Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Dr Oliver Wilson
Senior Lecturer
Oliver is a Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology. His research interests are in the mechanisms of adaptation to exercise training and detraining, age-related sarcopenia and metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance and type II diabetes.
Oliver received his BSc. (Hons) in Applied Sport Science and MSc. in Sport and Exercise Nutrition at Loughborough University before spending several years lecturing. Oliver then moved to the University of Birmingham where he completed his PhD thesis under the supervision of Professor Anton Wagenmakers and Dr Chris Shaw. His doctoral thesis developed novel immunofluorescence microscopy techniques to investigate the mechanisms of adaptation to exercise training in the skeletal muscle and its associated microvasculature of young and elderly individuals. Oliver then joined Leeds Beckett University as a Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology in October 2014. Oliver’s research interests concern fuel utilisation during exercise, the mechanisms of adaptation to exercise training and detraining, and how the interaction of diet and the adoption of a sedentary lifestyle lead to insulin resistance, type II diabetes and sarcopenia.
Current Teaching
- Module Leader:
- Measurement and Evaluation in Sport and Exercise Physiology (Level 5)
- Foundations of Exercise Physiology (Level 4)
- Introduction to Research and Study Skills for Sport and Exercise Science (Level 4)
- Scientific Foundations of Human Movement and Physical Activity (Level 4)
- Measurement and Evaluation in Sport and Exercise Physiology (Level 5)
- Research Methods in Physical Activity, Sport and Exercise Science (Level 5)
- Professional Development (Level 5)
- Applied Sport & Clinical Exercise Physiology (Level 6)
- Obesity Management (Level 6)
- Physical Activity for Older Adults (Level 6)
- Essentials of Exercise Physiology (Level 7)
- Physiology and Biochemistry for Performance (Level 7)
- Research and Supervision:
- Dissertation (Level 6)
- Major Independent Study (Level 7)
- PhD Supervision:
- Matt Lees - "Effect of age on the development of anabolic resistance"
- Alistair Black - "Substrate oxidation during running and cycling: Effect of carbohydrate ingestion"
- Joshua Rowe - "Effect of carbohydrate ingestion on substrate oxidation during running"
- Antonis Elia - "Physiological responses to breath-holding and breath-hold diving"
Research Interests
Studies are currently investigating the effect of age and physical activity on the anabolic response to feeding and exercise. These studies will provide an important insight into the mechanisms that may contribute to the development of anabolic resistance in elderly individuals and provide strong evidence for life-long physical activity in old age.
Fuel use during cycling and running are different at the same relative exercise intensities. Studies are currently investigating the effect of running versus cycling on fuel use and how carbohydrate ingestion throughout the two exercise modes alters substrate oxidation. These studies are expected to provide important novel information for exercise physiologists, athletes, coaches, nutritionists alike.
Breath-hold divers are exposed to transient periods of acute hypoxia interspersed with normal breathing. Apnoeic training and the regular intense hypoxic conditions lead to acute and chronic adaptations, the latter of which is poorly understood. Studies are currently investigating the acute and chronic physiological responses to apnoeic training.
