Andy Sparks | Edge Hill University (original) (raw)

Papers by Andy Sparks

The aim of this study was to observe the nutritional supplement practices of highly trained swimm... more The aim of this study was to observe the nutritional supplement practices of highly trained swimmers on a national talent pathway, since it is often reported that swimmers engage in widespread supplement use at the elite level. Thus, this study conducted short interviews based on a validated supplement intake questionnaire with forty-four swimmers from a high-performance swimming club, which had three distinct talent stages: development (aged 11–14 years, n = 20), age-group (aged 13 – 17 years, n = 13), and national level (aged ≥16 years, n = 11). Ninety-eight percent of the interviewed swimmers reported using at least one supplement, with performance (34%) and recovery (19%) cited as the primary reasons. National swimmers used more total supplements (8.1 ± 3.4 supplements) compared to age-group (4.8 ± 2.0 supplements, p = 0.003, g = 1.17) and development (3.9 ± 1.7 supplements, p <0.001, g = 1.69) swimmers, mostly because of a greater intake of ergogenic aids (2.4 ± 1.4 suppleme...

International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 2021

The remote food photography method, often referred to as “Snap-N-Send” by sport nutritionists, ha... more The remote food photography method, often referred to as “Snap-N-Send” by sport nutritionists, has been reported as a valid method to assess energy intake in athletic populations. However, preliminary studies were not conducted in true free-living conditions, and dietary assessment was performed by one researcher only. The authors, therefore, assessed the validity of Snap-N-Send to assess the energy and macronutrient composition in experienced (EXP, n = 23) and inexperienced (INEXP, n = 25) sport nutritionists. The participants analyzed 2 days of dietary photographs, comprising eight meals. Day 1 consisted of “simple” meals based around easily distinguishable foods (i.e., chicken breast and rice), and Day 2 consisted of “complex” meals, containing “hidden” ingredients (i.e., chicken curry). The estimates of dietary intake were analyzed for validity using one-sample t tests and typical error of estimates (TEE). The INEXP and EXP nutritionists underestimated energy intake for the simp...

European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2020

Purpose Enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) can attenuate gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms f... more Purpose Enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) can attenuate gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms following acute bicarbonate loading, although the subsequent effects on exercise performance have not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of enteric-coated NaHCO3 supplementation on high-intensity exercise performance and GI symptoms. Methods Eleven trained male cyclists completed three 4 km time trials after consuming; a placebo or 0.3 g∙kg–1 body mass NaHCO3 in enteric-coated or gelatin capsules. Exercise trials were timed with individual peak blood bicarbonate ion concentration ([HCO3–]). Blood acid–base balance was measured pre-ingestion, pre-exercise, and post-exercise, whereas GI symptoms were recorded pre-ingestion and immediately pre-exercise. Results Pre-exercise blood [HCO3−] and potential hydrogen (pH) were greater for both NaHCO3 conditions (P < 0.0005) when compared to placebo. Performance time was faster with enteric-coated (− 8.5 ± 9.6...

Research in Sports Medicine, 2018

International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 2019

The nutritional intake of ultraendurance athletes is often poorly matched with the requirements o... more The nutritional intake of ultraendurance athletes is often poorly matched with the requirements of the sport. Nutrition knowledge is a mediating factor to food choice that could correct such imbalances. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire to assess the nutrition knowledge of ultraendurance athletes. Nutritional knowledge was assessed using a modified sports nutrition knowledge questionnaire (ULTRA-Q). Four independent assessors with specialization in sports nutrition confirmed the content validity of the ULTRA-Q. Registered sports nutritionists, registered dietitians, and those without nutrition training completed the ULTRA-Q on two separate occasions. After the first completion, a significant difference in nutrition scores between groups (p ≤ .001) provided evidence of construct validity. After the second completion, intraclass correlation coefficients comparing nutrition scores between time points (.75–.95) provided evidence of test–ret...

Medicine and science in sports and exercise, Feb 13, 2016

Supplementation with dietary forms of vitamin D is commonplace in clinical medicine, elite athlet... more Supplementation with dietary forms of vitamin D is commonplace in clinical medicine, elite athletic cohorts and the general population, yet the response of all major vitamin D metabolites to high doses of vitamin D is poorly characterized. We aimed to identify the responses of all major vitamin D metabolites to moderate and high dose supplemental vitamin D3. A repeated measures design was implemented in which 46 elite professional European athletes were block randomized based on their basal 25[OH]D concentration into two treatment groups. Athletes received either 35,000 or 70,000 IU.week vitamin D3 for 12 weeks and 42 athletes completed the trial. Blood samples were collected over 18 weeks to monitor the response to supplementation and withdrawal from supplementation. Both doses led to significant increases in serum 25[OH]D and 1,25[OH]2D3. 70,000 IU.week also resulted in a significant increase of the metabolite 24,25[OH]2D at weeks 6 and 12 that persisted following supplementation ...

