About

I am an Associate Professor in Physical Activity and Health. I am the lead within the School of Sport and Exercise Science on motor competency, physical literacy and physical activity of children. I am also a BASES Accredited Sport and Exercise Scientist - Physiology Research route.

My primary research interests are within the area of motor competence in children and physical activity across the lifespan. I completed my PhD in this area and researched Physical Activity and Fundamental Movement Skills of British Preschool Children. I was first to perform research into calibrating the GENEActiv accelerometers for use with preschool children. I also performed research to determine the physical activity levels of preschool children during the week and weekend days, whilst determining their fundamental movement skills (FMS). I have also worked on a project across primary schools in Warwickshire where we assessed the children's FMS, anthropometric measures and other variables to monitor them in relation to the FMS requirements of the national curriculum. I was involved with colleagues from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales in creating the first national expert statement on ‘Motor competence amongst children in the United Kingdom and Ireland’, on behalf of the International Motor Development Research Consortium. This research is imperative in supporting the importance of physical activity and motor competence for children and aligns to the UoD Biomedical theme through observing children’s movement and helping to prevent poor health. My research has provided evidence that motor competence proficiency is not at an adequate level in children within English schools. Therefore, providing key evidence for the National Curriculum to focus more on motor competence in children in the UK. I am currently working on a motor competence review with colleagues from England, Ireland, Scotland, Portugal, Australia, Belgium and I view these key collaborations as imperative to further progress the field of motor competence for the health and wellbeing of children worldwide. 

Child of the North report: An evidence-based approach to supporting children in the pre-school years. I contributed to this report which is aimed at policy makers. It was launched 4 October 2024. pre school report co-authored with external colleagues and Natalie Weir (PhD student) and Dr Jack Parker from the University of Derby. The report makes a series of proposals to tackle the high number of children starting school not ‘school ready’, and the crisis in early years and childcare provision - particularly in disadvantaged areas. It is the ninth in a series of monthly Child of the North/Centre for Young Lives reports being published during 2024 to support the Government in its ambitious vision for children and to show how putting the interests and life chances of children at the heart of policy making and delivery is crucial to Britain’s future success.

Furthermore, I have a great passion for research, and this covers any aspect of physical activity, for example, working with children and adults across the lifespan and more recently I completed work for Public Health England (now UK Health Security Agency and Office for Health Improvement and Disparities) on ‘Addressing and understanding inequalities in physical activity’. I am currently involved with research with Professor Mark Faghy and his team from the University of Derby in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), this is exploring key reflections, learning and future recommendations from the COVID-19 rehabilitation response from policy makers in the WHO European region. Finally, my research seeks to explore intervention design and assess the impact and implementation of physical activity and motor competence interventions. 

I was invited to join the Editorial Board of Children Pediatric Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Section on behalf of the Editor-in-Chief. I am also a Guest Editor with Professor Andy Pringle in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH). The Special Issue is titled: 'How Sport and Physical Activity Contribute to Healthy Lifestyle and Physical Fitness?' Previously I was also a Guest Editor (12/09/2023 - 10/01/2025) for the Special Issue "Sedentary Behavior and Too Little Exercise - Linked to Childhood Health for Children - "Children | Special Issue : Sedentary Behavior and Too Little Exercise - Linked to Childhood Health (mdpi.com) 

I was part of the Conference Committee that organised the sold-out 6th Nature Connections Conference: Developments in Research and Practice at the Silk Mill, Derby (24th to 25th June2024). I chaired Session 3 which was ‘Children, Young People and Education’. The conference is attended by academics from numerous national and international universities but also individuals/representatives from RSPB, Natural England, The Wildlife Trusts, NHS, Learning Outside the Classroom, Farms for City Children, Forestry England and many more organisations. (In Derby Daily – 09/07/2024). We are currently organising this year’s Nature Connections Conference for Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th June 2025.

