Dr Jeff Aldous

Lecturer in Exercise Physiology

Jeff Aldous

In 2011, I graduated  from my undergraduate degree in Sport and Exercise Science BSc (Hons) from the University of Bedfordshire.

I then completed a Ph.D in Environmental and Exercise Physiology titled “Environmental stressors and cooling interventions on simulated soccer performance”, which was funded by the João Havelange Research Scholarship on behalf of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

After completing my PhD I worked as a Research Associate for six months at the University of Bedfordshire on a funded project by the European Hydration Institute investigating the effects of fluid replacement strategies on simulated military-based exercise in the heat. I was then employed as a Visiting Lecturer in Research Methods at the University of Bedfordshire. I became a Lecturer in Exercise Physiology in January 2017. Since 2019, I have been course co-ordinator for BSc Football Science.

Other References

Qualifications

  • PhD Exercise and Environmental Physiology – University of Bedfordshire
  • BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science – University of Bedfordshire

Membership of Professional Bodies

  • British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences
  • Physiological Society

Teaching Expertise

I am course co-ordinator for the following UG units:

  • Introduction to Football Studies (Level 4)
  • Physiology of Exercise and Adaptations (Level 5)
  • Quantitative Research Methods (Level 5)
  • Applied Exercise Physiology (Level 6)

Research Interests

My main research interest is both exercise performance and cognitive function in hot, cold and altitude environments. I am currently interested in the role cooling interventions can have to improve both physical performance and cognitive function during team-sports and occupational settings in the heat.

Research Supervision

  • Emily Bousfield – MSc by Research. Thesis Title: The effect of hot environments on cognitive function during a non-motorised treadmill based soccer-specific simulation in the heat
  • Charlotte Murphy – MSc by Research. Thesis Title: Does mixed method pre-match and half-time cooling augment cognitive function during a soccer-specific simulation on a non-motorised treadmill, in a hot and humid environment?

Ongoing Projects

  • Practical cooling manoeuvres on simulated soccer performance in high ambient temperatures (Collaborative project with Dr Chris Tyler – University of Roehampton).
  • Do high ambient temperatures affect physical performance and recovery, during and following 120 min of simulated football performance compared with a temperate environment? (Collaborative project with Dr Liam Harper – University of Huddersfield).
  • Does caffeine supplementation augment physical, cognitive and technical performance during simulated soccer performance?
  • The effect of acute nitrate (beetroot juice) supplementation on repeated sprint performance in the heat.

External Roles

I serve as a reviewer for the Journal of Sport Psychology, Journal of Sport Science and Medicine, Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Frontiers in Exercise Physiology, International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance and the European Journal of Sport Sciences

Consultancy Work

I have provided consultancy and physiological support for elite/sub-elite individuals in ultra-endurance running, ironman, Endurance motor racing and professional football. These include Lucy Charles, Ian Hammett, Fernando Rees and Luton Town FC

Publications

  • Aldous, J. W. F.,Akubat, I., Chrismas, B. C. R., Watkins, S. L., Mauger, A. R., Midgley, A. W., Abt, G. & Taylor, L. (2014). The reliability and validity of a soccer-specific non-motorised treadmill simulation (Intermittent Soccer Performance Test). Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 28(7) pp. 1971-1980 doi: 10.1519/ JSC.0000000000000310.
  • Aldous, J. W. F.,Chrismas, B. C. R., Akubat, I., Dascombe, B., Abt, G., Taylor, L. (2016) Hot and Hypoxic Environments Inhibit Simulated Soccer Performance and Exacerbate Performance Decrements When Combined, Frontiers in Physiology, 6(421) doi. 10.3389/fphys.2015.00421 Impact Factor [4.03].
  • Aldous, J.W.F.,Chrismas, B.C.R., Akubat, I., Stringer, C.A., Abt, G., and Taylor, L. (2018). Mixed-methods pre-match cooling improves simulated soccer performance in the heat. European journal of sport science, 1-10.
  • Coull, N. A., Watkins, S. L., Aldous, J. W.F.,Warren, L. K., Chrismas, B. C., Dascombe, B., Mauger, A. R., Abt, G. & Taylor, L. (2015). 'Effect of tyrosine ingestion on cognitive and physical performance utilising an intermittent soccer performance test (iSPT) in a warm environment'. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 115(2), pp. 373-386 doi. 10.1007/s00421-014-3022-7.
  • Taylor, L., Fitch, N., Castle, P., Watkins, S., Aldous, J.W.F.,Sculthorpe, N., Midgely, A., Brewer, J. & Mauger, A. (2014). Exposure to hot and cold environmental conditions does not affect the decision making ability of soccer referees following an intermittent sprint protocol. Frontiers in Physiology, 5(185) doi. 10.3389/fphys.2014.00185.
  • Watkins, S. Mauger, L., Sculthorpe, N., Fitch, N., Aldous, J.W.F.,Brewer, J. Castle, P and Taylor, L (2014) The effects of extreme environmental conditions on the decision making capabilities of goal line officials. Research in Sports Medicine, 22(4), pp. 425-437 doi: 10.1080/15438627.2014.948624.

Conference Presentations

  • Aldous, J. W., McDonald, P., Sweeney, L. P., Raffermati, N., Richards, J., Hough, J. & Tyler, C. (2019) ‘Do practical cooling manoeuvres utilised during a soccer-specifi c warm-up and at half time improve simulated soccer performance at 28°C WBGT’. British Association for Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) Conference, 2019 King Power Stadium, Leicester. 52.
  • Taylor, L. Chrismas, B. C. R., Akubat, I., Stringer, C. A., Abt, G. & Aldous, J. W. F.,(2016) ‘Mixed-methods Pre-match cooling improves simulated soccer performance (iSPT) in the Heat’. The International Science and Football Association (ISAFA) in Qatar, Doha, Qatar – Oral Presentation
  • Aldous, J. W. F., Chrismas, B. C., Beel, L., Akubat, I., Dascombe, B. & Taylor, L. (2014) Hot environment mediated decrements in soccer-specific capacity utilising a non-motorised treadmill soccer-specific simulation (iSPT).4th World Conference on Science and Soccer (WCSS), 2014 Portland, USA. – Oral Presentation.
  • Taylor, L., Chrismas, B. C., Beel, L., Akubat, I., Dascombe, B. & Aldous, J. W. F.(2014) Hypoxia mediated decrements in soccer-specific capacity utilizing a non-motorized treadmill soccer-specific simulation (iSPT). 4th World Conference on Science and Soccer (WCSS), Portland, USA – Poster Presentation.
  • Aldous, J. W. F., Akubat, I., Castle, P., Abt, G., Fitch, N., Watkins, S. and Taylor. L. (2012) The Validity and Reliability of a Non-Motorised Treadmill Based Soccer Simulation. 3rd World Conference on Science and Soccer, Ghent, Belgium – Poster Presentation

Contact Details

T: +44 (0)1234 793249
E: jeffrey.aldous@beds.ac.uk

address

School of Sport Science and Physical Activity
Faculty of Education, English and Sport
Bedford campus
Polhill Avenue
Bedford
MK41 9EA
UK