• MSc
• BSc (hons)

Recovery of central nervous system function following intermittent sprint exercise

Callum’s PhD project focuses on recovery of central nervous system (CNS) function following intermittent-sprint exercise. Traditionally, the fatigue and subsequent recovery from intermittent-sprint exercise has been studied from a peripheral viewpoint, with a focus on processes occurring at the muscle. Fatigue and delayed recovery of the CNS might also contribute to the prolonged loss of function experienced after intermittent-sprint exercise, but thus far the acute and chronic responses of the CNS to intermittent-sprint exercise have not been well-studied. Using a holistic approach, Callum’s research will apply novel methods of neurostimulation to assess fatigue and the time-scale of recovery from central and peripheral origins. Concurrent to this a range of perceptual and physical performance indicators of fatigue will be assessed, with the aim to validate their use as indicators of neuromuscular fatigue. The resulting data will provide new information on the time course of recovery after intermittent-sprint exercise that could be used to determine readiness to train and compete and the optimal recovery time between training and competition bouts. Furthermore, the work will provide the foundation of a battery of tools to assess recovery and inform further work on suitable interventions to attenuate the negative effects of fatigue and accelerate recovery.

Gibson N, Brownstein CG, Ball D & Twist C. The acute physiological, perceptual and performance responses associated with self-selected versus standardized recovery periods during a repeated sprint protocol in elite youth football players: A preliminary study. Pediatr Exerc Sci, [EPub ahead of print].

• Dr Kevin Thomas
• Dr Stuart Goodall 
• Professor Glyn Howatson