Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology & Course Leader for MSc Clinical Exercise Physiology
I completed my first degree and Liverpool John Moores University and progressed to an MSc at Manchester Metropolian University. From there I undertook a funded PhD at the University of Glamorgan where I examined the effects of different kinds of exercise training on markers of cardiac contractility and compared them to patients with different cardiac diseases.
I am a research active academic was one of the members of staff entered into RAE 2008 and in addition I will be returned in the REF 2014 (see below for list of publications).
I have worked as a full time research active academic and along side my research I have written and validated courses at all levels including the first degree in the country to include industry recognized exercise professional awards from basic instruction through to G.P. referral.
Research Institution
Research active member of Institute for Sport and Physical Activity Research (ISPAR Bedford)
Research Groups
- Group head of Applied Sport Science Research Group
- Group head of Muscle Cellular and Molecular Physiology Research Group
Qualifications
- PhD Exercise Physiology
- MSc Sport and Exercise Physiology
- BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science
Teaching Expertise
- Course leader for BSc Sport Science and Personal Training
- Course Leader for MSc Clinical Exercise Physiology
- Undergraduate teaching: exercise physiology, exercise and health, sport and exercise nutrition
- Supervision of undergraduate dissertations
- Research Degree Supervision
- Currently supervising two PhD students
Research Interests
My research areas include cardiovascular physiology with particular reference to echocardiography and I head the ultrasound research group within the department providing skills training and research leadership to our students who are engaged in this particular field. I have a national and international reputation within this area with my best work generating over 200 citations since its publication. I also form part of a multicentre research group with other internationally recognised researchers in the area.
A second research area is the effects of androgens on whole body and cellular physiology. Initially this work investigated the cardiovascular side effects of high doses androgenic anabolic steroid abuse and it is in this area that I am most published and most well known.
Research Projects
- Echocardiographic assessment of cardiac responses to different intensities and types of exercis
- Molecular mechanisms of androgens and the effects of skeletal muscle growth
- Exercise as a successful model of aging: Cardiovascular consequences of life long physical activity
- Non-Invasive assessment of deep lying musculature and assessment of strength, rate and co-ordination of contraction
Research Supervision
- Mrs J Richards (PhD; post upgrade) Cardiac effects of different training modalities in sedentary males.
- Miss R Lancaster (PhD; 2011 start) Acute effects of high intensity exercise on cardiac function, strain and strain rate.
- Mr P Davies (PhD; post upgrade) In vivo and in vitro models of ageing in postural muscles.
- Mr D Hughes (PhD; 2011 start) Molecular effects of testosterone on administration on myocyte proliferation and differentiation.
- Mrs C Barford (PhD; 2012 start) Effectiveness of community delivered training programmes on indicies of core strength and co-ordination.
- Miss R McBride (MRes; 2011 start) Evidence for sport specific cardiac adaptation in female resistance trained athletes.
Research Collaborations
- Dr F Grace and Prof. J Baker – University of the West of Scotland
- Prof K George – Liverpool John Moores University
- Dr D Oxborough – Leeds Metropolitan University
Funding awards
- Cardiovascular Effects of Long Term Anabolic Androgenic Steroid (AAS) Use SGOO/294-WelshOffice of Research and Development (WORD, (2001)). Awarded:£10,000
- Royal Society Partnership grant (with Delapre PS). (2005). Scientific Partnership in Schools. (Awarded £1,000)
- The Higher Education Academy, Leisure Sport and Tourism Network (LTSN (2007)) Embedding research based teaching in the first year of a sport science course. How does it affect students engagement, their confidence as a learner and understanding of the research process. (Award £2500)
- Research Informed Teaching Round 2 (RiTs): Validation of diagnostic criteria for the differentiation of pathological and physiological left ventricular hypertrophy. (2008; Awarded £3,500)
- Research Informed Teaching Round 4 (RiTs): Ultrasound upgrade (2009; Awarded £13,000)
- UEFA research in football, effects of environmental conditions on match official performance. £10,000 (Co-Applicant)
External Roles
- Consultancy - Actiflow™ Lower limb activation in long haul flights to reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis £20,000 (Co-Applicant)
Publications
- Sculthorpe N., Solomon AM, Sinanan ACM, Boloux PGM, Grace F, Lewis MP. Androgens affect myogenesisin vitro and increase local IGF-I expression. Med Sci Sports and Exerc. (In Press April 2012)
- Sculthorpe, N. Grace. F, Davies. B, et al., Evidence of altered cardiac electrophysiology following prolonged androgenic anabolic steroid (AAS) abuse. Cardiovasc. Toxicol. 2010 (10) : p239-43
- Sculthorpe, N. Grace, F. Jones, P. and Fletcher I. The effect of short-term creatine loading on active range of movement. App Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 2010 35(4) : pp507-11
- Mauger, A. and Sculthorpe, N. A new test design to allow self-pacing in maximal self-paced exercise to exhaustion. Br. J. Sports Med. (in press- 2012)
- Grace F, Sculthorpe N, Baker J, Davies B. Blood pressure and rate pressure product response in males using high-dose anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS). J Sci Med Sport. 2003 Sep;6(4):307-12.
