BioActivEx – Bioactives and Exercise Research Group Exeter

We investigate the effects of bioactives and exercise on musculoskeletal, cognitive, vascular and metabolic ageing, and exercise performance.
We use a combination of whole-body, cellular and molecular techniques.
We perform hypothesis driven research to inform the development of evidence-based bioactive interventions to support longevity, exercise performance and quality of life.

Current projects

Montmorency Cherry Supplementation: Exercise Performance, Recovery and Sleep

Ecuadorian Cacao Supplementation: Vascular Function, Glucose Control and Exercise Performance

Shatavari Supplementation: Postmenopausal Bone and Muscle Health

The role of prebiotics on athletes' mucosal immunity

The role of gut microbiome on endurance exercise capacity

Other projects and historic work

Limb immobilisation and neuromuscular function

Periods of immobilisation are experienced throughout the lifespan in response to situations such as injuries, periods of illness or inactivity. These periods result in loss of muscle strength which is thought to occur due to muscle atrophy and impaired neuromuscular function.

This project aims to investigate the alterations in neuromuscular function and muscle size during short periods of limb immobilisation. Our goal is to quantify the relative contributions of muscle atrophy and impaired neuromuscular function to these short term losses of muscle strength.

We use a variety of techniques including peripheral nerve electrical stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation of the motor cortex, electromyography, MRI and dynamometry.

This work is being carried out by Matt Campbell and Prof Jo Bowtell. Matt is also supervised by Dr Jon Fulford at the University of Exeter Medical School, Prof Katya Mileva of London South Bank University, and Dr Bryan Taylor of the University of Leeds.

Bioactives and vascular function

We demonstrated that Montmorency cherry protects endothelium-dependent vasodilation and increases nitric oxide availability after transient ischemia-reperfusion injury.

In our work that demonstrated improved 15km cycling time trial performance, muscle oxygenation was enhanced, suggesting that the vasoactive properties of the Montmorency cherry polyphenols may underpin the ergogenic effects.

Publications

Bioactives and protein synthesis

We have shown that Montmorency cherry does not alter the anabolic response to protein and exercise in healthy, relatively active, older men in the short term, but does attenuate the expression of proteins involved in the muscle inflammatory response to exercise.

Publications

Tart cherry concentrate does not enhance muscle protein synthesis response to exercise and protein in healthy older men

Cognition

We have shown that chronic supplementation with an anthocyanin-rich blueberry concentrate improved task-related brain activation, working memory, and brain perfusion in healthy older adults.

Publications

Enhanced task-related brain activation and resting perfusion in healthy older adults after chronic blueberry supplementation

Bioactives and exercise performance and recovery

We have previously shown that Montmorency cherry concentrate supplementation improves the recovery of isometric muscle strength after intensive exercise and that Montmorency cherry powder supplementation improves 15km cycling time trial performance probably via improved muscle oxygenation. We have also demonstrated that a flavanol-rich cacao mucilage juice enhances functional recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage.