Professor Sue Backhouse
About Professor Sue Backhouse
Sue is Professor of Psychology and Nutrition, Head of the Centre for Human Performance and Director of Research for Sport and Exercise Science, Leisure and Tourism. She graduated from Loughborough University with a BSc (Hons) in Physical Education and Sports Science at Loughborough University, for which she was awarded the Department prize for outstanding achievement. Following this, Susan completed her PhD with Professor Clyde Williams and Professor Stuart Biddle at Loughborough University. Susan joined Leeds Beckett University in 2003.
Sue leads the sporting integrity research team at Leeds Beckett University, conducting research that addresses the complexity of doping in sport by investigating the issue from multiple stakeholder perspectives using an interdisciplinary lens. With a focus on implementation, Sue and her team strive to bring about change in the anti-doping system through the development of strong partnerships and evidence-informed interventions.
Examples of recently funded projects include two cross-cultural interventions to prevent doping in sport (RE>ACT and CoachMADE) and two Erasmus+ funded collaborative projects (FAIR and RESPECT). Sue is an active member of the clean sport community, serving as a member of the WADA Social Science Research Committee, Convenor of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Science Clean Sport Interest Group and Co-Founder of the Clean Sport Alliance. Sue is regularly invited to give keynote lectures at international conferences.
Sue is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Authority, Fellow of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society.
Current Teaching
- Contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate taught provisio
- Supervise postgraduate research students
- Supervise trainee sport and exercise psychologists (British Psychological Society Qualification in Sport and Exercise Psychology Stage 2)
Research Interests
Current funded research projects:
- Research-Embedded Strategic Plan for Anti-Doping Education: Clean Sport Alliance Initiative for Tackling Doping (RESPECT) (EU ERASMUS+)
- Blowing the whistle on doping in sport through evidence-informed policy making (World Anti-Doping Agency)
- Towards a Vision for Prevention: Testing the feasibility and efficacy of a Clean Sport Bystander Intervention Program (RE>ACT) (International Olympic Committee)
- Forum for Anti-Doping in Recreational Sport (FAIR) (EU ERASMUS+)
- An Intervention to Optimize Motivational Climates and Prevent Current and Future Willingness to Dope in Adolescent Sport: A Cross-Cultural Project (International Olympic Committee)
- The interactive effects of moral identity and moral disengagement on doping: An experimental investigation (World Anti-Doping Agency)
Selected Publications
Journal articles (57)
- Petroczi A; Backhouse S; Boardley I; Pitsiladis Y; Saugy M; Viret M; Ioannidis G; Ohl F; Loland S; McNamee M (2020), Clean athlete status' cannot be certified: Calling for caution, evidence and transparency in 'alternative' anti-doping systems
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.103030
View Repository Record - McKenna J; Backhouse S; Phillips G; Jones B (2020), Changing player behaviour in sport during the COVID-19 pandemic: Shake on it?
https://doi.org/10.17159/2078-516x/2020/v32i1a8967
View Repository Record - Bentley MRN; Patterson LB; Mitchell N; Backhouse SH (2020), Athlete perspectives on the enablers and barriers to nutritional adherence in high-performance sport
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101831
View Repository Record - Ntoumanis N; Quested E; Patterson L; Kaffe S; Backhouse S; Pavlidis G; Whitaker L; Barkoukis V; Smith B; Staff H (2020), An intervention to optimise coach-created motivational climates and reduce athlete willingness to dope (CoachMADE): a three-country cluster randomised controlled trial
https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2019-101963
View Repository Record - Barnes L; Patterson L; Backhouse S (2020), A Systematic Review of Research into Coach Perspectives and Behaviours Regarding Doping and Anti-Doping.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101780
View Repository Record - Staff H; Didymus F; Backhouse S (2020), Dyadic coping in coach-athlete relationships: A grounded theory
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101741
View Repository Record - Stanger N; Whitaker L; Backhouse SH (2020), Testing the validity and reliability of the doping willingness in sport scale
https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13683
View Repository Record - Bentley MRN; Mitchell N; Backhouse SH (2020), Sports nutrition interventions : A systematic review of behavioural strategies used to promote dietary behaviour change in athletes
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2020.104645
View Repository Record - Erickson K; Stanger N; Patterson L; Backhouse SH (2019), Substance use in university sport: A cross-national study of student-athlete substance use behaviors and perceived responses to witnessing substance use
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peh.2019.100151
View Repository Record - Jackson A; Allen H; Hull JH; Hopker J; Backhouse SH; Price OJ; Dickinson J (2019), Diagnosing exercise-induced bronchoconstriction: over or under-detection?
