Ozcan Esen

Ozcan Esen is an Assistant Professor in Sport and Exercise Nutrition at Northumbria University's Sport Exercise and Rehabilitation Department. He holds a PhD in Sports Science from the UK and a PGCert in Teaching & Learning. Prior to academia, he was an international-level athlete and coach in swimming and underwater sports, competing in European and World Championships, and serving as a head coach for Turkey's Junior National Team. His research focuses on nutritional interventions' impact on muscle function, athlete performance, recovery, and health, with specific expertise in dietary nitrate supplementation and sports nutrition for elite athletes. He consults with professional sports teams and is the Nutrition Lead for Turkey's Olympic Committee and TeamTurkiye for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Education:

• PhD in Sports Science (2022): Focused on dietary nitrate supplementation and swimming performance
• PGCert in Teaching & Learning (2020)

Research Interests:

Dr. Esen's work examines the efficacy of dietary supplements (e.g., beetroot, nitrate, L-arginine) on muscle function, recovery, and performance across sports like archery, gymnastics, rugby, and swimming. He also investigates hydration, sleep, and nutritional strategies for elite athletes during competitions.

Advising & Collaborations:

He advises PhD students and collaborates internationally, with recent projects involving motor unit activity analysis and supplementation studies. His work is published in journals like the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism and European Journal of Nutrition.

Labs & Teams:

Serves as Nutrition Lead for the Turkish Olympic Committee and TeamTurkiye, providing tailored nutritional plans for Olympic-bound athletes. His research lab focuses on translational nutrition science for applied sports performance.