Dr Jose Areta
Sport and Exercise Sciences
Faculty of Science
Email: J.L.Areta@ljmu.ac.uk
Telephone: 0151 904 6230
José L Areta currently works as a lecturer in Sports Nutrition and Metabolism at the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences at LJMU.
José’s primary interest is in the area of training-nutrient interactions in humans. In other words, he investigates how to manipulate ingestion of carbohydrates, fat and protein around training to optimise physical performance and health.
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What has been his contribution to the field of Exercise Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism?
His scientific work has been published in influential journals such as The Journal of Physiology, The American Journal of Physiology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Journal of Applied Physiology and Sports Medicine, among others.
The outputs of his research have not only expanded the knowledge of the field but had significant impact and influence on determining current dietary recommendations and practices world-wide.
His work has provided novel insights in relation to the amount, timing, quantity and distribution of carbohydrates, fat and protein and dietary supplements around training. Over the last few years José has been developing his research in the area of the endocrinological, metabolic and physiological effects of energy restriction, in which he is currently growing his research team and capability.
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What makes him special?
Originally trained as a Biologist (with a minor in Zoology) at the National University of La Plata in Argentina, he specialised in exercise physiology and nutrition during his PhD at RMIT University in Australia working with world-leaders in his field. As part of his PhD he led human research trials at the prestigious Australian Institute of Sport and established links with researchers of different Universities and institutes in Australia. Following his PhD he undertook post-doctoral training at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, a world-leading institute in sport and exercise sciences. This post-doctoral experience provided not only further research experience but also with a network of collaborators in Scandinavia.
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What are his experience and skills?
Science. His main strength is on devising, planning and executing studies were the physiological and metabolic effect of nutrient manipulation and supplements are evaluated to provide new insights and unravel new frontiers. His highly innovative ideas are sought by collaborators, clients and athletes to provide new solutions to old and contemporary problems.
Applied work. A lifelong athlete, in parallel with his academic work José not only has competed in different sports (predominantly endurance-based), in some cases at National-level, but also works closely with top endurance athletes and teams to optimise their training and nutrition for performance.
Philosophy. Among other influential scientists, José’s inspiration is on the work of Louis Pasteur and strives to use scientific knowledge to inform applied practice. He believes the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of a system provides the capacity to devise innovative solutions and interventions to common and complex problems.
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Are you interested in his work? How can he be of further help?
If you would like to collaborate with José or be part of his research or applied practice in any ways, please contact him on j.l.areta@ljmu.ac.uk or follow him on twitter @jlareta.
José is an ambassador for the Society for Endocrinology (www.endocrinology.org), if you wish to know more about SfE and how it can help you please get in touch with him.
José is also a representative of The Physiological Society (https://www.physoc.org/) at LJMU, if you wish to know more about The Society, and how it can help you please get in touch with him.
On January 2021, José was awarded a Society for Endocrinology 'Early Career Researcher' grant on a project tiled "Can energy deficit enhance skeletal muscle oxidative phenotype after exercise despite disrupting the endocrine milieu? An exploration of skeletal muscle epigenetic status during energy stress".
Languages
Spanish - Latin American
English
Degrees
2014, RMIT University, Australia, PhD
2010, National University of La Plata, Argentina, BSc (UK equivalent to BSc + MSc)
Postgraduate training
Post-doctoral researcher, Norway, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (Norges Idrettshøgskole), 2015 - 2018
Journal article
Jeukendrup AE, Areta JL, Van Genechten L, Langan-Evans C, Pedlar CR, Rodas G, Sale C, Walsh NP. 2024. Does Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) Syndrome Exist? Sports Medicine, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Sampson G, Morton JP, Areta JL. 2024. A broken link: Knowledge of carbohydrate requirements do not predict carbohydrate intake around competition in endurance athletes European Journal of Sport Science, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