https://doi.org/10.1111/all.14005
View Repository Record - Bentley M; Mitchell N; Sutton L; Backhouse SH (2019), Sports nutritionists' perspectives on enablers and barriers to nutritional adherence in high performance sport: a qualitative analysis informed by the COM-B model and theoretical domains framework
https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2019.1620989
View Repository Record - Patterson LB; Backhouse S; Lara-Bercial S (2019), Examining coaches' experiences and opinions of anti-doping education
https://doi.org/10.1123/iscj.2018-0008
View Repository Record - Allen H; Backhouse S; Hull J; Price OJ (2019), Anti‐doping Policy, Therapeutic Use Exemption and Medication Use in Athletes with Asthma: A Narrative Review and Critical Appraisal of Current Regulations
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01075-z
View Repository Record - Erickson KL; Patterson L; Backhouse S (2018), "The process isn't a case of report it and stop": Athletes' lived experience of whistleblowing on doping in sport
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2018.12.001
View Repository Record - Ntoumanis N; Gucciardi D; Backhouse SH; Barkoukis V; Quested E; Patterson L; Smith B; Whitaker L; Pavlidis G; Kaffe S (2018), An Intervention to Optimize Coach Motivational Climates and Reduce Athlete Willingness to Dope (CoachMADE): Protocol for a Cross-Cultural Cluster Randomized Control Trial
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02301
View Repository Record - Staff H; Didymus FF; Backhouse S (2017), The Antecedents and Outcomes of Dyadic Coping in Close Personal Relationships: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis
https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2017.1329931
View Repository Record - Whitaker L; Backhouse SH; Long J (2017), Doping vulnerabilities, rationalisations and contestations: The lived experience of national level athletes
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peh.2017.06.001
View Repository Record - Backhouse SH; Griffiths C; McKenna J (2017), Tackling doping in sport : a call to take action on the dopogenic environment
https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2016-097169
View Repository Record - Erickson KL; Backhouse SH; Carless D (2017), "I don't know if I would report them": Student-athletes' thoughts, feelings and anticipated behaviours on blowing the whistle on doping in sport.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2017.01.005
View Repository Record - Staff H; Didymus FF; Backhouse SH (2017), Coping Rarely Takes Place in a Social Vacuum: Exploring Dyadic Coping in Coach-Athlete Relationships
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2017.02.009
View Repository Record - Nicholls A; Madigan D; Backhouse SH; Levy A (2017), Personality traits and performance enhancing drugs: The Dark Triad and doping attitudes among competitive athletes.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.02.062
View Repository Record - Erickson KL; Backhouse SH; Carless D (2017), Doping In Sports: Do Parents Matter?
https://doi.org/10.1037/spy0000081
View Repository Record - Duckworth LC; Backhouse SH; O'Hara JP; Stevenson EJ (2017), Effect of Galactose Ingestion Before and During Exercise on Substrate Oxidation, Postexercise Satiety, and Subsequent Energy Intake in Females.
https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.2014.994790
View Repository Record - Whitaker L; Backhouse SH (2017), Doping in sport: An analysis of sanctioned UK rugby union players between 2009 and 2015
https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2016.1226509
View Repository Record - Dohme L; Backhouse SH; Piggott D; Morgan G (2016), Categorizing and Defining Popular Psychological Terms Used Within the Youth Athlete Talent Development Literature: A Systematic Review
https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2016.1185451
View Repository Record - Whitaker L; Petroczi A; Backhouse S; Long J; Nepusz T (2016), The role of the Self in assessing doping cognition: Implicit and explicit measures of athletes' doping-related prototype perceptions
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2016.02.005
View Repository Record - Erickson K; Backhouse SH; Carless D (2016), "The ripples are big": Storying the impact of doping in sport beyond the sanctioned athlete
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2016.01.010
View Repository Record - Till K; Jones B; McKenna J; Whitaker L; Backhouse SH (2016), The search for size: A doping risk factor in adolescent rugby?
