Alice Bullas

Dr Alice Bullas BSc(Hons). MSc(Hons). PhD.

Research Fellow


Summary

Dr Alice Bullas is a Research Fellow in advanced human measurement, specialising in manual anthropometry and 3D surface imaging, in the Sports Engineering Research Group (SERG), in the Academy of Sport and Physical Activity. Alice delivers on an array of sports and health research and innovation projects including the Sheffield Innovation Partnership (SIP), Grow MedTech (GMT), Yorkshire Obesity Research Alliance (YORA) and the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) Wellbeing Accelerator Programme and the AWRC Advanced Human Body Measurement Programme. She is actively involved in anthropometry research, peer review, international standards development and working groups, and education - supervising several PhD students and teaching on the MSc in Sports Engineering and BSc in Sports and Exercise Science courses.

About

 Dr Alice Bullas is a Research Fellow in advanced human measurement, specialising in manual anthropometry and 3D surface imaging, in the Sports Engineering Research Group (SERG), in the Academy of Sport and Physical Activity. Alice delivers on an array of sports and health research and innovation projects namely:
• Sheffield Innovation Partnership (SIP); using our academic expertise to assist and advance local businesses
• Grow MedTech (GMT); translating academic research in medical devices to commercialisation,
• Yorkshire Obesity Research Alliance (YORA); coordinating and managing the obesity research agenda within Yorkshire and the Humber.
• Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) Wellbeing Accelerator Programme; using our academic expertise to assist and advance international businesses.
• AWRC Advanced Body Measurement Programme; critically evaluating the value of current and exploration of potential new body measurement methods.

Before starting as a Research Fellow, Alice attained a first class honours BSc and MSc in Sports and Exercise Sciences in 2011 from Leeds Metropolitan University. Her dissertations investigated the walking gait of dancers through the assessment of their kinetics and kinematics. During her studies Alice spend a semester abroad at Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand, actively contributed to her studies by acting as student representative on several boards.  She first joined Sheffield Hallam University in January 2013 as a graduate intern focusing on the use of array electrodes in the application of peripheral electrical stimulation in the induction of motor cortical plasticity and the suitability of the Microsoft Kinect in head tracking for rehabilitation, before doing her PhD within the department (2014 - 2017) titled, "the importance of complex anthropometric in the kinanthropometric assessment of elite cyclists".

Alice is proactively involved in the academic communities internally and internationally. She is the Early Career Researcher (ECR) representative on several internal boards, member of several internal inter-disciplinary cluster groups, and is actively involved in anthropometry peer review, international standards development and working groups, and training. 

Publications

Journal articles

Dunne, A., Quirk, H., Bullas, A., & Haake, S. (2024). “My parkrun friends.” A qualitative study of social experiences of men at parkrun in Ireland. Health Promotion International, 39 (3). http://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daae045

Thelwell, M., Masters, N., Appleyard, R., & Bullas, A.M. (2024). Advanced Body Measurement Techniques Can Complement Current Methods of Cytotoxic Chemotherapy Dose Prescription. Applied Sciences, 14 (2). http://doi.org/10.3390/app14020834

Relph, N., Owen, M., Moinuddin, M., Noonan, R., Dey, P., Bullas, A., ... Haake, S. (2023). How can UK public health initiatives support each other to improve the maintenance of physical activity? Evidence from a cross-sectional survey of runners who move from Couch-to-5k to parkrun. Health Promotion International, 38 (5), 1-9. http://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daad108

Haake, S., Johnson, T.W., Bourne, J., Quirk, H., & Bullas, A. (2023). Parkrun as self-managed cardiac rehabilitation: secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey of parkrun in the UK. Open Heart, 10 (2). http://doi.org/10.1136/openhrt-2023-002355