McHaffie SJ, Langan-Evans C, Strauss JA, Areta JL, Rosimus C, Evans M, Waghorn R, Grant J, Cuthbert M, Hambly C, Speakman JR, Morton JP. 2024. Energy expenditure, intake and availability in female soccer players via doubly labelled water: Are we misrepresenting low energy availability? Experimental physiology, :1-16 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Areta JL, Meehan E, Howe G, Redman LM. 2024. Energetics of a World-Tour Female Road Cyclist During a Multistage Race (Tour de France Femmes) International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, :1-5 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
McHaffie SJ, Langan-Evans C, Strauss JA, Areta JL, Rosimus C, Evans M, Waghorn R, Morton JP. 2023. Under-Fuelling for the Work Required? Assessment of Dietary Practices and Physical Loading of Adolescent Female Soccer Players during an Intensive International Training and Game Schedule Nutrients, 15 :1-15 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Dolan E, Koehler K, Areta J, Longman DP, Pontzer H. 2023. Energy constraint and compensation: Insights from endurance athletes Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - Part A : Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 285 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Areta JL. 2023. Physical performance during energy deficiency in humans: An evolutionary perspective Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology - Part A : Molecular and Integrative Physiology, 284 :1-10 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Sampson G, Morton JP, Areta JL. 2023. Mind the gap: limited knowledge of carbohydrate guidelines for competition in an international cohort of endurance athletes Journal of Nutritional Science, 12 :1-16 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Herberts T, Slater GJ, Farley A, Hogarth L, Areta JL, Paulsen G, Garthe I. 2023. Protocol Standardization May Improve Precision Error of InBody 720 Body Composition Analysis International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 33 :222-229 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Gorski P, Turner D, Iraki J, Morton J, Sharples A, Areta J. 2023. Human skeletal muscle methylome after low carbohydrate energy balanced exercise American Journal of Physiology: Endocrinology and Metabolism, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Melin A, Areta J, Heikura I, Stellingwerff T, Torstveit M, Hackney A. 2023. Direct and indirect impact of low energy availability on sports performance Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
McHaffie SJ, Langan-Evans C, Morehen JC, Strauss JA, Areta JL, Rosimus C, Evans M, Elliott-Sale KJ, Cronin CJ, Morton JP. 2022. Normalising the conversation: a qualitative analysis of player and stakeholder perceptions of menstrual health support within elite female soccer Science and Medicine in Football, 6 :633-642 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Slater GJ, Farley A, Hogarth L, Areta JL, Paulsen G, Garthe I. 2022. Impact of 24-Hr Diet and Physical Activity Control on Short-Term Precision Error of Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Physique Assessment International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism, 33 :30-38 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Taylor HL, Garabello G, Pugh JN, Morton JP, Langan-Evans C, Louis J, Borgersen R, Areta JL. 2022. Patterns of energy availability of free-living athletes display day-to-day variability that is not reflected in laboratory-based protocols: Insights from elite male road cyclists Journal of Sports Sciences, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
McHaffie SJ, Langan-Evans C, Morehen JC, Strauss JA, Areta JL, Rosimus C, Evans M, Elliott-Sale KJ, Cronin CJ, Morton JP. 2022. Carbohydrate fear, skinfold targets and body image issues: A qualitative analysis of player and stakeholder perceptions of the nutrition culture within elite female soccer. Science and Medicine in Football, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Foo WL, Harrison JD, Mhizha FT, Langan-Evans C, Morton JP, Pugh JN, Areta JL. 2022. A short-term low fibre diet reduces body mass in healthy young men: implications for weight sensitive sports International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, :1-9 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Stenqvist T, Melin AK, Garthe I, Slater G, Paulsen G, Iraki J, Areta JL, Torstveit M. 2021. Prevalence of surrogate markers of relative energy deficiency in male Norwegian Olympic-level athletes International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Sampson G, Pugh JN, Morton JP, Areta JL. 2021. Carbohydrate for Endurance Athletes in Competition Questionnaire (CEAC-Q): validation of a practical and time-efficient tool for knowledge assessment. Sport Sciences for Health, DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Heikura I, Stellingwerff T, Areta J. 2021. Low Energy Availability in Female Athletes: From the Lab to the Field European Journal of Sport Science, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Areta JL, Taylor HL, Koehler K. 2020. Low energy availability: history, definition and evidence of its endocrine, metabolic and physiological effects in prospective studies in females and males European Journal of Applied Physiology, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Langan-Evans C, Germaine M, Artukovic M, Oxborough D, Areta JL, Close GL, Morton JP. 2020. The Psychological and Physiological Consequences of Low Energy Availability in a Male Combat Sport Athlete. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Areta JL, Iraki J, Owens DJ, Joanisse S, Philp A, Morton JP, Hallén J. 2020. Achieving energy balance with a high‐fat meal does not enhance skeletal muscle adaptation and impairs glycemic response in a sleep‐low training model Experimental Physiology, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Dahl M, Areta J, Jeppersen P, Jesper B, Egil J, Thorsten I-H, Mette H, Bjørn S, John I, Jorgen W, Kristian O, Jørgen J. 2020. Co-ingestion of protein and carbohydrate in the early recovery phase improves endurance performance despite like glycogen degradation and AMPK phosphorylation Journal of Applied Physiology, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Areta J. 2020. Case study: Resumption of eumenorrhea in parallel with high training load after 4 years of menstrual dysfunction: a 5-year follow-up of an elite female cyclist International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 30 :229-234 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Louis J, Tiollier E, Lamb A, Bontemps B, Areta J, Bernard T. 2020. Retraining and nutritional strategy of an endurance master athlete following hip arthroplasty: a case study Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Doering TM, Cox GR, Areta JL, Coffey VG. 2019. Repeated muscle glycogen supercompensation with four days' recovery between exhaustive exercise JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND MEDICINE IN SPORT, 22 :907-911 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Areta JL, Hopkins WG. 2018. Skeletal Muscle Glycogen Content at Rest and During Endurance Exercise in Humans: A Meta-Analysis SPORTS MEDICINE, 48 :2091-2102 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Areta JL, Austarheim I, Wangensteen H, Capelli C. 2018. Metabolic and Performance Effects of Yerba Mate on Well-trained Cyclists MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE, 50 :817-826 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Michael S, Hoon M, Areta J, Patton R, Chapman P. 2017. Accuracy, precision and test-retest reproducibility of the Wahoo KICKR cycling trainer Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 20 :e115-e115 DOI Publisher Url
Hoon MW, Michael SW, Patton RL, Chapman PG, Areta JL. 2016. A Comparison of the Accuracy and Reliability of the Wahoo KICKR and SRM Power Meter Journal of Science and Cycling, 5 :11-15 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Torrens SL, Areta JL, Parr EB, Hawley JA. 2016. Carbohydrate dependence during prolonged simulated cycling time trials. European journal of applied physiology, DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Lane SC, Camera DM, Lassiter DG, Areta JL, Bird SR, Yeo WK, Jeacocke NA, Krook A, Zierath JR, Burke LM, Hawley JA. 2015. Effects of sleeping with reduced carbohydrate availability on acute training responses JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY, 119 :643-655 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Smiles WJ, Areta JL, Coffey VG, Phillips SM, Moore DR, Stellingwerff T, Burke LM, Hawley JA, Camera DMZ. 2015. Modulation of autophagy signaling with resistance exercise and protein ingestion following short-term energy deficit AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-REGULATORY INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY, 309 :R603-R612 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Areta JL, Hawley JA, Ye J-M, Chan MHS, Coffey VG. 2014. Increasing leucine concentration stimulates mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling and cell growth in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells NUTRITION RESEARCH, 34 :1000-1007 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Moore DR, Camera DM, Areta JL, Hawley JA. 2014. Beyond muscle hypertrophy: why dietary protein is important for endurance athletes APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY NUTRITION AND METABOLISM, 39 :987-997 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Areta JL, Burke LM, Camera DM, West DWD, Crawshay S, Moore DR, Stellingwerff T, Phillips SM, Hawley JA, Coffey VG. 2014. Reduced resting skeletal muscle protein synthesis is rescued by resistance exercise and protein ingestion following short-term energy deficit AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM, 306 :E989-E997 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Parr EB, Camera DM, Areta JL, Burke LM, Phillips SM, Hawley JA, Coffey VG. 2014. Alcohol Ingestion Impairs Maximal Post-Exercise Rates of Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis following a Single Bout of Concurrent Training PLOS ONE, 9 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Lane SC, Areta JL, Bird SR, Coffey VG, Burke LM, Desbrow B, Karagounis LG, Hawley JA. 2013. Caffeine Ingestion and Cycling Power Output in a Low or Normal Muscle Glycogen State MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE, 45 :1577-1584 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Areta JL, Burke LM, Ross ML, Camera DM, West DWD, Broad EM, Jeacocke NA, Moore