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2015

Performance intensity has previously been manipulated during cycling time trials (TT) but employe... more Performance intensity has previously been manipulated during cycling time trials (TT) but employed different event durations, deception methods and manipulation magnitudes. This study examined previous magnitudes of deception applied to a previous performance (+2% and +5%), during 16.1 km TT exploring physiological and psychological responses. METHODS:Fifteen cyclists (35.2 ± 5.0 years; body mass 84.3 ± 11.0 kg; height 179.4 ± 6.5 cm; and V †O2peak 58.7 ± 6.7 ml•kg•min-1) completed five TT, performing two alone (BL), one against a simulated avatar at 102% of fastest BL performance (TT102%), one against a 105% avatar (TT105%), and one against both avatars (TT102%,105%). RESULTS: Deceptive use of competitors to disguise intensity manipulation elicited performance improvements greater than perceived maximal (1.3%-1.7%). Despite a similar improvement in performance and no difference in physiological parameters, during TT102%,105% there was a significantly lower affect and self-efficacy to continue pace than TT105% (p < 0.05), lower self-efficacy to compete than TT102% (p = 0.004), and a greater RPE than TTFBL (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Since interpretations and perceptions are dependent on the manner in which information is presented to the individual; 'framing effect', it could be suggested that the summative impact of two opponents could have evoked negative perceptions despite a similar performance. Further, during TT105% participants chose to change their goal; to ride the TT for time rather than to compete. Magnitudes of deception produce similar performance enhancement but elicit diverse psychological responses.

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2015

Performance intensity has previously been manipulated during cycling time trials (TT) but employe... more Performance intensity has previously been manipulated during cycling time trials (TT) but employed different event durations, deception methods and manipulation magnitudes. This study examined previous magnitudes of deception applied to a previous performance (+2% and +5%), during 16.1 km TT exploring physiological and psychological responses. METHODS:Fifteen cyclists (35.2 ± 5.0 years; body mass 84.3 ± 11.0 kg; height 179.4 ± 6.5 cm; and V †O2peak 58.7 ± 6.7 ml•kg•min-1) completed five TT, performing two alone (BL), one against a simulated avatar at 102% of fastest BL performance (TT102%), one against a 105% avatar (TT105%), and one against both avatars (TT102%,105%). RESULTS: Deceptive use of competitors to disguise intensity manipulation elicited performance improvements greater than perceived maximal (1.3%-1.7%). Despite a similar improvement in performance and no difference in physiological parameters, during TT102%,105% there was a significantly lower affect and self-efficacy to continue pace than TT105% (p < 0.05), lower self-efficacy to compete than TT102% (p = 0.004), and a greater RPE than TTFBL (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Since interpretations and perceptions are dependent on the manner in which information is presented to the individual; 'framing effect', it could be suggested that the summative impact of two opponents could have evoked negative perceptions despite a similar performance. Further, during TT105% participants chose to change their goal; to ride the TT for time rather than to compete. Magnitudes of deception produce similar performance enhancement but elicit diverse psychological responses.

Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise, 2019

This review examines the issues surrounding soccer nutrition, including the nature of the game, t... more This review examines the issues surrounding soccer nutrition, including the nature of the game, training, and how nutrition can play a significant role in improving player performance and recovery. In soccer match-play, a total distance covered of up to 13 km is characterised by an acyclical and intermittent activity profile. The aerobic system is highly taxed, with average heart rates of ~ 85% of maximal values, and the finite muscle glycogen stores represent a key aspect of the interface between training, performance and nutritional support. Diets with high CHO content can optimise muscle glycogen, reduce net glycogen depletion, delay the onset of fatigue, and improve soccer performance. It is more common, however, for players to consume an excessive amount of protein in their daily diet perpetuating the popular belief that additional protein increases strength and enhances performance. More comprehensive recommendations suggest that soccer players should consume a high CHO diet from nutrient-rich complex CHO food sources that ranges from a minimum of 7 to 10 g/kg BM and up to 12 g/kg BM on match or heavy training days. Unfortunately, players often have a low energy intake, which can lead to negative energy balance, especially at times of schedule congestion. In many cases, soccer players often consume diets that are not very different from those of the general public. Therefore, despite a clear understanding of the physiological demands of soccer, and the association between nutritional preparation and performance, the dietary habits of soccer players are often characterised by a lack of education and misinformed sporting traditions. This review discusses the potential barriers and various nutritional phases that need to be considered for training, pre, on the day of, and post-match to enable players and coaches to be more aware of the need to achieve more optimal macronutrient nutrition.

