Research Interests

Exercise psychology; physical activity interventions in the workplace; physical activity and type 1 diabetes; pedagogy

Background Information

Sarah Edmunds is a research fellow based in the Department of Psychology. She is responsible for the evaluation and coordination of ‘Workplace Activator’. This is a project being run jointly between Central YMCA and the University of Westminster to promote physical activity and wellbeing among employees of small to medium sized businesses in central London. The programme runs for 18 months from April 2010, funding for the Workplace Activator programme was won from the Department of Work and Pensions Challenge fund, and further funding has been received from NHS Westminster, NHS Camden and the YMCA. Sarah also works on a project which is developing interactive lessons plans to promote positive body image in children and adolescents. Funded by HEIF this is also being conducted in collaboration with Central YMCA.

 

In addition Sarah is a part time visiting lecturer in the Psychology Department and jointly (with Dr Jo Borrill) leads the Psychology of Sport and Exercise module. Sarah is a Chartered Psychologist (Sport and Exercise). Following a psychology degree she completed a PhD on the psychological and physiological effects of physical activity on children with type 1 diabetes at Liverpool John Moores University. This was followed by two years working as a researcher at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in London, developing a questionnaire to assess child health at school entry. From 2003 to 2008 she was a senior lecturer in exercise and sport psychology at St Mary’s University College, Twickenham. Sarah joined the University of Westminster in April 2008 as a research fellow for the Wellbeing and Health network.

Publications

Edmunds S., Hurst L. and Harvey K. Physical activity barriers in the workplace: An exploration of factors contributing to non-participation in a UK workplace physical activity intervention. International Journal of Workplace Health Management (in press).

Edmunds S. and Brown G. (2010) Effective Small Group Learning: AMEE Guide No. 48. Medical Teacher, 32, 715-726.

Edmunds S. (2010) Wellbeing: conceptual issues and implications for interdisciplinary work. Journal of Holistic Healthcare, 7, 9-12.

Edmunds S., Roche D. and Stratton G. (2010) Levels and patterns of physical activity in children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes and associated metabolic and physiologic health outcomes., Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 7, 68-77.

Brown, G. and Edmunds S. (2009) Learning from Lectures. In J. Dent and R. Harden (eds) A Practical Guide for Medical Teachers 3rd Edition. Edinburgh: Elsevier.

Roche D., Edmunds S., Cable T., Didi M. and Stratton, G. (2008). Skin microvascular reactivity in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes in relation to levels of physical activity and aerobic fitness. Pediatric Exercise Science, 20; accepted for publication November 2008.

Edmunds S., Roche D., Stratton G., Wallymahmed A. and Glenn S. (2007). Physical activity and psychological well-being in children with Type 1 diabetes. Psychology, Health and Medicine Journal, 12, 353-363

Edmunds S., Garratt A., Haines L. and Blair M. (2005). Child health assessment at school entry (CHASE) project: evaluation in 10 London primary schools. Child: Health, Care and Development, 31, 143-154.

Edmunds S., Haines L. and Blair M. (2005). Development of a questionnaire to collect public health data for school entrants in London: Child Health Assessment at School Entry (CHASE) project. Child: Health, Care and Development, 31, 89-97.

Conference presentations

Edmunds S. and Stephenson D. (2010) ‘Workplace Activator’: a pilot programme to engage small and medium sized enterprises in physical activity promotion. London Health 2010, London.

Edmunds S., Hurst L. and Harvey K. (2009) An exploration of non-participation in a workplace physical activity intervention. Journal of Sport Sciences, 27, S13-S14. British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Annual Conference, Leeds.

Edmunds S., Hurst L., Harvey K. and Baker M. (2008). A qualitative analysis of barriers to participation in a workplace physical activity intervention. UK Public Health Association Annual Public Health Forum, Liverpool.

Edmunds S., Garratt A., Haines L. and Blair M. (2003). Development of a questionnaire to collect public health data for school entrants: Child Health Assessment at School Entry (CHASE) project. Community Practitioners’ and Health Visitors’ Association Annual Conference, Harrogate.

Edmunds S., Roche D., Stratton G., Glenn S. and Wallymahmed A. (2003). The effects of a randomised controlled exercise intervention programme on the psychological well being and physiological health of children with Type 1 diabetes. Revista Portuguesa de Ciencias do Desporto, 3, 45-46.

Edmunds S., Roche D., Stratton G. and Wallymahmed A. (2001). Wellness, physical activity and fitness in children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus Journal of Sports Sciences, 19, 20. British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Annual Conference 2000, Liverpool. (Winner of BASES Student Award)

Edmunds S., Roche D., Stratton G. and Wallymahmed A. (2001). Physical activity and fitness in children with Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus Pediatric Exercise Science, 13, 83. North American Society of Pediatric Medicine Biennial Conference 2000, Aspen, Colorado.

Edmunds S., Wallymahmed A. and Stratton G. (2000). A study to investigate the psychological effects of physical activity (PA) and fitness on children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), Proceedings of the British Psychological Society, 8, 14. British Psychological Society Annual Conference, Leeds.

Roche D., Edmunds S., Stratton G., Didi M. and Cable T. (2002). Training effects on postural reactivity of the microcirculation in children with Type 1 diabetes. European College of Sports Science Annual Conference, Athens, Greece.

Roche D., Edmunds S., Stratton G., Cable T., Kerr S. and Didi M. (2001). Relationship between physical activity and microvascular function in young Type 1 diabetics. European College of Sports Science Annual Conference, Cologne, Germany.

Roche D., Edmunds S., Stratton G., Cable T., Kerr S. and Didi M. (2001). Physical fitness in relation to microvascular haemodynamics and glycaemic control in children with Type 1 diabetes. Journal of Sports Science, 19, 27-28. British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Annual Conference 2000, Liverpool.