The use of nutritional supplements combined with exercise training to promote metabolic flexibility and cardio-metabolic health

Research Group

Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences

Proposed supervisory team

Dr Justin Roberts

Dr Lee Smith

Theme

Health, Nutrition and Physical Activity, Green Tea Extract, Fat Oxidation

Summary of the research project

There is current scientific and public interest in the health benefits of functional foods, particularly with reference to green tea and related extracts. A recent publication by Roberts et al (2015) demonstrated that the acute use (4 weeks) of a high strength, decaffeinated green tea extract promoted significant improvements in the ability to use fat as an energy source during exercise, as well as increasing short term aerobic performance. Additionally, this study demonstrated that in recreationally active individuals, bodyfat was significantly reduced following short term green tea extract supplementation. It is proposed that the potential health and ergogenic benefits of green tea use stems from the active catechins, of which (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) may have profound bioactive properties.

Following this recent publication, there has been widespread media and public interest in the longer term use of green tea with particular reference to population level studies. The aim of this research project will therefore be to undertake collective studies leading to a larger population based study investigating the use of specific green tea formulas in conjunction with exercise training on body composition, fat oxidation and cardio-metabolic health.

Resources required: the programme would require access to exercise physiology laboratory space for standard exercise testing/training, as well as access to the psychology laboratory for storage of plasma samples (HTA authorised facility). Additionally, access to the main analytical laboratories would be required for assessment of pertinent blood assays.

The project would require sponsorship of nutritional supplementation throughout the research programme (green tea extract capsulation) – we currently have a good collaboration with a leading clinical nutrition company who will be supporting this research through product supply. Purchase of, and training in, assay use would be required.

Where you'll study

Cambridge

Funding

This project is self-funded. Details of studentships for which funding is available are selected by a competitive process and are advertised on our jobs website as they become available.

Next steps

If you wish to be considered for this project, you will need to apply for our Sport and Exercise Sciences MPhil, PhD. In the section of the application form entitled 'Outline research proposal', please quote the above title and include a research proposal.