Allan, J.J., Munteanu, S.E., Bonanno, D.R., Buldt, A.K., Choppin, S., Bullas, A., ... Menz, H.B. (2023). Methodological and statistical approaches for the assessment of foot shape using three-dimensional foot scanning: a scoping review. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 16 (1). http://doi.org/10.1186/s13047-023-00617-z

Ashdown-Franks, G., Sabiston, C.M., Stubbs, B., Atkinson, M., Quirk, H., Bullas, A., & Haake, S. (2023). parkrun participation, impact and perceived social inclusion among runners/walkers and volunteers with mental health conditions. Psychology, Health & Medicine. http://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2023.2185643

Bullas, A., Choppin, S., Heller, B., & Wheat, J. (2022). Comparison of Complex and Simple Anthropometrics in the Descriptive Anthropometric Assessment of Male Cyclists. International Journal of Kinanthropometry, 2 (2), 13-27. http://doi.org/10.34256/ijk2222

Bullas, A.M., Greenwood, R., Thelwell, M., & Choppin, S. (2022). A review of commercially available 3D surface imaging systems for body composition estimation. Applied Sciences, 12 (17). http://doi.org/10.3390/app12178815

Choppin, S., Bullas, A., & Thelwell, M. (2022). Torso shape improves the prediction of body fat magnitude and distribution. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (14). http://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148302

Haake, S., Quirk, H., & Bullas, A. (2022). Parkrun as a tool to support public health: insights for clinicians. British Journal of General Practice. http://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp.2022.0001

Thelwell, M., Bullas, A., Kühnapfel, A., Hart, J., Ahnert, P., Wheat, J., ... Choppin, S. (2022). Modelling of human torso shape variation inferred by geometric morphometrics. PLOS ONE, 17 (3). http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265255

Quirk, H., Haake, S., Goyder, E., Bullas, A., Graney, M., & Wellington, C. (2022). Change in health, wellbeing and physical activity levels during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal cohort of parkrun participants in the United Kingdom. Health Promotion International. http://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daac012

Haake, S., Quirk, H., & Bullas, A. (2022). The health benefits of volunteering at a free, weekly, 5 km event in the UK: a cross-sectional study of volunteers at parkrun. PLOS Global Public Health, 2 (2). http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0000138

Dunne, A., Haake, S., Quirk, H., & Bullas, A. (2021). Motivation to improve mental wellbeing via community physical activity initiatives and the associated impacts—a cross-sectional survey of UK parkrun participants. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (24). http://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182413072

Quirk, H., Bullas, A., Haake, S., Goyder, E., Graney, M., Wellington, C., ... Stevinson, C. (2021). Exploring the benefits of participation in community-based running and walking events: a cross-sectional survey of parkrun participants. BMC Public Health, 21 (1). http://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11986-0

Smith, R.A., Schneider, P.P., Cosulich, R., Quirk, H., Bullas, A., Haake, S., & Goyder, E. (2021). Socioeconomic inequalities in distance to and participation in a community-based running and walking activity: A longitudinal ecological study of parkrun 2010 to 2019. Health and Place, 71, 102626. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2021.102626

Chiu, C.-.Y., Ciems, R., Thelwell, M., Bullas, A., & Choppin, S. (2021). Estimating Somatotype from a Single-camera 3D Body Scanning System. European Journal of Sport Science. http://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2021.1921041

Schneider, P.P., Smith, R.A., Bullas, A.M., Quirk, H., Bayley, T., Haake, S., ... Goyder, E. (2020). Multiple deprivation and geographic distance to community physical activity events — achieving equitable access to parkrun in England. Public Health, 189, 48-53. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2020.09.002

Choppin, S., Clarkson, S., Bullas, A., Thelwell, M., Heller, B., & Wheat, J. (2020). Anatomical and principal axes are not aligned in the torso: considerations for users of geometric modelling methods. Journal of Biomechanics, 110151. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.110151

McDonald, C., Rannow, R.K., Pai, D., Bullas, A., & Ballester, A. (2020). IEEE SA industry connections 3D body processing working group and IEEE P3141 standard for 3D body processing - Part 2. IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine, 9 (6), 97-99. http://doi.org/10.1109/MCE.2020.2997556

