Laura Fleming

Laura Fleming is a Senior Lecturer in Sport & Exercise at Teesside University's Centre for Rehabilitation within the SHLS Life Sciences School. She leads the BSc (Hons) Applied Sport and Exercise (Top Up) program and oversees the FdSc Sports Coaching & Exercise at Hartlepool College of Further Education. Her research focuses on intersections between sport/exercise and mental/physical health, particularly body image, weight stigma, muscle dysmorphia, and anabolic steroid use. She actively pursues Sport & Exercise Nutrition qualifications to enhance her work on holistic body perception improvement.

Her research interests emphasize using exercise as a wellbeing mechanism rather than solely weight control. Notable contributions include a 2025 systematic review on physical activity interventions in acute mental health units, published in the International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, and two 2024 conference abstracts exploring exercise's role in inpatient mental health settings. These works analyze health outcomes, patient engagement, and behavioral activation strategies.

Fleming holds fitness instructor certifications including kettlebell training and advocates for 'green exercise' through outdoor activities with her dogs. Her work integrates nutritional science with psychological aspects of body image, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to health promotion.