Exeter Head Impacts, Brain Injury and Trauma research group (ExHIBIT)

We are a collective of scientists from a variety of research backgrounds (physiology, motor control, psychology, nutrition, medicine), which allow us to uniquely examine the consequences of head impacts from a powerful, interdisciplinary perspective.

This research allows us to better understand player welfare, and the link between head impacts and health outcomes.

Collaborators in this work include UEFA, Exeter Chiefs, Alzheimer's Research UK, The Racing Foundation, The Physiological Society, NIHR Brain Injury, MedTech and Football Association Wales.

Current research projects

The acute effects of amateur boxing on cerebrovascular, cognitive and neuromotor function

A multidisciplinary approach to examine heading in women’s football

Head impacts in women’s rugby

Quantifying the acute and chronic effects of resistance exercise on cerebral autoregulation

Effects of sleep deprivation and caffeine on cognitive and cerebrovascular function

Exploring vibration injury on neuromotor control and cerebrovascular function

Effect of head impacts on cognitive and motor control task performance

Detecting brain dysfunction in VR following exposure to vibration

Clearing confusion from concussion using biomechanics and motor control

Testing nutritional interventions to supplement recovery protocols following head impacts

Research expertise

Cerebrovascular health

We can utilise near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), transcranial Doppler, duplex carotid sonography and 3T MR imaging to quantify the delivery and regulation of brain blood flow at rest and during a physiological challenge. These include: blood pressure (autoregulation), arterial blood gasses (typically CO2 reactivity), metabolism (neurovascular coupling) and exercise.

Neuromotor and cognitive function

We are interested in the development of quantitative tools, that can be quickly and easily used to test for movement, cognition and vision changes after a blow to the head in sport. Contact Dr Genevieve Williams.

Neurometabolism

We are able to assess the metabolic activity of living brain cells and tissue. Head trauma and other diseases of the central nervous system are commonly associated with changes in the brain’s ability to produce energy. By better studying this phenomenon we aim to understand firstly, how metabolic changes affect cognitive function and resilience to cell death and secondly, what strategies can we use to support our brain’s responses to injury.

For more information contact Dr Paul Weightman Potter

ExHIBIT staff

Headshot of Dr Bert Bond

‌Dr Bert Bond

Headshot of Dr Genevieve Williams

Dr Adam Rueben

MSc / PhD opportunities

The ExHIBIT team are accepting applications for self-funded postgraduate study. Please email a staff member directly if you would like to discuss possibilities for MSc or PhD study.