ZS
Zoe Louise Saynor
European Cystic Fibrosis Society, European College of Sport Science, University of Exeter, Bangor University, University of Southampton
Research areas: Medicine · Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine · Cystic Fibrosis Research Advances · Cardiovascular and exercise physiology · Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Research
0000-0003-0674-8477
About
Zoe is an Associate Professor in Clinical Exercise Physiology at the University of Southampton, and an honorary researcher at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust. She was one of the first registered Clinical Exercise Physiologists in the UK and a former international rugby union player. Her work bridges clinical research, applied physiology, and athlete welfare, with a strong focus on the role of physical activity and exercise in the prevention, treatment, and management of long-term conditions across the lifespan.
Zoe holds a BSc in Sports Science and an MSc in Exercise Rehabilitation from Bangor University, and a PhD in Paediatric Clinical Exercise Physiology from the University of Exeter, where her doctoral work focused on exercise limitation in children with cystic fibrosis. From 2014 to 2024, she established and led the Physical Activity, Health and Rehabilitation research group at the University of Portsmouth. In 2024, she joined the University of Southampton’s School of Health Sciences, where she established and now leads the Physiology of Health, Lifestyle and Exercise (PHLEX) team within the Active Living Research Group.
Her work spans the core clinical conditions within the scope of practice for Clinical Exercise Physiology, including respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, metabolic, musculoskeletal, neurological, frailty, mental health, and cancer. She is a recognised world leader in exercise and respiratory disease, particularly in understanding its multisystemic impacts, and in developing evidence-based strategies to assess and support long-term health and quality of life across the lifespan. She also specialises in long-term athlete health, with a particular focus on female athletes.
Zoe is Research Lead for the European Cystic Fibrosis Society’s Exercise Working Group and holds leadership roles across professional bodies including The Physiological Society, European College of Sport Science, Clinical Exercise Physiology UK (where she now sits on the board), and the Rugby Players’ Association. She is Chair of the Rugby Players’ Association Women’s Welfare Advisory Board and advisor to the UK Government's DCMS Board of Women's Sport, contributing to national and international policy and advocacy in sport and health.
She is currently Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the European Journal of Sport Science (the flagship journal of the European College of Sport Science), and serves on several editorial boards and funding review panels. A passionate educator and mentor, she lectures globally and supports the development of future clinical and academic leaders. Her work is driven by a commitment to enabling safe, equitable, and effective physical activity and exercise for all.
Employment
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European Cystic Fibrosis Society Research Lead for the European Cystic Fibrosis Society Exercise Working Group2025 - Present
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European College of Sport Science Deputy Editor-in-Chief. European Journal of Sports Science – Official Journal of the European College of Sport Science2025 - Present
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University of Southampton Research Lead for the Physiology of Health, Lifestyle & Exercise (PHLEX) team2025 - Present
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Clinical Exercise Physiology UK Member of the Clinical Exercise Physiology UK Board2025 - Present
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University of Southampton Associate Professor in Clinical Exercise Physiology2024 - Present
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Clinical Exercise Physiology UK Member of the CEP-UK Advocacy Group2024 - Present
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UK Government Member of the UK Government Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Board of Women’s Sport2024 - Present
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Physiological Society Co-Lead for The Physiological Society Clinical Hub2023 - 2024
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European College of Sport Science Associate Editor (Sport and Exercise Medicine and Health): European Journal of Sports Science – Official Journal of the European College of Sport Science2022 - 2024
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University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust Honorary Researcher, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust2021 - Present
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Rugby Players Association (England) Chair of the Rugby Players’ Association Women’s Welfare Advisory Board2021 - Present
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University of Portsmouth Associate Professor in Clinical Exercise Physiology2021 - 2024
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Rugby Players Association (England) Member of the Rugby Players’ Association Welfare Advisory Board2020 - Present
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European Cystic Fibrosis Society Member of the European Cystic Fibrosis Society Exercise Working Group2020 - Present
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University of Portsmouth Physical Activity, Health and Rehabilitation Thematic Research Group Lead2020 - Present
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University of Portsmouth Clinical, Health and Rehabilitation Team (CHaRT) Lead2017 - 2024
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University of Portsmouth Senior Lecturer in Physical Activity, Exercise and Health, Department of Sport and Exercise Science2016 - Present
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Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust Honorary Researcher, Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust2015 - 2024
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University of Portsmouth Lecturer in Physical Activity, Exercise and Health2014 - 2016
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University of Exeter Associate Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Physiology2013 - 2014
