The Musculoskeletal Physiology and Nutrition Research Group

The Musculoskeletal Physiology and Nutrition Research Group led by Dr Neil Williams conducts multidisciplinary research with a particular focus on Neuromuscular Physiology, Injury and Illness, Nutrition and Metabolism and Healthy Ageing.  Examples of notable work conducted by the Group include research in injury and illness surveillance in elite and sub-elite athletic populations, musculoskeletal health with particular focus on ageing and the menopause and neuromuscular regulation in clinical and athletic populations. The group conduct research into the effects of the dietary biotics and the gut microbiome in health, wellbeing, and performance of athlete and non-athlete populations, alongside research in chrono nutrition and the effect on metabolic health.

The Research Group’s impact has been demonstrated by media attention received in national (i.e. The Times, BBC) and international press (i.e. The New York Times, BBC World Service, CNN). The Research Group’s members have also received funding from notable bodies (i.e. The Medical Research Council, The Premier League, The FA, The Royal Society, British Nutrition Foundation, Innovate UK, and BBSRC).

• Samantha Abbott;
• Louise Bonnard;
• Ellie Proctor;
• Bradley Sprouse;
• Mollie O’Hanlon;
• Jasper Van de Wolf-Ong;
• Molly Johnson;
• Thaila Hibberd.

The MSPN research group work in collaboration with a broad range of industry and organisation partners. This includes, UK Sports Institute, Nottingham Forest Community Trust, Mansfield Town Community Trust, Paddle Uk, The FA, The Premier League. Women’s Super League Football, The English Football League, Association for Glycogen Storage Disease-UK (AGSD-UK), Clasado Biosciences Ltd, The Turmeric Co, Optibac Ltd, Head Impact Trauma Limited, International Olympic Committee.

• University of Nottingham
• Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
• Loughborough University
• University of Reading
• University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust
• UCL
• Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre
• Justus-Liebig Universitat Giessen, Germany
• Northumbria University
• Swansea University
• Uni of West Scotland
• Uni of Lincoln
• Northwestern University
• University of Manitoba
• University of Newfoundland
• University of British Columbia
• University of Cote d'Azur
• Lovely Fodder

A Holistic Approach to Injury and Illness Prevention in Elite Football: Integrating Physical, Nutritional, and Environmental Strategies

The PRISAM study – Prebiotics in severe asthma management

Injury and Illness Assessment in the Premier League

Determining the efficacy of probiotic use across the female lifespan

Assessing the acceptability and usability of passive movement exercise in people with Glycogen Storage Disease

PRICE, A.G., SPROUSE, B., CHANDRAN, A., HOUGH, J., HENNIS, P.J., AHMED, A. and VARLEY, I., 2025. Injury incidence in community-based walking football: a four-month cohort study of 6000+ hours of play. Sports, 13 (5): 150. ISSN 2075-4663

SAVAGE, M.J., PROCTER, E.L., HENNIS, P., PRICE, A.G., MAGISTRO, D. and JAMES, R.M., 2025. Prevalence of adverse cardiometabolic health markers in UK undergraduate university students: an observational cohort study. BMJ Open, 15 (4): e089771. ISSN 2044-6055

BAKER, C., PIASECKI, J., HUNT, J.A., FOULDS, G. and HOUGH, J., 2024. Plasma and salivary hormone responses to a 30‐min exercise stress test in young, healthy, physically active females. Physiological Reports, 12 (24): e70168. ISSN 2051-817X

SCOTT, R.J., SALE, C., JAMES, R., BARNETT, C.T. and VARLEY, I., 2025. The impact of asymmetrical loading on tibial characteristics and bone strength in high-impact athletes. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness. ISSN 0022-4707

SPROUSE, B., MORRIS, J., COOPER, S., COWIE, C., KEMP, S., BENNETT, P. and VARLEY, I., 2025. The incidence and burden of concussion in men’s and women’s English professional football. BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine, 11 (1): e002297. ISSN 2055-7647

CLAYTON, D.J., BURBEARY, R., PARKER, C., JAMES, R.M., SAWARD, C., PROCTER, E.L., MODE, W.J.A., BAKER-BEALL, C., HOUGH, J., WILLIAMS, N.C., ROSSINGTON, H. and VARLEY, I., 2024. Combined turmeric, vitamin C, and vitamin D ready-to-drink supplements reduce upper respiratory illness symptoms and gastrointestinal discomfort in elite male football players. Nutrients, 16 (2): 243. ISSN 2072-6643

PARKER, C., HUNTER, K.A., JOHNSON, M.A., SHARPE, G.R., GIBSON, G.R., WALTON, G.E., POVEDA, C., COUSINS, B. and WILLIAMS, N.C., 2023. Effects of 24-week prebiotic intervention on self-reported upper respiratory symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, and markers of immunity in elite rugby union players. European Journal of Sport Science, 23 (11), pp. 2232-2239. ISSN 1746-1391

PIASECKI, J., ŠKARABOT, J., SPILLANE, P., PIASECKI, M. and ANSDELL, P., 2024. Sex differences in neuromuscular ageing: the role of sex hormones. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 52 (2), pp. 39-46. ISSN 0091-6331

Slater, T , Mode, WJA , Bonnard, LC, Sweeney, C , Funnell, MP, Smith, HA, Hough, J , James, RM , Varley, I , Sale, C, Betts, JA, James, LJ and Clayton,DJ , 2024. Substituting carbohydrate at lunch for added protein increases fat oxidation during subsequent exercise in healthy males. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. ISSN 0021-972X