Professor originally from Nairn recognised among world's top researchers into sedentary behaviour
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A former Nairn woman has been recognised as a world-leading expert in sedentary behaviour.
Professor Kelly Mackintosh, from Swansea University’s School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, ranks in the top 0.73 per cent of 39,017 published authors on the topic, which refers to activities characterised by very low energy expenditure, such as sitting for long periods, according to Expertscape.
Expertscape helps identify the world’s most knowledgeable physicians, health professionals and researchers, objectively ranking authors based on the quality and quantity of their publications from the last 10 years.
Prof Mackintosh, who is a daughter of Nairn County FC director Alex Mackintosh, said: “I am delighted, and a little taken by surprise, to have been highlighted as a top one per cent researcher in sedentary behaviour.
“I completed my PhD within this timeframe and was lucky to secure a lectureship at Swansea University, which, at the time, only had a sports focus.
“Under excellent leadership, we have developed a critical mass in exercise sciences, so having our institution highlighted worldwide in this field is an incredible achievement.”
This latest recognition is one of many academic achievements for Prof Mackintosh. Since being awarded the health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA) Europe early career research star award in 2016, she has taken on the role of professor in Swansea University’s applied sports, technology, exercise and medicine (A-STEM) research centre, and currently leads its exercise, medicine and health research group.
To date, Prof Mackintosh has published more than 100 internationally peer-reviewed scientific papers focusing on the use of novel approaches to measure and promote physical activity and decrease sedentary behaviour, across the lifespan and disease status, on a population level.
Recently with Professor Melitta McNarry, Prof Mackintosh has driven the Welsh Institute of Physical Activity Health and Sport (WIPAHS).
Alongside being a section editor for three journals, in 2019, Prof Mackintosh was on the Chief Medical Officer’s (CMO’s) expert working group, helping to update the Children and Young People’s UK Physical Activity Guidelines.
She currently sits on the CMO’s expert committee for surveillance and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Health Enhancing Physical Activity Strategic Management Board.
Former Nairn girl made sports professor