https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2015-094737
View Repository Record - Patterson L; Backhouse SH; Duffy P (2016), Anti-doping education for coaches: Qualitative insights from national and international sporting and anti-doping organisations
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2015.12.002
View Repository Record - Mazanov J; Hemphill D; Connor J; Quirk F; Backhouse SH (2015), Australian athlete support personnel lived experience of anti-doping
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2014.05.007
View Repository Record - Whitaker L; Long J; Backhouse S (2014), Reporting doping in sport: National level athletes' perceptions of their role in doping prevention.
https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12222
View Repository Record - Whitaker L; Long J; Petroczi A; Backhouse S (2014), Applying the prototype willingness model to doping in sport.
https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12148 - Whitaker L; Long J; Petróczi A; Backhouse SH (2014), Using the prototype willingness model to predict doping in sport
https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12148
View Repository Record - Petróczi A; Dodge T; Backhouse SH; Adesanwo C (2014), Review of the Literature on Negative Health Risks Based Interventions to Guide Anabolic Steroid Misuse Prevention
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peh.2014.08.001
View Repository Record - Ntoumanis N; Ng J; Barkourkis V; Backhouse SH (2014), Personal and Psychosocial Predictors of Doping Use in Physical Activity Settings: A Meta-Analysis
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-014-0240-4
View Repository Record - Petróczi A; Dodge T; Backhouse SH; Adesanwo C (2014), Review of the Literature on Negative Health Risks Based Interventions to Guide Anabolic Steroid Misuse Prevention
- Patterson LB; Duffy PJ; Backhouse SH (2014), Are Coaches Anti-Doping? Exploring Issues of Engagement With Education and Research.
https://doi.org/10.3109/10826084.2014.912469
View Repository Record - Erickson K; McKenna J; Backhouse S (2014), A Qualitative Analysis of the Factors That Protect Athletes Against Doping in Sport.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2014.03.007
View Repository Record - Mazanov J; Hemphill D; Connor J; Quirk F; Backhouse S (2014), Australian Athlete Support Personnel Lived Experience of Anti-Doping.
- Duckworth LC; Backhouse SH; Stevenson EJ (2013), The effect of galactose ingestion on affect and perceived exertion in recreationally active females
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2013.08.009
View Repository Record - Mazanov J; Backhouse SH; Connor J; Hemphill D; Quirk F (2013), Athlete Support Personnel and Anti-Doping: Knowledge, Attitudes and Ethical Stance
https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.12084
View Repository Record - Backhouse SH; Whitaker L; Petróczi A (2013), Gateway to doping? Supplement use in the context of preferred competitive situations, doping attitude, beliefs, and norms.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2011.01374.x
View Repository Record - Duckworth L; Backhouse SH; Stevenson E (2013), Effect of Galactose Ingestion before and during exercise on affect and perceived exertion
- Whitaker L; Long JA; Petroczi A; Backhouse SH (2012), Athletes Perceptions of Performance Enhancing Substance User and Non-user Prototypes
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peh.2012.03.002 - Backhouse SH; Patterson L; McKenna J (2012), Achieving the Olympic ideal: Preventing doping in sport
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peh.2012.08.001 - Nicholls A; McKenna J; Pohlam R; Backhouse SH (2011), Overtraining during Preseason: Stress and negative affective states among professional rugby union players
View Repository Record - Backhouse SH; McKenna J (2011), Doping in sport: A review of medical practitioners' knowledge, attitudes and beliefs
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2011.03.002
View Repository Record - Backhouse SH; Biddle SJH; Bishop NC; Williams C (2011), Caffeine ingestion, affect and perceived exertion during prolonged cycling
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2011.05.304 - Nicholls AR; Polman RCJ; Levy AR; Backhouse SH (2009), Mental toughness in sport: Achievement level, gender, age, experience, and sport type differences
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2009.02.006 - Nicholls AR; Backhouse SH; Polman RC; McKenna J (2009), Stressors and affective states among professional rugby union players.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2007.00757.x - Nicholls A; Polman R; Levy A; Backhouse S (2009), Mental toughness in Sport: Achievement level, gender, age experience, and sport type differences
- Nicholls A; Backhouse SH; Polman R; McKenna J (2009), Stressors and affective states among professional rugby union players
- Petróczi A; Mazanov J; Nepusz T; Backhouse SH; Naughton DP (2008), Comfort in big numbers: Does over-estimation of doping prevalence in others indicate self-involvement?