Thelwell, M., Chiu, C.-.Y., Bullas, A., Hart, J., Wheat, J., & Choppin, S. (2020). How shape-based anthropometry can complement traditional anthropometric techniques: a cross-sectional study. Scientific Reports, 10 (1), 12125. http://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-69099-4

Smith, R., Schneider, P., Bullas, A., Haake, S., Quirk, H., Cosulich, R., & Goyder, E. (2020). Does ethnic density influence community participation in mass participation physical activity events? The case of parkrun in England. Wellcome Open Research, 5, 9. http://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15657.2

Haake, S., Quirk, H., & Bullas, A. (2020). The Role of Technology in Promoting Physical Activity: A Case-Study of parkrun. Proceedings, 49 (1), e80. http://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2020049080

McDonald, C., Rannow, R.K., Pai, D., Bullas, A., & Ballester, A. (2020). IEEE SA Industry Connections 3D Body Processing Working Group and IEEE P3141 Standard for 3D Body Processing - Part 1. IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine, 1. http://doi.org/10.1109/MCE.2020.2993015

McDonald, C., Rannow, R.K., Pai, D., Bullas, A., & Ballester, A. (2020). IEEE SA Industry Connections 3D Body Processing Working Group and IEEE P3141 Standard for 3D Body Processing - Part 1. IEEE Consumer Electronics Magazine, 1. http://doi.org/10.1109/MCE.2020.2993015

Driscoll, H., Bullas, A., King, C., Senior, T., Haake, S., & Hart, J. (2016). Application of Newtonian physics to predict the speed of a gravity racer. Physics Education, 51 (4), 1-7. http://doi.org/10.1088/0031-9120/51/4/045002

Bullas, A., Choppin, S., Heller, B., & Wheat, J. (2016). Validity and repeatability of a depth camera based surface imaging system for thigh volume measurement. Journal of Sports Sciences, 34 (20), 1998-2004. http://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2016.1149604

Conference papers

Bullas, A., Heller, B., Choppin, S., & Wheat, J. (2022). Sensitivity of Anthropometrics in the Longitudinal Assessment of Mountain Bike Cyclists [Abstract only]. International Journal of Kinanthropometry, 2 (S1), 1. http://doi.org/10.34256/ijk22S1

Bullas, A., Thelwell, M., & Choppin, S. (2022). The future of 3D body scanning within ISAK? A natural home or a conflicting toolset [Abstract only]. International Journal of Kinanthropometry, 2 (S1), 2. http://doi.org/10.34256/ijk22S1

Bullas, A., Choppin, S., Heller, B., & Wheat, J. (2022). Validation of A 3DMDbody5 System for The Extraction of Surface Anthropometrics [Abstract only]. International Journal of Kinanthropometry, 2 (S1), 3. http://doi.org/10.34256/ijk22S1

Thelwell, M., BULLAS, A., KUHNAPFEL, A., Hart, J., AHNERT, P., Wheat, J., ... CHOPPIN, S. (2020). Allometry Between Measures of Body Size and Shape in a Large Population-Based Cohort. Proceedings of 3DBODY.TECH 2020 - 11th International Conference and Exhibition on 3D Body Scanning and Processing Technologies, Online/Virtual, 17-18 November 2020. http://doi.org/10.15221/20.10

MCDONALD, C., BALLESTER, A., RANNOW, R.K., Bullas, A., PAI, D.K., GLASCOE, W., ... SCOTT, E. (2020). Working Group Progress for IEEE P3141 - Standard for 3D Body Processing, 2019-2020. Proceedings of 3DBODY.TECH 2020 - 11th International Conference and Exhibition on 3D Body Scanning and Processing Technologies, Online/Virtual, 17-18 November 2020. http://doi.org/10.15221/20.05

