Rita Civil

Rita Civil is a Research Fellow at the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham. She previously served as an Assistant Professor in Nutritional Science at the same institution, starting in 2022 after completing her PhD. Her academic journey includes a BSc in Physical Activity and Sport Science from Universitat de Barcelona, an IOC Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Nutrition, and an MSc in Sport Nutrition from the University of Stirling, completed with distinction.

• BSc in Physical Activity and Sport Science – INEFC, Universitat de Barcelona
• IOC Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Nutrition
• MSc in Sport Nutrition – University of Stirling
• PhD in Musculoskeletal Physiology – Nottingham Trent University

Her research centers on sports nutrition and exercise metabolism, particularly bone metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, energy availability, and body composition. Rita employs advanced physiological and tracer methodologies to investigate metabolic responses to exercise and nutrition in both athletic and general populations. Her work contributes significantly to understanding how exercise and diet influence musculoskeletal and metabolic health.

The trend in her publications reflects a strong focus on metabolic and nutritional physiology in sports contexts, with emphasis on bone turnover, energy balance in elite athletes, and methodological innovation in measuring collagen synthesis. Her research bridges clinical physiology and performance nutrition.

Rita is a member of The Physiological Society since 2018. While no formal scientific awards are listed, her publications in high-impact journals demonstrate recognition in her field.

She has been involved in multiple research collaborations across the UK, Australia, Belgium, and Scotland, contributing to studies on energy availability in professional cyclists and ballet students. Currently, she is conducting postdoctoral research on carbohydrate metabolism in skeletal muscle. Rita does not currently supervise any named students, but her collaborative work suggests active mentoring and team-based research.

Rita is part of the research ecosystem within the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, contributing to projects that integrate nutrition, metabolism, and exercise physiology. Her current research on skeletal muscle metabolism represents a key direction in understanding fuel utilization during physical activity.