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Professor Paul S Holmes PhD PFHEA CPsychol AfBPS CSci HCPC Registered Psychologist
Paul is the Faculty’s Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor and a Research Professor of Motor Cognition
He was previously Head of Research and Knowledge Exchange in Health, Psychology and Social Care.
and Director for the Institute for Performance Research. He has led submissions to RAE and REF Units of Assessment in Allied Health Professions and Sport.
His research interests include motor cognition in human performance and movement rehabilitation where he has published widely on both subjects focusing on motor imagery and action observation mechanisms. Current clinical projects include apps for Parkinson's Disease patients, TMS and eye-gaze studies to optimise visuomotor interventions, and validating physiotherapy techniques in therapies for children with cerebral palsy. Paul is an associate editor for four journals and has worked as a sport psychologist in high performance sport for over 25 years.
BSc, MSc, PhD, CPsychol, AFBPS, CSci, HCPC
University of Gloucestershire: Programme Leader for Sport and Exercise Science.
Motor cognition in sport, exercise and clinical populations.
Cognitive biases in healthy and clinical populations.
The sport science of elite shooting performance.
The supervisory process in postgraduate research degrees.
D. wright, S. mccormick, J. williams, PS. Holmes (2016). Viewing instructions accompanying action observation modulate corticospinal excitability. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 10(17), pp.1-20.
DJ. Wright, SA. McCormick, S. Birks, M. Loporto, PS. Holmes (2015). Action Observation and Imagery Training Improve the Ease With Which Athletes Can Generate Imagery. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology. 27(2), pp.156-170.
ZC. Franklin, DJ. Wright, PS. Holmes (2020). Using Action-congruent Language Facilitates the Motor Response during Action Observation: A Combined Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Eye-tracking Study. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience. 32(4), pp.634-645.
PS. Holmes, DJ. Wright (2017). Motor Cognition and Neuroscience in Sport Psychology. Current Opinion in Psychology. 16, pp.43-47.
J. Newton, PS. Holmes (2017). Psychological characteristics of champion orienteers: Should they be considered in talent identification and development?. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching. 12(1), pp.109-118.
DL. Eaves, M. Riach, PS. Holmes, DJ. Wright (2016). Motor Imagery during Action Observation: A Brief Review of Evidence, Theory and Future Research Opportunities. FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE. 10,
D. Eaves, M. Riach, PS. Holmes, DJ. Wright (2016). Motor imagery during action observation: a brief review of evidence, theory and future research opportunities. Frontiers in Neuroscience. 10, pp.514-514.
D. wright, S. mccormick, J. williams, PS. Holmes (2016). Viewing instructions accompanying action observation modulate corticospinal excitability. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 10(17), pp.1-20.
DJ. Wright, SA. McCormick, S. Birks, M. Loporto, PS. Holmes (2015). Action Observation and Imagery Training Improve the Ease With Which Athletes Can Generate Imagery. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology. 27(2), pp.156-170.
J. Causer, S. McCormick, PS. Holmes (2013). Congruency of gaze metrics in action, imagery & action observation. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 7(1),
CE. Dadswell, C. Payton, P. Holmes, A. Burden (2013). Biomechanical analysis of the change in pistol shooting format in modern pentathlon. JOURNAL OF SPORTS SCIENCES. 31(12), pp.1294-1301.
C. Wakefield, D. Smith, AP. Moran, P. Holmes (2013). Functional equivalence or behavioural matching? A critical reflection on 15 years of research using the PETTLEP model of motor imagery. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 6(1), pp.105-121.
SA. McCormick, J. Causer, PS. Holmes (2013). Active vision during action execution, observation and imagery: evidence for shared motor representations. PLoS One. 8(6),
M. Loporto, PS. Holmes, DJ. Wright, CJ. McAllister (2013). Reflecting on mirror mechanisms: motor resonance effects during action observation only present with low-intensity transcranial magnetic stimulation. PLoS One. 8(5),
SA. McCormick, D. Marple-Horvat, P. Goodwin, PS. Holmes (2012). Eye movement metrics are required to justify the efficacy of imagery and observation in stroke patients. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE. 7, pp.50-50.
CS. Wilson, D. Smith, R. Stockley, PS. Holmes (2012). Do physiotherapists and occupational therapists use cognitive therapies during stroke rehabilitation?. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE. 7, pp.64-65.
