Personal profile
Research interests
Dr Jet Veldhuijzen van Zanten’s interdisciplinary research focusses on the influence of behaviour on psychological and physiological health and wellbeing in various populations, including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, older adults, and young people.
A specific interest concerns the investigation of the impact of physical activity on health in people who experience barriers to physical activity. She focuses on populations where characteristics of the populations are barriers to physical activity. For example,
- in rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis disease-related symptoms (e.g., pain and fatigue) are common barriers to physical activity,
- in older adults an age-related decline in mobility and strength can be a barrier to be physically active for older adults,
- in adolescents the many maturity-related physical changes and psychological challenges can negatively impact physical activity.
Another area of interest concerns the investigation of the impact of behaviours on the negative impact of stress on psychological health (e.g., fatigue, depression) and physiological health (e.g. cardiovascular activity, inflammation).
Throughout her interdisciplinary research, Jet takes full advantage of her background in both physiology and psychology by investigating the interactions between psychological and physical health.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Barriers to Physical Activity Cricket Participation for Women from Ethnically Diverse Backgrounds in the West Midlands
Garstang, K., Williams, S., Navas, F., Butt, S., Ward, J. & Veldhuijzen van Zanten, J., 20 Mar 2026, (Accepted/In press) FEPSAC - European Federation of Sport Psychology: European Congress of Sport and Exercise Psychology.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution
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EXamining the feasibility of exerCisE to manage symptoms of Lupus (EXCEL): a protocol for a randomised controlled pilot study
Quickfall, V., Green, S., Hesketh, K., Veldhuijzen van Zanten, J., Cocks, M., Reynolds, J. & Wadley, A., 16 Jan 2025, In: Lupus science & medicine. 12, 1, 9 p., e001382.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile64 Downloads (Pure) -
Policy briefing: Major Sporting Events for the Community: Engaged by, Participated in, and Benefiting the Community
Chen, S., Liang, X., Quinton, M., Veldhuijzen van Zanten, J. & Lee, M., 2025Research output: Other contribution
Open AccessFile48 Downloads (Pure) -
Practice makes perfect, but to what end? Computerised brain training has limited cognitive benefits in healthy ageing
Sutton, E., Catling, J., van Zanten, J. J. C. S. V. & Segaert, K., Apr 2025, In: Psychological Research. 89, 2, 17 p., 75.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile25 Downloads (Pure) -
Sedentary behaviour interventions in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis: a systematic scoping review of intervention content, perceived acceptability and efficacy
Kitas, F., Greig, C., van Zanten, J. V. & Fenton, S. A. M., 2 Oct 2025, In: BMC Rheumatology. 9, 1, 27 p., 113.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Downloads (Pure)
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Building Cerebral and Vascular Resilience Against Mental Stress :' A Blue Stress Snack'
Rendeiro, C. (Principal Investigator) & Veldhuijzen van Zanten, J. (Researcher)
Wild Blueberry Association North America
1/09/26 → 31/08/29
Project: Research
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BRC CF2: Applying REmote MonitOring TEchnologies to develop an e-cohort Physical Activity in Inflammatory Arthritis – REMOTE-PA-IA
Fenton, S. (Principal Investigator), Veldhuijzen van Zanten, J. (Co-Investigator) & Greig, C. (Co-Investigator)
1/11/24 → 31/10/25
Project: Research
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Legacies of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games for disadvantaged communities
Chen, S. (Principal Investigator), Veldhuijzen van Zanten, J. (Co-Investigator) & Quinton, M. (Co-Investigator)
The Russell Partnership (UK) Limited
13/03/23 → 13/03/24
Project: Research
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Examining the feasibility and acceptability of a remotely monitored exercise intervention on clinical, immunological and overall well-being in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Wadley, A. (Principal Investigator), Veldhuijzen van Zanten, J. (Co-Investigator) & Reynolds, J. (Co-Investigator)
4/07/22 → 31/03/25
Project: Research
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ESRC IAA (2022): Shushu Chen Urgency Fund - Mega sporting events and legacy promises: What is in it for individuals from disadvantaged communities?
Veldhuijzen van Zanten, J. (Co-Investigator), Chen, S. (Principal Investigator) & Quinton, M. (Co-Investigator)
Economic & Social Research Council
9/05/22 → 31/03/23
Project: Research Councils
Datasets
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Research data supporting "Cocoa flavanols rescue stress-induced declines in endothelial function after a high-fat meal, but do not affect cerebral oxygenation during stress in young, healthy adults"
Baynham, R. (Creator), Veldhuijzen van Zanten, J. (Creator) & Rendeiro, C. (Creator), University of Birmingham, 1 Oct 2024
DOI: 10.25500/edata.bham.00001182
Dataset
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Final project public event: the launch of major sporting event engagement toolkit
Chen, S. (Host), Veldhuijzen van Zanten, J. (Host), Quinton, M. (Host) & Lee, M. (Host)
28 Jun 2024Activity: Academic and Industrial events › Conference, workshop or symposium
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Hosted a stakeholder engagement workshop in partnership with BRIG, Sport Birmingham and Birmingham City Council. (2024). Final Event Meeting – Launch of the Major Sporting Event Engagement Toolkit. 28th June 2024. The University of Birmingham. (approx. Number of attendees = 30)
Chen, S. (Host), Quinton, M. (Advisor), Veldhuijzen van Zanten, J. (Advisor) & Lee, M. (Advisor)
2024Activity: Engagement and Public events › Engagement event
Prizes
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Best Conference Paper: Skills, knowledge, and resources required by under-represented residents to capitalize on major sporting events and their legacies: The case of Birmingham
Liang, X. (Recipient), Chen, S. (Recipient), Quinton, M. (Recipient), Veldhuijzen van Zanten, J. (Recipient) & Lee, M. (Recipient), Jun 2024
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)