PLOS ONE

Strict lockdown measures were introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused mass ... more Strict lockdown measures were introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused mass disruption to adolescent swimmers’ daily routines. To measure how lockdown impacted nutritional practices in this cohort, three-day photograph food diaries were analysed at three time points: before (January), during (April), and after (September) the first UK lockdown. Thirteen swimmers (aged 15 ± 1 years) from a high-performance swimming club submitted satisfactory food diaries at all time points. During lockdown, lower amounts of energy (45.3 ± 9.8 vs. 31.1 ± 7.7 kcal∙kg BM∙day-1, p<0.001), carbohydrate (5.4 ± 1.2 vs. 3.5 ± 1.1 g∙kg BM∙day-1, p<0.001), protein (2.3 ± 0.4 vs. 1.7 ± 0.4 g∙kg BM∙day-1, p = 0.002), and fat (1.6 ± 0.4 vs. 1.1 ± 0.3 g∙kg BM∙day-1, p = 0.011) were reported. After lockdown, no nutritional differences were found in comparison compared to before lockdown (energy: 44.0 ± 12.1 kcal∙kg BM∙day-1; carbohydrate: 5.4 ± 1.4 g∙kg BM∙day-1; protein: 2.1 ± 0.6 g∙kg ...

The timing of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) supplementation has been suggested to be most optimal w... more The timing of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) supplementation has been suggested to be most optimal when coincided with a personal time that bicarbonate (HCO3–) or pH peaks in the blood following ingestion. However, the ergogenic mechanisms supporting this ingestion strategy are strongly contested. It is therefore plausible that NaHCO3 may be ergogenic by causing beneficial shifts in the strong ion difference (SID), though the time course of this blood acid base balance variable is yet to be investigated. Twelve highly trained, adolescent swimmers (age: 15.9 ± 1.0 years, body mass: 65.3 ± 9.6 kg) consumed their typical pre-competition nutrition 1–3 hours before ingesting 0.3 g∙kg BM-1 NaHCO3 in gelatine capsules. Capillary blood samples were then taken during seated rest on nine occasions (0, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 135, 150, 165 min post-ingestion) to identify the time course changes in HCO3–, pH, and the SID. No significant differences were found in the time to peak of each blood measur...

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 2016

The Leeds Beckett repository holds a wide range of publications, each of which has been checked f... more The Leeds Beckett repository holds a wide range of publications, each of which has been checked for copyright and the relevant embargo period has been applied by the Research Services team. We operate on a standard take-down policy. If you are the author or publisher of an output and you would like it removed from the repository, please contact us and we will investigate on a case-by-case basis.

Research in Sports Medicine, 2019

This study evaluated the chronic effects of nitrate (NO 3-) ingestion over three days, on 40 km T... more This study evaluated the chronic effects of nitrate (NO 3-) ingestion over three days, on 40 km TT performance in 11trained cyclists (VO 2max : 60.8 ± 7.4 ml.kg-1 .min-1 ; age: 36 ± 9 years; height: 1.80 ± 0.06 m; body mass: 87.2 ± 12.0 kg). Utilising a double blind randomised crossover design, participants completed three 40 km TT on a Velotron® ergometer following the ingestion of either a 140 ml of "BEET It sport®" NO 3shot containing 12.8 mmol or 800 mg of NO 3-, a placebo drink or nothing (control). Performance, oxygen consumption (VO 2), blood bicarbonate (HCO3-), pH and lactate (BLa) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured every 10 km throughout the TT. The present findings show that NO 3ingestion had no effect on TT performance (NO 3-: 4098.0 ± 209.8 vs. Placebo: 4161.9 ± 263.3 s, p = 0.296, ES = 0.11), or VO 2 (p = 0.253, ES = 0.13). Similarly, blood lactate and RPE were also unaffected by the experimental conditions (p = 0.522, ES = 0.06; p = 0.085, ES = 0.30) respectively. Therefore, these results suggest that a high dose of NO 3over three days has limited efficacy as an ergogenic aid for 40 km TT cycling performance in trained cyclists. to exercise, also reported no ergogenic effects during a 43.8 km TT (Lane et al. 2013). These authors, however, utilised a superiorly trained participant cohort (VO 2max : 71.6 ± 4.6), which may explain the lack of improvement. Therefore, on the basis of previous work, the aim of this study was to evaluate the chronic effects of nitrate (NO 3-) ingestion over three days, on 40 km TT performance in trained cyclists.