SA. McCormick, J. Causer, PS. Holmes (2012). Eye gaze metrics reflect a shared motor representation for action observation and movement imagery. Brain Cogn. 80(1), pp.83-88.
SA. McCormick, PS. Holmes (2012). Eye gaze metrics as a new direction for movement imagery and action observation. JOURNAL OF SPORT & EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY. 34, pp.S171-S171.
DJ. Wright, PS. Holmes, F. Di Russo, M. Loporto, D. Smith (2012). Differences in cortical activity related to motor planning between experienced guitarists and non-musicians during guitar playing. Hum Mov Sci. 31(3), pp.567-577.
M. Loporto, CJ. McAllister, MG. Edwards, DJ. Wright, PS. Holmes (2012). Prior action execution has no effect on corticospinal facilitation during action observation. Behav Brain Res. 231(1), pp.124-129.
RM. Hardwick, CJ. Mcallister, PS. Holmes, MG. Edwards (2012). Transcranial magnetic stimulation reveals modulation of corticospinal excitability when observing actions with the intention to imitate. European Journal of Neuroscience. 35(9), pp.1475-1480.
SE. Lewis, NE. Fowler, SR. Woby, PS. Holmes (2012). Defensive coping styles, anxiety and chronic low back pain. Physiotherapy. 98(1), pp.86-88.
S. Lewis, P. Holmes, S. Woby, J. Hindle, N. Fowler (2012). The relationships between measures of stature recovery, muscle activity and psychological factors in patients with chronic low back pain. Man Ther. 17(1), pp.27-33.
SE. Lewis, PS. Holmes, SR. Woby, J. Hindle, NE. Fowler (2012). Short-term effect of superficial heat treatment on paraspinal muscle activity, stature recovery, and psychological factors in patients with chronic low back pain. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 93(2), pp.367-372.
PS. Holmes (2012). Report on the 7th Annual Meeting of the Research in Imagery and Observation Group. Journal of Mental Imagery. 36(3-4), pp.61-62.
PS. Holmes (2012). Double default: time to develop a different perspective?. Journal of Mental Imagery -New York- International Imagery Association-. 36(1), pp.53-58.
J. Williams, AJ. Pearce, M. Loporto, T. Morris, PS. Holmes (2012). The relationship between corticospinal excitability during motor imagery and motor imagery ability. Behav Brain Res. 226(2), pp.369-375.
DJ. Wright, PS. Holmes, M. Blain, D. Smith (2012). Preliminary evidence for reduced cortical activity in experienced guitarists during performance preparation for simple scale playing. Music Performance Research. 5, pp.2-11.
DJ. Wright, P. Holmes, F. Di Russo, M. Loporto, D. Smith (2012). Reduced motor cortex activity during movement preparation following a period of motor skill practice. PLoS One. 7(12),
J. Causer, PS. Holmes, NC. Smith, AM. Williams (2011). Anxiety, Movement Kinematics, and Visual Attention in Elite-Level Performers. Emotion. 11(3), pp.595-602.
J. Causer, PS. Holmes, AM. Williams (2011). Quiet eye training in a visuomotor control task. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 43(6), pp.1042-1049.
P. Holmes (2011). Evidence from cognitive neuroscience supports action observation as part of an integrated approach to stroke rehabilitation. MANUAL THERAPY. 16(1), pp.40-41.
M. Loporto, C. McAllister, J. Williams, R. Hardwick, P. Holmes (2011). Investigating central mechanisms underlying the effects of action observation and imagery through transcranial magnetic stimulation. J Mot Behav. 43(5), pp.361-373.
DJ. Wright, PS. Holmes, D. Smith (2011). Using the movement-related cortical potential to study motor skill learning. J Mot Behav. 43(3), pp.193-201.
LM. Ewan, K. Kinmond, PS. Holmes (2010). An observation-based intervention for stroke rehabilitation: Experiences of eight individuals affected by stroke. Disability and Rehabilitation. 32(25), pp.2097-2106.
C. Wilson, D. Smith, A. Burden, P. Holmes (2010). Participant‐generated imagery scripts produce greater EMG activity and imagery ability. European Journal of Sport Science. 10(6), pp.417-425.
