Dr Simon Nichols

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

HIITorMISS UK
FARSTER
CARE CR

Journal articles

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

Elected member of the British Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (BACPR)
British Association of Sport and Exercise Scientist (BASES) representative to the BACPR exercise professionals group
Course tutor for the British Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation - Part 2 course

Cardiovascular and Cardiorespiratory adaptations to HIIT in patients with coronary heart disease 

Exercise training in patients with a total chronic coronary occlusion