This infographic presents some key findings from the article 'High Prevalence of Cannabidiol ... more This infographic presents some key findings from the article 'High Prevalence of Cannabidiol Use Within Male Professional Rugby Union and League Players: A Quest for Pain Relief and Enhanced Recovery', published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism.<br><b>Abstract</b><br>Rugby is characterized by frequent high-intensity collisions, resulting in muscle soreness. Players consequently seek strategies to reduce soreness and accelerate recovery, with an emerging method being cannabidiol (CBD), despite anti-doping risks. The prevalence and rationale for CBD use in rugby has not been explored; therefore, we recruited professional male players to complete a survey on CBD. Goodness of fit chi-square (χ²) was used to assess CBD use between codes and player position. Effects of age on use were determined using χ² tests of independence. Twenty-five teams provided 517 player responses...

Metabolites, 2021

Few data are available that describe how probiotics influence systemic metabolism during enduranc... more Few data are available that describe how probiotics influence systemic metabolism during endurance exercise. Metabolomic profiling of endurance athletes will elucidate mechanisms by which probiotics may confer benefits to the athlete. In this study, twenty-four runners (20 male, 4 female) were block randomised into two groups using a double-blind matched-pairs design according to their most recent Marathon performance. Runners were assigned to 28-days of supplementation with a multi-strain probiotic (PRO) or a placebo (PLB). Following 28-days of supplementation, runners performed a competitive track Marathon race. Venous blood samples and muscle biopsies (vastus lateralis) were collected on the morning of the race and immediately post-race. Samples were subsequently analysed by untargeted 1H-NMR metabolomics. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified a greater difference in the post-Marathon serum metabolome in the PLB group vs. PRO. Univariate tests identified 17 non-overlapped...

Sport Sciences for Health, 2020

Background Stroboscopic visual training (SVT) has been shown to improve cognitive skills and perc... more Background Stroboscopic visual training (SVT) has been shown to improve cognitive skills and perceptual performance by carrying out events under situations of intermittent vision. Aims The aim of this study was to investigate whether an SVT training period could improve the eye–hand coordination (EHC) performance on a practiced task for a group of sports participants. Methods Sixty-two male participants were randomly assigned to either a strobe group (SG n = 31), or control group (CG n = 31). The method employed a Sport Vision Trainer™ 80 sensor pad to measure the mean speed of reaction time of participants extinguishing randomly illuminated lights on an electronic board. One trial consists of 20 lights. One week following pre-testing on the Sport Vision Trainer™ (4 × 6 trials), a pre-training baseline assessment of 1 × 6 trials was conducted to measure their abilities to complete the EHC task. Four × six trials (480 lights) were then completed in the training phase with the CG cont...

International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 2008

Maximizing postprandial energy expenditure and fat oxidation could be of clinical relevance for t... more Maximizing postprandial energy expenditure and fat oxidation could be of clinical relevance for the treatment of obesity. This study investigated the effect of prior exercise on energy expenditure and substrate utilization after meals containing varying amounts of macronutrients. Eight lean (11.6% ± 4.0% body fat, M ± SD) and 12 obese (35.9% ± 5.3% body fat) men were randomly assigned to a protein (43% protein, 30% carbohydrate) or a carbohydrate (10% protein, 63% carbohydrate) meal. The metabolic responses to the meals were investigated during 2 trials, when meals were ingested after a resting period (D) or cycling exercise (Ex+D; 65% of oxygen consumption reserve, 200 kcal). Energy expenditure, substrate utilization, and glucose and insulin responses were measured for 4 hr during the postprandial phase. Although postprandial energy expenditure was not affected by prior exercise, the total amount of fat oxidized was higher during Ex+D than during D (170.8 ± 60.1 g vs. 137.8 ± 50.8 ...

