Introduction

I am a Lecturer in Clinical Exercise Science & Deputy Director of Research in the School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences.

My research focuses on the role of physical activity in cancer prevention and survivorship. I am interested in whether physical activity can improve outcomes for people living with and beyond cancer, and also in the biological mechanisms underlying how physical activity prevents the progression of certain cancers.

Previously I have developed physical activity interventions for adults with obesity, and I maintain a keen interest in this research area. I have also conducted resistance training studies with professional athletes.

Roles and responsibilities

Deputy director of research; School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences

Postgraduate research student coordinator; School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences

Faculty of Medical Sciences ethics committee member

Qualifications

PhD Clinical Exercise Science; University of Hull

MRes Exercise Science; Northumbria University

BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science; York St John University

Previous positions

2018-2020: NIHR-funded postdoctoral researcher; Northumbria University

2016-2018: Lecturer in Exercise Physiology; York St John University

Memberships

British Association of Cancer Research (BACR)

Physiological Society

Society for Endocrinology

Society for Transparency, Openness, and Replication in Kinesiology (STORK) outreach committee

Awards

Open Research Award 2022 (First Prize), Newcastle University

Physical activity and cancer survivorship

There is good evidence that physical activity after a cancer diagnosis can improve some side effects of cancer and cancer treatment. We are delivering trials across diverse cancer types to identify the most effective and acceptable ways of supporting people living with and beyond cancer to become more active.

Related papers: Orange et al. 2022; Orange et al. 2021; Ndjavera et al. 2020

Mechanisms of physical activity and colon cancer risk

Regular physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of developing colon cancer, but the underlying mechanisms of action are not well understood. We are interested in whether small proteins and hormones released into circulation during exercise can elicit biological effects on aberrant colonic epithelial cells to reduce their progression into cancer. 

Related papers: Orange et al. 2022; Metcalfe et al. 2021; Orange et al. 2020

Lifestyle change and colorectal cancer (secondary) prevention

Cancer Screening Programmes might be an ideal opportunity to offer healthy lifestyle support to people at high-risk of cancer (such as colorectal cancer) and other long-term health conditions. We are particularly interested in whether a brief lifestyle intervention can be delivered and implemented in this setting.

Related papers: Orange et al. 2021

Current projects

• INTENT: acute exercIse oN colorecTal adENoma growTh (funded by Wellcome Trust Translational Partnership)
• MOTION: Mechanisms Of acuTe exercIse and cOlorectal caNcer progression (funded by Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund)
• TELEX-Liver Cancer: TELehealth EXercise for patients with primary liver cancer (funded by NIHR Newcastle BRC)

Completed projects

• AEROBIC: Acute Effect of modeRate-intensity aerOBIc exercise on Colon cancer cell growth

• PROSCARDIO: PROState cancer patients initiating hormone therapy: effect of exercise on CARDIOvascular health

PhD supervision

• Exercise as a treatment for chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy in women with breast cancer (Rosiered Brownson-Smith, Northumbria University)

• Development of an evidence-based diet and exercise app for people living with and beyond colorectal cancer (Anna Fretwell, Newcastle University)

Undergraduate teaching

• SES3004 Physical Activity, Exercise and Disease (module lead)
  
• SES2000 Principles of Strength and Conditioning
• SES2004 Exercise Physiology
• SES3000 Sport and Exercise Science Research Project

Postgraduate teaching

• SES8001 Exercise Physiology Assessment Skills (module lead)
• SES8099 Exercise Physiology Dissertation
• MMB8044: Exercise in Health and Disease
• SES8000 Applied Exercise Science
• CVR8007 Diagnostic Approaches & Current Treatment of Cardiovascular Disorders
  

