Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
LE11 3TU
+44 (0)1509 263171

School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences

Our Research

We have worked with many organisations from both the private and public sectors, ranging from small local firms, through to government departments and major international companies.

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Current research

Loughborough University responds to the ageing workforce

Researchers at Loughborough University have been awarded £1.3 million from the New Dynamics of Ageing Programme. The research, which is led by Professor Cheryl Haslam, Director of the University's Work and Health Research Centre in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, is entitled 'Working Late: strategies to enhance productive and healthy environments for the older workforce.' It centres on how there is a pressing need for employment policies, workplace design and occupational health provision that takes account of the ageing workforce. Click here to read the press release.
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A staged approach to reducing MSDs in the workplace (HSE)

This research attempted to improve the efficacy of interventions by applying the stage of change approach (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1982) to the workplace. The stage of change model acknowledges the importance of addressing attitudes in order to achieve behaviour change, and assumes that any behaviour change involves movement through distinct stages. An individual's stage determines their receptiveness to, and the likely efficacy of, particular methods of education.
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Occupational Health & Well-Being of Junior Doctors

The principal aim of this research is to develop a picture of the overall well-being of Junior Doctors presently involved in the Foundation Programme. Acknowledging the breadth of this nationwide programme, the present research will limit itself to the examination of Junior Doctors working within the Midlands, for obvious pragmatic reasons. Having obtained this information, the final objective of the research thesis is to present the findings to key stakeholders involved at policy level. If the research consistently identifies specific issues of concern to the Junior Doctors these matters will be discussed with the organisational representatives. This, in turn, may facilitate the development of future policy.
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Ergonomics Advisors - How expert are the Experts?

This research explores 'how expert are the Experts' in terms of workplace ergonomics advisors; particularly those working in the field of Musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) management.
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Reducing Absence at Work: Managing the return to work of employees following long-term sick-leave (MHF)

This study looks at symptoms of anxiety and depression and their effects on work and visa-versa, in a range of illnesses (cancer, coronary heart disease, back pain and anxiety/depression itself). The study examines the interaction between depression and the psycho-social work environment along with the extent to which workplace illness perceptions, attitudes and behaviour affect the individual.
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Organisational Benefits of Proactive Health and Safety Management (IOSH)

This research is examining the impact of health and safety management on a range of organisational outcomes, across a variety of industries and different sized organisations. The research involves 31 organisations, comprising interviews with key stakeholders, a one-off survey of company employees and an examination of organisational level indicators such as employee turnover and accidents. The findings of this project will help guide future advice to both health and safety practitioners and organisations about the nature and potential benefits of health and safety best practice, and inform further research into the methods of estimating the value of health and safety management in the workplace.
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Managing Chronic Illness at Work: Exploring Effective Strategies for Employees & Organisations (ESF)

Four large organisations participated in the study which adopted a combined qualitative and quantitative approach. Interviews with the participating organisational representatives and questionnaires with employees have illustrated how employers currently manage chronic illness at work, and how the support and provision for such employees can be complemented, alongside other input from healthcare professionals.
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What Constitutes Effective Manual Handling? (HSE)

Back pain is most common in workers who undertake tasks that involve: heavy manual labour, heavy handling, manual handling and repetitive tasks. Manual handling covers a wide variety of tasks which include lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling and carrying.
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The Interaction Between Design and Occupier Behaviour in the Safety of New Dwellings

The aims of this research are to gain an improved understanding of the different ways in which people use (and misuse) features within their home and identify the varying ways in which occupier behaviour can interact with dwelling design to lead to unsafe practices.
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Driving out pain for motorists (Bupa Foundation)

This research will examine the effects of driving on people's health. It will involve the development of a driving ergonomics tool, which it is hoped will help businesses manage the risks posed by driving to employees.
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Improving health and safety in the construction industry (various sponsors)

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Previous research

Companies' perceptions of the cost implications of health and safety failures (HSE)

This major study looked at companies' perceptions of the cost implications of health and safety failures. The Health and Safety Executive actively campaigns to improve awareness of health and safety issues in the workplace. Although such campaigns have led to improvements in the management of health risks, some companies might be put off making improvements by the perceived costs of implementing these.
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Causal factors in construction accidents (HSE)

This research used a combination of focus groups and detailed study of 100 construction accidents, using an ergonomics systems approach, to identify where safety is compromised and why. The research concluded that achieving a sustained improvement in safety in the industry will require concerted efforts directed at all levels in the influence hierarchy.
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Effects on working life of medication prescribed for the treatment of anxiety and depression (HSE)

This research collected new and in-depth data on the use of psychotropic medication among the working population to improve understanding of the impact of mental health problems and the treatment for these conditions on performance in the workplace.
The research examined the effects of both mental health problems and drug treatments on work performance, including effects on absenteeism and risk of accidents; effects on relationships with colleagues and the extent to which employers support employees who are experiencing mental health problems.
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Environmental and behavioural factors affecting the risk of falling among older people (DTI)

This research project was part of the DTI's Avoiding slips, trips and broken hips campaign. This much-needed campaign raised awareness of the issues and provided practical advice to help older people and their carers improve safety on the stairs.
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Fall accidents among postal delivery workers (Royal Mail)

Risk factors for slip, trip and fall accidents (STFA) during the delivery of mail were identified using a range of accident-centred and accident-independent methods.
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Use of TQM methods for the management of low back pain in industry (DH/HSE Back in Work initiative)

Participative quality techniques for back pain management' was one of 19 projects awarded funding through the UK Governments' Healthy Workplace Initiative, targeting back pain in the workplace. This one year study, conducted by Loughborough University in partnership with NSK engineering, Newark hospital and local SME's developed a back pain management package, based on quality management techniques, suitable for use by both small and large enterprises.
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Ergonomics of the computer mouse and other non-keyboard input devices (HSE)

Results from a two year study investigating health problems associated with use of non-keyboard input devices (NKID) are presented. The research used a combination of methods to determine the extent to which different NKID are currently in use, how they are used and problems arising from this. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey of over 100 IT and health and safety managers; workplace interviews and observation with 45 users across 9 different companies; a questionnaire survey of 3,500 users (848 responses, 24% response rate); and laboratory work involving an expert assessment of different devices, a case study assessment at a location where touchscreens were in use and a laboratory trial comparing traditional and L-shaped desks with three different arm support conditions.
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