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2015

The aim of this study was to observe the nutritional supplement practices of highly trained swimm... more The aim of this study was to observe the nutritional supplement practices of highly trained swimmers on a national talent pathway, since it is often reported that swimmers engage in widespread supplement use at the elite level. Thus, this study conducted short interviews based on a validated supplement intake questionnaire with forty-four swimmers from a high-performance swimming club, which had three distinct talent stages: development (aged 11–14 years, n = 20), age-group (aged 13 – 17 years, n = 13), and national level (aged ≥16 years, n = 11). Ninety-eight percent of the interviewed swimmers reported using at least one supplement, with performance (34%) and recovery (19%) cited as the primary reasons. National swimmers used more total supplements (8.1 ± 3.4 supplements) compared to age-group (4.8 ± 2.0 supplements, p = 0.003, g = 1.17) and development (3.9 ± 1.7 supplements, p <0.001, g = 1.69) swimmers, mostly because of a greater intake of ergogenic aids (2.4 ± 1.4 suppleme...

International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 2021

The remote food photography method, often referred to as “Snap-N-Send” by sport nutritionists, ha... more The remote food photography method, often referred to as “Snap-N-Send” by sport nutritionists, has been reported as a valid method to assess energy intake in athletic populations. However, preliminary studies were not conducted in true free-living conditions, and dietary assessment was performed by one researcher only. The authors, therefore, assessed the validity of Snap-N-Send to assess the energy and macronutrient composition in experienced (EXP, n = 23) and inexperienced (INEXP, n = 25) sport nutritionists. The participants analyzed 2 days of dietary photographs, comprising eight meals. Day 1 consisted of “simple” meals based around easily distinguishable foods (i.e., chicken breast and rice), and Day 2 consisted of “complex” meals, containing “hidden” ingredients (i.e., chicken curry). The estimates of dietary intake were analyzed for validity using one-sample t tests and typical error of estimates (TEE). The INEXP and EXP nutritionists underestimated energy intake for the simp...

European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2020

Purpose Enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) can attenuate gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms f... more Purpose Enteric-coated sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) can attenuate gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms following acute bicarbonate loading, although the subsequent effects on exercise performance have not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of enteric-coated NaHCO3 supplementation on high-intensity exercise performance and GI symptoms. Methods Eleven trained male cyclists completed three 4 km time trials after consuming; a placebo or 0.3 g∙kg–1 body mass NaHCO3 in enteric-coated or gelatin capsules. Exercise trials were timed with individual peak blood bicarbonate ion concentration ([HCO3–]). Blood acid–base balance was measured pre-ingestion, pre-exercise, and post-exercise, whereas GI symptoms were recorded pre-ingestion and immediately pre-exercise. Results Pre-exercise blood [HCO3−] and potential hydrogen (pH) were greater for both NaHCO3 conditions (P < 0.0005) when compared to placebo. Performance time was faster with enteric-coated (− 8.5 ± 9.6...

Research in Sports Medicine, 2018

International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 2019

The nutritional intake of ultraendurance athletes is often poorly matched with the requirements o... more The nutritional intake of ultraendurance athletes is often poorly matched with the requirements of the sport. Nutrition knowledge is a mediating factor to food choice that could correct such imbalances. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire to assess the nutrition knowledge of ultraendurance athletes. Nutritional knowledge was assessed using a modified sports nutrition knowledge questionnaire (ULTRA-Q). Four independent assessors with specialization in sports nutrition confirmed the content validity of the ULTRA-Q. Registered sports nutritionists, registered dietitians, and those without nutrition training completed the ULTRA-Q on two separate occasions. After the first completion, a significant difference in nutrition scores between groups (p ≤ .001) provided evidence of construct validity. After the second completion, intraclass correlation coefficients comparing nutrition scores between time points (.75–.95) provided evidence of test–ret...

Medicine and science in sports and exercise, Feb 13, 2016

Supplementation with dietary forms of vitamin D is commonplace in clinical medicine, elite athlet... more Supplementation with dietary forms of vitamin D is commonplace in clinical medicine, elite athletic cohorts and the general population, yet the response of all major vitamin D metabolites to high doses of vitamin D is poorly characterized. We aimed to identify the responses of all major vitamin D metabolites to moderate and high dose supplemental vitamin D3. A repeated measures design was implemented in which 46 elite professional European athletes were block randomized based on their basal 25[OH]D concentration into two treatment groups. Athletes received either 35,000 or 70,000 IU.week vitamin D3 for 12 weeks and 42 athletes completed the trial. Blood samples were collected over 18 weeks to monitor the response to supplementation and withdrawal from supplementation. Both doses led to significant increases in serum 25[OH]D and 1,25[OH]2D3. 70,000 IU.week also resulted in a significant increase of the metabolite 24,25[OH]2D at weeks 6 and 12 that persisted following supplementation ...