As part of my role, I have previously been involved with the 'Derby A City on the Move' project. This project was funded by Sport England and aimed to encourage inactive people in Derby to take part in sport. The project involved a variety of partnerships working together to ensure this project was successful, including the University of Derby, Derby City Council, Sporting Futures, Derby County Community Trust, Derby College and Derby City Council - Livewell.

Research interests

Recent publications

My publications are below and can be found on Google Scholar too:

• Barker, A. B., Irons, J. Y., Roscoe, C. M. P. and Pringle, A. (2025). Barriers and Enablers for Physical Activity in Culturally Deaf Adults: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22(5), 777. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22050777 
• Pringle, A., Oldale, E., Rowley, E. and Roscoe, C. M. P. (2025). An Investigation into the Perspectives and Experiences of Physically Active Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Behavioral Sciences. 2025; 15(5):598. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15050598 
• Chambers, J, Roscoe, C. M. P., Chidley, C., Wisniewska, A. and Duggirala, A. (2025). Molecular Effects of Physical Activity and Body Composition: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2025; 22(4):637. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22040637 
• Taylor, N. Pringle, A. and Roscoe, C. M. P. (2024). Characteristics of the Outdoor Environment Affording Physical Activity, Motor Competence, and Social Interactions in Children Aged 3–7 Years: A Systematic Review. Children, 11(12), 1491
• Weir, N., Pringle, A. and Roscoe, C. M. P. (2024). Physical Literacy and Physical Activity in Early Years Education: What’s Known, What’s Done, and What’s Needed? Children, 11, 1355. 
• Zhang, S. Roscoe, C. M. P. and Pringle, A. (2024). Self‐compassion improves barrier self‐efficacy and subsequently physical activity: A test of longitudinal mediation using a representative sample of the United Kingdom. British Journal of Health Psychology, 00, 1-16. 
• Flynn, R. J., Pringle, A. and Roscoe, C. M. P. (2024). Multistakeholder Perspectives on the Determinants of Family Fundamental Movement Skills Practice: A Qualitative Systematic Review. Children, 11, 1066.
• Garside, M., Taylor, A., Dias, R., Powell, L., Parker, J., Fenton, C. and Roscoe, C. M. P. (2024). Safety Nets: A Social Prescribing Intervention to Support Young People on CAMHS Waiting Lists. Child and Youth Services, 13:1–20. Ashton, R. E., Faghy, M. A., Roscoe, C. M. P. and Aning, J. (2024). Inclusivity in prostate cancer and exercise research: a systematic review. Supportive Care in Cancer, 32(9), 616
• Roscoe C. M. P., Taylor, N., Weir, N., Flynn, R. J. and Pringle, A. (2024). Impact and Implementation of an Early Years Fundamental Motor Skills Intervention for Children 4–5 Years. Children. 11(4): 416. 
• Faghy, M. A., Duncan, R., Hume, E., Gough, L., Roscoe, C., Laddu, D., Arena, R., Asthon, R. E. and Dalton, C., (2024). Developing effective strategies to optimize physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in the long Covid population - The need for caution and objective assessment. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases. 
• Chapter 12: Effective working with parents. In ‘Science and Practice of Youth Soccer’, Dr Clare Roscoe (University of Derby, England) and Jon Woodward (University of Derby) and Mark Roscoe (AFC Market Bosworth Chairman, U13 and 14 girls coach). PUBLISHED 26th December 2003
• Sinclair L. and Roscoe C.M.P. (2023). The Impact of Swimming on Fundamental Movement Skill Development in Children (3-11 Years): A Systematic Literature Review. Children, 10(8): 1411.
• Flynn, R. J., Pringle, A. and Roscoe, C. M. P. (2023). Direct Parent Engagement to Improve Fundamental Movement Skills in Children: A Systematic Review. Children, 10, 1247.
• James, J., Pringle, A., Mourton, S. and Roscoe, C.M.P. (2023). The Effects of Physical Activity on Academic Performance in School-Aged Children: A Systematic Review. Children, 10 (6), 1019. 
• Dobell, A.P., Faghy, M.A., Pringle, A. and Roscoe, C.M.P. (2023). Improving Fundamental Movement Skills during Early Childhood: An Intervention Mapping Approach. Children, 10 (6), 1-36. 
• Zhang, S., Roscoe, C. and Pringle A. (2023). Self-Compassion and Physical Activity: The Underpinning Role of Psychological Distress and Barrier Self-Efficacy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(2):1480. 
• Duncan, M.J., Eyre, E, Clarke, N. and Roscoe, C. M. P. (2022). Fundamental movement skills and physical fitness are key correlates of tactical soccer skills in grassroots soccer players aged 8-14 years of age. Journal of Motor Learning and Development, 1-19
