People

Applied scientist who has worked with medalists from Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. Particular interests in the physiology and monitoring of endurance, team & racket sports. Research interests concern include all of the above, as well as wearable technology and exercise in hot and humid conditions. BASES accredited practitioner, reviewer and supervisor.

• Wearable technology in sport and exercise
• Exercise performance in hot and humid conditions
• Physiology of endurance, team and racquet sports
• Training during the COVID-19 pandemic

Selected Research Dissemination & Media Activity:

• Wen Wei Po feature article on Sports Technology and Research to Prevent Heat Illness (Article in Chinese). December 2024 Click here
• South China Morning Post feature article – ‘Explainer | Paris Olympics: why does Asia struggle to produce track stars?’ August 2024 Click here
• Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) radio interview – ‘Baptist University trials real-time monitoring on triathlon athletes’. March 2024. Click here
• National Youth Sports Institute Research Bytes (Singapore) feature article – ‘Rise of the Machines’ March 2024 Click here
• Hong Kong Sports Institute research highlights – ‘Blood Lactate Responses of Males & Females in International Rugby Sevens’ March 2024’ Click here
• Scientific American (USA) interview – ‘Outdoor air conditioning cools the world cup. But is it sustainable?’. Nov 2022. Click here.
• The Star newspaper (Malaysia) feature article – ‘Lowdown on lockdown; study can help athletes cope better in future’ Nov 2021 Click here
• SquashSkills website (UK) feature article – ‘Measuring The Physical Demands Of Popular Squash Training Sessions’ August 2021. Click here
• Japan Herald newspaper (Japan) link to research – ‘How Olympic training schedules have been hit by quarantine’. July 2021. Click here
• New York Times newspaper (USA) feature article – ‘How to exercise in the summer heat’. June 2021 Click here
• CNA Lifestyle website (Singapore) feature article – ‘How to exercise in Singapore's heat without succumbing to it’. June 2021. Click here
• Indian Express newspaper (India) feature article – ‘How to exercise in the summer heat’. June 2021. Click here
• Just Run- Lah website (Singapore) feature article – ‘Expert Series: How to stay physically, mentally & nutritionally healthy?’ April 2020 Click here
• New York Times newspaper (USA) feature article – ‘Hot Weather Workout? Try a Hot Bath Beforehand.’ July 2017. Click here
• The Globe And Mail newspaper (Canada) feature article – ‘Testing the best strategy to avoid overheating during exercise.’ July 2017. Click here
• The Times newspaper (UK) interview – ‘How to work out in a heatwave’. July 2017. Click here
• Just Run Lah website (Singapore / Malaysia) written article – ‘5 Tips to Improve Endurance Running in Hot Climates?’ July 2017. Click here
• New York Times newspaper (USA) feature article ‘Slushies vs frozen underwear for hot weather workouts.’ June 2015. Click here.
• BBC Magazine (worldwide) interview – ‘Who, What, Why: Will soaring temperatures affect the tennis at Wimbledon?’ June 2015. Click here
• BBC Magazine (worldwide) interview ‘What happened to Qatar’s air-conditioned stadiums?’ May 2015. Click here

Publications:

