Personal profile
Contact Info
Position: Professor
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (01248) 38 3965
Location: Room 301, George Building, Normal Site
To book a student tutorial please visit: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/[email protected]/bookings/
Overview
Sam is a Professor and Director of the Institute for Applied Human Physiology (IAHP). Sam leads a research program that examines how human health and performance are affected by exercise, diet, sleep, and environmental stress e.g., hypoxia, heat, cold, ultraviolet radiation. In this field, he has published more than 75 full-length high-quality peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters.
Whilst completing this work Sam has established eleven knowledge exchange partnerships with business and industry, e.g., Sport Wales, Mapei Sport, Sawna Bach, Remote Area Risk International & Blizzard Protection Systems Ltd. This work is impactful having influenced United Nations Environment Programme updates, wilderness and emergency medicine clinical practice guidelines, and changes to athlete, soldier, and emergency service personnel practices. For example, diet and supplement changes during arduous training. We have also developed preparatory acclimation strategies for performing in hot and altitude environments, and methods to improve prehospital cold casualty care. This has led to Sam’s invitation to the Military Education Committee, Mountain Rescue England & Wales research committee, and the Welsh Institute of Performance Sciences (WIPS). As the Environmental Physiology lead for WIPS Sam supports Sport Wales athletes to prepare for the Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
Since 2008, Sam has mentored more than 30 PhD and MRes researchers (11 as primary supervisor). Sam is currently Associate Editor for Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, provides expert reviews for grant awarding bodies, Research Excellence Framework (REF) submissions, many journals, and has completed Masters and Ph.D. examination duties in the UK and Australia.
Professional Qualifications
PhD Exercise Physiology; MSc Applied Exercise Physiology; BSc (Hons) Sports Science; Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Teaching and Supervision
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Teaching Modules
Environmental Physiology (JXH3041); Research Project (JXH3070); Dissertation (JXH3071); Research Project Proposal (JXH4405); Research Project (JXH4412); Dissertation Proposal (JXH4406); Dissertation (JXH4413); The Sport and Exercise Science Practitioner (JXH4402); Research Project-MRes (JXH4905); Peer review Scientific Journal-MRes (JXH4907).
Postgraduate Supervision
Since 2008 Sam has supervised more than 20 PhD & MRes researchers to the completion of their studies.
Research
Sam leads a research program that examines how human health and performance are affected by exercise, diet, sleep, and environmental stress e.g., hypoxia, heat, cold, ultraviolet radiation. This work is multi-disciplinary, combining integrative physiology with applied behavioural outcomes. In this field, he has published more than 70 full-length high-quality peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. Much of this research has focused on the development of non-pharmacological interventions to alleviate the burden of exercise and environmental stress. This research is supported by Sam’s undergraduate and postgraduate students and is completed in state-of-the-art environmental chambers and field locations like Nepal, Himalayas (Press here for more information).
Editorial Duties
Sam is currently Associate Editor for Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism. Sam also regularly reviews for journals including Brain, Behavior and Immunity; British Journal of Nutrition; Comprehensive Physiology; European Journal of Sport Sciences; Journal of Applied Physiology; Nutrition; Wilderness and Environmental Medicine.
Consultancy
Sam has established eleven knowledge exchange partnerships with business and industry, e.g., Sport Wales, Mapei Sport, Sawna Bach - The Scenic Sauna, Always Aim High, SurfSnowdonia, Remote Area Risk International & Blizzard Protection Systems Ltd. Sam has also previously worked with several national and international athletes, expeditions, and businesses. Sam also contributes to TV and magazines like the BBC and Runners World.
Postgraduate Project Opportunities
I am willing to supervise students in Sport and Exercise Science; Sport Nutrition; Exercise Physiology; Environmental Physiology.