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2015

Performance intensity has previously been manipulated during cycling time trials (TT) but employe... more Performance intensity has previously been manipulated during cycling time trials (TT) but employed different event durations, deception methods and manipulation magnitudes. This study examined previous magnitudes of deception applied to a previous performance (+2% and +5%), during 16.1 km TT exploring physiological and psychological responses. METHODS:Fifteen cyclists (35.2 ± 5.0 years; body mass 84.3 ± 11.0 kg; height 179.4 ± 6.5 cm; and V †O2peak 58.7 ± 6.7 ml•kg•min-1) completed five TT, performing two alone (BL), one against a simulated avatar at 102% of fastest BL performance (TT102%), one against a 105% avatar (TT105%), and one against both avatars (TT102%,105%). RESULTS: Deceptive use of competitors to disguise intensity manipulation elicited performance improvements greater than perceived maximal (1.3%-1.7%). Despite a similar improvement in performance and no difference in physiological parameters, during TT102%,105% there was a significantly lower affect and self-efficacy to continue pace than TT105% (p < 0.05), lower self-efficacy to compete than TT102% (p = 0.004), and a greater RPE than TTFBL (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Since interpretations and perceptions are dependent on the manner in which information is presented to the individual; 'framing effect', it could be suggested that the summative impact of two opponents could have evoked negative perceptions despite a similar performance. Further, during TT105% participants chose to change their goal; to ride the TT for time rather than to compete. Magnitudes of deception produce similar performance enhancement but elicit diverse psychological responses.

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2015

Performance intensity has previously been manipulated during cycling time trials (TT) but employe... more Performance intensity has previously been manipulated during cycling time trials (TT) but employed different event durations, deception methods and manipulation magnitudes. This study examined previous magnitudes of deception applied to a previous performance (+2% and +5%), during 16.1 km TT exploring physiological and psychological responses. METHODS:Fifteen cyclists (35.2 ± 5.0 years; body mass 84.3 ± 11.0 kg; height 179.4 ± 6.5 cm; and V †O2peak 58.7 ± 6.7 ml•kg•min-1) completed five TT, performing two alone (BL), one against a simulated avatar at 102% of fastest BL performance (TT102%), one against a 105% avatar (TT105%), and one against both avatars (TT102%,105%). RESULTS: Deceptive use of competitors to disguise intensity manipulation elicited performance improvements greater than perceived maximal (1.3%-1.7%). Despite a similar improvement in performance and no difference in physiological parameters, during TT102%,105% there was a significantly lower affect and self-efficacy to continue pace than TT105% (p < 0.05), lower self-efficacy to compete than TT102% (p = 0.004), and a greater RPE than TTFBL (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Since interpretations and perceptions are dependent on the manner in which information is presented to the individual; 'framing effect', it could be suggested that the summative impact of two opponents could have evoked negative perceptions despite a similar performance. Further, during TT105% participants chose to change their goal; to ride the TT for time rather than to compete. Magnitudes of deception produce similar performance enhancement but elicit diverse psychological responses.

Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise, 2019

This review examines the issues surrounding soccer nutrition, including the nature of the game, t... more This review examines the issues surrounding soccer nutrition, including the nature of the game, training, and how nutrition can play a significant role in improving player performance and recovery. In soccer match-play, a total distance covered of up to 13 km is characterised by an acyclical and intermittent activity profile. The aerobic system is highly taxed, with average heart rates of ~ 85% of maximal values, and the finite muscle glycogen stores represent a key aspect of the interface between training, performance and nutritional support. Diets with high CHO content can optimise muscle glycogen, reduce net glycogen depletion, delay the onset of fatigue, and improve soccer performance. It is more common, however, for players to consume an excessive amount of protein in their daily diet perpetuating the popular belief that additional protein increases strength and enhances performance. More comprehensive recommendations suggest that soccer players should consume a high CHO diet from nutrient-rich complex CHO food sources that ranges from a minimum of 7 to 10 g/kg BM and up to 12 g/kg BM on match or heavy training days. Unfortunately, players often have a low energy intake, which can lead to negative energy balance, especially at times of schedule congestion. In many cases, soccer players often consume diets that are not very different from those of the general public. Therefore, despite a clear understanding of the physiological demands of soccer, and the association between nutritional preparation and performance, the dietary habits of soccer players are often characterised by a lack of education and misinformed sporting traditions. This review discusses the potential barriers and various nutritional phases that need to be considered for training, pre, on the day of, and post-match to enable players and coaches to be more aware of the need to achieve more optimal macronutrient nutrition.

