Nick Allen

Key research areas/interests: Exercise-induced mechanisms, Blood and skeletal muscle improvement, Disease risk, Resistance training, Muscle hypertrophy, Glucose metabolism

Principal Supervisor: Associate Professor Rob Duffield

Summary of research project

‘The effect of muscle time under tension on inflammatory, cardiovascular and metabolic disease indicators’

My research is an investigation into a modified version of concurrent training (aerobic and resistance exercise) and how findings can be used to improve disease outcomes in older/aged individuals. 

Why did you decide to embark on your research degree at the Faculty of Health at UTS?

After reaching the end of my Bachelor of Sport & Exercise Science, I was hungry for more. I had previously volunteered on a research project with my supervisor, so we discussed the idea of postgraduate research and my intrigue grew from there. I completed my Honours in 2015 (looking at high-intensity interval training) and earned a 3-year scholarship to study my PhD.  

What contribution to knowledge are you planning to make with your research project?

I believe that exercise is medicine, and I hope to expand the present understanding of exercise training and its effect on reducing the risk of chronic disease. I also aim to produce high-quality research that contributes to our knowledge of the role of resistance training as a health-promoting strategy.  

Who will benefit from your research? How?

The academic world will benefit from this research as it promotes discussion and debating regarding resistance training as a possible health strategy. Therefore, researchers too will benefit will from improved concise and detail findings on the subject.

As our knowledge of exercise physiology becomes deeper and more refined, the prescriptive capabilities of practitioners should continue to grow. It is the responsibility of researchers to produce high-quality data to facilitate this, and I believe that we must play our part to ensure that exercise prescription in both a clinical and non-clinical setting is evidence-based, safe and effective. 

How did you go about selecting your supervisor?

I volunteered on a research project with Professor Duffield during my undergraduate degree and he, as well as numerous other academic staff at UTS, became role models for us as students. During my Honours year he demonstrated a high level of dedication to his profession, and was always pushing me to be better. I enjoyed being in an environment that promoted excellence but at the same time was warm and welcoming, so after completing my thesis I decided to keep studying and attempt to reach the level of expertise that I had seen around me. 

What advice would you give to future research students thinking about starting a higher degree in research at the Faculty of Health?

You don’t know everything! Postgraduate research is a humbling experience, and the more you learn and grow, the more you realise how little you actually know. For some people this comes as a shock, but the first step to beginning a research degree is coming to terms with the fact that you are starting from the bottom. Understanding the true depth and breadth of your research topic can be daunting, but in the end it is very satisfying! 

What do you think is the most valuable part of your research student experience at the Faculty of Health at UTS?

We are lucky enough to be studying in a modern university with great support. Some people are worried that they will struggle with postgraduate study, but when you dive into HDR you are surrounded by people and resources that are there to help you succeed! 
 

 

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