J. Causer, SJ. Bennett, PS. Holmes, CM. Janelle, AM. Williams (2010). Quiet eye duration and gun motion in elite shotgun shooting. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 42(8), pp.1599-1608.
J. Causer, SJ. Bennett, PS. Holmes, CM. Janelle, AM. Williams (2010). Quiet Eye Duration and Gun Motion in Elite Shotgun Shooting. JOURNAL OF SPORT & EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY. 32, pp.S67-S67.
FR. Ramirez, D. Smith, PS. Holmes (2010). PETTLEP imagery and video-observation: a motivation case study of four badminton players. Polish Journal of Sport and Tourism. 17, pp.207-272.
L. Ewan, NC. Smith, PS. Holmes (2010). Disruption to imagery perspective following stroke: implications for kinesthesis and rehabilitation. Journal of Mental Imagery. 34(3-4), pp.3-14.
DA. Shearer, PS. Holmes, SD. Mellalieu (2009). Collective efficacy in sport: the future from a social neuroscience perspective. International review of sport and exercise psychology. 2, pp.38-53.
C. Calmels, M. Hars, P. Holmes, G. Jarry, CJ. Stam (2008). Non-linear EEG synchronization during observation and execution of simple and complex sequential finger movements. Experimental Brain Research. 190(4), pp.389-400.
P. Holmes, C. Calmels (2008). A neuroscientific review of imagery and observation use in sport. JOURNAL OF MOTOR BEHAVIOR. 40(5), pp.433-445.
H. Chatterton, L. Ewan, K. Kinmond, A. Haire, N. Smith, et al. PS. Holmes. (2008). Observation of meaningful activities: a case study of a personalized intervention on poststroke functional state. J Neurol Phys Ther. 32(2), pp.97-102.
M. Wilson, NC. Smith, PS. Holmes (2007). The role of effort in influencing the effect of anxiety on performance: testing the conflicting predictions of processing efficiency theory and the conscious processing hypothesis. Br J Psychol. 98(Pt 3), pp.411-428.
PS. Holmes (2007). Theoretical and practical problems for imagery in stroke rehabilitation: An observation solution. Rehabilitation Psychology. 52(1), pp.1-10.
PS. Holmes, L. Ewan (2007). The use of structured observation as a stroke rehabilitation aid: an opinion from neuroscience. The British journal of occupational therapy. 70, pp.454-456.
C. Calmels, P. Holmes, G. Jarry, J-M. Leveque, M. Hars, et al. CJ. Stam. (2006). Cortical activity prior to, and during, observation and execution of sequential finger movements. BRAIN TOPOGRAPHY. 19(1-2), pp.77-88.
C. Calmels, P. Holmes, E. Lopez, V. Naman (2006). Chronometric comparison of actual and imaged complex movement patterns. JOURNAL OF MOTOR BEHAVIOR. 38(5), pp.339-348.
PS. Holmes, DJ. Collins, C. Calmels (2006). Electroencephalographic functional equivalence during observation of action. Journal of sports science. 24, pp.605-616.
C. Calmels, PS. Holmes, G. Jarry, M. Hars, E. Lopez, et al. A. Paillard, CJ. Stam. (2006). Variability of EEG synchronization prior to and during observation and execution of a sequential finger movement. Human brain mapping. 27, pp.251-266.
KA. Jones, NC. Smith, PS. Holmes (2004). Anxiety symptom interpretation and performance predictions in high-anxious, low-anxious and repressor sport performers. Anxiety, Stress and Coping. 17(2), pp.187-199.
E. Lopez, C. Calmels, V. Naman, PS. Holmes (2004). Le modele du PETTLEP ou comment optimiser l’efficacite de l’imagerie mentale. Gym Technic. 46, pp.3-10.
D. Smith, P. Holmes (2004). The effect of imagery modality on golf putting performance. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 26(3), pp.385-395.
DJ. Shaw, PS. Holmes, DP. Wilkerson, AM. Jones (2004). Cardiorespiratory responses during observation of heavy intensity exercise. AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY. 56, pp.135-135.
C. Calmels, PS. Holmes, C. Berthoumieux, RN. Singer (2004). The development of movement imagery vividness through a structured intervention in softball. Journal of sport behavior. 27, pp.307-322.