• Washif, J., Beaven, CM., Pagaduan J, Lim, J., Azidin, RM., Tan, E, Lum, D., and James, C. (2025). Current practices of warm-up during strength training and conditioning based on coaching experience. Sport Sciences for Health DOI: 10.1007/s11332-025-01341-w (epub ahead of print).
• Ihsan, M., Kwok, V., Wong, H, Girard, O. and James, C. (2024). Squash in Los Angeles: Heat Strain and Performance Considerations at the 2028 Olympic Games. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. (epub ahead of print).
• James, C., Lam, W., Guppy, F., Muniz-Pardos, B., Angeloudis, K., Keramitsoglou, I., Knopp, M., Ruiz, D., Racinais, S., and Pitsiladis, Y. (2024). The Integration Of Multi-Sensor Wearables In Elite Sport. Gatorade Sports Science Exchange. 37 (251), 1-10.
• James, C., Willmott, A, Tai, R, Lee, D and Gibson, O. 2024. Mixed-method heat acclimation induces heat adaptations in international triathletes without training modification. Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise. 6, 253–264.
• Willmott, A., Diment, A., Chung, H., James, C., Maxwell, N., Roberts, J. and Gibson, O., 2024 Cross-adaptation from heat stress to hypoxia: A systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis, Journal of Thermal Biology.Feb; 120: 103793. doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2024.103793.
• Washif JA, Pagaduan J, James C et al. Artificial intelligence in sport: Exploring the potential of using ChatGPT in resistance training prescription. Biology of Sport. 2024;41(2): 209-220.
• Willmott A.G.B., James C.A., et al. 2023. The reliability of a portable steam sauna pod for the whole-body passive heating of humans, Journal of Thermal Biology, 118: 103743. doi: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2023.103743.
• James, C., Rees J., Chong, H., Taylor, L., Beaven, C.M., Henderson, M. and Baker, J. (2023) Blood Lactate Responses of Male and Female Players Across an International Rugby Sevens Tournament. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance 18(9), 927-936.
• Chien, T. L., Tee, C., Pok, C., Girard, O., Brickley, G. and James, C (2023). Physiological characteristics and performance of a world-record breaking tower runner. Journal of Sport Sciences. 41(5):451-455.
• James, C., Gibson, O, Willmott, A., Stewart, C., & Dhawan, A. (2023). Relationships between opponent ranking and locomotor activity in international field hockey. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 18(6), 2070-2081.
• James C., Jones T. and Farra S. (2022) Physiological and performance correlates of squash physical performance. Journal of Sport Science & Medicine. 21, 82-90.
• Washif J., Farooq A., Krug I., James C., et al. (2022). COVID-19 Lockdown: A Global Study Investigating the Effect of Athletes’ Sport Classification and Sex on Training Practices. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 8;17(8):1242-1256.
• Washif JA, Kok L-Y, James C, Beaven CM, Farooq A, Pyne DB and Chamari K (2023), Athlete level, sport-type, and gender influences on training, mental-health, and sleep during the early COVID-19 lockdown in Malaysia. Front. Physiol. 13:1093965.
• Washif J., Farooq A., Krug I., James C., et al. (2022). Training During the COVID-19 Lockdown: Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices of 12,526 Athletes from 142 Countries and Six Continents. Sports Med. 52(4):933-948.
• Pagaduan J, Washif J, Krug E, James, C. et al. Training practices of Filipino athletes during the early COVID-19 lockdown. Kinesiology 54(2022) 2:335-346.
• Washif J., Ammar A., Trabelsi K., Chamari K., Chong C., Mohd Kassim S., Lew P., Farooq A., Pyne D. and James C. (2022). Regression Analysis of Perceived Stress among Elite Athletes from Changes in Diet, Routine and Well-Being: Effects of the COVID-19 Lockdown and “Bubble” Training Camps. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 19 (1), 402.
• Washif, J., Mohd Kassim S., Lew P., Chong C. and James C. (2021) Athlete's Perceptions of a “Quarantine” Training Camp During the COVID-19 Lockdown. Front. Sports Act. Living 2, 1-8.
• James C., Willmott A., Dhawan A., Stewart C. and Gibson O. (2021) Increased air temperature decreases high-speed, but not total distance, in international field hockey, Temperature, 9:4, 357-372.
• James C., Gibson O., Dhawan A., Stewart C. and Willmott A. (2021) Volume and Intensity of Locomotor Activity in International Men's Field Hockey Matches Over a 2-Year Period. Front. Sports Act. Living 108, 3.
• James C, Dhawan A, Jones T, Pok C, Yeo V, Girard O. (2021). Minimal Agreement between Internal and External Training Load Metrics across a 2-wk Training Microcycle in Elite Squash. J Sports Sci Med. 20(1):101-109.
• James C., Dhawan A., Jones T., Girard O. (2020) Quantifying training demands of a 2-wk in-season squash microcycle. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 16 (6), 779-786.
• James C. and Girard O. (2020). In-Season repeated-sprint training in hypoxia in international hockey players. Frontiers in Sports & Active Living. 2:66.
• Gibson O., James C., Mee J., Willmott A., Turner G., Hayes M. and Maxwell N. (2019). Heat alleviation strategies for athletic performance: A review and practitioner guidelines. Temperature, 7 (1), 3-36.
• Willmott A., Hayes M., James C., Gibson O. and Maxwell N. (2019). Heat acclimation attenuates the increased sensations of fatigue reported during acute exercise-heat stress, Temperature, 7 (2), 178-190.
• Willmott A., Gibson O., James C., Hayes M. and Maxwell N. (2019). Physiological and perceptual responses to exercising in restrictive heat loss attire with use of an upper-body sauna suit in temperate and hot conditions. Temperature 5 (2), 162-174.
• Willmott A., Leftwich R., Bliss A., James C. and Maxwell N. (2019) The validity and reliability of the FieldWiz global positioning system. Journal of Biomechanics. 83, 324-328.
• Willmott A., James C., Gibson O., Hayes M., Dekerle J. and Maxwell N.A. (2018) Once‐ and twice‐daily heat acclimation confer similar heat adaptations, inflammatory responses and exercise tolerance improvements. Physiological reports 6 (24) e13936.
• James C., Tenllado F., Kantebeen M. and Farra S. (2019) Reliability and validity of an on-court fitness test for measuring aerobic fitness in Squash. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 33(5):1400-1407.
• James C., Hayes M., Willmott A., Gibson O., Flouris A., Schlader Z. and Maxwell N (2017). Defining the determinants of endurance running performance in the heat. Temperature. 4 (3), 314-329.
• James C., Richardson A., Watt P., et al. (2017) Short-term heat acclimation and precooling, independently and combined, improve 5 km running performance in the heat. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 32 (5), 1366-1375.
• Willmott A., Hayes M., Waldock K., Relf R., Watkins E., James C., Gibson O., Smeeton N., Richardson A., Watt P. and Maxwell N. (2016). Short-term heat acclimation prior to a multi-day desert ultra-marathon improves physiological and psychological responses without compromising immune status. Journal of Sports Sciences 35 (22), 2249-2256.
• James C., Richardson A., Watt P., Willmott A., Gibson O. and Maxwell N (2017): Short term heat acclimation improves the determinants of endurance performance and 5,000 m running performance in the heat. Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism. 42(3) 285-294.
• James C., Willmott A., Richardson A., Watt P. and Maxwell N. (2016) Ischaemic preconditioning does not alter the determinants of endurance running performance in the heat. European Journal of Applied Physiology 116 (9), 1735-1745.
• Gibson O., Willmott A., James C, Hayes M and Maxwell N. (2016) Power relative to body mass best predicts change in core temperature during exercise-heat stress. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 31(2), 403-414.
• Ruddock A., Thompson S., Hudson S., James C, Gibson O. and Mee J. (2016). Combined active and passive heat exposure induced heat acclimation in a soccer referee before 2014 FIFA World Cup. SpringerPlus. 05(1),617.
• James C., Richardson A., Watt P., Gibson O. and Maxwell N (2015) Physiological responses to incremental exercise in the heat following internal and external precooling. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports; 25(1),190-199.
• James C., Richardson A., Watt P. and Maxwell N. (2014) Reliability and validity of skin temperature measurement by telemetry thermistors and a thermal camera during exercise in the heat. Journal of Thermal Biology 45, 141-149.