• Roscoe, C.M.P.; Pringle, A.; Chandler, C.; Faghy, M.A.; Barratt, B. (2022). The Role of Physical Activity in Cancer Recovery. Scholarly Community encyclopedia
• Roscoe, C.M.P.; Pringle, A.; Chandler, C.; Faghy, M.A.; Barratt, B. (2022). The Role of Physical Activity in Cancer Recovery: An Exercise Practitioner’s Perspective. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19, 3600
• Pringle, A., Kime, N., Zwolinsky, S., Rutherford, Z., and Roscoe, C. M. P. (2022). An Investigation into the Physical Activity Experiences of People Living with and beyond Cancer during the COVID-19 Pandemic.  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(5), 2945
• Duncan, M. J., Foweather, L., Bardid, F., Barnett, A. L., Rudd, J., O’Brien, W., Foulkes, J. D., Roscoe, C. Issartel, J., Stratton, G. and Clark, C. C. T. (2022). Motor Competence Among Children in the United Kingdom and Ireland: An Expert Statement on Behalf of the International Motor Development Research Consortium. Journal of Motor Learning and Development, (ahead of print)
• Tronco Hernandez, Y. A., Parente, F., Faghy, M. A., Roscoe, C. M. P. and Maratos, F.A. (2021). Influence of the COVID-19 lockdown on the physical and psychosocial well-being and work productivity of remote workers: a cross-sectional correlational study. Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIRx Med) 2021
• Roscoe, C. M. P., Duncan, M. J. and Clark, C. C. T. (2021). The 24-h Movement Compositions in Weekday, weekend Day of Four-Day Periods Differentially Associate with Fundamental Movement Skills. Children.8, 828 
• Faghy, M. A., Armstrong-Booth, K. E., Staples, V., Duncan, M. J and Roscoe, C. M. P. (2021). Multi-component physical activity interventions in the UK must consider determinants of activity to increase effectiveness. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 6(3),56
• Dobell, A., Pringle, A., Faghy, M. A. and C. M. P. (2021). Educators Perspectives on the Value of Physical Education, Physical Activity and Fundamental Movement Skills for Early Years Foundation Stage Children in England. Children. Apr 26;8(5):338
• PHE. (2021). Understanding and addressing inequalities in physical activity. Evidence-based guidance for commissioners. gov.uk
• Faghy, M, A., Pringle, A., Duncan, M., Buchanan-Meharry, J., Roscoe, C. M. P. (2021). UK University Staff experience high levels of sedentary behaviour during work and leisure time. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics
• Dobell, A., Pringle, A., Faghy, M. A. and Roscoe, C. M. P. (2020). Fundamental Movement Skills and Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity Levels during Early Childhood: A Systematic Review. Children, 7, 224
• Duncan, M. J., Dobell, A., Noon, M., Clark, C. C. T., Roscoe, C. M. P., Faghy, M. A., Stodden, D., Sacko, R. and Eyre, E. L. J. (2020). Calibration and Cross-Validation of Accelerometery for Estimating Movement Skills in Children Aged 8–12 Years. Sensors 20, 2776
• Duncan, M. J., Eyre, E. L. J., Cox, V., Roscoe, C. M. P., Faghy, M. A., Tallis, J. and Dobell, A. (2020). Cross-validation of Actigraph-derived accelerometer cut-points for assessment of sedentary behaviour and physical activity in children aged 8-11 years. Acta Paediatrica [Epub ahead of print]
• Duncan, M. J, Roscoe, C. M. P., Noon, M., Clark, C. C. T., O’Brien, W. and Eyre, E. L. J. (2019). Run, jump, throw and catch: How proficient are children attending English schools at the fundamental motor skills identified as key within the school curriculum? European Journal of Education Review
• Roscoe, C. M. P., James, R. S. and Duncan, M. J. (2019). ‘Accelerometer-Based Physical Activity Levels Differ between Week and Weekend Days in British Preschool Children’. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 4, 65
• Roscoe, C. M. P., James, R. S. and Duncan, M. J. (2019). ‘Accelerometer-based physical activity levels, fundamental movement skills and weight status in British preschool children from a deprived area’. European Journal of Pediatrics [Epub ahead of print]
• Duncan, M. J., Roscoe, C. M. P., Faghy, M. Talis, J. and Eyre, E. L. J. (2019). ‘Estimating physical activity in children agreed 8-11 years using accelerometry: contributions from fundamental movement skills and different accelerometer placements’. Frontiers in Physiology 10 (9), 242
• Roscoe, C. M. P., James, R. S. and Duncan, M. J. (2017). ‘Preschool staff and parents’ perceptions of preschool children’s physical activity and fundamental movement skills from an area of high deprivation: a qualitative study’. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health 9 (5), 619-635
• Roscoe, C. M. P., James, R. and Duncan, M. (2017). ‘Calibration of GENEActiv accelerometer wrist cut-points for the assessment of physical activity intensity of preschool-aged children’. European Journal of Pediatrics 176 (8), 1093-1098

