831
López-Fernández, J., López-Valenciano, A., Mayo, X., Liguori, G., Lamb, M.A., Copeland, R.J., & Jimenez Gutierrez, A. (2021). No changes in adolescent’s sedentary behaviour across Europe between 2002 and 2017. BMC Public Health, 21 (1). http://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-10860-3
Humphreys, H., Kilby, L., Kudiersky, N., & Copeland, R. (2021). Long COVID and the role of physical activity: a qualitative study. BMJ Open, 11 (3). http://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047632
Faghy, M.A., Arena, R., Stoner, L., Haraf, R.H., Josephson, R., Hills, A.P., ... Ashton, R.E.M. (2021). The need for exercise sciences and an integrated response to COVID-19: A position statement from the international HL-PIVOT network. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2021.01.004
Machaczek, K., Allmark, P., Pollard, N., Goyder, E., Shea, M., Horspool, M., ... Weich, S. (2021). Integrating physical activity into the treatment of depression in adults: a qualitative enquiry. Health and Social Care in the Community. http://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13283
Quirk, H., Bullas, A., Haake, S., Goyder, E., Graney, M., Wellington, C., ... Stevinson, C. (2020). Exploring the Benefits of Participation in Community-Based Running and Walking Events: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Parkrun Participants. . http://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-122515/v1
Nevill, A.M., Williams, C., Copeland, R.J., & Flint, S.W. (2020). A tribute to Professor Edward Winter. J Sports Sci, 38 (24), 2751-2753. http://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2020.1812283
López-Fernández, J., López-Valenciano, A., Mayo, X., Liguori, G., Lamb, M., Copeland, R., & Jiménez, A. (2020). No changes in adolescent's sedentary behaviour across Europe between 2002 and 2017. . http://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-112042/v1
Ruddock, A., Copeland, R., Broom, D., & Wheat, J. (2020). Winter's Principles of Sport and Exercise Science. The Sport and Exercise Scientist, (66), 16-17.
Lavín‐Pérez, A.M., Collado‐Mateo, D., Mayo, X., Humphreys, L., Liguori, G., Copeland, R., ... Jimenez Gutierrez, A. (2020). High‐intensity exercise to improve cardiorespiratory fitness in cancer patients and survivors: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. http://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13861
Quirk, H., Hock, E., Harrop, D., Crank, H., Peckham, E., Travis-Turner, G., ... Copeland, R. (2020). Understanding the experience of initiating community-based group physical activity by people with serious mental illness: a systematic review using a meta-ethnographic approach. European Psychiatry, 63 (1). http://doi.org/10.1192/j.eurpsy.2020.93
Nevill, A.M., Williams, C., Copeland, R.J., & Flint, S.W. (2020). A tribute to Professor Edward Winter Edward Winter 28 June 1950-18 July 2020. Journal of Sports Sciences, 1-3. http://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2020.1812283
López-Valenciano, A., Mayo, X., Liguori, G., Copeland, R.J., Lamb, M., & Jimenez Gutierrez, A. (2020). Changes in sedentary behaviour in European Union adults between 2002 and 2017. BMC Public Health, 20 (1), 1206. http://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09293-1
Faghy, M.A., Ashton, R.E., Maden-Wilkinson, T., Copeland, R., Bewick, T., Smith, A., & Loosemore, M. (2020). Integrated sports and respiratory medicine in the aftermath of COVID-19. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, 8 (9), 852. http://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(20)30307-6
Rowley, N., Steele, J., Wade, M., Copeland, R., Mann, S., Liguori, G., ... Jimenez Gutierrez, A. (2020). Are Exercise Referral Schemes Associated With an Increase in Physical Activity? Observational Findings Using Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis From the National Referral Database. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 17 (6), 621-631. http://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2019-0435
Mayo, X., Liguori, G., Iglesias-Soler, E., Copeland, R.J., Clavel San Emeterio, I., Lowe, A., ... Jimenez Gutierrez, A. (2019). The active living gender's gap challenge: 2013-2017 Eurobarometers physical inactivity data show constant higher prevalence in women with no progress towards global reduction goals. BMC public health, 19 (1), 1677. http://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-8039-8
Wade, M., Mann, S., Copeland, R., & Steele, J. (2019). The effect of exercise referral schemes upon health and wellbeing: Initial observational insights using individual patient data meta-analysis from The National Referral Database. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 74 (32). http://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2019-212674
