Dr Simon Nichols FBASES
Senior Research Fellow
Summary
I have more than 12 years of experience in the field of cardiovascular rehabilitation. In 2008, I began working as an Exercise Professional for an NHS Cardiac Rehabilitation service in Hull, UK, before moving to the University of Hull to undertake a PhD in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation in 2012. In 2015, I became a Research Assistant at the University of Hull, and moved to Newcastle University in 2016 where I was appointed as a Teaching Fellow. In 2017, I was appointed as a Senior Research Fellow in the Sport and Physical Activity Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University. Since 2017, I have been elected as the Scientific Officer for the British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (BACPR), and have been president of the BACPR Exercise Professionals Group. Simon continues to work with the BACPR. In 2020, Simon was awarded Fellowship Status with the British Association for Sport and Exercise Sciences (FBASES). I am currently Director of Studies for three PhD candidates, and co-supervisor for two further students. All students take an active role in shaping the cardiovascular rehabilitation research theme at Sheffield Hallam University. Ongoing PhD projects include investigating treatments for sarcopenia in people with heart failure, optimising secondary prevention strategies for people with heart disease, and developing novel inpatient exercise treatments for people with ischaemic stroke. My ongoing funded work is investigating factors contributing to improvements in quality of life in people attending cardiac rehabilitation. I am also investigating the effects of a technology platforms to deliver cardiac rehabilitation remotely. Other ongoing work includes optimising exercise training strategies in people with heart disease, and developing interventions that enable patients with cardiovascular disease to manage their own health, in the longer-term.
About
Simon has ten years of clinical and research experience in the field of cardiovascular rehabilitation. He has a specific interest in the cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory adaptions to exercise training in patients with heart disease. He is a local Principal Investigator for the HIITorMISS UK, FARSTER and CARE CR studies.
He is also conducting research in to exercise, ageing and frailty. His current work is investigating the role that exercise and nutritional supplementation plays in preventing or reversing the age-related loss of skeletal muscle.
Simon is an elected member of the British Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (BACPR) and, the British Association of Sport and Exercise Scientist (BASES) representative to the BACPR exercise professionals group.
Specialist areas of interest
Exercise physiology
Cardiovascular disease
Ageing and frailty
Research
OSPREY CR, FARSTER, ACTIV8-1, ATAS, COMPLEX, HIIT or MISS UK, ECLIPSE CHF, CARE CR
AstraZeneca, National Institute for Health Research, British Lung Foundation, Grow MedTech
Publications
Journal articles
James, E., Nichols, S., Goodall, S., Hicks, K.M., & O'Doherty, A.F. (2021). The influence of resistance training on neuromuscular function in middle-aged and older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Experimental Gerontology, 149, 111320. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.exger.2021.111320
Ali, A., Tabassum, D., Baig, S.S., Moyle, B., Redgrave, J., Nichols, S., ... Arshad, M. (2021). Effect of Exercise Interventions on Health-Related Quality of Life After Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Stroke, 52 (7), 2445-2455. http://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.120.032979
Ali, A., Tabassum, D., Baig, S.S., Moyle, B., Redgrave, J., Nichols, S., ... Majid, A. (2021). Effect of Exercise Interventions on Health-Related Quality of Life After Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Stroke. http://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.120.032979
O'Doherty, A.F., Humphreys, H., Dawkes, S., Cowie, A., Hinton, S., Brubaker, P.H., ... Nichols, S. (2021). How has technology been used to deliver cardiac rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic? An international cross-sectional survey of healthcare professionals conducted by the BACPR. BMJ Open, 11 (4). http://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046051
Nichols, S., Taylor, C., Goodman, T., Page, R., Kallvikbacka-Bennett, A., Nation, F., ... Ingle, L. (2021). Corrigendum to Routine exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation does not increase aerobic fitness: A CARE CR study, International Journal of Cardiology, 305 (2020) 25–34 (International Journal of Cardiology (2020) 305 (25–34), (S0167527319352118), (10.1016/j.ijcard.2020.01.044)). International Journal of Cardiology, 322, 294. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2020.08.078
Nichols, S., McGregor, G., Al-Mohammad, A., Ali, A.N., Tew, G., & O'Doherty, A.F. (2020). The effect of protein and essential amino acid supplementation on muscle strength and performance in patients with chronic heart failure – A systematic review. European Journal of Nutrition, 59 (5), 1785-1801. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-019-02108-z
