My research focuses on diversity in physiology. Specifically, how age, sex, and hormonal status interact to determine physiological function in health and disease. I aim to detail the interaction between systems and quantify acute responses and chronic adaptation to interventions, such as exercise.

To perform this research, I combine techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation, high-density electromyography, near-infrared spectroscopy, and pulmonary gas exchange to identify aetiologies of physiological alterations and adaptations.

• Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
• Motor unit discharge rate modulation during isometric contractions to failure is intensity‐ and modality‐dependent, Valenčič, T., Ansdell, P., Brownstein, C., Spillane, P., Holobar, A., Škarabot, J. 15 Apr 2024, In: The Journal of Physiology
• No sex differences in oxygen uptake or extraction kinetics in the moderate or heavy exercise intensity domains, Solleiro Pons, M., Bernert, L., Hume, E., Hughes, L., Williams, Z., Burnley, M., Ansdell, P. 1 Mar 2024, In: Journal of Applied Physiology
• Sex Differences in Neuromuscular Aging: The Role of Sex Hormones, Piasecki, J., Škarabot, J., Spillane, P., Piasecki, M., Ansdell, P. 1 Apr 2024, In: Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews
• Supraspinal, spinal, and motor unit adjustments to fatiguing isometric contractions of the knee extensors at low and high submaximal intensities in males, Angius, L., Del Vecchio, A., Goodall, S., Thomas, K., Ansdell, P., Atkinson, E., Farina, D., Howatson, G. 24 Apr 2024, In: Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985)
• The Symptoms Experienced by Naturally Menstruating Women and Oral Contraceptive Pill Users and Their Perceived Effects on Exercise Performance and Recovery Time Posttraining, McNulty, K., Ansdell, P., Goodall, S., Thomas, K., Elliott-Sale, K., Howatson, G., Hicks, K. 1 Jan 2024, In: Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal
• Contraction intensity modulates spinal excitability during transcranial magnetic stimulation-evoked silent period in rectus femoris muscle, Guerrero, G., Ansdell, P., Howatson, G., Avela, J., Walker, S. 30 Nov 2023, In: European Journal of Applied Physiology
• Female Brain and Endocrinological Research Veteran Study: Identifying endocrinological, lifestyle and psychosocial determinants of female brain health outcomes for future intervention success, Watermeyer, T., Ansdell, P., Atkinson, E., McGill, G., Dodds, C., Howatson, G., Udeh‐Momoh, C. Dec 2023, In: Alzheimer's and Dementia
• Magnetic stimulation and the control of electromagnetic fields at work act (2016): an update, Goodall, S., Ansdell, P., Thomas, K., Howatson, G. 1 Jul 2023, In: Brain Stimulation
• Sex differences in fatigability and recovery following a 5 km running time trial in recreationally active adults, Solleiro Ponsa, M., Hunter, S., Ansdell, P. 2 Dec 2023, In: European Journal of Sport Science
• Sex differences in knee extensor torque control, Harrison, S., Clark, N., Ansdell, P., Pethick, J. 1 Oct 2023, In: Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology

Padraig Spillane Neurophysiology and plasticity across the female lifespan Start Date: 01/10/2022

I am an Early Career Research Theme Lead for Human, Environmental, and Exercise Physiology within the Physiological Society, and I have won the following awards:

2020 Inaugural Review Prize - The Physiological Society, Experimental Physiology

2018 Young Investigator Award - European College of Sports Science

2016 Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence - University of Brighton

Sports Science BSc (Hons) June 30 2016