Dr Matthew Cook

Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science and MPhil/PhD Course Leader

School of Sport and Exercise Science

Academics

Contact Details

email: matthew.cook@worc.ac.uk
tel: 01905 542698

Dr Matthew Cook joined the University of Worcester in January 2017 as a lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science. Before joining the University, Matthew was a PhD student at the University of Chichester, and he undertook the first doctoral research on examining the effects of New Zealand blackcurrant on physiological responses at rest and during exercise in trained cyclists.

Matthew is an accredited sport and exercise scientist by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) and has worked with a range of athletes including cyclists and runners. He is a registered supervisor and reviewer for the BASES supervised experience (SE) experience.

Matthew is also the MPhil/PhD course leader for the School of Sport and Exercise Science and welcomes all enquiries for applications for MPhil/PhD study.

Education:

PGCert in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, University of Worcester (2018)
PhD, University of Chichester (2017)
MSc Sport and Exercise Physiology, University of Chichester (2013)
BSc (Hons) Applied Sport Science, Southampton Solent University (2012)

Qualifications:

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2018)
BASES Accredited Sport and Exercise Scientist (2016)

Teaching & Research

Teaching Interests:

Matthew is currently teaching the following topics:

Sports Nutrition
Work-Based Learning
Research Methods and statistics

Research Interests:

Matthew's research interests are in Sports Nutrition, Exercise Performance and Muscle Damage. He has an interest into the effects and application of 'functional foods' in Sport and Exercise Science in addition to the health benefits from consuming these foods. Recent studies have examined physiological responses following intake of New Zealand blackcurrant and Matcha green tea. Matthew's research has been the first to observe the effects of New Zealand blackcurrant during exercise with focus on cardiovascular, physiological, metabolic and performance responses.

Postgraduate Research Student Supervision:

Joseph Bryant – Effects of static stretching intensity on performance and range of motion.

James Moore – The habitual intake of polyphenols in different athletic populations and the effects of supplementation upon performance, recovery, and health markers.

Professional Bodies

BASES Accredited Sport and Exercise Scientist, 2016
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), 2018

Publications

Shan, Y. and Cook, M.D. (In press). New Zealand Blackcurrant Increases Postexercise Hypotension Following Sustained Moderate-Intensity Exercise. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism (ahead of print).

Bryant, J., Cooper, D.J., Peters, D.M. and Cook, M.D. (2023). The Effects of Static Stretching Intensity on Range of Motion and Strength: A Systematic Review. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 8(2):37. doi: 10.3390/jfmk8020037.

Cook, M.D., Dunne, A., Bosworth, M. and Willems, M.E.T. (2023). Effect of Intake Duration of Anthocyanin-Rich New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract on Cardiovascular Responses and Femoral Artery Diameter during Sustained Submaximal Isometric Contraction. Journal of Dietary Supplements, 20(1), 15-27.

Cook, M.D., Dunne A., Bosworth M. and Willems M.E.T. (2022). Effect of New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract on Force Steadiness of the Quadriceps Femoris Muscle during Sustained Submaximal Isometric Contraction. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol, 30;7(2):44. doi: 10.3390/jfmk7020044.

Willems, M.E.T., Todaka, M., Banic, M., Cook, M.D. and Sekine, Y. (2021). Intake of New Zealand blackcurrant powder affects skin-borne volatile organic compounds in middle-aged and older adults. Journal of Dietary Supplements, 16:1-17

Cook, M.D., Sandu, A.K. and Joyce, J.P. (2020). Effect of New Zealand Blackcurrant on blood pressure, cognitive function and functional performance in older adults. Journal of Nutrition in Gerontology and Geriatrics, 39(2), 99- 113, https://doi.org/10.1080/21551197.2019.1707740

Steward, C.J., Zhou, Y., Keane, G., Cook, M.D., Liu, Y. and Cullen, T. (2019). One week of magnesium supplementation lowers IL-6, muscle soreness and increases post-exercise blood glucose in response to downhill running. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 119(11-12), 2617-2627.

Willems, M.E.T., Şahin, M.A., Berendsen, T. and Cook, M.D. (2019). Effect of New Zealand blackcurrant extract on cycling performance and substrate oxidation in normobaric hypoxia in trained cyclists. Sports, 7(3).