Khushhal, A., Nichols, S., Carroll, S., Abt, G., & Ingle, L. (2020). Characterising the application of the “progressive overload” principle of exercise training within cardiac rehabilitation: A United Kingdom-based community programme. PLOS ONE, 15 (8), e0237197. http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0237197
Nichols, S., McGregor, G., Breckon, J., & Ingle, L. (2020). Current insights into exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation in patients with CHD and CHF. International Journal of Sports Medicine. http://doi.org/10.1055/a-1198-5573
Nichols, S., McGregor, G., Breckon, J., & Ingle, L. (2020). Current Insights into Exercise-based Cardiac Rehabilitation inPatients with Coronary Heart Disease and Chronic Heart Failure. International Journal of Sports Medicine. http://doi.org/10.1055/a-1198-5573
Nichols, S. (2020). COVID-19 and cardiac rehabilitation. British Journal of Cardiology, 27 (2), 41-72. http://doi.org/10.5837/bjc.2020.019
Nichols, S., Taylor, C., Goodman, T., Page, R., Kallvikbacka-Bennett, A., Nation, F., ... Ingle, L. (2020). Routine exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation does not increase aerobic fitness: A CARE CR study. International Journal of Cardiology, 305, 25-34. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2020.01.044
Ngaage, D., Mitchell, N., Dean, A., Hirst, C., Akowuah, E., Doherty, P.J., ... Watson, J. (2019). Feasibility study of early outpatient review and early cardiac rehabilitation after cardiac surgery: mixed-methods research design—a study protocol. BMJ Open, 9 (12), e035787. http://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035787
Nickolay, T., Nichols, S., Ingle, L., & Hoye, A. (2019). Exercise Training as a Mediator for Enhancing Coronary Collateral Circulation: A Review of the Evidence. Current Cardiology Reviews, 15. http://doi.org/10.2174/1573403x15666190819144336
Khushhal, A., Nichols, S., Carroll, S., Abt, G., & Ingle, L. (2019). Insufficient exercise intensity for clinical benefit? Monitoring and quantification of a community-based Phase III cardiac rehabilitation programme: A United Kingdom perspective. PLoS ONE, 14 (6), e0217654. http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0217654
Nichols, S., O'Doherty, A., Carroll, S., & Ingle, L. (2019). Influence of appendicular skeletal muscle mass on resting metabolic equivalents in patients with cardiovascular disease: Implications for exercise training and prescription. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. http://doi.org/10.1177/2047487319856432
Pymer, S., Nichols, S., Prosser, J., Birkett, S., Carroll, S., & Ingle, L. (2019). Does exercise prescription based on estimated heart rate training zones exceed the ventilatory anaerobic threshold in patients with coronary heart disease undergoing usual-care cardiovascular rehabilitation? A United Kingdom perspective. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2047487319852711
Pymer, S., Nichols, S., Prosser, J., Birkett, S., Carroll, S., & Ingle, L. (2019). Does exercise prescription based on estimated heart rate training zones exceed the ventilatory anaerobic threshold in patients with coronary heart disease undergoing usual-care cardiovascular rehabilitation? A United Kingdom perspective. European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2047487319852711
Birkett, S., Nichols, S., Sawrey, R., Gleadall-Siddall, D., McGregor, G., & Ingle, L. (2019). The Effects of Low-Volume High Intensity Interval Training and Circuit Training on Maximal Oxygen Uptake. Sport sciences for health. http://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-019-00552-2
Nichols, S., Taylor, C., Page, R., Kallvikbacka-Bennett, A., Nation, F., Goodman, T., ... Ingle, L. (2019). Correction to: Is Cardiorespiratory Fitness Related to Cardiometabolic Health and All-Cause Mortality Risk in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease? A CARE CR Study. Sports Medicine - Open, 5 (1). http://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-019-0179-y
Nichols, S., O'Doherty, A.F., Taylor, C., Clark, A.L., Carroll, S., & Ingle, L. (2019). Low skeletal muscle mass is associated with low aerobic capacity and increased mortality risk in patients with coronary heart disease – a CARE CR study. Clinical Physiology And Functional Imaging, 39 (1), 93-102. http://doi.org/10.1111/cpf.12539
Birkett, S., Nichols, S., Sawrey, R., Gleadall-Siddall, D., McGregor, G., & Ingle, L. (2018). D1.P13. High intensity interval training:Physiological adaptation and intervention fidelity. Journal of Sports Sciences; BASES Conference 2018 – Programme and Abstracts, 36 (Supplement), 25-26. http://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2018.1521633
McGregor, G., Powell, R., Finnegan, S., Nichols, S., & Underwood, M. (2018). Exercise rehabilitation programmes for pulmonary hypertension – a systematic review of intervention components and reporting quality. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 4 (1). http://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2018-000400