Speake, H., Copeland, R., Breckon, J., & Till, S. (2019). Challenges and opportunities for promoting physical activity in health care: a qualitative enquiry of stakeholder perspectives. European Journal of Physiotherapy. http://doi.org/10.1080/21679169.2019.1663926
Such, E., Burton, H., Copeland, R., Davies, R., Goyder, E., Jeanes, R., ... Magee, J. (2019). Developing a theory-driven framework for a football intervention for men with severe, moderate or enduring mental health problems: A participatory realist synthesis. Journal of mental health. http://doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2019.1581339
Rowley, N., Steele, J., Wade, M., Copeland, R.J., Mann, S., Liguori, G., ... Jimenez, A. (2019). Are exercise referral schemes associated with an increase in physical activity? Observational findings using individual patient data meta-analysis from The National Referral database. . http://doi.org/10.31236/osf.io/ckdwn
Quirk, H., Crank, H., Carter, A., Leahy, H., & Copeland, R. (2018). Barriers and facilitators to implementing workplace health and wellbeing services in the NHS from the perspective of senior leaders and wellbeing practitioners: a qualitative study. BMC Public Health, 18, 1362. http://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-6283-y
Staniford, L.J., Copeland, R., & Breckon, J. (2018). “What’s the Point when you only lose a pound?” Reasons for attrition from a multi-component childhood obesity treatment interventions: a qualitative inquiry. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health, 1-16. http://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2018.1474375
Scott, S., Breckon, J., & Copeland, R. (2018). An integrated motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioural intervention promoting physical activity maintenance for adults with chronic health conditions: A feasibility study. Chronic Illness. http://doi.org/10.1177/1742395318769370
Atchinson, R., Frith, G., Roden, A., Copeland, R., & Reece, L. (2018). Bright Spots: Physical activity investments that work :Active for health Rotherham; Be active to stay healthy. British Journal of Sports Medicine. http://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2017-098676
Flint, S.W., Oliver, E.J., & Copeland, R.J. (2017). Editorial: Obesity stigma in healthcare: Impacts on policy, practice, and patients. Frontiers in Psychology, 8 (2149). http://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02149
Such, E., Salway, S., Copeland, R., Haake, S., & Mann, S. (2017). A formative review of physical activity interventions for minority ethnic populations in England. Journal of Public Health, 39 (4), e265-e274. http://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdw126
Quirk, H., Crank, H., Harrop, D., Hock, E., & Copeland, R. (2017). Understanding the experience of initiating community-based physical activity and social support by people with serious mental illness: a systematic review using a meta-ethnographic approach. Systematic Reviews, 6 (214). http://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-017-0596-2
Sachdev, P., Reece, L., Thomson, M., Natarajan, A., Copeland, R., Wales, J.K., & Wright, N.P. (2017). Intragastric balloon as an adjunct to lifestyle programme in severely obese adolescents: Impact on biomedical outcomes, and skeletal health". International journal of obesity (2005), 42 (1), 115-118. http://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2017.215
Reece, L., Wright, N.P., Sachdev, P., Thomson, M., Wales, J.K., & Copeland, R. (2016). Intra-gastric balloon as an adjunct to lifestyle support in severely obese adolescents; Impact on weight, physical activity, cardio-respiratory fitness and psychosocial wellbeing. International Journal of Obesity, 41 (4), 591-597. http://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2016.192
Reece, L., Bissell, P., & Copeland, R. (2016). “I just don’t want to get bullied anymore, then I can lead a normal life”; Insights into life as an obese adolescent and their views on obesity treatment. Health expectations, 19 (4), 897-907. http://doi.org/10.1111/hex.12385
Rogerson, D., Soltani, H., & Copeland, R. (2016). The weight-loss experience : qualitative exploration. BMC public health, 16 (371), 1-12. http://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-016-3045-6
Speake, H., Copeland, R., Till, S., Breckon, J., Haake, S., & Hart, O. (2016). Embedding physical activity in the heart of the NHS: the need for a whole-system approach. Sports Medicine, 46 (7), 939-946. http://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0488-y
