In a wide-ranging online panel conversation, the eighth iteration since the series launched in 2022, KPE faculty members explored the science behind nutritional strategies that optimize exercise performance, improve recovery, and promote long-term health outcomes.
“The main goal of the Science Cafes is to provide new opportunities for all members of KPE and the broader community to interact with each other and discuss new research activities and current issues that are relevant to the faculty and to public at large,” said Professor Tim Welsh, associate dean, research, in his opening remarks. “The hope is that these innovative and interactive sessions will help to create new avenues for knowledge exchange that go well beyond what we typically do in our traditional venues.”
Over the hourlong session, Dr. Welsh and his colleagues discussed the latest research and specific nutritional interventions designed to enhance strength, endurance, and overall exercise efficiency. The full panel included:
- Robert Bentley, an assistant professor of cardiovascular physiology in U of T's Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. His overarching research goal is to is to understand how individuals match oxygen delivery to oxygen demand to help inform strategies and interventions to improve exercise performance, exercise tolerance and quality of life across the health spectrum.
- Jenna Gillen, an assistant professor of exercise physiology in the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education at U of T. Her research program aims to advance understanding of how exercise and nutrition influence whole-body and skeletal muscle substrate metabolism in humans.
- Ira Jacobs, a professor of exercise physiology and former dean of U of T's Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. His research interests include performance enhancement through pharmacological, physiological, and nutritional manipulation of metabolism, the physiological responses to physical exertion in environmental extremes, and energy metabolism.
- Daniel Moore, a professor of muscle physiology at U of T's Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. His research interests include muscle protein metabolism, musculoskeletal health with exercise and disuse, sports nutrition, training adaptations and muscle stem cell regulation.
The panel was moderated by PhD candidate Liam O’Brien, a former national team kayaker currently under the supervision of Dr. Jacobs. O’Brien’s research interests include neurophysiological mechanisms responsible for the perceptions of strain during exercise, and integrative physiological approaches to performance enhancement.
The discussion was followed by an open Q&A session with questions submitted by online seminar attendees. “I can tell by the number of really important and interesting questions that the information shared here today has sparked a lot of interest,” said Dr. Welsh. “We look forward to continuing the conversation in future seminars going forward.”
Watch the full Science Cafe below: