Amy Harwood

Dr Amy Harwood is a Reader in Clinical Exercise Physiology at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), affiliated with the Institute of Sport and Department of Sport and Exercise Science. She serves as Deputy Research Lead and Theme Lead for Health, Wellbeing, and Communities, and chairs the Clinical Exercise Physiology UK practitioner working group. Her research focuses on exercise interventions for clinical populations, particularly peripheral artery disease (PAD), emphasizing prehabilitation and rehabilitation. She holds grants from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and collaborates with NHS partners and industry leaders.

Education:

• BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science, University of Portsmouth (2010–2013)
• MSc Human and Applied Physiology, King’s College London (2013–2014)
• PhD Medical Sciences, Hull York Medical School (2014–2017)

Research Interests: Dr. Harwood’s work bridges clinical and applied settings, with emphasis on:

• Exercise and therapeutic interventions (heat therapy, electrical stimulation)
• Cardiovascular physiology and chronic disease management
• Health inequalities and community-based rehabilitation
• NIHR-funded trials, including the reHabilitation for individuals with chrOnic limb threatening ischemia Post rEvascularisation (HOPE) trial

Grants & Partnerships:

• British Heart Foundation-funded PhD studentships (e.g., evaluating heat therapy for PAD)
• National Institute for Health Research grants (e.g., MAXIMISE trial on exercise prescription)
• Collaborations with Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership and MCR Active

Awards:

• Coventry University Exceptional Performance Award (2022)

Teaching: Leads the MSc Clinical Exercise Physiology program and teaches modules like Exercise Testing and Interpretation. Supervises BSc projects and doctoral students across multiple universities.

Labs & Teams: Active in MMU’s Institute of Sport, contributing to translational research and clinical partnerships.