Keywords
- QP Physiology
- GE Environmental Sciences
- U Military Science (General)
- GV Recreation Leisure
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Acute hot-water immersion augments the diastolic blood pressure nocturnal dip in healthy adults
Leaney, S., Ponce, F., Owen, F., Harvey, B., Davies-Wilson, O., Brand, O., Coombs, G., Moore, J. & Oliver, S., 9 Mar 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Experimental Physiology.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile9 Downloads (Pure) -
Folate and B12 status in women during British Army basic training: a prospective cohort study exploring implications for endurance performance and bone density and metabolism
O'Leary, T. J., Waters, H., Coombs, C., Jackson, S., Izard, R. M., Walsh, N. P., Carswell, A., Oliver, S., Tang, J. C. Y., Fraser, W. & Greeves, J. P., 13 Feb 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: British Journal of Nutrition. p. 1-27 27 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Downloads (Pure) -
Pulmonary arterial mechanoreceptors mediate sustained sympathoexcitation during high altitude hypoxia in humans
Ewalts, M. T., Simpson, L. L., Talbot, J. S., Jenkins, E. J., Gibbons, T. D., Howe, C. A., Maier, L. E., Vanden Berg, E. R., Williams, A. M., Ainslie, P. N., Oliver, S. J., Steinback, C. D., Stembridge, M. & Moore, J. P., 15 Feb 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Experimental Physiology.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Vitamin D supplementation and musculoskeletal injury risk in young men undergoing arduous training: a randomised placebo-controlled trial
Carswell, A., Swinton, P., O'Leary, T. J., Jackson, S., Tang, J., Oliver, S., Wentz, L. M., Izard, R. M., Taylor, N., Allan, D., Rhodes, L., Walsh, N. P., Fraser, W. & Greeves, J. P., 14 Apr 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: British Journal of Nutrition. 33 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile6 Downloads (Pure) -
A comparison of training, injury, illness, sleep, wellbeing, and stress between developing elite and recreational athletes
Lowery, M., Oliver, S., Roberts, R., Barwood, C., Dunn, E., Langham-Walsh, E., holliss, B., wraith, L., Woodman, T., Lawrence, G., Gottwald, V. & Hardy, J., 23 Nov 2025, In: European Journal of Sport Science. 25, 12, e70093.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Downloads (Pure)
Impacts
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Changing diet and supplement guidance in the UK Army to improve health and performance [REF2021]
Walsh, N. (Participant), Oliver, S. (Participant) & Fortes, M. (Participant)
Impact: Health/Quality of life, Policy and Public Services
Projects
- 2 Finished
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Skills & Innovation voucher scheme - Sawna Bach - Anglesey Midi
Oliver, S. (PI)
1/12/24 → 31/07/25
Project: Research
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Hypertonic & Isotonic Dehydration Effects on Hydration marker utility
Oliver, S. (PI)
1/01/12 → 5/08/16
Project: Research
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Sauna Summit 2025 Expert Panel
Oliver, S. (Speaker)
20 May 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
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UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and The Physiological Society joint roundtable on Physiological Considerations for Maximum Indoor Temperatures
Oliver, S. (Contributor)
3 Dec 2024Activity: Other › Types of External academic engagement - Contribution to the work of national or international committees and working groups
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Women in Sport and Exercise Academic Network (WiSEAN) (External organisation)
Harrison, S. (Member), Jones, M. (Member), Jones, E. (Member), Kirby, E. (Member) & Oliver, S. (Member)
2024 → …Activity: Membership › Membership of network
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BU-IIA Funded Project: The Development of Evidence-Based Methods and Training to Improve Prehospital Care.
Oliver, S. (Contributor)
1 Aug 2023 → 31 Jul 2024Activity: Other
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Immune health at high altitude
Oliver, S. (Invited speaker)
24 Nov 2022Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
Press/Media
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Research to study the benefits of a sauna, as popularity rises
6/03/25
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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8 best vitamin D supplements to help boost your health and immunity
26/09/24
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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Bangor University joins forces with remote area medical care specialists to make a difference in field emergency and disaster situations
24/10/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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Independent: IndyBest - Vitamin D Q&A with Dr Sam Oliver
28/09/22
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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Vitamin D supplements may reduce the duration of the common cold
Harrison, S., Oliver, S. & Walsh, N. P.
17/12/21
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Expert Comment
Thesis
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Fluid and energy deficits : hydration markers, saliva immunoglobulin A and endurance performance
Oliver, S. (Author), Walsh, N. (Supervisor), Feb 2007Student thesis: Doctor of Philosophy
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