Physiology and Nutrition Research Group
To perform in sport or to take part in physical activity an individual needs to extract energy from foodstuffs and make it available to contracting muscles. Fatigue limits the performance of the athlete and is also a major disincentive for those seeking the health benefits of regular exercise. Fatigue may occur for many different reasons, and there is seldom one single limiting factor.
In different types of exercise, different training states, or in different environments, fatigue may occur:
- when sufficient substrate is not available for energy metabolism
- as a result of dehydration, which can impair thermoregulatory and cardiovascular function
- via mechanisms involving the central nervous system
Research studies carried out by members of the Physiology and Nutrition Group in the School are aimed at investing a wide range of physiological and nutritional functions. While many of these studies investigate the effects of nutrition on performance during and after exercise, others are aimed at an understanding of underlying physiological mechanisms. Exercise and nutritional manipulation are used as tools to investigate these mechanisms.
Members of staff
- Professor Ron Maughan
- Dr Susan Shirreffs
- Dr Phil Watson
- Dr Vicky Tolfrey
- Dr Martin Lindley
- Miss Ruth Hobson
Current PhD students
-
Lewis James
Research area: 'Making Weight': Effect of rapid weight loss and subsequent rehydration on sports performance.
Email: l.j.james@lboro.ac.uk
Tel: 01509 226352
- All laboratory-based studies carried out by the group take place in the HEBS Building.
PhD Graduates
- Emma Clapp
Research area: Effect of exercise on muscle atrophy and signalling pathways in chronic kidney disease patients. - Javad Fallah
Research area: Effect of dehydration on muscular strength and endurance. - Normah Jusoh
Research area: Hydration and fluid balance -
Tom Love
Research area: Salt balance in athletes.