Dr Daniel Bailey
Reader - Sedentary Behaviour and Health

Research area(s)

Dr Bailey's research investigates the relationship between sedentary behaviour and long-term health conditions. His research has spanned from the epidemiological analysis of sedentary behaviour and chronic disease risk, laboratory-based studies examining the benefits of breaking up prolonged sitting time on markers of health to provide proof-of-concept, leading to the development and evaluation of interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour. Dr Bailey has established an interdisciplinary and multi-institutional network of collaborators to deliver this programme of research. His research has been conducted in a range of population groups and settings, including young people, workplaces, people with Type 2 diabetes, spinal cord injury, older adults with frailty, multiple sclerosis, Fabry disease and cardiac rehabilitation. His research is conducted in collaboration with external partners such as local councils, the NHS, health charities and community organisations.

Dr Bailey’s research has shown that high amounts of daily sitting time are associated with an increased risk of long-term health conditions. He has also published a large number of studies showing that regularly breaking up sitting time with short, frequent bouts of light, moderate or high-intensity physical activity leads to improvements in a range of metabolic biomarkers including blood glucose, lipid levels and blood pressure. His first laboratory based study published in 2014 was the first to show benefits to glucose in response to breaking up sitting with light-intensity walking in healthy adults.

Dr Bailey has led successful research grant applications to various funding bodies to support his research, such as:

• MS Society, iStep-MS II: a physical activity and sedentary behaviour intervention for reducing fatigue in people living with multiple sclerosis, £541,494.
• MPS Society, Physical activity and sedentary behaviour in the enhancement of mental health and quality of life in Fabry disease, £84,007.
• Diabetes UK, A tailored intervention to reduce sitting behaviour in people with Type 2 Diabetes: A randomised-controlled feasibility study, £137,510.
• Abbeyfield Research Foundation, Reducing sarcopenia and maintaining independent living in frail older adults via reductions in sitting time: The Frail-LESS (LEss Sitting and Sarcopenia in Frail older adults) intervention, £73,247.
• Heart Research UK, The benefits of breaking up prolonged sedentary time on cardiovascular disease risk markers in people with spinal cord injury, £86,434.

He has also supervised a number of PhD students to completion in addition to supervising current PhD students studying in fields related to physical activity, sedentary behaviour and long-term health conditions.

Grants