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Nutrition, Exercise & Metabolism
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Assessing Sport Performance
Nutritional interventions before, during and after exercise can have a significant effect on sport performance. We utilize a range of specialized equipment and protocols to assess the effects of meals, snacks, supplements and drinks on performance in both elite and recreational athletes.
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Sports-specific protocols
Research in sport and exercise nutrition has been mostly limited to treadmill and cycle ergometer based protocols. We have developed sports-specific laboratory based protocols for a number of sports including golf and squash. We also utilize intermittent sports (football, netball) specific protocols within our research.
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Exercise metabolism
The interaction between carbohydrate and fat metabolism during exercise of any intensity or duration is strongly influenced by nutrition. We have done a number of studies investigating the effect of pre and post-exercise nutrition on fat metabolism in athletes, recreational exercisers and sedentary individuals.
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Exercise-induced muscle damage
The feelings of soreness following exercise are familiar to us all however, nutritional interventions can help reduce muscle damage and soreness following unaccustomed exercise. We have specialist protocols in place to investigate the effects of nutritional interventions on muscle function and soreness following muscle damaging exercise.
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Appetite regulation
Appetite regulation is complex and there is a large amount of research to be carried out in this field. Our research focuses on the effect of exercise and nutritional interventions on subjective appetite, physiological markers of appetite regulation and food intake.
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Paediatric exercise physiology
Study of the exercising child has progressed substantially over the past decade. From investigation of growth and maturation as influential factors in fitness development to nutritional strategies and physical activity behaviour, the study of young people represents a unique challenge to the research specialist. We have expertise in nutrition and physical activity assessment, as well as body composition and fitness parameters.
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Exercise and Immune Function
Exercise can have profound effects on immune system function. For example, prolonged chronic exercise can suppress immune function and can increase the risk of coughs and colds whereas short term acute exercise can improve immunity. Exercise can therefore provide a useful model to study the effects of nutritional supplements on non-infective inflammation and immune system function.
Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Centre
School of Psychology and Sport Sciences
4th Floor, Northumberland Building
Northumbria University
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8ST
t: 44 (0) 191 2048818
e: bpnrc@northumbria.ac.uk
Members of
Nutrials
Medicinal Plant Research Group