Atakan, M.M., Karavelioğlu, M.B., Harmancı, H., Cook, M. and Bulut, S. (2018). Short Term Creatine Loading Without Weight Gain Improves Sprint, Agility and Leg Strength Performance in Female Futsal Players. Science and Sports, 32(5), 321-327.

Cook, M.D. and Willems, M.E.T. (2018). Dietary Anthocyanins: A Review of the Exercise Performance Effects and Related Physiological Responses. International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 29(3), 322-330.

Willems, M.E.T., Sahin, M.A. and Cook, M.D. (2018). Matcha Green Tea Drinks Enhance Fat Oxidation During Brisk Walking in Females. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 28(5), 536-541.

Godwin, C., Cook, M.D. and Willems, M.E.T. (2017). Effect of New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract on Performance during the Running Based Anaerobic Sprint Test in Trained Youth and Recreationally Active Male Football Players. Sports, 5(29).

Willems, M.E.T., Dos Santos Silva, J., Cook, M.D. and Blacker, S.D. (2017). Beneficial effects on fasting insulin and postprandial responses through 7-day intake of New Zealand blackcurrant powder. Functional Foods in Health and Disease, 7(7), 375-395.

Cook, M.D., Myers, S.D., Gault, M.L. and Willems, M.E.T. (2017). Blackcurrant Alters Physiological Responses and Femoral Artery Diameter during Sustained Isometric Contraction. Nutrients, 9(6), 556.

Murphy, C., Cook, M.D. and Willems, M.E.T. (2017). Effect of New Zealand Blackcurrant on Repeated 4-km Sprint Cycling Performance. Sports, 5(25).

Cook, M.D., Myers, S.D., Gault, M.L., Edwards, V.E. and Willems, M.E.T. (2017). Dose effects of New Zealand blackcurrant on substrate oxidation and physiological responses during prolonged cycling. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 117(6), 12078-1216.

Cook, M.D., Myers, S.D., Gault, M.L., Edwards, V.C. and Willems, M.E.T. (2017). Cardiovascular function during Supine Rest in Trained Males with New Zealand Blackcurrant: A Dose-Response Study. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 117(2), 247-254.

Cook, M.D., Myers, S.D., Blacker, S.D. and Willems, M.E.T. (2015). New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract Improves Cycling Performance and Fat Oxidation in Cyclists. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 115(11), 2357-2365.

Willems, M.E.T., Myers, S.D., Gault, M.L. and Cook, M.D. (2015). Beneficial physiological effects with blackcurrant intake in endurance athletes. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 25(4), 367-74.

Cook, M.D., Myers, S.D., Kelly, J.S.M. and Willems, M.E.T. (2015). Effect of Level and Downhill Running on Breathing Efficiency. Sports, 3(1), 12-20.

Cook, M.D., Myers, S.D., Kelly, J.S.M. and Willems, M.E.T. (2015). Acute Post-Exercise Effect of Concentric and Eccentric Exercise on Glucose Clearance. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 25(1), 14-9.

Conference Presentations:

Willems, M., Todaka, M., Banic, M., Cook, M. and Sekine, Y. (2019). Effect of New Zealand Blackcurrant Powder on Skin Emission of Volatile Organic Compounds in Middle Aged and Older Adults. American Society for Nutrition 2019 Conference, Baltimore, USA.

Willems, M.E.T., Todaka, T., Cook, M.D. and Sekine, Y. (2018). New Zealand blackcurrant powder reduces a human body odor component in middle-aged and older adults. International Sport and Exercise Nutrition Conference, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Willems, M.E.T., Berendsen, T., Sahin, M.A., Myers, S.D., Blacker, S.D. and Cook, M.D. (2018). Effect of New Zealand blackcurrant extract on substrate oxidation and cycling performance in normobaric hypoxia. ACSM's 65th Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, USA.

Kvasas, K. and Cook, M.D. (2018). Effect of co-ingestion of beta-alanine and sodium bicarbonate on high intensity exercise performance. BASES Student Conference, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Cook, M.D., Gault, M.L., Myers, S.D. and Willems, M.E.T. (2017). Effect of New Zealand blackcurrant on femoral artery diameter and cardiovascular responses during sustained submaximal isometric contraction. 3rd International Conference on Movement and Nutrition in Health and Disease, Regensburg, Germany.