DR, Stellingwerff T, Phillips SM, Hawley JA, Coffey VG. 2013. Timing and distribution of protein ingestion during prolonged recovery from resistance exercise alters myofibrillar protein synthesis JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LONDON, 591 :2319-2331 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Moore DR, Areta J, Coffey VG, Stellingwerff T, Phillips SM, Burke LM, Cleroux M, Godin J-P, Hawley JA. 2012. Daytime pattern of post-exercise protein intake affects whole-body protein turnover in resistance-trained males NUTRITION & METABOLISM, 9 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Areta JL, Burke LM, Jeacocke N, Ross ML, Broad EM, Phillips SM, Moore DR, Stellingwerff T, Hawley JA, Coffey VG. 2011. Timing Of Post-exercise Protein Ingestion Alters Anabolic Signaling During Prolonged Recovery MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE, 43 :136-136 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Iraki J, Paulsen G, Garthe I, Slater G, Areta JL. Reliability of resting metabolic rate between and within day measurements using the Vyntus CPX system and comparison against predictive formulas Nutrition and Health, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Guzel Y, Atakan MM, Areta JL, Turnagol HH, Kosar SN. Ten weeks of low-volume walking training improve cardiometabolic health and body composition in sedentary postmenopausal women with obesity without affecting markers of bone metabolism Research in Sports Medicine, DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Halsey L, Areta J, Koehler K. Does eating less or exercising more to reduce energy availability produce 2 distinct metabolic responses? Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Bie C, Ma Y, van Zijl PCM, Yadav NN, Xu X, Zheng H, Liang D, Zou C, Areta JL, Chen L, Zhou Y. In vivo imaging of glycogen in human muscle Nature Communications, Public Url
preprint
Gorski PP, Turner DC, Iraki J, Morton JP, Sharples AP, Areta JL. 2023. Human skeletal muscle methylome after low carbohydrate energy balanced exercise Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DOI Publisher Url
Jagnesakova D, Dunne DM, Areta JL, Lefevre CE, Yan X, Mazorra R, Impey S. 2022. A Machine Learning Approach to Predicting Muscle Glycogen Use During Exercise Research Square Platform LLC DOI Publisher Url
Louis J, Tiollier E, Lamb A, Bontemps B, Areta J, Bernard T. 2019. Retraining and Nutritional Strategy of an Elite Master Athlete Following Hip Arthroplasty: A Case Study MDPI AG DOI Publisher Url
Editorial/letter to the editor
Areta JL, Austarheim I, Wangensteen H, Capelli C. 2018. Yerba Mate and Exercise Performance Response MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE, 50 :1526-1526 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Areta JL, Irwin C, Desbrow B. 2017. Inaccuracies in caffeine intake quantification and other important limitations in recent publication by Goncalves et al. JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY, 123 :1414-1414 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Areta J, Elliot-Sale K. Nutrition for Female Athletes: what we know, what we don’t know, and why European Journal of Sport Science, DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Chapters
Ørtenblad N, Nielsen J, Morton J, Areta J. Exercise and muscle glycogen metabolism McConell G. American Physiological Society - Springer DOI Publisher Url
Public engagement:
Other, Athletes, coaches, and individuals with an affinity to cycling, Webinar, Invited guest, Podcast: 'Nutrition Demands of le Tour de France Femmes', https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrMJSMqdENI. 2024
Other, Athletes, practitioners and researchers interested in sports nutrition and energy availability, Webinar, Organiser, Low Energy Availability: Training Adaptation and Performance, Webinar with world leader on energy availability, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmUNvQMLV3M. 2020
Media Coverage:
Our research on female tour the France athlete by cycling magazine Cycling Weekly 2024
Our research on female tour the France athlete by cycling magazine escape collective 2024
Barbell Medicine podcast, main guest discussing the topic ‘energy deficits and performance’ 2023
That triathlon show podcast, as main (only) guest discussing the topic ‘Energy Availability’ 2023
BBC news, world service, guest on the programme titled 'fuelling the female footballer' 2022
We do science podcast (IOPN) guest on the topic ‘nutrition for female athletes’ 2022
The Long Munch podcast, main (only) guest in the topic ‘Do I really need to carb load?’ 2021
The Society for Endocrinology podcast appearance in ‘Are my hormones making me fat?’ 2020
External PGR examinations performed:
University of Exeter, PhD, Utilising novel technologies to predict muscle loss and muscle quality. 2024
Conference organisation:
Inaugural Energy Stress Meeting 2022, Lead organiser, https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/~/media/files/ljmu/about-us/faculties-and-schools/sport-and-exercise-sciences/esm2022-program.pdf?la=en. 2022
Research Grants Awarded:
LJMU VC Scholarship, Optimisation of pre-exercise carbohydrate intake for endurance athletes, Jose Areta; Jamie Pugh, Grant value (£): 58500, Duration of research project: 4 years. 2021