Public Health and Sport Sciences

Take part in our research

Research projects currently recruiting participants are posted on this page. 

How to take part 

If you are interested in taking part in one of the studies below, please first read the inclusion criteria to ensure you are suitable for the study.

You can then either fill out the study's interest form or email the researcher who is running the study for more information.

Current Research Projects

These projects are being conducted by the Nutritional Physiology Group, focussing on the effects of nutrition and exercise on muscle metabolism and health.

Glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA's) are an exciting anti-obesity pharmacotherapy known in the mainstream by their brand names of Ozempic and Mounjaro. These drugs elicit rapid weight loss through a variety of physiological mechanisms; however, research has highlighted that they may cause excessive muscle loss as a result which could be detrimental to user's health and physical function in the future. The purpose of this research is to determine if progressive, resistance exercise can attenuate these observed muscle mass and physical function decreases seen with GLP-1RA use.
 
Who is eligible?
 
25–50-year-old females (biological sex assigned at birth) with a BMI of 27-30 with one of the following diagnosed weight related co-morbidities: Hypertension, Dyslipidaemia, Obstructive sleep apnoea, Cardiovascular disease, Prediabetes, OR a BMI between 30 and 35.
 
What is involved? 
 
A 20-week Mounjaro treatment where you will be assigned to a group and either participate in a structured progressive, resistance exercise program or continue to participate in your habitual activity.
 
The study will involve attending our laboratory at the University of Exeter St Lukes campus for screening, familiarisation and then for data collection at weeks 0, 4, 8, 10, 12, 16 and 20 with 2 follow up visits at weeks 40 and 72. 
 
If you would like more information please contact the research team.
Who is eligible?
 
The inclusion criteria is anyone with a diagnosis of Peripheral Artery Disease. 
 
What is involved? 
 
You can find information on the study here (scroll down to 'Opportunities to take part in research'), and a video here.
Participants are asked to make two visits to our lab, and are reimbursed £75 per visit.
If you would like more information please contact Qais Al-Alem.

We are investigating whether two types of haptic (touch-based) feedback can help people to learn better in VR. Haptic feedback refers to any touch-based signal you may feel when using technology, such as a vibrating game controller. As VR is becoming a popular training tool in schools and workplaces, this research will improve our knowledge of how to learn effectively in VR. 

Who is eligible, and what is involved?

Please refer to the Participant Information Sheet, here. 

If you would like more information please contact Samuel Bateman.

Public Health research

Our different public partners help us decide which questions we need to answer and how research can be designed to find those answers. They advise us about how research should be managed and help carry out research. They use their everyday experience to help us understand how the information we find can be shared and made to work.

Ways you can get involved include: 

  • Reviewing project proposals and reports by email or post
  • Taking part in meetings or workshops - in person or online
  • Sharing information about research in your community or at conferences

Find out more and get involved

Are you a member of the public who would like to get involved in helping us design our research? Perhaps you are involved with a charity or community organisation with an interest in one or more of our research areas?

Join the network or find out more