About Dr David Archer
I gained my BA (Hons) in Physiology from Trinity College Dublin and my PhD in Physiology from the University of Aberdeen.
My general research is in performance analysis, physical activity monitoring and conditioning in intermittent exercise. I have carried out research into the female athlete from a health (RED-S) and performance perspective (quantifying load in team sports), in addition to publishing work in the field of sport and exercise nutrition and pedagogy.
Teaching and supervision
I am the Module Leader for Physiology of the Human Body (SPO1001) and Applied Sport and Health Physiology and Nutrition (SPO3001). I also teach about the physiology of training, cardiovascular physiology and research methods at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Postgraduate research supervision:
Two MPhil students and four PhD completions in physiology/performance analysis.
I am currently supervising PhD/ProfDoc students in:
- Facilitators and barriers to physical activity in university students
- Impacts of prescribed drugs on nutrient status
- Factors influencing volunteering in HE
- Bone health and loading
- Applied physiology.
Interests
- Performance analysis in able bodied and disability sport
- Physical activity monitoring
- Exercise and type 1 Diabetes
- Pacing in sport
- Sport and exercise nutrition
- Applied physiology.
Research
I have a diverse area of research interests, from basic human physiology to applied sports science, including:
- Physical activity monitoring
- Fluid and electrolyte balance
- Performance analysis in elite sport (able bodied and disability sport)
- Sport and exercise nutrition
- Physiological adaptations to heat stress
- Physiology of intermittent exercise
- Exercise and Type 1 Diabetes.
Areas of expertise
- Sport
Further information
- Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
- Member of FUSE Physical Activity Workshop steering group
- Member of the Nutrition Society
- Member of RAISE: Researching Advancing and Inspiring Student Engagement. I was on the organising Committee for the 2019 RAISE conference and Lead Convener for shortlisting.
- I've chaired sessions at major conferences including the International Sport and Exercise Nutrition Conference (ISENC) and the RAISE Annual Conference
- I worked as a consultant in applied physiology and nutrition for British Swimming and British Fencing, and have provided scientific support to elite athletes/teams since 1999.
Expert reviewer:
- European Journal of Applied Physiology
- European Journal of Sports Sciences
- International Journal of Sports Medicine
- International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
- International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
- International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism
- Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport
- Journal of Clinical Medicine
- Medicina
- Nutrients
- Sports.
External examiner:
- MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Physiology at St Mary's, Twickenham (2016–2020).
- BSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science, BSc Sport and Exercise Nutrition, BSc Applied Sport Science with Coaching at University of Northumbria, Newcastle (2018–2022)
- Postgraduate research theses (2 MRes and 2 PhD) in sport and exercise physiology and nutrition at UCLAN and University of Glasgow (2014, 2016, 2017, 2025)
- MSc dissertation theses for the MSc Sports Medicine and MSc Exercise Physiology programmes at Trinity College Dublin (2008–2013).
Media coverage:
- International TV coverage: Interviews with BBC World News and Premier League News
- National TV coverage: Embarrassing Bodies (Channel 4)
- Newspapers: Daily Mail, Sunderland Echo, Newcastle Chronicle, Reuters, MSN.com, MensHealth.com, marieclaire.co.uk, numerous international newspapers.