Dr Marco Arkesteijn

PhD in Sport and Exercise Science&Sport Therapy (2012)

MSc and BSc in Human Movement Sciences (2009)

Dr Marco Arkesteijn

Senior Lecturer in Sport, Exercise and Health

Department of Life Sciences

Contact Details

Profile

I currently teach on various modules related to human and animal health and performance, including Sport and Exercise Science. My research activities focus on promoting functional ability in older adults. I'm also on the National Task Force for Falls Prevention in Wales. Current research involves the evaluation of a Wales wide promotion scheme for physical activity, as well as the evaluation of a  GP surgery iniative to improve frailty monitoring using a multi-agency approach. 

I received my MSc in Human Movement Sciences from the Free University in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. I subsequently started his PhD at the University of Kent, United Kingdom. The PhD focused on the role of pedalling technique on cycling efficiency, investigating the relationship between biomechanics and physiology. I've joined Aberystwyth University in 2012.

Research

Research focuses on the multi-disciplinary approach to the various aspects of frailty, including a biomechanical analysis of physical functioning such as gait and postural control, quantifying physical activity and behaviour attitudes, and diet.

Research projects include developing an understanding the mechanisms of ageing, such as the relationship between muscle wasting (sarcopenia) and muscle strength, or the impact of fatigue on daily functioning, but also on community based monitoring of frailty, and specific interventions to prevent frailty (e.g. diet, functional foods, exercise).

Future research is envisaged to incorporate:

- Investigating the factors playing a role in falls and frailty of elderly people and developing training programs to promote functional ability.

- Educating professionals and the general public about maintaining functional ability across the lifespan.

Publications

Philp, F, Kulshrestha, R, Emery, N, Arkesteijn, M, Pandyan, A, Willis, T & Vousden, G (ed.) 2022, 'A pilot study of a single intermittent arm cycling exercise programme on people affected by Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD)', PLoS One, vol. 17, no. 6, e0268990. 10.1371/journal.pone.0268990
Arkesteijn, M & Low, D 2022, 'Responsiveness of functional assessments to monitor change in balance, walking speed and strength of older adults: A systematic review of the minimal detectable change'. 10.1101/2022.06.06.22276029
Walsh, GS, Low, DC & Arkesteijn, M 2022, 'The Relationship between Postural Control and Muscle Quality in Older Adults', Journal of Motor Behavior, vol. 54, no. 3, pp. 363-371. 10.1080/00222895.2021.1977602
Arkesteijn, M, Jones, R & Low, DC 2022, 'The effect of walking and stationary work on the acute back pain, muscle activation, posture and postural control of older women', Ergonomics, vol. 65, no. 6, pp. 866-876. 10.1080/00140139.2021.2000044
Walsh, G, Low, D & Arkesteijn, M 2020, 'Stable and Unstable Load Carriage Effects on the Postural Control of Older Adults', Journal of Applied Biomechanics, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 178–185. 10.1123/jab.2019-0366
More publications on the Research Portal