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Exercise Biochemistry PhD/MPhil: University of Briminghum

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Degree 
PhD/MPhil
Address
Exercise Biochemistry PhD/MPhil: University of Briminghum, School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, BIRMINGHAM, B15 2TT, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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Subject
Biotechnology
Course Beginning 
Normally the start of the academic year, but flexible by negotiation
Duration 
The duration of programmes for MPhil and PhD is as prescribed by University regulations and pro rata for part-time, depending on the percentage of time spent on research
Scholarship and Grants 

http://www.sportex.bham.ac.uk/http://www...

Telephone 
+ 44 (0)121 414 4115
Fax 
+ 44 (0)121 414 4121
Website 
http://www.sportex.bham.ac.uk



Report Recommend

Research in this area falls into two broad fields: mechanisms of central and peripheral fatigue, and studies of metabolism and nutrition.

The causes and consequences of fatigue

Fatigue is one of the major factors limiting human performance, during sporting activity, in everyday life and in any occupation that involves physical effort. A great deal is known about metabolic changes associated with muscle failure during high-intensity exercise, but the sensations of fatigue do not necessarily relate well to the more obvious physiological changes.

Current research is concerned with the thermoregulatory function of the hypothalamus in the sensation of fatigue.

Other brain areas that may be involved are the nucleus accumbens and the basal ganglia, and these may contribute to the loss of skill and judgement that is frequently seen towards the end of hard matches.

To measure the activity of the different neural pathways, including those using serotonin and dopamine, challenges with agonists and antagonists can reveal differences between sufferers of chronic fatigue, normal subjects and highly trained athletes. It is of interest to determine to what extent these pathways can be modified by infections such as glandular fever, by training, or by physical and psychological stress.

Sports nutrition

The role of nutrition during exercise is increasingly recognised by athletes and coaches. Although it is generally acknowledged that carbohydrate feeding during exercise can improve endurance performance, and carbohydrate intake after exercise can improve recovery, little is known about the effects of different types of carbohydrate and their optimal intake amounts.

This is being investigated, as are the effects of diet and pre-exercise feedings on fat oxidation and performance, and the efficacy of ergogenic aids. The type of measurements being made include haematological, hormonal and metabolic responses to exercise and training. Studies are also performed to investigate the optimal composition and timing of protein/amino acid/carbohydrate supplements taken after exercise to increase muscle protein synthesis rates and enhance the training effect of regular resistance and endurance exercise.

These studies will be done both in healthy athletes and in patients with insulin insensitivity and type 2 diabetes. The aims are to increase muscle mass and muscle quality (oxidative capacity and insulin sensitivity) and to identify the signalling pathways involved in the adaptation to endurance and resistance exercise.

Exercise and insulin sensitivity

Resistance exercise and endurance exercise are both means to increase insulin sensitivity of skeletal muscle and enhance glucose uptake, thus lowering blood glucose when fasting or following ingestion of a meal. Several projects are currently exploring which type, duration and intensity of exercise maximises insulin sensitivity in healthy subjects, as well as in patients with obesity, the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.

Exercise and lipid metabolism

One result of regular exercise is a decrease in muscle lipid (triacylglycerol or TAG) content and a higher capacity of muscle to oxidise plasma TAG and muscle stores of TAG. One research programme is investigating why patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes cannot oxidise plasma and muscle TAG, and which exercise programmes maximise the capacity to use plasma and muscle TAG and plasma fatty acids. The second research programme in this area is investigating how regular exercise and changes in diet can influence the production of peptides, and the sensitivity of muscle and brain receptors to these peptides in healthy subjects and patients with obesity and the metabolic syndrome.

A final research programme is investigating whether an increased peroxidation status of very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) reduces the ability to unload fatty acids at muscle level during exercise and recovery, while an increased peroxidation status of HDL reduces its ability to transfer cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver. Such a mechanism could contribute to the high plasma TAG and cholesterol levels in several age-related disease states and play a major role in the development of cardiovascular complications in obese subjects and patients with the metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Again the effect of regular exercise and dietary changes will be investigated.

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English language requirements

Entry requirements

Entrance to the PhD requires at least an upper-second class degree, while MPhil registration requires a relevant first degree and evidence of ability to undertake research.

For more information about Entry requirements visit

How to apply

Online applications

If you submit an online application, please write your ID number on your supporting documents when you send them to us. You will receive an ID number by email on the day after you submit your application (apart from applications submitted on Friday, Saturday or Sunday when the email will arrive on Monday).

If you send in your supporting documents before completing the online application form, please make sure that you write your full name, date of birth and the programme you are applying for on all the documents.

Paper application form

If you apply using the paper application form, please include, where possible, your supporting documents with the application.

Where to send supporting documents

  • Address: Admissions
    Aston Webb Building
    University of Birmingham
    Edgbaston
    Birmingham
    B15 2TT
    UK

Tuition fees and costs

The University charges an annual tuition fee. This covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation, and includes membership of the Guild of Students. Fees are payable at the start of your programme.

When you accept the offer of a place, you are also accepting responsibility for the payment of your tuition fees, even if you are sponsored or in receipt of an award and the sponsor fails to pay. It is therefore very important that you have sufficient funds available to you. Unfortunately, if you fail to pay the fees, you will not be permitted to continue your studies.

For more information about tuition fees visit

For general information about open days

  • 3 December

Their Postgraduate Open Day is the ideal opportunity to visit the University and find out more about the research areas or programmes that interest you.

For more information about other tours and visits:

Contact details

Main University Switchboard

  • Postal Address: University of Birmingham
    Edgbaston
    Birmingham
    B15 2TT
    UK
  • Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3344
  • Fax: +44(0)121 414 3971

Postgraduate Admissions

International Applicant Enquiries

Financial Support Office


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