• Orange ST, Hallsworth K, Brown MC, Reeves HL. The feasibility and acceptability of a home-based, virtual exercise intervention for older patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: protocol for a non-randomised feasibility study (TELEX-Liver Cancer). Pilot And Feasibility Studies 2022, (ePub ahead of Print).
• Orange ST, Jordan AR, Odell A, Kavanagh O, Hicks KM, Eaglen T, Todryk S, Saxton JM. Acute aerobic exercise-conditioned serum reduces colon cancer cell proliferation in vitro through interleukin-6-induced regulation of DNA damage. International Journal of Cancer 2022, (ePub ahead of Print).
• Orange ST, Jordan AR, Odell A, Kavanagh O, Hicks KM, Todryk S, Saxton JM. Reply to “Comments on: Acute aerobic exercise-conditioned serum reduces colon cancer cell proliferation in vitro through interleukin-6-induced regulation of DNA damage”. International Journal of Cancer 2022, (ePub ahead of Print).
• Orange ST, Hritz A, Pearson L, Jeffries O, Jones TW, Steele J. Comparison of the effects of velocity-based vs. traditional resistance training methods on adaptations in strength, power and sprint speed: a systematic review, meta-analysis and quality of evidence appraisal. Journal of Sports Sciences 2022, epub ahead of print.
• Scott D, Marshall P, Orange ST, Ditroilo M. The Effect of Complex Training on Muscle Architecture in Rugby League Players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance 2022. In Press.
• Scott D, Ditroilo M, Orange ST, Marshall P. The Effect of Complex Training on Physical Performance in Rugby League Players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance 2022. In Press.
• Metcalfe R, Kemp R, Heffernan SM, Churm R, Chen Y, Ruffino JS, Conway GE, Tornillo G, Orange ST. Anti-Carcinogenic Effects of Exercise-Conditioned Human Serum: Evidence, Relevance and Opportunities. European Journal of Applied Physiology 2021, epub ahead of print.
• Orange ST, Hicks KM, Saxton JM. Effectiveness of diet and physical activity interventions amongst adults attending colorectal and breast cancer screening: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Cancer Causes & Control 2021, 32, 13-26.
• Orange ST, Gilbert SE, Brown MC, Saxton JM. Recall, perceptions and determinants of receiving physical activity advice amongst cancer survivors: a mixed‑methods survey. Supportive Care in Cancer 2021, ePub ahead of print.
• Bell BT, Taylor C, Paddock D, Bates A, Orange ST. Body Talk in the Digital Age: A Controlled Evaluation of a Classroom-Based Intervention to Reduce Appearance Commentary and Improve Body Image. Health Psychology Open 2021, 8(1).
• Ndjavera W, Orange ST, O'Doherty AF, Leicht AS, Rochester M, Mills R, Saxton JM. Exercise-induced attenuation of treatment side-effects in patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer beginning androgen-deprivation therapy: a randomised controlled trial. BJU International 2020, 125(1), 28-37.
• Orange ST, Jordan AR, Saxton JM. The serological responses to acute exercise in humans reduce cancer cell growth in vitro: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Physiological Reports 2020, 8(22), e14635.
• Orange ST, Marshall P, Madden LA, Vince RV. Effect of home‐based resistance training performed with or without a high‐speed component in adults with severe obesity. Translational Sports Medicine 2020, 3(1), 34-45.
• Orange ST, Metcalfe JW, Marshall P, Vince RV, Madden LA, Liefeith A. Test-retest reliability of a commercial linear position transducer (GymAware PowerTool) to measure velocity and power in the back squat and bench press. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 2020, 34(3), 728-737.
• Orange ST, Madden LA, Vince RV. Resistance training leads to large improvements in strength and moderate improvements in physical function in adults who are overweight or obese: a systematic review. Journal of Physiotherapy 2020, 66(4), 214-224.
• Orange ST, Metcalfe JW, Liefeith A, Jordan AR. Validity of various portable devices to measure sit-to-stand velocity and power in older adults. Gait & Posture 2020, 76, 409-414.
• Munson EH, Orange ST, Bray JW, Thurlow S, Marshall P, Vince RV. Sodium Ingestion Improves Groundstroke Performance in Nationally-Ranked Tennis Players: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial. Frontiers in Nutrition 2020, 7, 549413.
• Orange ST, Marshall P, Madden LA, Vince RV. Can sit-to-stand muscle power explain the ability to perform functional tasks in adults with severe obesity?. Journal of Sports Sciences 2019, 37(11), 1227-1234.
• Orange ST, Metcalfe JW, Robinson A, Applegarth MJ, Liefeith A. Effects of In-Season Velocity-Versus Percentage-Based Training in Academy Rugby League Players. International journal of sports physiology and performance 2019, 15(4), 554-561.
• Orange ST, Marshall P, Madden LA, Vince RV. Short-Term Training and Detraining Effects of Supervised vs. Unsupervised Resistance Exercise in Aging Adults. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 2019, 33(10), 2733-2742.
• Orange ST, Metcalfe JW, Liefeith A, Marshall P, Madden LA, Fewster CR, Vince RV. Validity and reliability of a wearable inertial sensor to measure velocity and power in the back squat and bench press. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 2019, 33(9), 2398-2408.
• Orange ST, Northgraves MJ, Marshall P, Madden LA, Vince RV. Exercise prehabilitation in elective intra-cavity surgery: A role within the ERAS pathway? A narrative review. International Journal of Surgery 2018, 56, 328-333.
• Orange ST, Marshall P, Madden L, Vince RV. The determinants of physical function in adults with severe obesity. In: 5th UK Congress on Obesity. 2018, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK: Nature.
• Orange ST, Smith A. Evidence-based strength and conditioning in soccer. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada 2016, 9, 21-37.