ukactive has named Dr James Steele as its new principal investigator – a role which will see him lead the ukactive Research Institute.

Steele’s appointment comes as the institute is undertaking a ground-breaking project on the impact of exercise referral schemes to inform future practice.

ukactive CEO Steven Ward said: “Having Dr Steele on board reinforces our research team and provides fresh impetus to the fantastic work the ukactive Research Institute has been carrying out over the last few years.

“James’ academic expertise and passion for physical activity are of real value to us as we continue to develop significant and impactful research which builds an evidence base for the benefits of physical activity.”

Steele will also continue as associate professor of sports and exercise science at Southampton Solent University – providing a link between university-based academic work and the real-world intervention studies of the institute.

“As someone who has studied and worked in exercise science for the past decade, I have seen the ukactive Research Institute grow in prominence as the go-to bridge between academia and industry,” Steele said.

“Together, we can support the research, development and innovation that we need to get more people, more active, more often.”

The new role follows Steele’s appointment to the chief medical officer’s Expert Working Group for Physical Activity, which is responsible for the review of the UK physical activity guidelines.

Six Expert Working Groups will each cover a different age range, and Steele has been appointed to the Expert Working Group for Adults.

The group will provide recommendations to the UK chief medical officers for physical activity guidelines for those aged between 19 and 64. The current UK physical activity guidelines for adults – 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week – were published by the CMOs in 2011.

Formed in 2012, the ukactive Research Institute aims to build an evidence base for the use of exercise and physical activity programmes in the improvement of quality of life, and the prevention and management of disease.

Its primary objective is to bridge the evidence gap between traditional laboratory-based ‘exercise is medicine’ research and real-world interventions.