B. Hale, P. Holmes, D. Smith, N. Fowler, D. Collins (2003). Give those men a cigar (but no light): A reply to Slade, Landers, and Martin. JOURNAL OF SPORT & EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY. 25(3), pp.402-409.
D. Smith, DJ. Collins, PS. Holmes (2003). Impact and mechanism of mental practice effects on strength. International journal of sport and exercise psychology. 1, pp.293-306.
GM. Loze, D. Collins, PS. Holmes (2001). Pre-shot EEG alpha-power reactivity during expert air-pistol shooting: A comparison of best and worst shots. JOURNAL OF SPORTS SCIENCES. 19(9), pp.727-733.
D. Smith, PS. Holmes, L. Whitemore, T. Devonport (2001). The effect of theoretically-based imagery scripts on field hockey performance. Journal of sport behavior. 24, pp.408-419.
PS. Holmes, DJ. Collins (2001). The PETTLEP Approach to Motor Imagery: A Functional Equivalence Model for Sport Psychologists. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology. 13(1), pp.60-83.
D. Keil, P. Holmes, S. Bennett, K. Davids, N. Smith (2000). Theory and practice in sport psychology and motor behaviour needs to be constrained by integrative modelling of brain and behaviour. J Sports Sci. 18(6), pp.433-443.
C. Frank, D. Wright, P. Holmes (2020). Mental Simulation and Neurocognition: Advances for Motor Imagery and Action Observation Training in Sport. D. Hackfort, R. Schinke. In: The Routledge International Encyclopedia of Sport and Exercise Psychology.
M. Limniou, C. Holdcroft, PS. Holmes (2016). Increasing Research Students' Engagement through Virtual Communities. R. Wright. In: Web Design and Development. IGI Global, pp.1173-1198.
M. Limniou, C. Holdcroft, PS. Holmes (2015). Increasing Research Students' Engagement through Virtual Communities. In: Curriculum Design and Classroom Management. IGI Global, pp.407-431.
PS. Holmes, J. Cumming, MG. Edwards Movement imagery, observation, and skill. Oxford University Press,
. Limniou, M, . Holdcroft, C, PS. Holmes (2013). Increasing Research Students’ Engagement Through Virtual Communities. . Wright, RD. In: Student-Teacher Interaction in Online Learning Environments. IGI Global, pp.50-75.
. Moran AP, MJ. Campbell, PS. Holmes, T. MacIntyre (2012). Mental Imagery, Action Observation and Skill Learning. MA. Williams, NJ. Hodges, AM. Williams. In: Skill Acquisition in Sport. Routledge,
PS. Holmes, C. Calmels (2011). Mental practice: neuroscientific support for a new approach. In: Performance Psychology: A Practitioner's Guide. Elsevier,
PS. Holmes The psychophysiology of imagery in sport. Human Kinetics,
DF. Christmas, PS. Holmes, GB. Nutt, DM. Woodward Anabolic steroids in education - the role of the physical education professional. Leisure Studies Association,
A. Moran, M. Campbell, PS. Holmes, T. MacIntyre Observation, learning and skill acquisition in sport. Routledge,
PS. Holmes, DJ. Collins The problem of motor imagery: a functional equivalence solution. Thomson Learning,
M. Sanchez Puccini, I. Loram, J. Darby, P. Holmes, P. Butler (2015). Development and Validation of a Movement Evaluation System: Trunk Alignment.
PS. Holmes, NC. Smith (1992). Electromyographic biofeedback as an anxiety control technique for golfers. Royal Holloway UCL, London, 23/9/1991. pp.79-80.
PS. Holmes (2014). One-to-One with...Paul Holmes. Sport and Exercise Psychology Reviews. 10, 75-77.
Adjunct Professor: Applied Cognitive Neuroscience; Institute of Sport, Exercise and
Active Living, Victoria University, Melbourne, AUS.
Consulting Editor: Journal of Mental Imagery
Editorial Board: International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Music Performance Research,
ISRN Rehabilitation, European Journal of Sport Sciences (Psychology Section Editor) 2006-2011.
Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
British Psychological Society: Chartered Psychologist; Associate Fellow of BPS
Science Council: Chartered Scientist
Health and Care Professions Council: Practitioner Psychologist - Sport and Exercise Psychology