Cranlea Human Performance Ltd & Carnegie School of Sport Fees Funded Masters by Research (MRes) Investigating the effects of probiotic supplementation on exogenous carbohydrate oxidation and performance at simulated altitude

Funding will consist of the UK full tuition fee for one year.

A laptop will be provided and the opportunity to apply for funding to support the research project.

The effects of probiotic supplementation on exogenous carbohydrate oxidation and performance at simulated altitude. 

Exogenous carbohydrate supplementation has been investigated as a potential ergogenic strategy for endurance performance at altitude (Griffiths et al, 2021; Margolis, et al., 2020; O'Hara, et al., 2017; Young, et al., 2018). However, numerous studies have demonstrated reduced oxidation of exogenous carbohydrate at altitude (Margolis, et al., 2020; Young, et al., 2018) with negligible effects on performance (Bradbury et al. 2020; Griffiths et al, 2021). Reasons for this are likely multifactorial, but the absorption of carbohydrate into the gut has been shown to be reduced in such conditions (Margolis, et al., 2020). Interestingly, recent data in sea level conditions suggest that probiotic supplementation leads to increased oxidation of exogenous carbohydrate during exercise (Pugh et al, 2020). These findings have been attributed to increased intestinal absorption of glucose, as well as a suppression of fat oxidation via increased insulin secretion. In hypoxic conditions in which nutrient availability is further disrupted, probiotic supplementation may facilitate an increase in the oxidation of exogenous carbohydrate and subsequently optimise performance at altitude. As such, the use of probiotics as a novel nutritional strategy for athletes, mountaineers and military personnel warrants investigation.

This Masters by Research provides an exciting opportunity to develop our existing research on carbohydrate metabolism at high altitude. The successful application will develop a variety of practical skills including phlebotomy, exercise testing within our brand-new state of the art normobaric hypoxic environmental chambers and will use ¹³C stable mass isotopes. 

Applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposals with Professor John O’Hara (j.ohara@leedsbeckett.ac.uk) or Dr Alex Griffiths (a.griffiths@leedsbeckett.ac.uk)

1. Bradbury, K., Berryman, C., Wilson, M., Luippold, A., Kenefick, R., Young, A. and Pasiakos, S. (2020) Effects of carbohydrate supplementation on aerobic exercise performance during acute high altitude exposure and after 22 days of acclimatization and energy deficit. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 17(4).

2. Griffiths, A., Deighton, K., Boos, C.J., Rowe, J., Morrison, D., Preston, T., King, R. and O’Hara, J.P., 2021. Carbohydrate supplementation and the influence of breakfast on fuel use in hypoxia. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 53(4), pp.785-795.

3. Margolis, L. M., Wilson, M. A., Whitney, C. C., Carrigan, C. T., Murphy, N. E., Radcliffe, P. N., Gwin, J. A., Church, D. D., Wolfe, R. R., Ferrando, A. A., Young, A. J. and Pasiakos, S. M. (2020) Acute hypoxia reduces exogenous glucose oxidation, glucose turnover, and metabolic clearance rate during steady-state aerobic exercise. Metabolism Clinical and Experimental, 103.
4. O'Hara, J. P., Woods, D. R., Mellor, A., Boos, C., Gallagher, L., Tsakirides, C., Arjomandkhah, N. C., Holdsworth, D. A., Cooke, C. B., Morrison, D. J., Preston, T. and King, R. F. (2017) A comparison of substrate oxidation during prolonged exercise in men at terrestrial altitude and normobaric normoxia following the coingestion of 13c glucose and 13c fructose. Physiological Reports, 5(1).doi: 10.14814/phy2.13101.
5. Pugh, J.N., Wagenmakers, A.J., Doran, D.A., Fleming, S.C., Fielding, B.A., Morton, J.P. and Close, G.L., (2020) Probiotic supplementation increases carbohydrate metabolism in trained male cyclists: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial. American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, 318(4), pp.E504-E513.
6. Young, A., Berryman, C., Kenefick, R., Derosier, A., Margolis, L., Wilson, M., Carrigan, T., Murphy, N., Carbone, J., Rood, J. and Pasiakos, S. (2018) Altitude acclimatization alleviates the hypoxia-induced suppression of exogenous glucose oxidation during steady-state aerobic exercise. Frontiers in Physiology, 9.

As part of your application, please provide a CV, cover letter and research proposal. The proposal should align to the above theme and include a brief literature review related to this project, with an outline of the studies that you would propose to the answer the aims of the MRes (maximum 5 pages single spaced).

We can only consider complete applications. The research degree application is complete once you have uploaded all of the following:

1. Your application form (include the project reference C1)
2. Your research proposal, statement of purpose and CV on the Research proposal template
3. Copies of your bachelors certificates, including transcripts
4. Copy of your IELTS (or equivalent) certificate (if applicable) further information can be found on our Graduate School FAQs
5. Copy of your passport

Email the documentation above) to researchadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk 

The deadline for applications is midnight on 10th July 2022

Candidates must be available for interview 1st, 2nd or 3rd August 2022