Flint, S., Scaife, R., Kesterton, S., Humphreys, L., Copeland, R., Crank, H., ... Carter, A. (2016). Sheffield Hallam Staff Wellness Service: four year follow-up of the impact on health indicators. Perspectives in Public Health, 136 (5), 295-301. http://doi.org/10.1177/1757913916630009
Copeland, R.J., Horspool, K., Humphreys, L., & Scott, E. (2016). Recruiting to a large-scale physical activity randomised controlled trial – experiences with the gift of hindsight. Trials, 17, 104. http://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-016-1229-0
Till, S., Riley, A., Copeland, R., Maynard, I., & Flint, S. (2015). Happy staff mean healthy business : the virtues of wellbeing. Health Service Journal. http://www.hsj.co.uk/
Buckley, J.P., Hedge, A., Yates, T., Copeland, R.J., Loosemore, M., Hamer, M., ... Dunstan, D.W. (2015). The sedentary office : a growing case for change towards better health and productivity Expert statement commissioned by Public Health England and Active Working C.I.C. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 49 (21), 1357-1362. http://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2015-094618
Rogerson, D., Soltani, H., & Copeland, R. (2015). Undergraduate UK nutrition education might not adequately address weight management. Public Health Nutrition, 19 (2), 371-381. http://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980015001305
Scott, S., Breckon, J., Copeland, R., & Hutchison, A. (2015). Determinants and strategies for physical activity maintenance in chronic health conditions: a qualitative study. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 12 (5), 733-740. http://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2013-0286
Everson-Hock, E.S., Green, M.A., Goyder, E.C., Copeland, R.J., Till, S.H., Heller, B., & Hart, O. (2015). Reducing the impact of physical inactivity: evidence to support the case for targeting people with chronic mental and physical conditions. Journal of Public Health, 37 (2), 1-9. http://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdv036
Copeland, R., King, C., Flint, S., & Whitney, D. (2014). The Olympic Games and sponsors have left town – what about the legacy? Olympika.
Reece, L., Copeland, R., Sachdev, P., Thomson, M., Wales, J.K., & Wright, N.P. (2014). Protocol for: The use of intra-gastric balloons as an adjunct to a lifestyle support programme to promote weight loss in severely obese adolescents. Journal of Child and Adoloscent Behaviour, 2 (173). http://doi.org/10.4172/2375-4494.1000173
Moss, J., Tew, G.A., Copeland, R.J., Stout, M., Billings, C.G., Saxton, J.M., ... Bianchi, S.M. (2014). Effects of a pragmatic lifestyle intervention for reducing body mass in obese adults with obstructive sleep apnoea: a randomised controlled trial. BioMed Research International, 2014 (102164), 1-8. http://doi.org/10.1155/2014/102164
Goyder, E., Hind, D., Dimairo, M., Minton, J., Everson-Hock, E., Reade, S., ... Cooper, C. (2014). A randomised controlled trial and cost-effectiveness evaluation of 'booster' interventions to sustain increases in physical activity in middle-aged adults in deprived urban neighbourhoods. Health technology assessment, 18 (13), 1-210. http://doi.org/10.3310/hta18130
Tew, G., Copeland, R., Le Faucheur, A., Nawaz, A., & Abraham, P. (2013). Feasibility and validity of self-reported walking capacity in patients with intermittent claudication. Journal of Vascular Surgery, 57 (5), 1227-1234. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2012.02.073
Bourke, L., Rosario, D., Copeland, R., & Taylor, S. (2013). Republished editorial: Physical activity for cancer survivors: beneficial in the short term, but longer term outcomes are lacking. British journal of sports medicine, 47 (9), 568. http://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2012-d7998rep
Staniford, L., Breckon, J., & Copeland, R. (2012). Treatment of childhood obesity: a systematic review. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 21 (4), 545-564. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-011-9507-7
Tew, G., Copeland, R., & Till, S. (2012). Sport and exercise medicine and the Olympic health legacy. BMC Medicine, (10), 74. http://doi.org/10.1186/1741-7015-10-74
Tew, G., Ouedraogo, N., Mahé, G., Leftheriotis, G., Copeland, R., & Abraham, P. (2012). Impaired somatosensation in patients with isolated proximal-without-distal exercise-related lower-limb ischemia. Clinical Journal of Pain, 28 (5), 404-409. http://doi.org/10.1097/AJP.0b013e3182340c01
Bourke, L., Rosario, D., Copeland, R., & Taylor, S. (2012). Physical activity for cancer survivors : beneficial in the short term, but longer term outcomes are lacking. British Medical Journal (BMJ), 344, 8. http://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.d7998