- Vineranu, D. Florescu, N, Sculthorpe N, et al. Left ventricular long axis function in the differentiation of Pathological and physiological hypertrophy. . Am. J. Cardiol. 2001 Jul 1;88(1):53-8.
- Vinereanu D, Florescu N, Sculthorpe N, Tweddel AC, Stephens MR, Fraser AG.Left ventricular long-axis diastolic function is augmented in the hearts of endurance-trained compared with strength-trained athletes. ClinSci (Lond). 2002 Sep;103(3):249-57.
- Sculthorpe N, Ashton, T, Davies, B et al.. Commercially available folic acid and their compliance with the British pharmacopoeia test for dissolution.J Public Health Med. 2001 23(3):195-7
Book Chapters
- Grace F., Sculthorpe, N., Baker J. The effects of the non-therapeutic anabolic androgenic steroids use on cardiac structure and function. In Perspectives of Anabolic Steroids, Gace, F.and Baker, J. (Eds);Nova Science , London. In Press (March 2012)
- Hughes, D., Sculthorpe, N., Sharples A. Testosterone and the molecular regulation of skeletal muscle.In Perspectives of Anabolic Steroids. Grace, F. and Baker, J (Eds);Nova Science, London. In Press (March 2012)
Currently Under Review
- Sculthorpe N, Grace F, Davies B. Evidence of shorter QTc in long-term abusers of AAS. Br J Sports Med.
- Smithson A, Grace F, Sculthorpe N, Baker J. The effect of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) on respiratory muscle strength and endurance in patients with respiratory failure.European Resp. J.
- Grace, F., Sculthorpe N., Graham, M. Davies, B. Consideration for the influence of muscle damage markers in the measurement of anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) induced hepatotoxicity Euro. J. App. Physiol.
- Grace. F, Sculthorpe N, Davies. B, et al., Evidence for prolonged apolipoprotein alterations following long-term Androgenic Anabolic Steroid (AAS) use. British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Abstracts
- Sculthorpe N., Solomon AM, Sinanan ACM, Boloux PGM, Grace F, Lewis MP. (2011) Androgens affect myogenesisin vitro and increase local IGF-I expression. Med Sci Sports and Exerc.
- Richards, J., Kerr, C., Oxborough, D., George, K. and Sculthorpe, N. (2012) Left Ventricular Determinants of VO2max in a Heterogenesis Group of Healthy Males. Poster Presentation at The Biomedical Basis of Elite Performance 2012.
- Richards, J., Kerr, C., Biswell, K., Oxborough, D., George, K. and Sculthorpe, N. (2011) The Effect of Six Weeks Resistance Training on Left Ventricular Tissue Velocity. Oral Presentation at BASES Annual Conference 2011.
- Richards, J., Kerr, C., Biswell, K., Oxborough, D., George, K. and Sculthorpe, N. (2011) Six Weeks Resistance Training has No Effect on Left Ventricular Structure. Oral Presentation at ECSS 2011.
- Biswell, K., Richards, J. and Sculthorpe, N. (2011) The Effect of 9 Weeks Resistance Training on Left Ventricular Structure. Poster presentation at BASES Student Conference 2011.
- Shipton, J., Richards, J. and Sculthorpe, N. (2011) Relationships between Left Ventricular Cardiac Morphology, Anthropometric Measures and Aerobic Capacity of Endurance Trained Cyclists and Sedentary Controls. Poster presentation at BASES Student Conference 2011.
- Richards, J.C., Sculthorpe, N. and Fletcher, I. (2010) The Effect of Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation on EMG Response to Passive Dorsiflexion.Poster presentation at Creatine in health, medicine and sport 2010.
- Chapillon, J.C., Sculthorpe, N. and Fletcher, I. (2009) Creatine Monohydrate and Ankle Range of Motion. Poster presentation at million+ Parlimentary Reception 2010.
- Richards, J.C., Sculthorpe, N. and Kerr, C.J. (2010) Relationship between Cardiac Dimensions, Maximal Oxygen Uptake ( ) and Body Composition. Poster presentation at University of Bedfordshire Conference 2010.