PLOS ONE

Strict lockdown measures were introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused mass ... more Strict lockdown measures were introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused mass disruption to adolescent swimmers’ daily routines. To measure how lockdown impacted nutritional practices in this cohort, three-day photograph food diaries were analysed at three time points: before (January), during (April), and after (September) the first UK lockdown. Thirteen swimmers (aged 15 ± 1 years) from a high-performance swimming club submitted satisfactory food diaries at all time points. During lockdown, lower amounts of energy (45.3 ± 9.8 vs. 31.1 ± 7.7 kcal∙kg BM∙day-1, p<0.001), carbohydrate (5.4 ± 1.2 vs. 3.5 ± 1.1 g∙kg BM∙day-1, p<0.001), protein (2.3 ± 0.4 vs. 1.7 ± 0.4 g∙kg BM∙day-1, p = 0.002), and fat (1.6 ± 0.4 vs. 1.1 ± 0.3 g∙kg BM∙day-1, p = 0.011) were reported. After lockdown, no nutritional differences were found in comparison compared to before lockdown (energy: 44.0 ± 12.1 kcal∙kg BM∙day-1; carbohydrate: 5.4 ± 1.4 g∙kg BM∙day-1; protein: 2.1 ± 0.6 g∙kg ...

The timing of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) supplementation has been suggested to be most optimal w... more The timing of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) supplementation has been suggested to be most optimal when coincided with a personal time that bicarbonate (HCO3–) or pH peaks in the blood following ingestion. However, the ergogenic mechanisms supporting this ingestion strategy are strongly contested. It is therefore plausible that NaHCO3 may be ergogenic by causing beneficial shifts in the strong ion difference (SID), though the time course of this blood acid base balance variable is yet to be investigated. Twelve highly trained, adolescent swimmers (age: 15.9 ± 1.0 years, body mass: 65.3 ± 9.6 kg) consumed their typical pre-competition nutrition 1–3 hours before ingesting 0.3 g∙kg BM-1 NaHCO3 in gelatine capsules. Capillary blood samples were then taken during seated rest on nine occasions (0, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 135, 150, 165 min post-ingestion) to identify the time course changes in HCO3–, pH, and the SID. No significant differences were found in the time to peak of each blood measur...

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 2016

The Leeds Beckett repository holds a wide range of publications, each of which has been checked f... more The Leeds Beckett repository holds a wide range of publications, each of which has been checked for copyright and the relevant embargo period has been applied by the Research Services team. We operate on a standard take-down policy. If you are the author or publisher of an output and you would like it removed from the repository, please contact us and we will investigate on a case-by-case basis.

Research in Sports Medicine, 2019

This study evaluated the chronic effects of nitrate (NO 3-) ingestion over three days, on 40 km T... more This study evaluated the chronic effects of nitrate (NO 3-) ingestion over three days, on 40 km TT performance in 11trained cyclists (VO 2max : 60.8 ± 7.4 ml.kg-1 .min-1 ; age: 36 ± 9 years; height: 1.80 ± 0.06 m; body mass: 87.2 ± 12.0 kg). Utilising a double blind randomised crossover design, participants completed three 40 km TT on a Velotron® ergometer following the ingestion of either a 140 ml of "BEET It sport®" NO 3shot containing 12.8 mmol or 800 mg of NO 3-, a placebo drink or nothing (control). Performance, oxygen consumption (VO 2), blood bicarbonate (HCO3-), pH and lactate (BLa) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured every 10 km throughout the TT. The present findings show that NO 3ingestion had no effect on TT performance (NO 3-: 4098.0 ± 209.8 vs. Placebo: 4161.9 ± 263.3 s, p = 0.296, ES = 0.11), or VO 2 (p = 0.253, ES = 0.13). Similarly, blood lactate and RPE were also unaffected by the experimental conditions (p = 0.522, ES = 0.06; p = 0.085, ES = 0.30) respectively. Therefore, these results suggest that a high dose of NO 3over three days has limited efficacy as an ergogenic aid for 40 km TT cycling performance in trained cyclists. to exercise, also reported no ergogenic effects during a 43.8 km TT (Lane et al. 2013). These authors, however, utilised a superiorly trained participant cohort (VO 2max : 71.6 ± 4.6), which may explain the lack of improvement. Therefore, on the basis of previous work, the aim of this study was to evaluate the chronic effects of nitrate (NO 3-) ingestion over three days, on 40 km TT performance in trained cyclists.

