Postgraduate Research Activities in the Human Performance Laboratory

Isaac Eastham 

Level of Study: PhD (Year 1) 

Project Title: Measurement of breath acetone in the detection of low carbohydrate availability following implantation of 'train-low' strategies. 

Project Description: The overarching purpose of the PhD is to understand whether a new and innovative method (breath acetone detection) in the sport and exercise science setting can indirectly assess carbohydrate availability following the implementation of a specific nutrition and training strategy. Being able to accurately assess carbohydrate is imperative for maximising the health and performance of athletes. The PhD is working with endurance-based athletes. This PhD proposes a lower risk and alternative method to a muscle biopsy. Although a muscle biopsy is referred to as the 'gold-standard' for assessing the carbohydrate content of a muscle, it is very invasive and takes a prolonged time to analyse. Consequently, having a method which is less invasive and provides live breath-by-breath analysis could be a more practical way to assess carbohydrate availability in the future. 

How did the facilities in the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences allow you to complete your work?

Due to the extensive range of facilities provided by the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, I am able to collect numerous metabolic measurements. With relevance to my PhD, being able to collect numerous metabolic measurements has and will continue to allow me to gain a greater understanding as to how effectively the breath acetone detector is able to detect carbohydrate availability, to optimise the health and performance of athletes. 

Why did you choose to study at Durham?

I chose to study my PhD at Durham due to the range of opportunities that are on offer, whether that be teaching, researching or working with elite athletes. The new state-of-the-art laboratory, which possesses fantastic facilities was also a big reason I chose to pursue my PhD at Durham!

Alice Pearson 

Level of Study: PhD (Completed) 

Project Title: Milk protein ingestion does not enhance recovery from resistance exercise-induced muscle damage in untrained males and females: a randomised controlled trial.

Project Description: Muscle damage, which occurs after exercise, can limit the long-term benefits of regular exercise training; thus, finding effective strategies to reduce or accelerate recovery from muscle damage is highly beneficial. This study aimed to investigate whether consuming milk protein, in the form of dairy yoghurt, could help young, untrained men and women recover from muscle damage after exercise. It was found that, while females had reduced muscle damage compared with males, there was no beneficial effect of consuming milk protein on symptoms of muscle damage, such as muscle soreness, stiffness, and weakness. Therefore, further research in this area is required to identify effective management strategies and explore sex differences in exercise-induced muscle damage.

How did the facilities in the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences allow you to complete your work?

My research project was laboratory-based and involved use of the phlebotomy suite to collect blood samples from participants, enabling the quantitative analysis of serum biomarkers. I was also able to measure individual pain responses with the pressure algometer and assess limb flexibility and swelling using anthropometric techniques with various tools. 

Why did you choose to study at Durham?

The facilities at Durham made conducting my research easier: I had the laboratory, exercise equipment (gym), and research participants all under one roof!