James Bilzon

A Professor of Human and Applied Physiology with specific expertise in the biological basis of rehabilitation medicine.

James joined the Department for Health at the University of Bath in 2008 following a 13-year career as an Exercise Physiologist in various Ministry of Defence (MOD) departments, including the Institute of Naval Medicine and the Headquarters Army Recruiting & Training Division (ARTD).

Following a 3-year period as Director of Studies for the MSc in Sport and Exercise Medicine, he became Head of Department for Health from 2011-2017. During this 6-year period, he presided over an ambitious growth plan, which resulted in a 3-fold increase in the number of staff and students in the Department. He also led the Department through the REF2014 exercise, finishing 5th in Sport and Exercise Science, where 90% of the Department’s research was graded as world leading or internationally excellent.

James currently holds a number of external Honorary appointments including Honorary Civilian Consultant Advisor (HCCA) in Sport & Exercise Science to the Ministry of Defence and Honorary Fellow of the Society of Sport & Exercise Medicine Malaysia (FSSEMM). He is also the University of Bath’s lead for Arthritis Research UK’s National Centre for Sport Exercise and Osteoarthritis (CSEO).

James is currently Director of the DisAbility Sport & Health (DASH) Research Group and co-Director of the EPSRC Centre for the Analysis of Motion, Entertainment Research and Applications (CAMERA).

His research interests stem from a background in occupational exercise physiology and have become increasingly focused on exercise and rehabilitation science, including:

• exercise rehabilitation following traumatic injury
• exercise for the prevention of chronic disabling conditions
• the efficacy of healthcare and assistive technologies in rehabilitation

Research interests

• Human and applied physiology
• Occupational and environmental physiology
• Exercise rehabilitation
• Special populations (e.g. spinal cord injury, lower limb amputation)
• Chronic disease (e.g. cardiometabolic disease, osteoarthritis)

Current research projects

• Exercise and Cardiometabolic Disease following Spinal Cord Injury
• Exercise and Cardiometabolic Disease following Lower Limb Amputation
• Exercise for Prevention and Management of Osteoarthritis
• Exercise Rehabilitation and Assistive Healthcare Technology
• Physical Activity Measurement in Clinical Populations

Research funding

• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
• National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
• Arthritis Research UK
• Ministry of Defence
• Chief Fire Officer's Association
• Fire Service Research & Training Trust
• The Susan Whorrod Fellowship
• The Medlock Charitable Trust

Professional Societies

• Honorary Civilian Consultant Advisor (HCCA) in Sport & Exercise Science to the British Army
• Fellow of the Society of Sport & Exercise Medicine Malaysia (FSSEMM)
• British Association of Sport & Exercise Sciences Accredited Exercise Physiologist
• Member of the Nutrition Society
• Member of the Royal Physiological Society
• Member of the Society of Anti-Aging, Aesthetic & Regenerative Medicine Malaysia