Willems, M.E.T., Santos Silva, J.D., Cook, M.D. and Blacker, S.D. (2017). Beneficial effects on fasting insulin and OGTT responses with intake of New Zealand blackcurrant powder. FFC's 21st International Conference, San Diego, USA.

Willems, M.E.T., Cook, M.D. and Godwin, C. (2016). Effect of New Zealand blackcurrant on performance during the running based anaerobic sprint test in elite and non-elite football players. Sports Nutrition and Ortho, Philadelphia, USA.

Murphy, C., Cook, M.D. and Willems, M.E.T. (2016). Effect of New Zealand blackcurrant extract on performance during repeated 4 km cycling time trials. International Sport and Exercise Nutrition 5th Annual Conference, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Cook, M.D., Sahin, M.A. and Willems, M.E.T. (2016). Matcha green tea drinks enhance fat oxidation during brisk walking in females. International Sport and Exercise Nutrition 5th Annual Conference, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Cook, M.D., Edwards, V.C., Myers, S.D., Gault, M.L. and Willems, M.E.T. (2016). Metabolic and Physiological Responses by New Zealand Blackcurrant during Cycling: A Dose-Response Study. ACSM 63rd Annual Meeting, Boston, USA.

Willems, M.E.T., Myers, S.D., Gault, M.L., Edwards, V.C. and Cook, M.D. (2016). Effects of New Zealand Blackcurrant on Cardiovascular Function at Rest in Cyclists: a Dose-Response Study. ACSM 63rd Annual Meeting, Boston, USA.

Cook, M.D., Edwards, V.C., Myers, S.D., Gault, M.L. and Willems, M.E.T. (2015). Substrate oxidation by New Zealand blackcurrant during cycling: A dose-response study. International Sport and Exercise Nutrition 4th Annual Conference, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Cook, M.D., Myers, S.D., Blacker, S.D. and Willems, M.E.T. (2014). Effect of New Zealand blackcurrant extract on cycling performance across quartile distance and the final km of a 16.1 km time-trial. International Sport and Exercise Nutrition 3rd Annual Conference, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Willems, M.E.T., Myers, S.D., Cook, M.D. and Gault, M.L. (2014). Effect of New Zealand Sujon blackcurrant on cardiovascular responses during cycling in triathletes. ISSN 11th Annual Conference and Expo, Florida, USA.

Willems, M.E.T., Myers, S.D., Blacker, S.D. and Cook, M.D. (2014). CurraNZ blackcurrant improves cycling performance and recovery in trained endurance athletes ISSN 11th Annual Conference and Expo, Florida, USA.

Willems, M.E.T., Myers, S.D., Gault, M.L. and Cook, M.D. (2014). New Zealand Sujon blackcurrant lowers lactate accumulation during cycling in triathletes. ISSN 11th Annual Conference and Expo, Florida, USA.

Willems, M.E.T., Myers, S.D., Cook, M.D. and Gault, M.L. (2014). Effect of New Zealand Sujon blackcurrant on cardiovascular function in triathletes. ISSN 11th Annual Conference and Expo, Florida, USA.

Willems, M.E.T., Myers, S.D., Kelly, J. and Cook, M.D. (2013). Effect of Concentric and Eccentric Exercise on Breathing Efficiency. 18th Annual ECSS Conference, Barcelona, Spain.

Willems, M.E.T., Myers, S.D., Kelly, J. and Cook, M.D. (2013). Effect of Concentric and Eccentric Exercise on Post-Exercise Glucose Clearance. 18th Annual ECSS Conference, Barcelona, Spain.

Cook, M.D. and Bruce-low, S. (2011). The effect of eight weeks inspiratory muscle training on a self-paced six-minute stepper task in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. BASES National Student Conference, University of Chester.

Other

Thomas, G., Cook, M., Duncan, B., Bevins, J., Corbett, M. and Warren, M. (2020). Land's End to John o' Groats Cycle Challenge: An overview of the support provided and a qualitative appraisal of its impact. The Sport and Exercise Scientist, 63, 20-21.

Thomas, G. and Cook, M. (2018). Walking to climbing: supporting a national three peaks challenge. The Sport and Exercise Scientist, 58, 26-27.

External Responsibilities

External Examiner: FdSc Strength Conditioning and Sports Coaching (City College Plymouth)