Relton, C., Bissell, P., Smith, C., Blackburn, J., Cooper, C.L., Nicholl, J., ... Manners, R. (2011). South Yorkshire Cohort: a 'cohort trials facility' study of health and weight - Protocol for the recruitment phase. BMC Public Health, 11 (1), 640. http://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-640
Staniford, L.J., Breckon, J., Copeland, R., & Hutchison, A. (2011). Key stakeholders’ perspectives towards childhood obesity treatment: a qualitative study. Journal of Child Health Care, 15 (3), 230-244. http://doi.org/10.1177/1367493511404722
Bourke, L., Copeland, R., & Rosario, D. (2011). Weight loss and exercise in obese older adults. The New England journal of medicine, 364 (25), 2466-2467. http://doi.org/10.1056/nejmc1104830
Scott, E.J., Dimairo, M., Hind, D., Goyder, E., Copeland, R.J., Breckon, J.D., ... Cooper, C.L. (2011). "Booster" interventions to sustain increases in physical activity in middle-aged adults in deprived urban neighbourhoods: internal pilot and feasibility study. BMC Public Health, 11 (129), 1-11. http://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-129
Hind, D., Scott, E.J., Copeland, R., Breckon, J., Crank, H., Walters, S.J., ... Goyder, E. (2010). A randomised controlled trial and cost-effectiveness evaluation of "booster" interventions to sustain increases in physical activity in middle-aged adults in deprived urban neighbourhoods. BMC Public Health, 10 (3). http://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-10-3
Copeland, R., Crank, H., Hall, A., & Millbourn, A. (2010). Be Active: promoting physical activity in overweight people. Practice nursing, 21 (11), 569-573.
Daley, A.J., Copeland, R.J., Wright, N.P., & Wales, J.K.H. (2008). 'I can actually exercise if I want to; it isn't as hard as I thought' - A qualitative study of the experiences and views of obese adolescents participating in an exercise therapy intervention. Journal of Health Psychology, 13 (6), 810-819. http://doi.org/10.1177/1359105308093865
Daley, A.J., Copeland, R.J., Wright, N.P., Roalfe, A., & Wales, J.K.H. (2006). Exercise therapy as a treatment for psychopathologic conditions in obese and morbidly obese adolescents: a randomized, controlled trial. Pediatrics, 118 (5), 2126-2134. http://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2006-1285
Daley, A.J., Copeland, R.J., Wright, N.P., & Wales, J.K.H. (2005). Protocol for: Sheffield obesity trial (SHOT): a randomised controlled trial of exercise therapy and mental health outcomes in obese adolescents. BMC public health, 5. http://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-5-113
Fowler-Davis, S., Young, R., Maden-Wilkinson, T., Hameed, W., Dracas, E., Hurrell, E., ... Copeland, R. (n.d.). Assessing the Acceptability of a Co-produced Long COVID Intervention in an Underserved Community in the UK. . http://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202111.0368.v1
Conference papers
Pickering, K., Wane, S., Speake, H., Crank, H., Anderson, A., Cain, H., ... Saxton, J. (2021). The new normal; adjusting to remote ways of providing bespoke weight management support to breast cancer survivors during the COVID-19 global pandemic. CANCER RESEARCH, 81 (4).
Ciravegna, F., Gao, J., Ireson, N., Copeland, R., Walsh, J., & Lanfranchi, V. (2019). Active 10. Proceedings of the 13th EAI International Conference on Pervasive Computing Technologies for Healthcare. http://doi.org/10.1145/3329189.3329208
Varney, J., Lawson, R., Williams, T., Copeland, R., Brannan, M., Lane, A., ... Mann, S. (2018). Moving at scale: Promising practice and practical guidance on evaluation of physical activity programmes in the UK. JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & HEALTH, 15 (10), S151.
Lamb, M., Copeland, R., Till, S., & Breckon, J. (2018). A randomised-cluster feasibility trial developing a standing habit within desk-based workers. JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & HEALTH, 15 (10), S232.
Speake, H., Copeland, R., Till, S., & Breckon, J. (2018). Co-designing a physical activity pathway in the NHS: Placing the users at the centre. JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & HEALTH, 15 (10), S247.
Copeland, R. (2018). A real Olympic legacy: A whole systems approach to physical activity in Sheffield. JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & HEALTH, 15 (10), S166.
Williams, T., Wade, M., Price, N., Steele, J., Copeland, R., & Mann, S. (2018). Exploring the impact of exercise referral schemes through the development and interrogation of UK multi-scheme database. JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & HEALTH, 15 (10), S139.
Frith, G., Atchinson, R., Nichols, S., Roden, A., Copeland, R., & Reece, L. (2018). Active for Health: A programme linking NHS rehabilitation services to community based physical activity. JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & HEALTH, 15 (10), S233.
