معرفی
Professor Mark Willems is a Professor of Exercise Physiology at the University of Chichester's Institute of Sport, where he has been working since 2003. He serves as the programme coordinator for the MSc in Sport and Exercise Physiology and teaches modules including Sports Science: Physicality of Gaming, Muscle Physiology for Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, and Planning your Research Dissertation.
His educational background includes dual MSc degrees in Exercise Physiology and Functional Anatomy from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (1990), followed by a PhD in Human Movement Sciences (1994) with his thesis focusing on 'Architectural Heterogeneity and Function of Bi-articular Muscle.' Before his academic career, he was a competitive athlete as a member of the National Dutch Youth Handball Team and the National Dutch Military Team, winning National Championships at both junior and senior levels in the Netherlands.
Professor Willems' research program centers on exercise physiology with particular expertise in muscle function and nutritional interventions. He has established himself as a leading researcher in anthocyanin-rich supplementation, particularly New Zealand blackcurrant and Matcha green tea, and their effects on exercise performance, recovery, and physiological responses. His work spans multiple domains including muscle physiology, fatigue mechanisms, injury prevention, aging and exercise, eccentric exercise adaptations, occupational physiology, and exercise applications for clinical populations. His research approach combines laboratory-based physiological measurements with practical applications for athletes and clinical populations, often focusing on how nutritional interventions can enhance performance and recovery.
His most recent publications demonstrate a consistent research focus on anthocyanin-rich compounds, particularly New Zealand blackcurrant, and their effects on physiological responses during exercise across various populations and conditions. The research shows particular interest in individual variability in responses to supplementation, effects on fat oxidation, cardiovascular responses, gastrointestinal symptoms during exercise in the heat, and applications for both elite athletes and clinical populations.
Professor Willems has been recognized for his scholarly contributions through his fellowship with the European College of Sport Science. He has served on editorial boards for prestigious journals including the European Journal of Applied Physiology (2009-2023), European Journal of Sport Science (2011-present), Frontiers in Nutrition and Frontiers In Sport and Active Living (2022-present), and returned to the European Journal of Applied Physiology editorial board in 2023.
As an academic supervisor, Professor Willems has directed numerous PhD students through completion, including Sam Blacker (2006-2009), Mandy Gault (2007-2010), James Gavin (2010-2013), Matthew Cook (2013-2017), Stefano Montanari (2017-2022), and currently supervises Andrew Briggs (2023-present). His research has been consistently funded, enabling extensive investigation into blackcurrant supplementation effects across various exercise modalities, populations, and environmental conditions. His collaborative approach is evident in the international nature of his research teams, working with colleagues across Europe, Asia, and North America.
Professor Willems maintains an active research laboratory focused on exercise physiology and nutritional interventions, with particular emphasis on how anthocyanin-rich compounds affect physiological responses during exercise. His team employs comprehensive methodologies to assess cardiovascular, metabolic, and neuromuscular responses to exercise under various supplementation conditions, with applications ranging from elite athletic performance to health promotion in clinical populations.