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University of Exeter Part-time Physiology Laboratory Technician2011 - 2012
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Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Honorary Researcher, Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust2010 - 2014
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University of Exeter PhD Graduate Teaching Assistant Studentship2010 - 2013
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Bangor University MSc Graduate Teaching Assistant Studentship2009 - 2010
Education
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University of Exeter PhD in Sport and Health Sciences - Thesis entitled “Assessment and interpretation of aerobic exercise (dys)function in paediatric patients with cystic fibrosis”.2010 - 2016
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Bangor University MSc with Distinction in Exercise Rehabilitation - Thesis entitled “The acute effects of high-intensity aerobic and resistance exercise on synovial inflammation in the rheumatoid arthritis knee joint”2009 - 2010
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Bangor University BSc with 1st Class Honours in Sports Science2006 - 2009
Projects & Funding
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Funding for a handheld ResMon Pro oscillometry device to support BREATHE research Asthma, Allergy and Inflammation Research2025 - 2026
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BREATHE: Benchmarking Respiratory Evaluation and Advanced Technologies for Healthcare Excellence TidalSense2025 - 2026
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Walking Football and Axial Spondyloarthritis: assessing feasibility, safety and patient reported outcomes NIHR ARC Wessex2024 - 2026
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Advancing collaborative research on orthotic device innovations for paediatric foot drop Wessex Health Partners2024 - 2025
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Developing a Southern Respiratory Cohort Experience (SOURCE). Wessex Health Partners2024 - 2025
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In the game for life: Lifelong welfare, education and support for rugby players University of Portsmouth2024 - 2027
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Additional funding for extension of ExACT-CF: Exercise as an Airway Clearance Technique in people with Cystic Fibrosis – a randomised pilot trial. NIHR2023 - 2024
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The effects of a hydrolysed collagen on exercise performance, strength, inflammation and gut leakage Trinsic Collage Ltd2023 - 2025
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PhD studentship funding for Lisa Morrison (physiotherapist) – ‘The Future Hospital and Beyond its Walls’ competitive scheme at the University of Strathclyde Doctoral Research Centre in Multidisciplinary Exploration of Health and Oriented Data and Digital… Confidential2022 - 2028
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EnablExercise in Crohns: A qualitative study to understand the barriers and facilitators to physical activity and exercise in children and adolescents with Chrohn’s disease – perceptions of patients, caregivers and clinicians. Guts UK2022 - 2024
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Investigating the effect of a novel splint device on gait characteristics of a paediatric population with drop-foot Innovate UK2022 - 2023
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Exercise and nutrition for people with cystic fibrosis in the modulator era Cystic Fibrosis Warriors Charity2021 - 2024
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ExACT-CF: Exercise as an Airway Clearance Technique in people with Cystic Fibrosis – a randomised pilot trial. NIHR2021 - 2024
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The effect of repeated moderate overnight normobaric hypoxia on glucose homeostasis, appetite, bodyweight, inflammation and oxidative stress in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus Confidential2021 - 2023
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Physical activity, sleep, fitness and quality of life in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease: a 5-year prospective observational cohort study. Funding source: CICRA – charity supporting better lives for children with Crohn’s and coli… CICRA2021 - 2022
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The effect of prolonged head-down tilt lithotomy position in lower limb haemodynamics: A disaster waiting to happen Physiological Society2021 - 2022
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Multicentre prospective single-blind wait-list randomised controlled trial, with nested pilot, of the clinical value and economic evaluation of an online physical and emotional wellbeing resource for the improvement of health-related quality of life in p… Kidney Research UK2020 - 2022
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Inspiration for the future: Using inspiratory muscle training in post-COVID-19 rehabilitation. Ser Cymru2020 - 2022
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FREquent DIalysis and markers of Cardiac strain and injury, Physical Fitness, Habitual Physical Activity and Quality of Life: an observational pilot study. FREDI-CAL NxStage Medical Inc2019 - 2021
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Digital behaviour change interventions to support the maintenance of physical activity for adults with long-term health conditions. A mixed-methods systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis. National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) Funding2019 - 2020
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The effect of extreme stressors on metabolic and cardiovascular health in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus University of Portsmouth2018 - 2021
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Assessing glycaemic control in individuals with cystic fibrosis versus healthy controls: validity and feasibility of different methods Cystic Fibrosis Trust2018 - 2018
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A CFit Study: To what extent does inflammation, oxidative stress, nitric oxide bioavailability and microvascular endothelial dysfunction influence the aerobic exercise function of individuals with cystic fibrosis, with and without established diabetes? University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust Clinical Research Facility Funding2018 - 2019