Membership of professional bodies

• British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES)
• Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs)
• International Motor Development Research Consortium (I-MDRC)

Professional interests

I have previously worked in further education for 11 years, teaching sport and exercise science and fitness courses. I worked up to the position of Curriculum Manager whilst also studying part-time for my PhD. I then changed further education institutions, teaching on a Foundation Degree programme in Sports Science for Coaching and Performance. I have gained different qualifications in my career, ranging from the 'CYQ Gym Instructor and Personal Training' qualifications to the 'CYQ Assessors Award - Assessing in the Active Leisure Sector' and 'Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice'. These qualifications have ensured I am vocationally current and have allowed me to pass on my knowledge to students.

I really enjoy working with PhD students and currently have five who are researching in the area of motor competency, FMS, physical literacy and physical activity. I have two PhD completions (one as Director of Studies and one Supervisor) and 3 MSc completions. Currently I have five PhD students, three for which I am the Director of Studies for and two Supervisor, one MPhil student and one MSc student. I am always open for contact from individuals interested in pursuing a PhD. One of my current PhD students Natalie Weir won the 3MT presentation for the College of Science and Engineering, the University of Derby 3MT winner award and people’s choice award with her work titled: ‘Nurturing movement and physical literacy in the early years’. She then went to represent the University of Derby at the National 3MT event (September 2024). Similarly, a PhD student who has now graduated Dr Alex Dobell was the second-place runner-up in the College of Science and Engineering 3MT competition for her presentation on ‘Increasing Physical Activity and Fundamental Movement Skills in Early Childhood by using School Based Interventions’ (April 2022).

My research on Direct parent engagement to improve fundamental movement skills in children: A systematic Review with Robert Flynn and Professor Andy Pringle won the BASES Sport and Exercise Science 5 Slides in 5 Minutes Free Communication Presentation Award (17/11/2023).

