Dr Gavin Tempest

Assistant Professor

School: Sport Exercise and Rehabilitation

Gavin completed his PhD training at the University of South Australia which examined the neural basis of affective responses during exercise using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS; a non-invasive neuroimaging technique). He completed his initial postdoctoral training at Tomsk State University (Russia) and then escaped the Siberian winter to thaw out at the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis on the French Riviera. His postdoc work examined the effects of exercise upon cognitive function and creativity using NIRS. He then moved stateside to Stanford University where he examined the effectiveness of exercise to improve brain function and symptoms in childhood attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In 2019, Gavin was appointed as Assistant Professor in the Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation.

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Research Themes and Scholarly Interests

Gavin's broad research theme examines the neurophysiological and psychological effects of physical activity participation in children and adults.

Gavin has a particular interest in perceptual responses to exercise (effort, affect and arousal) and how they can influence positive physical activity behaviours.

Key Publications

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
A qualitative analysis of perceived barriers and motivators to physical activity in children from ethnic minority groups and white British children, Omojor-Oche, J., Tempest, G., Hettinga, F., McCullogh, N. 27 May 2025, In: PLoS One
DE-PASS Best Evidence Statement (BESt): A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on the Effectiveness of Trials on Device-Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour and Their Determinants in Children Aged 5-12 Years, Khudair, M., Marcuzzi, A., Tempest, G., Ng, K., Peric, R., Bartoš, F., Maier, M., Brandes, M., Carlin, A., Ciaccioni, S., Cortis, C., Corvino, C., di Credico, A., Drid, P., Gallè, F., Izzicupo, P., Jahre, H., Kolovelonis, A., Kongsvold, A., Kouidi, E., Mork, P., Palumbo, F., Rumbold, P., Sandu, P., Stavnsbo, M., Syrmpas, I., Vilela, S., Woods, C., Wunsch, K., Capranica, L., MacDonncha, C., Ling, F. 1 Feb 2025, In: Sports Medicine
Game on, grades up? Effects of a teacher- and pupil-informed physical activity break on executive function and behaviour in children, Dixon, S., Hettinga, F., McCullogh, N., Tempest, G. 2 Dec 2025, In: Journal of Sports Sciences
Hydration, mood, and cognition in primary school aged children in the United Kingdom, Roberts, C., Boak, K., McCullogh, N., Brownlee, I., Haskell, C., James, L., Green, B., Tempest, G., Bruce-Martin, C., Rumbold, P. 1 Dec 2025, In: Physiology and Behavior
The impact of an acute bout of physical activity on executive function and academic achievement in preadolescent children: A systematic review and meta-analysis, Dixon, S., Tempest, G., Hettinga, F., Khudair, M., McCullogh, N. 2025, In: Mental Health and Physical Activity
Uncovering the roles of automatic attitudes and controlled processes in the regulation of physical activity behavior in children, Khudair, M., Cheval, B., Chun Man Ling, F., Hettinga, F., Tempest, G. 1 Jan 2025, In: Psychology of Sport and Exercise
DE-PASS best evidence statement (BESt): determinants of adolescents’ device-based physical activity and sedentary behaviour in settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Kolovelonis, A., Syrmpas, I., Marcuzzi, A., Khudair, M., Ng, K., Tempest, G., Peric, R., Bartoš, F., Maier, M., Brandes, M., Carlin, A., Ciaccioni, S., Cortis, C., Corvino, C., Di Credico, A., Drid, P., Gallè, F., Izzicupo, P., Jahre, H., Kongsvold, A., Kouidi, E., Mork, P., Palumbo, F., Rumbold, P., Sandu, P., Stavnsbo, M., Vilela, S., Woods, C., Wunsch, K., Capranica, L., MacDonncha, C., Ling, F. 26 Jun 2024, In: BMC Public Health
DE-PASS Best Evidence Statement (BESt): Determinants of self-report physical activity and sedentary behaviours in children in settings: A systematic review and meta-analyses, Ling, F., Khudair, M., Ng, K., Tempest, G., Peric, R., Bartoš, F., Maier, M., Brandes, M., Carlin, A., Ciaccioni, S., Cortis, C., Corvino, C., Di Credico, A., Drid, P., Gallè, F., Izzicupo, P., Jahre, H., Kolovelonis, A., Kongsvold, A., Kouidi, E., Mork, P., Palumbo, F., Rumbold, P., Sandu, P., Stavnsbo, M., Syrmpas, I., Vilela, S., Woods, C., Wunsch, K., Capranica, L., MacDonncha, C., Marcuzzi, A. 25 Nov 2024, In: PLoS One
Impact of virtual reality immersion on exercise performance and perceptions in young, middle-aged and older adults, Hibbs, A., Tempest, G., Hettinga, F., Barry, G. 30 Oct 2024, In: PLoS One