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The role of SGLT-2 co-transporter inhibitors on metabolite utilisation in people with type 2 diabetes Astra Zeneca2018 - 2020
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Determining the best maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing protocol for children, adolescents and adults with cystic fibrosis Cystic Fibrosis Trust2016 - 2016
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Funding to help set up CPET laboratory at hospital Cystic Fibrosis Kids Charity2016 - 2017
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Funding to support - A CFit Study: to what extent does inflammation, oxidative stress, nitric oxide bioavailability and microvascular endothelial dysfunction influence the aerobic exercise function of individuals with cystic fibrosis, with and without es… Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology - Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth2016 - 2017
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Funding to support collaborative visit to host institution University of Toulon Visiting Researcher Collaborative Funding2016 - 2016
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Funding to support feasibility research Renal Department - Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth2016 - 2017
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Funding towards - Dehydr8 and deactiv8: The impact of a typical 8-day course of "target weight" driven haemodialysis on the hydration status, physical and cognitive function, physical activity and quality of life of adults with end-stage renal disease Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust2016 - 2017
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PhD Studentship - Dysglycaemia, Oxidative Stress, Vascular Endothelial Function and Aerobic Fitness in Cystic Fibrosis Faculty of Science and Health, University of Portsmouth2015 - 2019
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Singing our Way to Victory: The influence of internet-delivered traditional respiratory muscle training and singing interventions on the physical and psychosocial health of patients with cystic fibrosis (a pilot and feasibility study) University of Portsmouth Research Development Fund2014 - 2015
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Research start-up funding - developing cystic fibrosis research School of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, University of Portsmouth2014 - 2015
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Research start-up funding - developing cystic fibrosis research Faculty of Science and Health, University of Portmouth2014 - 2015
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Funding for a placement at the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and University College London University of Exeter Researcher Development Fund2013 - 2014
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An integrated approach to exercise prescription and management in young cystic fibrosis patients – a feasibility study Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust2013 - 2014
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The influence disease status and ‘priming’ exercise on pulmonary oxygen uptake and muscle deoxygenation kinetics during moderate and high-intensity cycling exercise in paediatric patients with cystic fibrosis Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust2012 - 2013
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The reliability and validity of maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing as a prognostic tool within the young cystic fibrosis population Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust2010 - 2011
Publications (126)
- Thermophysiological and perceptual responses to exercise heat-stress in people with cystic fibrosis Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor Save
- Current use and future potential of oscillometry in UK lung function testing: a national survey Save
- Effect of repeated hot water immersion on cognitive performance, cerebrovascular function, sleep, and biomarkers of neurodegeneration in older adults Save
- Effect of repeated hot water immersion on muscle strength, power, function and physical activity in healthy older adults: a randomised crossover trial Save
- Measurement of lung clearance index (LCI2.5) by nitrogen multiple breath washout (N2-MBW) is feasible and well-tolerated by adults and children with cystic fibrosis Save
- ERS technical standard on reference values for cardiopulmonary exercise testing: summary report and a call for action Save
- The effect of nitrate on brown fat fraction and activation in people with type 2 diabetes: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial Save
- Safety, feasibility and efficacy of exercise as an airway clearance technique in cystic fibrosis: a randomised pilot feasibility trial Save
- Exploring Exercise as Airway Clearance in Cystic Fibrosis: A Qualitative Study From the ExACT‐CF Feasibility Trial Save
- Global lung function initiative reference values for cardiopulmonary exercise testing Save
- A multi-professional workforce plan for adults and children with kidney disease Save
- Qualitative exploration of barriers and facilitators to physical activity and exercise in children and adolescents with Crohn’s – perspectives of young people, caregivers, and clinicians Save
- Cardiovascular function in people with cystic fibrosis on Elexacaftor-Tezacaftor-Ivacaftor: a cross sectional, observational, single centre cohort study Save
- Head-down tilt lithotomy position and well-leg compartment syndrome: an international survey of current practice Save
- The effect of intact vs hydrolysed collagen on recovery from exercise induced muscle damage: A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial Save
- Peripheral muscle function and body composition in people with cystic fibrosis on Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor: a cross-sectional single-centre study Save
- Digital physical activity intervention via the Kidney BEAM platform in patients with polycystic kidney disease: a randomised controlled trial Save
- Ketone monoester ingestion improves cardiac function in adults with type 2 diabetes: a double-blind, placebo controlled, randomised, crossover trial Save
- The effect of repeated hot water immersion on vascular function, blood pressure and central haemodynamics in individuals with Type 2 diabetes mellitus Save
- Colliding skilfully: preparing female athletes for collision events Save