Overview

Dr Jemma Perks is an exercise physiologist with a Ph.D in cardiovascular sciences; her Ph.D investigated alternative methods to increase physical activity in the treatment of peripheral artery disease. Supporting the use of pain free exercise and breaking up sitting time as non-pharmaceutical treatments in this population. Dr Jemma Perks is a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Exeter and the University of Oxford, where she is working with clinical populations, using her skills in exercise physiology, statistics, and health technology to design exercise programs and support improvements in physical fitness under the umbrella of cardiometabolic health. In addition to this Dr Perks is working on a project funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to establish construct validity of an “Older Persons for Active Living” health related quality of life measure, with the University of Exeter.

Qualifications

• Ph.D
• MSc
• BSc
• AFHEA

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Research

Research interests

• Exercise Physiology
• Cardiovascular disease
• Statistics/ epidemiology
• Health technology
• Rehabilitation

Research projects

• Oxfordshire Sedentariness, Obesity & Cardiometabolic Risk in Adolescents - a Trial of Exercise in Schools (OxSOCRATES study)
• EvolvRehab for telerehabilitation

Links

• Effect of high-pain versus low-pain structured exercise on walking ability in people with intermittent claudication: meta-analysis
• The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on a Dedicated Vascular Emergency Clinic
• Device-measured physical activity behaviours, and physical function, in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and peripheral artery disease: A cross-sectional study
• Efficacy of a personalised activity plan for BREAKing UP sitting time in patients with intermittent claudication (the BREAK UP study)

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External Engagement and Impact

Awards

• Peripheral Vascular Disease FIT Travel Grant 2021 (American Heart Association, Scientific Sessions, Boston, USA) $750
• George Davies Charitable Trust Studentship 2019 (University of Leicester) (Registered Charity Number: 1024818)
• Dean’s Commendation for Exceptional Academic Performance (University of Exeter 2019)
• Alan Patrick Memorial Prize: Highest academic achievement in the school of sport and exercise (University of Gloucestershire 2018)

Committee/panel activities

Dr. Jemma Perks has presented her work at national and international conferences, and works closely with the American Heart Association as a member of the Peripheral Vascular Disease Committee.

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