Dr Ant Shepherd
Biography
Ant graduated from Bangor University with a BSc (Hons) in Sports Science and an MSc in Exercise Rehabilitation. He was awarded his PhD from the University of Exeter in 2015. Shortly after starting a post-doctoral research positon and teaching fellow post at the university of Exeter Medical School. He joined the School of Sports Health and Exercise science, here at the University of Portsmouth in 2016 as a Lecturer in Physical Activity, Exercise and Health.
His current role involves supervising a team of PhD students and post-doctoral researchers. He also lecturer in Advanced Sports Nutrition, Clinical Exercise Physiology and consults for professional sports teams.
During his career, he has designed bespoke training programmes and / or run clinical trials in a range of different clinical conditions including; type 2 diabetes mellitus, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis and rheumatoligcal disorders such as raynaud’s phenomenon.
Research interests
Ant Shepherd is an Associate Professor in Clinical Exercise Physiology whose research is dedicated to improving metabolic and cardiovascular health, physical function, and overall quality of life across a range of clinical and at‑risk populations. His work centres on translating innovative, evidence‑based interventions—such as targeted nutritional strategies and passive heating paradigms, and controlled exposure to extreme or atypical environments—into practical approaches that can deliver meaningful ‘patient’ benefit.
A key thread running through Ant’s research is the integration of mechanistic physiology with applied clinical science. He is particularly interested in understanding the pathophysiological processes underpinning chronic diseases, including cardiometabolic disorders and conditions characterised by impaired metabolic flexibility. By probing these underlying mechanisms, his work aims to identify novel therapeutic targets and optimise interventions that can be deployed in clinical and community settings.
Ant collaborates widely across disciplines including nutrition science, environmental physiology, rehabilitation medicine, and biomedical engineering. His research contributions span acute experimental studies through to longer‑term intervention trials, with a consistent focus on enhancing patient outcomes, informing clinical practice, and shaping public health guidance.
Research outputs
2025
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.
20 Nov 2025, In: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage
Research output: Article
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
Ketone monoester ingestion improves cardiac function in adults with type 2 diabetes: a double-blind, placebo controlled, randomised, crossover trial
Perissiou, M., Saynor, Z. L., Feka, K., Edwards, C., James, T. J., Corbett, J., Mayes, H., Shute, J., Cummings, M., Black, M. I., Strain, W. D., Little, J. P., Shepherd, A. I.
17 Jan 2025, In: Journal of Applied Physiology
Research output: Article
2024
The effect of repeated hot water immersion on vascular function, blood pressure and central haemodynamics in individuals with Type 2 diabetes mellitus
James, T. J., Corbett, J., Cummings, M., Allard, S., Bailey, S. J., Eglin, C., Belcher, H., Piccolo, D. D., Tipton, M., Perissiou, M., Saynor, Z. L., Shepherd, A. I.
1 Dec 2024, In: Journal of Thermal Biology. 126, 10p., 104017
Research output: Article
Impact of nocturnal hypoxia on glycaemic control, appetite, gut microbiota and inflammation in adults with T2DM: A single-blind crossover trial
Shepherd, A., James, T. J., Gould, A. A. M., Mayes, H., Neal, R., Shute, J., Tipton, M., Massey, H., Saynor, Z., Perissiou, M., Montgomery, H., Sturgess, C., Makaronidis, J., Murray, A. J., Grocott, M. P. W.,
1 Nov 2024, In: The Journal of Physiology. 602, 21, p. 5835-5854
Research output: Article
Device-based 24-hour movement behaviours in adult phase III cardiac rehabilitation service-users during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed-methods prospective observational study
Meredith, S. J., Shepherd, A. I., Saynor, Z. L., Scott, A., Gorczynski, P., Perissiou, M., Horne, M., McNarry, M. A., Mackintosh, K. A., Witcher, C. S. G.
11 Sep 2024, In: Disability and Rehabilitation, 12p.
Research output: Article
Cardiac dysfunction in dialysing adults with end‐stage kidney disease is associated with exercise intolerance: a pilot observational study
Antoun, J., Shepherd, A. I., Corbett, J., Sangala, N. c., Lewis, R. J., Lane, E., Saynor, Z. L.
10 Sep 2024, In: Physiological Reports. 12, 17, 14p., e70050
Research output: Article