Sport and Exercise Science

Profile

Background

Mitch joined the department in October 2007.  She gained both her PhD and MSc from Brunel University and her BSc (Hon) from Luton University. She is a BASES Accredited Sport & Exercise Scientist and has provided scientific support for a number of athletes including division one netball players, cyclists and professional rugby and football players.  Mitch currently provides scientific support to a number of high level swimmers and the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) and is working with the Team England pistol shooting squad.

Teaching Responsibilities

Mitch co-ordinates sport and exercise physiology and professional development units, and supervises both undergraduate and postgraduate students.  Mitch also leads the Department’s employability and careers awareness group.

Research Interests

Mitch’s research centres upon the pulmonary limitations to exercise and the impact of respiratory muscle training on performance with a particular focus on swimmers.  Mitch also led the physiology research of the 2008 British tri-services mountaineering expedition to Mount Makalu.  Mitch’s current research focuses on the pulmonary limitations and consequences of breathing muscle fatigue in swimmers and inspiratory muscle training in asthmatics. Previous research includes: circulatory and pulmonary interactions during exercise at sea level and in hypoxia and the modulatory impact of inspiratory muscle training; the reliability of inspiratory muscle pressure measurements; inspiratory muscle warm-up and training; and respiratory muscle function and fatigue in swimming, running and triathlon.

Recent Publications

More recent publications

Publications before 2008

McConnell, A. K. & Lomax, M. (2006). The influence of inspiratory muscle work history and specific inspiratory muscle training upon human limb muscle fatigue.  Journal of Physiology, 577.1, 445-457.

Lomax, M. E. & McConnell, A. K. (2003). Inspiratory muscle fatigue in swimmers after a single 200 m swim.  Journal of Sports Sciences, 21, 659-664.

Funding

Research Knowledge Transfer Grant, University of Winchester (2006). £5000.

Funded projects and contributions by the ASA (approximately £5-7000).

Research and Development Fund, University of Portsmouth (August 2012) £15 200.

Joint KTP funding with the School of Engineering (April 2013) £40,000.