This infographic presents some key findings from the article 'High Prevalence of Cannabidiol ... more This infographic presents some key findings from the article 'High Prevalence of Cannabidiol Use Within Male Professional Rugby Union and League Players: A Quest for Pain Relief and Enhanced Recovery', published in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism.<br><b>Abstract</b><br>Rugby is characterized by frequent high-intensity collisions, resulting in muscle soreness. Players consequently seek strategies to reduce soreness and accelerate recovery, with an emerging method being cannabidiol (CBD), despite anti-doping risks. The prevalence and rationale for CBD use in rugby has not been explored; therefore, we recruited professional male players to complete a survey on CBD. Goodness of fit chi-square (χ²) was used to assess CBD use between codes and player position. Effects of age on use were determined using χ² tests of independence. Twenty-five teams provided 517 player responses...

Metabolites, 2021

Few data are available that describe how probiotics influence systemic metabolism during enduranc... more Few data are available that describe how probiotics influence systemic metabolism during endurance exercise. Metabolomic profiling of endurance athletes will elucidate mechanisms by which probiotics may confer benefits to the athlete. In this study, twenty-four runners (20 male, 4 female) were block randomised into two groups using a double-blind matched-pairs design according to their most recent Marathon performance. Runners were assigned to 28-days of supplementation with a multi-strain probiotic (PRO) or a placebo (PLB). Following 28-days of supplementation, runners performed a competitive track Marathon race. Venous blood samples and muscle biopsies (vastus lateralis) were collected on the morning of the race and immediately post-race. Samples were subsequently analysed by untargeted 1H-NMR metabolomics. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified a greater difference in the post-Marathon serum metabolome in the PLB group vs. PRO. Univariate tests identified 17 non-overlapped...

Sport Sciences for Health, 2020

Background Stroboscopic visual training (SVT) has been shown to improve cognitive skills and perc... more Background Stroboscopic visual training (SVT) has been shown to improve cognitive skills and perceptual performance by carrying out events under situations of intermittent vision. Aims The aim of this study was to investigate whether an SVT training period could improve the eye–hand coordination (EHC) performance on a practiced task for a group of sports participants. Methods Sixty-two male participants were randomly assigned to either a strobe group (SG n = 31), or control group (CG n = 31). The method employed a Sport Vision Trainer™ 80 sensor pad to measure the mean speed of reaction time of participants extinguishing randomly illuminated lights on an electronic board. One trial consists of 20 lights. One week following pre-testing on the Sport Vision Trainer™ (4 × 6 trials), a pre-training baseline assessment of 1 × 6 trials was conducted to measure their abilities to complete the EHC task. Four × six trials (480 lights) were then completed in the training phase with the CG cont...

International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 2008

Maximizing postprandial energy expenditure and fat oxidation could be of clinical relevance for t... more Maximizing postprandial energy expenditure and fat oxidation could be of clinical relevance for the treatment of obesity. This study investigated the effect of prior exercise on energy expenditure and substrate utilization after meals containing varying amounts of macronutrients. Eight lean (11.6% ± 4.0% body fat, M ± SD) and 12 obese (35.9% ± 5.3% body fat) men were randomly assigned to a protein (43% protein, 30% carbohydrate) or a carbohydrate (10% protein, 63% carbohydrate) meal. The metabolic responses to the meals were investigated during 2 trials, when meals were ingested after a resting period (D) or cycling exercise (Ex+D; 65% of oxygen consumption reserve, 200 kcal). Energy expenditure, substrate utilization, and glucose and insulin responses were measured for 4 hr during the postprandial phase. Although postprandial energy expenditure was not affected by prior exercise, the total amount of fat oxidized was higher during Ex+D than during D (170.8 ± 60.1 g vs. 137.8 ± 50.8 ...

Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 2015