Qualifications

• PhD - Physical activity and fundamental movement skills of British preschool children
• MSc Sport and Exercise Science (Physiology)
• BSc (Hons) Combined Sciences in Sport and Exercise Sciences and Biology
• Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education
• FHEA - Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• CYQ Gym Instructor 
• CYQ Personal Trainer
• CYQ Assessors Award - Assessing in the Active Leisure Sector
• Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice

Recent conferences

• Roscoe C. M. P., Taylor, N., Weir, N., Flynn, R. J. and Pringle, A. (2024). Impact and Implementation of an Early Years Fundamental Motor Skills Intervention for Children 4–5 Years. Children. 11(4): 416. Free Communication at the 2024 British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), Coventry, England 20-21 November 2024.
• Flynn, R. J., Pringle, A., Roscoe, C. M. P. (2024). Multistakeholder Perspectives on the Determinants of Family Fundamental Movement Skills Practice: A Qualitative Systematic Review. Children, 11, 1066. Free Communication at the 2024 British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), Coventry, England 20-21November 2024.
• Weir, N, Pringle, A. and Roscoe, C. M. P (2024). Nurturing Movement and Physical Literacy in the early Years: Unveiling Insights. Poster at International Society for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH) C in Paris, 2024.
• 24th to 25th June 2024 – I was part of the Conference Committee that organised the sold out 6th Nature Connections Conference: Developments in Research and Practice at the Silk Mill, Derby. I chaired Session 3 which was ‘Children, Young People and Education’
• Sinclair, L and Roscoe C. M. P. (2004). The impact of swimming on fundamental movement skill development in children (3-11 years): A Systematic Review. Poster Presentation at the 2024 ‘DCD15-IMDRC6 Conference’ in Ghent, Belgium. DCD – Developmental Coordination Disorder 15th conference and I-MDRC - International Motor Development Research Consortium 6th conference. 5th- 7th June 2024
• Taylor, N., Pringle, A. and Roscoe C. M. P. (2004). Characteristics of the outdoor environment affording physical and social activity: A Systematic Review. Poster Presentation at the 2024 ‘DCD15-IMDRC6 Conference’ in Ghent, Belgium. 5th- 7th June 2004
• Roscoe C. M. P., Pringle, A. and Flynn, R. (2023). Direct parent engagement to improve fundamental movement skills in children: A systematic Review. Free Communication at the 2023 British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), Coventry, England 16th-17th November
• Dobell, A., Faghy, M, Pringle, A. and Roscoe C. M. P (2023). The effect of deprivation on young children’s physical activity levels, a mixed methods perspective. Free Communication at the Society for Social Medicine and Population Health Conference, Newcastle, England
• Pringle, A. Kime, N., Zwolinsky, S., Rutherford, Z. and Roscoe C. (2022). Roscoe, C. M. P. presented: An investigation into the physical activity experiences of people living with and beyond cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Free Communication at the 2022 British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), Leicester, England
• Dobell, A., Faghy, M, Pringle, A. and Roscoe C. (2022). Fundamental movement skill competence and physical activity of 4-5-year-old school children in central England, what next? Free Communication at the 2022 British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), Leicester, England
• Dobell, A. Pringle, A, Faghy, M. A. and Roscoe, C. M. P. (2021). Fundamental Movement Skills and Accelerometer Measured Physical Activity Levels during Early Childhood: A Systematic Review. Poster Presentation at the 2021 online International Motor Development Research Consortium
• Duncan, M. J., Foweather, L., Bardid, F., Barnett, A. L., Rudd, J., O’Brien, W., Foulkes, J. D., Roscoe, C. Issartel, J., Stratton, G. and Clark, C. C. T. (2020). Motor competence among children in the UK and Ireland: An expert statement on behalf of the International Motor Development Research Consortium. DELIVERED a presentation at the I-MDRC Conference
  Roscoe, C., James, R. and Duncan, M. (2019). ‘Accelerometer-based physical activity levels differ between week and weekend days in British preschool children’. Free Communication at the 2019 British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), Leicester, England
• Duncan, M., Eyre, E., Roscoe, C., Faghy, M., Cox, V. and Dobell, A. (2019). ‘Calibration of hip-worn actigraph GT3X accelerometers in children during locomotor, cycling and fundamental movement skill activity’. Poster presentation at the 2019 British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), Leicester, England
• Dobell, A., Eyre, E., Faghy, M., Roscoe, C., Cox, V., and Duncan M. (2019) 'Calibration of Actigraph GT3X accelerometers for children aged 7-11 during physical activity'. Poster Presentation at the 2019 Motor Competence in Children Conference, Coventry University, England
• Duncan, M. J., Hall, C. and Roscoe, C. M. P. (2018). ‘Weekday to weekend patterns of objectively measured physical activity in deprived pre-schoolers.’ Poster presentation at the 2018 International Society for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH), London, England
• Roscoe, C. M. P., James, R. S. and Duncan, M. J. (2017). ‘Accelerometer-based physical activity levels, fundamental movement skills and weight status in British preschool children.’ Oral presentation at the 2017 British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), Nottingham, England
• Roscoe, C. M. P., Wilson, S., James, R. S. and Duncan, M. J. (2016). ‘Validation of GENEActiv wrist-worn accelerometers for use with pre-school children.’ Poster presentation at the 2016 British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), Nottingham, England
• Roscoe, C. M. P., Birch, S. L., James, R. S. and Duncan, M. J. (2015). Preschool and parental influences on physical activity and fundamental movement skills in preschool children from low-socioeconomic backgrounds: a qualitative study. Free communication presentation at the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) conference, at St. George's Park
• Roscoe, C. M. P., Birch, S. L., James, R. S. and Duncan, M. J. (2014). Motor competence and weekend sedentary time predict body mass index in pre-school children. Poster presentation at the Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO) in Birmingham
• Roscoe, C. M. P., Birch, S., L., James, R. S. and Duncan, M. J. (2014). Comparisons between weekday and weekend physical activity in British preschool children. Poster presentation at the European College of Sport Science (ECSS) congress in Amsterdam