https://doi.org/10.1186/1745-6673-3-19 - Backhouse SH; Biddle SJH; Ekkekakis P; Foskett A; Williams C (2007), Exercise makes People feel better but People are Inactive: Paradox or artefact?
- Backhouse SH; Stevenson E; Nute M; Williams C (2007), Effect of the Glycaemic Index of a Breakfast on Metabolic Responses to Brisk Walking in Females
- Backhouse SH; Ali A; Biddle SJH; Williams C (2007), Carbohydrate Ingestion During Prolonged High-intensity Intermittent Exercise: Impact on affect and perceived exertion
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2006.00613.x - Backhouse SH; Biddle SH; Williams C; Bishop NC (2005), Effects of Carbohydrate and Prolonged Exercise on Affect and Perceived Exertion
Chapters (1)
- Ekkekakis P; Backhouse S (2014) Physical activity and feeling good. In: Papioannou A; Hackfort D Routledge companion to sport and exercise psychology: Global perspectives and fundamental concepts. : Routledge, pp. 687-704.
Conference contributions (1)
- Jackson A; Allen H; Hull J; Backhouse S; Hopker J; Price OJ; Dickinson J (2019) Over or under-detection? A comparison of exercise and eucapnic voluntary hyperpnoea challenges in the evaluation of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction Lisbon 01/06/2019. Wiley.
https://doi.org/10.1111/all.13961
View Repository Record
Reports (5)
- Backhouse S; Whitaker L; Patterson L; Erickson K; McKenna J (2016) Social Psychology of Doping in Sport: A Mixed Studies Narrative Synthesis. Montreal Canada: World Anti-Doping Agency.
View Repository Record - Backhouse SH; Collins C; Defoort Y; McNamee M; Parkinson A; Sauer M; Brissonneau C; Christensen A; Dikic N; Hauw D (2014) Study on Doping Prevention: A map of Legal, Regulatory and Prevention Practice Provisions in EU 28. Luxembourg: European Commission.
https://doi.org/10.2766/86776
View Repository Record - Ntoumanis N; Ng J; Barkoukis V; Backhouse S (2013) A statistical synthesis of the literature on personal and situational variables that predict doping in physical activity settings.. World Anti-Doping Agency.
View Repository Record - Backhouse S; McKenna J; Patterson L (2009) Prevention through education: A review of current international social science literature: A focus on the prevention of bullying, tobacco, alcohol and social drug use in children, adolescents and young adults. World Anti-Doping Agency.
View Repository Record - Backhouse SH; McKenna J; Robinson SJ (2006) Attitudes, Behaviours, Knowledge and Education - Drugs in Sports: Past, present and future. World Anti-Drugs Agency.
Blog Articles
- Professor Sue Backhouse and Meghan Bentley present at BDA sports nutrition study day
- Leeds Beckett academic to chair Clean Sport at the Front Line event
- Concerns over sport supplement usage
- Lance Armstrong doping scandal
- Doping in sport
- Less bad apples but a bad barrel
- NEWS! Clean Sport at the Front Line forum
- Buyer beware: Supplement false claims and contamination
- Leeds Beckett experts share research insights at Global Anti-Doping Education Conference in China
- A new kind of drug problem
- Horseracing's Time to Act?
- Education key to preventing doping in sport