Grinvalds, N., & Copeland, R. (2018). The development of a theory of change for the co-location of NHS clinics within leisure centres to place physical activity at the heart of the NHS. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 15 (10), S238. https://journals.humankinetics.com/doi/full/10.1123/jpah.2018-0535
Coulton, V., Reece, L., Copeland, R., Crank, H., & Broom, D. (2018). Overweight and obese children's and families' experiences of physical activity and the opportunities offered as part of a community based weight management intervention (abstract only). Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 15 (Supp 1), S125. https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jpah/15/s1/article-pS1.xml
Sachdev, P., Reece, L., Copeland, R., Thomson, M., Wales, J., Jacques, R., ... Wright, N. (2016). Development of Skeletal Microarchitecture and Biomechanics Over 2 Years Following 6 Month Intragastric Balloon Insertion in Obese Adolescents. HORMONE RESEARCH IN PAEDIATRICS, 86, 522-523.
Sachdev, P., Reece, L., Copeland, R., Wales, J., Dimitri, P., & Wright, N. (2016). The Impact of Intragastric Balloon Placement Suppported by a Lifestyle Intervention Programme on Cortical and Trabecular Microstructure and Strength in Severely Obese Adolescents. HORMONE RESEARCH IN PAEDIATRICS, 86, 31-32.
Speake, H., Copeland, R.J., Till, S.H., Breckon, J.D., Haake, S., Hart, O., & Goyder, E.C. (2016). Embedding physical activity in health services: the National Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, 26, 265.
Moss, J., Tew, G.A., Copeland, R.J., Saxton, J.M., Winter, E.M., & Bianchi, S.M. (2012). Effects of a lifestyle intervention in obese obstructive sleep apnoea patients treated with continuous positive airway pressure. JOURNAL OF SLEEP RESEARCH, 21, 90-91.
Book chapters
Bellow, B., Cavill, N., Allender, S., Copeland, R., & Shearn, K. (2020). Strategic principles and capacity building for a whole-of-systems approaches to physical activity. In Bellew, B., Nau, T., Smith, B.J., & Bauman, A. (Eds.) Getting Australia Active III. A systems approach to physical activity for policy makers. The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre and The University of Sydney
Reports
Lowe, A., Myers, A., & Copeland, R. (2022). MHPP evaluation: moving medicine final report of findings. Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. https://www.shu.ac.uk/advanced-wellbeing-research-centre/projects/moving-healthcare-professionals-programme-evaluation
Lowe, A., Myers, A., & Copeland, R. (2022). Active hospitals: final evaluation report. Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. https://www.shu.ac.uk/advanced-wellbeing-research-centre/projects/moving-healthcare-professionals-programme-evaluation
Sherar, L., Myers, A., & Copeland, R. (2022). MHPP Evaluation: e-learning final report. Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. https://www.shu.ac.uk/advanced-wellbeing-research-centre/projects/moving-healthcare-professionals-programme-evaluation
Lowe, A., Myers, A., & Copeland, R. (2022). Moving Healthcare Professionals Programme final evaluation report. Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. https://www.shu.ac.uk/advanced-wellbeing-research-centre/projects/moving-healthcare-professionals-programme-evaluation
Copeland, R., Lowe, A., Humphreys, H., Breckon, J., Haake, S., & Heller, B. (2021). UOA2403 REF3 Placing Physical Activity at the Heart of the NHS. Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/research/in-action/projects/move-more
Jimenez Gutierrez, A., Mayo, X., & Copeland, R.J. (2020). The economic and social the economic and social impact of promoting active impact of promoting active living after the covid-19 crisis. The role, value and impact of a proactive and responsible health and fitness industry. EuropeActive. http://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.33005.61927
Frith, G., Copeland, R., Reece, L., & Nichols, S. (2018). Keep Active Keep Well.
Gregory, M., Crowe, L., & Copeland, R. (2015). National Outdoor Recreation Strategy : preliminary review of strategies. Sheffield, UK: Sheffield Hallam University, Outdoor Recreation Research Group.
Copeland, R., Crank, H., Lyons, N.M., & Gibson, D. (2012). Be active: a community based approach to promoting physical activity in overweight individuals. SHU.