BALLESTER, A., WRIGHT, W., VALERO, J., Bullas, A., DEVLIN, T., SCOTT, E., & MCDONALD, C. (2020). Comparative analysis of anthropometric methods: past, present, and future. Proceedings of 3DBODY.TECH 2020 - 11th International Conference and Exhibition on 3D Body Scanning and Processing Technologies, Online/Virtual, 17-18 November 2020. http://doi.org/10.15221/20.28

Bullas, A., Dunne, A., Haake, S., & Quirk, H. (2020). Can access to green spaces during parkrun events contribute to the positive mental health of the participants? A literature review. In Annual Health Promotion Conference; Promoting health and wellbeing: creating a more equitable and sustainable environment, Galway, Ireland.18th June 2020, Galway, Ireland, 18 June 2020. http://www.nuigalway.ie/media/healthpromotionresearchcentre/conference2020/2020-Health-Promotion-Conference-Booklet.pdf

Bullas, A., Choppin, S., Heller, B., & Wheat, J. (2016). ISAK and digital 3D body measurement: A longitudinal case study from elite cycling. In World Conference on Kinanthropometry and Body Composition ISAK-UADY, Merida, Mexico, 2016 - 2 November 2016 (pp. 215-217).

Bullas, A., Heller, B., Choppin, S., & Wheat, J. (2016). The relationship between peak power and leg size in mountain bike cyclists. In World Conference on Kinanthropometry and Body Composition ISAK-UADY 2016, Mexico, 2016 - 2 November 2016.

Bullas, A., Choppin, S., Heller, B., Clarkson, S., & Wheat, J. (2014). Kinanthropometry application of depth camera based 3D scanning systems in cycling : repeatability and agreement with manual methods. In 5th International Conference on 3D Body Scanning Techniques, (pp. 290-298). Hometrica Consulting: http://doi.org/10.15221/14.290

Reports

Dayson, C., Bullas, A., & Leather, D. (2021). An exploration of the impact of participation in buddyboost on health, wellbeing, and physical activity levels. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/an-exploration-of-the-impact-of-participation-in-buddyboost-on-health-wellbeing-and-physical

Theses / Dissertations

Thelwell, M. (2021). Assessing human morphology using statistical shape analysis. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Choppin, S., Wheat, J., Hart, J., & Bullas, A. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00369

Bullas, A.M. (2017). The importance of complex anthropometrics in the assessment of cyclists. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Wheat, J., Heller, B., & Choppin, S. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00065

Posters

Bullas, A., Heller, B., Choppin, S., & Wheat, J. (2016). The effect of distance between anthropometric measures in geometric models of thigh volume. Presented at: BASES Biomechanics Interest Group Conference, Liverpoool

Other publications

Lowe, A., Bullas, A., Maden-Wilkinson, T., & Hembrough, D. (2020). Active at Home : a guide to staying active during the Coronavirus Outbreak. Public Health England/Move More Sheffield: https://campaignresources.phe.gov.uk/resources/campaigns/50-resource-ordering/resources/5118

Other activities

Level 2 accredited ISAK anthropometrist
IEEE 3D Body Processing Industry connections working group member
IEEE 3D Body Processing 3141 standard group member
BSI committee PH/9/-/4 “Ergonomics - Anthropometry and Biomechanics” member.

Media

Alice Bullas is a Research Fellow (sport and health innovation) within the Sports Engineering Research Centre with a specialism in 3D body imaging as a method of body measurement, biomechanics and applied sports science and technology research. Alice's work focuses on developing and delivering innovation opportunities with Sheffield City Region businesses. Alongside this Alice lectures within the Academy of Sport and Physical Activity, supports student engagement, is the parkrun Research Coordinator for the parkrun Research Board and supports other AWRC projects as and when the need arises. Area of expertise:

Areas of interest:

  • 3D body imaging and human measurement
  • Kinanthropometry

Notable media coverage:

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