Ben Bowhay

Lecturer in Physiotherapy

School of Health and Wellbeing

Department of Allied Health

Contact Details

Ben is a Chartered Physiotherapist who graduated with Distinction from the MSc Physiotherapy programme at Birmingham City University. He has built his clinical and educational experience across the NHS, private practice, and elite sport, developing particular expertise in rehabilitation and research.

He is currently undertaking his PhD in Medical Studies at the University of Exeter, with a research focus on exercise physiology and chronic lung diseases. Ben is research active, ensuring his clinical practice and teaching remain aligned with the latest evidence. Ben is part of the Asthma and Lung UK Respiratory Leaders Academy and has recently been successful in securing a mentorship with the European Respiratory Society. His research output will continue to grow throughout his career, driven by a commitment to advancing physiotherapy practice.

Much of Ben’s clinical work has centred on delivering evidence‑informed rehabilitation and contributing to effective interdisciplinary care. Alongside his clinical responsibilities, he has developed a passion for education; supporting students, physiotherapists, and colleagues through supervision, teaching, and collaborative practice‑based learning.

Outside of work, Ben enjoys staying active with his two border collies, who are always eager for their daily mountain and trail adventures.

Qualifications

MSc in Physiotherapy (pre-reg)

BSc in Sports Therapy

Teaching Interests

Ben is the module lead for:

PTHY1202: Introducing the evidence
ALHS2205: Developing the evidence

Ben is teaching modules:

PTHY2201
PTHY4105
PTHY4006
ALHS2206
ALHS4002

Research Interests

Rehabilitation
Exercise prescription
Digital health
Respiratory care
Musculoskeletal physiotherapy
Systematic reviews
Research methodology

Membership of Professional Bodies

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
British Thoracic Society
European Respiratory Society
Association for Respiratory Technology and Physiology

Recent Publications

Bowhay, B., Kinaupenne, M., Tomlinson, O.W. & Cilbir, C.E., 2025. An updated systematic review on telemedicine‑based exercise interventions for people with cystic fibrosis. European Respiratory Society Congress, November 2025.

Bowhay, B., Williams, C.A., Scotton, C.J. & Tomlinson, O.W., 2025. Chronotropic incompetence in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF): The potential impact on exercise capacity. European Respiratory Society Congress, November 2025.

Bowhay, B., Williams, C.A., Goodrum, S. & Tomlinson, O.W., 2025. Utilisation of cardiopulmonary exercise testing for tailored pulmonary rehabilitation in people with interstitial lung diseases: A systematic review. Clinical Rehabilitation.

Bowhay, B., Williams, C.A., Gibbons, M.A. & Tomlinson, O.W., 2025. Exploring the potential of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) for tailored pulmonary rehabilitation in people with interstitial lung disease (ILD): A systematic review protocol. NIHR Open Research.

Bowhay, B., Williams, C.A., Lacy‑Kerr, T. & Tomlinson, O.W., 2024. P249 Exploring the potential of cardiopulmonary exercise testing for individualised pulmonary rehabilitation in people with interstitial lung disease: A systematic review. British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting 2024, Thorax.

Bowhay, B., Williams, C.A., Gibbons, M.A. & Tomlinson, O.W., 2024. Exploring the potential of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) for individualised pulmonary rehabilitation in people with interstitial lung disease (ILD): A systematic review protocol. NIHR Open Research.

Bowhay, B., Latour, J.M. & Tomlinson, O.W., 2023. A systematic review to explore how exercise‑based physiotherapy via telemedicine can promote health‑related benefits for people with cystic fibrosis. PLOS Digital Health.

External Roles

Clinical Rehabilitation peer reviewer
ALUK Respiratory Leadership Academy member
UK ILD Early Career Investigator Network member
Interstitial Lung Disease Academy member