MDX student recognised for pioneering work helping older people in Dubai

Bushra promotes simple lifestyle changes which can lead to massive health benefits for people with metabolic disorders

A Middlesex University student has gained recognition for helping older people in Dubai make dramatic improvements to their wellbeing with simple lifestyle changes.

Bushra Ali Rizvi, a PhD student at MDX’s London Sport Institute (LSI), was runner up in the ‘Transformation Coach of the Year’ category at the recent Register for Exercise Professionals (REPs) ceremony.

She said she was particularly honoured because she said there are few Muslim women working in the fitness industry in the United Arab of Emirates (UAE). ‘‘I was the only one wearing a hijab at the awards, so it felt very special. There is a cultural gap, not related to religion, and I want more girls like myself to be involved.”

Catherine Hanson Farid, Director of REPs UAE who presented the award to Bushra, said on Instagram: “I was so happy to see your name as one of our winners. This is so well deserved. I have watched your continuous commitment to learning and growing over the years. You are one of our role models for the UAE fitness industry.”

This accolade, specifically for life coaches, nutritionists and personal trainers, was given to Bushra for her efforts helping older clients with diabetes in Dubai between 2021 and 2023. During this timeframe she gained a Masters in Exercise and Physical Activity for Special Population and Healthy Ageing at Middlesex.

Bushra explained that the climate and cultural norms have impacted the level of exercise in Dubai. The intense heat - temperatures regularly rise above 38 °C (100°F) during the summer – can mean many people often drive everywhere and there is a tendency to rely on house maids, so the population are not as active in general which increases the risk of metabolic disorders and diseases such as diabetes.

She implements simple lifestyle changes such as improving posture, meeting daily steps targets and realigning foot movement so people walk straight. The aim is that clients increase their NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis), which is vital for keeping in check the side effects of taking multiple medicines and encompasses everything besides sleep, eating, or formal fitness exercise.

“I have seen many deaths related to these diseases but if people can make little changes in their day to day life, it can really lead to a huge difference to their health,” added Bushra, whose daughter is also studying Biochemistry at MDX.

“My clients think I’m going to make them run outside or complete a marathon, but I just want them to live healthily and increase their NEAT. I don’t go with massive changes with dieting, I’ll say ‘fine have a treat but reduce the size etc’. Too much dieting can put your brain under a lot of stress and it’s just not healthy and won’t work for long. I’ll always recommend wearing a fitness watch and monitoring steps because if you work from home even in a hectic day you may have just managed 3,000 steps (10,000 is recommended for adults).”

For her PhD, Bushra is developing national physical strategy to counteract metabolic syndrome for the multi-ethnic population of Dubai.

Dr Anne Elliott, an LSI Senior Lecturer in Sport Science, said: ‘Bushra’s deep commitment on improving the health of the population of UAE is reflected in both her practitionership and her academic life. Her Masters study on Diabetes in UAE was awarded a distinction. It was published and lauded and is being used to inform other practitioners.

“The development of her ideas into her PhD research moves her focus to metabolic disorder (MD), a growing problem across the developed world. If the role of physical activity to manage and improve MD was understood better, it could help the lives of countless sufferers and the medical systems that have to support them. Bushra’s enthusiasm, keen intelligence and focus means she will be a force in this field, improving health outcomes and using her research to change lives.”

Find out more about Sports Science courses at Middlesex University.