- Grace FM, Graham M, Baker J, Sculthorpe N, Haggettt A, Brouner J, Cole L, Davies B. (2009) Further considerations for the diagnostic evaluation of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) associated hepatotoxicity. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 41(5) pp396-397
- Chapillon, J.C., Kerr, C. J. and Sculthorpe, N.(2009) The Effect of Aerobic, Resistance and Combination Training on Cardiac Structure and Function: A Longitudinal Study. Oral presentation at University of Bedfordshire Faculty Conference.
- Chapillon, J.C., Sculthorpe, N.and Fletcher, I. (2009) Creatine Monohydrate and Ankle Range of Motion. Poster presentation at BASES Student Conference, Hull University.
- Chapillon, J. C., Sculthorpe, N.and Fletcher, I. (2009) The Effect of Creatine Monohydrate on Ankle Range of Motion and the Mechanisms Involved. Poster presentation at University of Bedfordshire Research Poster Exhibition 2009. First Prize winner in PhD category.
- Grace FM, Sculthorpe N, Baker JS, et al. (2004) Evidence of hyperhomocysteinemia following long term anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) use. Paper presented at the Exercise science and sports medicine symposium, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, Thursday 22nd July. Published in conference proceedings 31, pp 7.
- Grace FM, Sculthorpe N, Gething A, et al. (2004) The effects of long term anabolic androgenic (AAS) steroid use on blood lipids and apolipoproteins. Paper presented at the Exercise science and sports medicine symposium, University of Wales College of Medicine, Main College Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, Thursday 22nd July. Published in conference proceedings, 30, pp 7.
- Grace FM, Sculthorpe N, Baker JS and Davies, B (2003) Altered myocardial electrophysiology after prolonged illicit anabolic androgenic steroid use. Paper presented to the British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine. Sheffield, 3rd-6th September, published in British Journal of Sports Medicine 2003; 37 (5) pp 466-467.
- Grace FM, Sculthorpe N, Baker JS and Davies, B. (2003) The Effects of Long Term Anabolic Androgenic Steroid (AAS) use on Blood Lipids and Apolipoproteins.Journal of Sports Sciences. Vol. 21, Number 4. pp 323-324.
- Grace FM, Sculthorpe N, Baker JS et al. (2003). A potential role for the sex hormones in the determination of plasma Homocysteine (HCY) concentrations. Published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 35 (5), pp S267.
- Grace FM, Sculthorpe N, Baker JS and Davies, B. (2002) Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) The most powerful HDL depressors to date. Paper presented at the Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Athens, Greece 24th – 28th July. Published in Journal of Sport Sciences.
- Grace FM, Sculthorpe N, Graham MT, Gething AD, Baker JS & B Davies. (2002). Anabolic Androgenic Steroids, The Most Powerful Suppressors of HDL to Date?. 7th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Athens, Greece, July 24th-28th.
- Grace FM, Sculthorpe N, Graham MT, Gething AD, Baker JS & B Davies. (2002). The effects of long term anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS use on blood lipids and apolipoproteins. 12th International Commonwealth Sport Conference, Manchester UK, July 19th-23rd.
- Grace FM, Sculthorpe N, Gething AD, Graham MT, Matthews S, Edwards M, Hullin D, Baker JS & B Davies. (2002). Blood Lipids and Apolipoprotein concentrations following Long Term Anabolic Androgenic Steroid (AAS) Use. 49th Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Americas Center, St. Louis, Missouri, USA. May 29th-June 4th.
- Grace FM, Sculthorpe N, Baker JS and Davies, B. (2001) Non-invasive cardiovascular parameters in males using Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) Journal of Sports Science. 19. 1. pp 47-48.
- Grace FM, Gething AD, Williams M, Sculthorpe N& B. Davies. (2001). Lung Function following Long Term Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Use. British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting, The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Westminster, London, 5th-7th December.
- Grace FM, Sculthorpe N, Gething AD, Baker JS & Davies B (2001). Increased incidence of Late Ventricular Potentials Following Long Term Anabolic Androgenic Steroid (AAS) Use.International Journal of Sports Medicine 3rd Annual Conference. Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. 26th-39th September.
- Vineranu D, Florescu N, Sculthorpe N, et al., Left Ventricular Long-Axis Diastolic Function is Augmented in Endurance-Trained Compared with Strength-Trained Athlete’s Heart. (2000) AHA 43149
- Florescu, Vineranu, D, Sculthorpe N, et al.. Long axis shortening velocity of the LV in pathological LV vsathletes heart. (1999). AHA 108029
- Davies, B, Sculthorpe N, Bailey D, et al.. Implications of normobaric hypoxic training on resting plasma homocysteine. (1999) J. Physiol. 515P p67
Contact Details
T: +44 (0)1234 793464
E:
nick.sculthorpe@beds.ac.uk