In the media

• Roundtable event - Inspiring women in human science - British Science Week - University of Derby (17 March 2022)
• Testing grassroots footballers over the Leicestershire half term, the children were on site for two days and completed football sessions both days. The team gained fundamental movement skills data, balance, respiratory and biomechanical data from the children. This is in collaboration with Coventry University and was supported through an ECR fund Clare was successful in gaining (February 2022)
• Staff success in the Derby Daily - 'Research by Dr Clare Roscoe shows worrying levels of physical activity skills in children' (8 February 2022)
• ‘Inequality in physical activity needs urgent action, says research’. Research featured in Physical Activity Facilities-Media, based on our PHE-funded report ‘Understanding and Addressing Inequalities in Physical Activity’ (January 2022)
• ‘New study recommends employers adopt remote working policies to target staff activity, stress and diet’ (19 August 2021)
• ‘Inequality in physical activity needs urgent action, new research recommends’ (March 2021)
• Grants and bid success: PHE £20,000 ‘Understanding and addressing inequalities in physical activity’ (March 2020)
• ‘Investing in excellence PhD studentships entitled Healthcare Professional-led Physical Activity Promotion of Patients/people with Diabetes’ (March 2020)

International experience

I am currently working on a two papers in collaboration with colleagues from England, Ireland, Scotland, Belgium, Australia, Italy and Portugal on a motor competency paper on typically developing children and a second on children with neurodevelopmental disorders. This is in addition to the work published on: Motor Competence Among Children in the United Kingdom and Ireland: An Expert Statement on Behalf of the International Motor Development Research Consortium.

Teaching responsibilities

My teaching responsibilities include:

• Foundational Movement Skills (Level 4)
• Professional Placement 1 (Level 4, Module Leader)
• Principles of Physical Activity, Nutrition and Health (Level 4)
• Physical Activity and Health (Level 5, Module Leader)
• Biomedical Implications of Exercise, Activity and Health (Level 6, Module Leader)
• Independent Study for Sport and Exercise (Level 6)
• Advanced Clinical Exercise Physiology (Level 7)
• Global Physical Activity and Public Health (Level 7)
• Independent Research in Sport and Exercise Science (Level 7)
• Psychology of Exercise and Physical Activity (Level 7)

Additional interests and activities

I love road cycling and walking in the great outdoors, they are a great passion of mine.