Nichols, S., Gleadall-Sidall, D.O., Antony, R., Clark, A.L., Cleland, J.G.F., & Ingle, L. (2018). Estimated peak functional capacity: an accurate method for assessing change in peak oxygen consumption after cardiac rehabilitation? Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging, 38 (4), 681-688. http://doi.org/10.1111/cpf.12468
Nichols, S., Taylor, C., Page, R., Kallvikbacka-Bennett, A., Nation, F., Goodman, T., ... Ingle, L. (2018). Is cardiorespiratory fitness related to cardiometabolic health and all-cause mortality risk in patients with coronary heart disease? A CARE CR Study. Sports medicine - open, 4 (22). http://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-018-0138-z
Nichols, S., Nation, F., Goodman, T., Clark, A., Carroll, S., & Ingle, L. (2018). CARE CR - Cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory Adaptationsto Routine Exercise-based Cardiac Rehabilitation; A studyprotocol for a community-based control study with criterionmethods. BMJ Open, 8 (1), e019216. http://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019216
Khushhal, A., Nichols, S., Evans, W., Gleadall-Siddall, D., Page, R., O'Doherty, A., ... Abt, G. (2017). Validity and reliability of the Apple Watch for measuring heart rate during exercise. Sports Medicine International Open, 1 (06), E206-E211. http://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-120195
Furze, G., Nichols, S., Doherty, P., Hinton, S., Iliff, A., & Mills, J. (2016). National Certification Programme for Cardiovascular Rehabilitation – aiming to improve practice. Perspectives in Public Health, 136 (6), 318-320. http://doi.org/10.1177/1757913916668291
McGregor, G., Nichols, S., Hamborg, T., Bryning, L., Tudor-Edwards, R., Markland, D., ... Backx, K. (2016). High-intensity interval training versus moderate-intensity steady-state training in UK cardiac rehabilitation programmes (HIIT or MISS UK): study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation. BMJ Open, 6 (11), e012843. http://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012843
Nichols, S., Taylor, C., & Ingle, L. (2015). A clinician's guide to cardiopulmonary exercise testing 2: test interpretation. British Journal of Hospital Medicine, 76 (5), 281-289. http://doi.org/10.12968/hmed.2015.76.5.281
Taylor, C., Nichols, S., & Ingle, L. (2015). A clinician's guide to cardiopulmonary exercise testing 1 : an introduction. British Journal of Hospital Medicine, 76 (4), 192-195. http://doi.org/10.12968/hmed.2015.76.4.192
Nichols, S., Milner, M., Meijer, R., Carroll, S., & Ingle, L. (2014). Variability of automated carotid intima-media thickness measurements by novice operators. Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging, 36 (1), 25-32. http://doi.org/10.1111/cpf.12189
Nichols, S., Engin, B., Carroll, S., Buckley, J., & Ingle, L. (n.d.). The Rating of Perceived Exertion at the Ventilatory Anaerobic Threshold in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease - Prescribing Implications for Exercise-Based Cardiovascular Rehabilitation: A CARE CR study. Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine.
Conference papers
Nichols, S., Milner, M., Carroll, S., & Ingle, L. (2014). Automated carotid Intima-media thickness measurements in healthy, young-to middle-aged adults: immediate and 1-week inter- and intra-observer variability by novice operators. Journal of Sports Sciences, s78-s86.
Pellicori, P., Fazlalizadeh, H., Nichols, S., Zhang, J., Clark, A.L., Raghunath, R., ... Cleland, J. (2013). Use of natriuretic peptides to screen for cardiac dysfunction in older patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus. a report from sica-diabetes study (fp7/2007-2013/241558). EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HEART FAILURE, 12, S319-S320.
Reports
Frith, G., Copeland, R., Reece, L., & Nichols, S. (2018). Keep Active Keep Well.
Bugg, A., Gareth, J., & Nichols, S. (2018). New Games Primary School Intervention Report. https://inewgames.com/about/new-games-research/
Internet Publications
Nichols, S., Carroll, S., & Ingle, L. (2014). Letter to the Editor - Re: Automated Carotid-IMT Measurements Undertaken by Novice Operators. [Online]. https://academic.oup.com/ehjcimaging/article/15/6/637/2403220
Presentations
Nichols, S. (2017). HIIT: Current evidence and future application in cardiovascular rehabilitation. Presented at: BACPR Annual Conference 2017, London, 2017
Nichols, S. (2017). The role of HIT training in the general population and in cardiac patients. Presented at: British Cardiovascular Society Conference, Manchester, 2017
Posters
Nichols, S. (2017). Evaluation for Active for Health. Presented at: HEPA Europe Conference 2017, Zagreb, Croatia, 2017
Nichols, S., Gledall-Siddall, D., Antony, R., Clark, A.L., Cleland, J.G.F., Ingle, L., & Carroll, S. (2017). Are metabolic equivalents (METS) an accurate method for estimating change in peak oxygen consumption after cardiac rehabilitation? Presented at: BACPR EPG Conference, Birmingham, 2017
Other activities
External Examiner for the University of Portsmouth
External Examiner for the University of Chester
Postgraduate supervision
DoS:
Nik Kudiersky - VC Scholarship
Gabbi Frith - Part Time
Alex Bugg - Part Time
Emily James (Northumbria University)
Tom Nikolay (University of Hull)