Professor Ant Shepherd
Biography
Ant Shepherd is Professor of Clinical Environmental Physiology at the University of Portsmouth. He completed his BSc (Hons) in Sports Science and MSc in Exercise Rehabilitation at Bangor University before being awarded a PhD from the University of Exeter in 2015. Following postdoctoral appointments within the University of Exeter Medical School, he joined the University of Portsmouth in 2016.
His research examines the interaction between environmental stressors and human health, with a particular focus on the physiological responses to heat exposure. He leads multidisciplinary research aimed at understanding how heat can act both as a therapeutic intervention and as a significant health risk. His work spans laboratory-based mechanistic investigations through to applied clinical trials and public health research.
Alongside his research, Ant supervises doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, teaches across physiology and clinical science programmes, and collaborates with healthcare providers, policy-makers and industry partners to translate research findings into practical applications that improve health outcomes.
Research interests
Ant's research focuses on a fundamental physiological paradox: similar thermal stimulus that can improve health and resilience when applied in a controlled manner can become harmful when exposure is chronic. Through clinical and mechanistic studies, he investigates how heat influences cardiovascular, metabolic and cellular function, seeking to understand why heat-based interventions such as sauna bathing can confer therapeutic benefit, while environmental heat stress contributes to adverse health outcomes and excess mortality. Ultimately, this work aims to define the biological pathways that separate adaptation from maladaptation.
Drawing upon techniques from environmental physiology, clinical science and translational medicine, Ant investigates the cellular, vascular and metabolic pathways that determine whether heat exposure promotes adaptation and resilience or contributes to physiological strain and disease. Particular areas of interest include thermoregulatory function, cardiovascular adaptation, metabolic health, inflammation, and the impact of environmental stress on vulnerable populations.
Ultimately, his work aims to identify the mechanisms through which heat influences human health, enabling the development of safe and effective heat-based therapies while informing strategies to mitigate the growing health risks posed by climate change and rising global temperatures.
Research outputs
2026
Acute dietary nitrate supplementation attenuates caffeine-induced increase in arterial stiffness in healthy adults: a randomized controlled trial
McLellan, A. G., Ahmad, N. S. B., Acton, J. P., Punni, H. K., O'Donnell, E., Shepherd, A. I., Perissiou, M., James, L., Clifford, T., Bailey, S. J.
14 Aug 2026, In: Food & Function
Research output: Article
Effect of repeated hot water immersion on cognitive performance, cerebrovascular function, sleep and biomarkers of neurodegeneration in older adults
Piccolo, D. D., Corbett, J., Costello, J. T., Williams, T. B., James, T. J., Shute, J. K., Alnajjar, M. G. A., Hudson, L. C., Marsh, P. A., Praskacova, V., Mayes, H. S., Tipton, M., Perissiou, M., McNarry, M. A.,
29 Apr 2026, In: Experimental Physiology
Research output: Article
Effect of repeated hot water immersion on muscle strength, power, function and physical activity in healthy older adults: a randomised crossover trial
Piccolo, D. D., Corbett, J., Exell, T. A., Moore, J. M., Wright, A., Alnajjar, M. G. A., Hudson, L. C., Marsh, P. A., Praskacova, V., McNarry, M. A., Mackintosh, K. A., Saynor, Z. L., Shepherd, A. I.
20 Apr 2026, In: Experimental Physiology
Research output: Article
The effects of nitrate on brown fat fraction and activation in older adults with type 2 diabetes: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial
Neal, R. A., Corbett, J., Costello, J., Saynor, Z., Eglin, C., Perissiou, M., Cummings, M. H., Price, H. C., Bailey, S., Velan, S. S., Sadananthan, S. A., Totman, J. J., Rennell-Smyth, J., Shepherd, A.
1 Mar 2026, In: European Journal of Sport Science. 26, 3, 12p., e70117
Research output: Article
The dose–response effects of nitrate-rich beetroot ingestion on cardiovascular and endothelial function: a randomised controlled trial
McLellan, A. G., Acton, J. P., O'Donnell, E., Rowland, S. N., Shepherd, A. I., Perissiou, M., James, L. J., Clifford, T., Bailey, S. J.
13 Feb 2026, In: Food & Function
Research output: Article
Physiotherapist-led weight management for people with osteoarthritis: a scoping review
Steele-Turner, B., Gonçalves, A. C., Shepherd, A. I., Drummond, H., Allison, K., Bennell, K. L., Exell, T. A.
1 Jan 2026, In: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 34, 1, p. 121-138
Research output: Article
2025
Head‐down tilt lithotomy position and well‐leg compartment syndrome: an international survey of current practice
Uzoma, C. C., Shepherd, A. I., Saynor, Z. L., Khan, J. S., Piozzi, G. N., Duhoky, R., Askew, C., Ozmen, M. M., Middleton, T. R. F., Masum, S., Perissiou, M.
7 Jun 2025, In: Colorectal Disease. 27, 6, 9p., e70134
Research output: Article
The effect of intact vs hydrolysed collagen on recovery from exercise induced muscle damage: A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial
James, T. J., Mayes, H., Alnajjar, M., Newell, Y., Kohlert, E., Shute, J., Perissiou, M., Corbett, J., Costello, J. T., Neupert, E., Moore, J. M., Morgan, P. T., Simms, C., Saynor, Z. L., Shepherd, A. I.
15 May 2025, In: The Journal of Nutritional Physiology. 1, 11p., 100003
Research output: Article
Peripheral muscle function and body composition in people with cystic fibrosis on Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor: a cross‐sectional single‐centre study
Clayton, L. J., Shepherd, A. I., Corbett, J., Gruet, M., Connett, G., Allenby, M., Legg, J., Daniels, T., Urquhart, D. S., Saynor, Z. L.
12 Mar 2025, In: Pediatric Pulmonology. 60, 3, 9p., e71044
Research output: Article
Cardiovascular function in people with cystic fibrosis on Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor: A cross-sectional, observational, single-centre study
Clayton, L. J., Shepherd, A. I., Corbett, J., Perissiou, M., Connett, G., Legg, J., Allenby, M., Daniels, T., Urquhart, D. S., Mackintosh, K. A., McNarry, M. A., Saynor, Z. L.
15 Feb 2025, In: Journal of Cystic Fibrosis. 24, 8p.
Research output: Article