Theses / Dissertations
Humphreys, L. (2023). Exploration of the Physical Activity Guidelines for People with Multiple Sclerosis. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Copeland, R., Carter, A., & Sharrack, B. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00537
Grinvalds, N.E. (2022). Co-location of health and leisure to promote physical activity: a realist synthesis. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Copeland, R. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00480
Lamb, M.A. (2018). An exploration of the determinants of sedentary behaviour in desk-based employees. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Copeland, R. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00204
Speake, H. (2018). Exploring the user-centred design of aphysical activity pathway in NHS care. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Copeland, R. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00087
Reece, L. (2016). Treatment of severe obesity in adolescents; a mixed method approach. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Copeland, R., Bissell, P., & Wright, N.
Bec, R. (2015). Utilising games and design-research methodology to promote physical activity among adolescents. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Dearden, A., Chamberlain, P., & Copeland, R.
Scott, S.E. (2014). The development, delivery and evaluation of a physical activity maintenance intervention. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Breckon, J., & Copeland, R.
Staniford, L.J. (2012). An exploration of childhood obesity treatment interventions to enhance their long-term effectiveness. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Copeland, R., & Breckon, J.
Internet Publications
Humphreys, H., Kilby, L., Kudiersky, N., & Copeland, R. (2020). Long Covid and the role of physical activity: a qualitative study. http://doi.org/10.1101/2020.12.03.20243345
Copeland, R.J., Flint, S., Nevill, A., Wheat, J., Breckon, K., Maynard, I., ... Stevens, H. (2020). A tribute to Professor Edward Winter. http://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/ndctk
Media
Copeland, R. (2022). How our pioneering new healthcare model is helping people stay active. [Webpage]. Sheffield Hallam University
Other publications
Aylott, J., Brown, I., Copeland, R., & Johnson, D. (2008). Tackling Obesities: The foresight report and implications for local government. Improvement and Development Agency for local government (IDeA): http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do?pageId=8267926
Other activities
2018 Chair – Guidelines development and practice recommendations for psychological interventions in prehabilitation in oncology. Macmillan Cancer Care UK.
2018 Conference scientific organising committee of the International Society of Physical Activity
2018 Expert Working Group for Older Adults, Chief Medical Officers physical activity guidelines review panel
2018 NIHR Data Monitoring and Ethics Committee; A three arm cluster randomised controlled trial to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the SMArT Work & Life intervention for reducing daily sitting time in office workers
2017 Chair – Fitgroup UK
2015-current International Olympic Committee Research Centre for Prevention of Injury and Protection of Athlete Health - Member.
2015-current MSK implementation Board Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
2014-current INSIGNEO - EPSRC Frontier Award Multi-sim Academic Advisory Board
2014-2016 UKactive Research Institute, Academic Advisory Board (Promising Practice Programme)
2014 Public Health England Everybody Active Everyday Expert Panel Active Spaces
2014-current All Party Parliamentary Group
2013-current British Cycling Technical Reviewer - Mountain Biking
2013-curent 'Miracle Cure' Exercise referral scheme Academic Advisory Board
2012-current The National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine England - Partnership Board
2012-current Move More Board - Sheffield
2012-current Food and Physical Activity Board - Sheffield
2012-current Steve Peat Syndicate, Sport Psychology Lead Advisor
2010-2014 Streetgames, Academic Advisory Board
2011 NICE Review Expert - systems approaches to tackling obesity
2010-2015 CLAHRC South Yorkshire Cohort Steering Committee
Postgraduate supervision
Current
Designing a physical activity pathway in usual NHS care
Exploring the determinants of sedentary behaviour in desk-based employees
Family-based multi-component interventions to tackle overweight and obesity in young people
Completed
Workplace stress and wellbeing in the police
Physical activity in people with Multiple Sclerosis
Transitions in physical activity pathways in MSK
Realist exploration of co-location of NHS clinics in leisure centres
Physical activity as medicine Workforce wellbeing - promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour
Lifestyle interventions in severely obese adolescents
Do undergraduate degree programs prepare nutrition consultants for effective practise?
Exploring The use of 'Gaming' to promote physical activity and reduce obesity in young people.
Effects of a lifestyle intervention on quality of life, body mass/composition and cardiovascular risk in patients being treated for obstructive sleep apnoea.
The use of technology to support physical activity behaviour change.
An exploration of childhood obesity treatment interventions to enhance their long-term effectiveness.
Media
Psychologist Rob's research focuses on designing and evaluating physical activity and behaviour change interventions in public health, specifically obesity and childhood obesity. He has worked within a wide range of sports including cycling (mountain biking), professional golf, football, tennis and snooker. He also has expertise in work-placed/corporate wellness, exercise referral systems and phase IV cardiac rehabilitation.