Textbooks:

• Willmott, A., Malcolm, R., Sunderland, C., Deb, S., Clarke, N., Tan, R., Hough, L. and James, C. (2024). Nutrition and Supplements in Cycling; Extreme Environments. Routledge, Taylor and Francis. England.
• James C., Jones T. and Girard O. (2022). BASES Sport and Exercise Physiology Testing Guidelines. Volume 1: Sport Testing; Squash. (2022). The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences guide, 5th Edition. Routledge, Oxford, England.
• Maxwell N., Willmott A. and James C. (2022). BASES Sport and Exercise Physiology Testing Guidelines. Volume 1: Sport Testing; Physiological Testing for Performance in the Heat. The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences guide, 5th Edition. Routledge, Oxford, England.

Co-PI (Pitsiladis, Y.) Hong Kong Sports Institute; Sports Science and Research Funding Scheme (SRFS). Real time monitoring to protect athlete’s health and support elite performance. HKD $7.9 million (October 2024 – 2026).

• PERM3065 Sports Performance and Health: Science, Technology, and Psychology (2025 - ongoing)
• PERM2005 Exercise Physiology (2024 - ongoing)
• PERM4017 Weight Management Exercise Principles & Practice (2023).

Professional Invitations:

• Keynote speaker – ‘The use of technology to protect health in international Triathlon’. Asian Society of Kinesiology, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, Sept. 2024.
• Invited speaker – Journey to Excellence: HKBU in Paris. ‘Technology for the prevention of exertional heat illness’. Paris, July 2024.
• Keynote speaker – ‘Real-time thermoregulatory and biomechanical monitoring to prevent heat illness in international Triathlon’. The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Physiology and Nutrition Division Day (online). June 2024.
• Invited speaker – IGC-18; International Conference on Genomics Part II (ICG-18-II). Wearable Technology and Exercise Physiology; The Past, The Present and The Future. December 2023
• 2023 Keynote speaker - International Symposium on Sports Physiology and Physical Fitness. Taiwan Society of Exercise Physiology and Fitness. James C. Sports Performance in the heat: Physiological Challenges and Practical Solutions. June 2023.

Prizes and Awards:

• 2016 University Postgraduate Research Prize for PhD study; ‘Short term heat acclimation improves the determinants of endurance performance and 5,000 m running performance in the heat.’
• 2012 Sheffield Hallam University Centre for Sport & Exercise Science Postgraduate Prize for outstanding academic achievement.
• 2009 Bangor University Sarah Smythe Award for highest overall mark of all students graduating in School of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences (SHESS)

Industry Qualifications:

• BASES Supervisor and Reviewer  (2020 - ongoing)
• BASES Accredited Physiologist  (2015 – ongoing)
• ASCA Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach  (2022 – ongoing)
• Occupational First Aid, CPR & AED Training  (2020)
• Postgraduate Certificate Teaching and Learning (University of Brighton)  (2014)
• Level 2 CYQ (Central YMCA) Gym Instructor   (2011)

• Sports Medicine and Sports Science Association of Hong Kong, China (HKASMSS)
• British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES)
• Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA)

• British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES) Climate Change and Sustainability Committee Member (2024 – Present)

• Associate Editor Frontiers in Sports and Active Living; Women in Sport section.

• Guest Associate Editor and Review editor Frontiers in Sports and Active Living: Elite Sports and Performance Enhancement section.
• British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES) Practitioner Accreditation Reviewer
• British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES) Supervised Experience Supervisor
• PhD Examiner - Sheffield Hallam University, UK 2024. University of Waikato, New Zealand 2022.
• MRes Examiner - University of South Australia, 2024, University of Waikato, New Zealand 2024. 
• Research Committee member - Institut Sukan Negara (National Sports Institute, Malaysia) (2019-2022)