Dr Anni Vanhatalo

About me:

Anni Vanhatalo gained a PhD in Exercise Physiology from the University of Wales Aberystwyth and subsequently spent four years as a postdoctoral fellow in Exeter before taking up a lectureship in 2011. She has established research expertise in therapeutic and ergogenic applications of nitric oxide biology, and understanding limitations to exercise (in)tolerance, particularly relating to oxygen delivery and skeletal muscle bioenergetics. Her recent work, supported by BBSRC, focusses on host-microbiome interactions, nitric oxide bioavailability and vascular health in older age. She has published over 80 peer-reviewed articles on these topics. Anni is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and the European College of Sport Science. She serves as Editor-in-Chief for the European Journal of Sport Science, and as Associate Editor for Sport and Exercise Sciences Reviews.

Broad research specialisms:

• Nitric oxide biology, microbiome and healthy ageing
• Skeletal muscle bioenergetics
• Dietary nitrate supplementation for therapeutic and ergogenic effects
• Pulmonary oxygen uptake kinetics and muscle oxygen delivery
• Power-duration relationship of high-intensity exercise
• Prediction of exercise tolerance

Interests:

• Healthy ageing: host-microbiome interactions and nitric oxide bioavailability
• Skeletal muscle bioenergetics
• The power-duration relationship for high-intensity exercise
• Influence of nitric oxide on muscle energetics and cardiovascular health
• Oxygen uptake kinetics and prediction of exercise tolerance and performance
• ‘All-out’ exercise testing
• Endurance training and performance

Qualifications:

2004 BSc (1st Hons.), Sport Science, Kingston University

2008 PhD, Exercise Physiology, University of Wales Aberystwyth

2013 Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

2014 Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine

2021 Fellow of the European College of Sport Science