Skip to content Exit mobile menu
    Search iconSearch icon
Icon to close the main menu
 

Charles Pedlar

Professor

Charles Pedlar

About Research

Email: charles.pedlar@stmarys.ac.uk

Biography

Biography

Charlie is a Professor of Applied Sports and Exercise Science at St Mary's in the Faculty of Sport, Technology and Health Sciences. He is also an Honorary Associate Professor at UCL (ISEH). Charlie is a Sports Physiologist and researcher with a PhD from Brunel University (2007).

Career history

He previously held positions at the British Olympic Association and the English Institute of Sport (primary sport: British Athletics). At St Mary’s University Charlie was the Director of the Centre for Health, Applied Sport and Exercise Science at St Mary’s between 2009 and 2015 and Academic Director for Research and Enterprise between 2010 and 2015. He was awarded a full Professorship at St Mary’s in 2021 and maintains a part-time position within the School of Sport, Exercise and Applied Science. Charlie has several consultancy roles outside of St Mary’s and is currently Chief Science Officer at Orreco. Charlie is co-organiser of Marathon Medicine, the TCS London Marathon’s conference on the Science and Medicine of Endurance Running. In 2019, Charlie was a member of the Gatorade Sport Science Institute’s Expert Panel.

Achievements

2014 BASES Applied Practitioner Award: “The award acknowledges outstanding and innovative service delivery in sport and/or exercise science by BASES Accredited Sport and Exercise Scientists.”

BASES Fellowship awarded in 2016.

2023 WiSEAN: Nominated by members of WiSEAN for ‘a significant contribution to sport and exercise for girls/women and who they felt was inspirational in their field’.

PhD completions

  • Dr Adam Mattiussi (St Mary’s University & The Royal Ballet). ‘Jumping in professional ballet’ Completed 2023
  • Dr Luke Edinborough (St Mary’s University & Southampton FC). ‘Sleep in professional football players’ Completed 2023
  • Dr Rod Azadan (University of Houston, USA) ‘Endurance physiology biomarkers’ Completed 2022
  • Dr Joe Shaw (St Mary’s University and the Royal Ballet Company) ‘Workload quantification in professional ballet’ Completed 2022
  • Dr Diarmuid Daniels (National University of Ireland, Galway) ‘Redox and inflammation in English Premier League soccer players’ Completed 2021
  • Dr Forrest Baker (University of Arizona, USA) ‘The effects of exercise on immunity’ Completed 2020
  • Dr Catherine Graham (St Mary’s University) ‘Parental and Child Overweight Based on Lifestyle and Genetic Factors’ Completed 2019
  • Dr Georgie Bruinvels (University College London) ‘Women in sport: Iron deficiency’ Completed 2018.
  • Dr Leta Pilic (St Mary’s University) ‘Genetics of salt sensitivity’ Completed 2017
  • Dr Nathan Lewis (English Institute of Sport/Orreco/St Mary's University) ‘Redox status of the elite athlete.’ Completed 2016
  • Dr Jessica Hill (St Mary's University) ‘The efficacy of compression garments on recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage’ Completed 2015
  • Dani Muniz (St Mary's University) ‘Anaerobic capacity measurement’ Completed 2015
  • Dr Richard Burden (St Mary’s University/English Institute of Sport) ‘The Effects of Iron Deficiency and Iron Repletion in the Endurance Athlete.’ Completed 2014
  • Dr Ben Holliss (University of Exeter/British Swimming) ‘Physiological and performance adaptations to altitude and hypoxic training.’ Completed 2013 (University of Exeter).

Current doctoral students

  • Paul Hough (St Mary’s University) ‘Sleep and cognitive function in athletes’
  • Niall McSweeney (St Mary’s University and The Royal Ballet School) ‘Maturation and ballet’
  • Agatha Gibbons (University of Waikato (NZ) & Orreco): ‘Cultural aspects of menstrual health tracking’
  • Andrew McGeever (Atlantic Technological University, (Ireland) & Orreco): ‘Sleep and cognition in female athletes’
  • Edward Jakszta (St Mary’s University) ‘Masters athletes and nutrition’
  • Chelsea Oester (University of Western Sydney) ‘Female soccer player health’
  • Niamh Mallon (Atlantic Technological University, (Ireland) & Orreco): ‘Nutrition and menstrual cycle symptoms in athletes’
  • Isabella Coombes (Massey University, New Zealand) ‘Female soccer player monitoring’
  • Lorna Crawford (St Mary’s University and Orreco) ‘Recovery in professional football’
  • Toby Helder (St Mary’s University and Orreco) ‘Biomarkers of recovery in sport’.

Research

Areas of research supervision

  • Physiological and nutritional aspects of sports performance
  • Exercise in public health, particularly Running
  • Blood biomarkers in sport
  • Sleep and cognition in athletes and the military
  • Female athlete health and performance

Research profile

Charlie is an experienced research leader and has held the position of Academic Director of Research and Enterprise in the School of Sport, Health and Applied Science (2005-2010). He is an Associate Editor at the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Charlie was the Unit 26 (Sport and Exercise, Leisure and Tourism) lead for the REF2014 and submitted to both the RAE2008, REF2014 and REF2020. He has a growing list of 14 PhD completions. In 2016 and 2017 Charlie undertook a 2-year research sabbatical at the Cardiovascular Performance Program and Massachusetts General Hospital (Harvard Medical School), conducting research into the cardiovascular adaptations to marathon running. Predominantly Charlie's research funding has come from the Sport and Exercise Science and Medicine Industry and he is currently generating ongoing funding from Orreco, The Royal Ballet and the Ministry of Defence. He has previously received funding from parkrun, SCA (Bodyform), Southampton FC, National Physical Laboratory, STRAVA, in addition to funds raised through the delivery of sport and exercise science services at St Mary's University.

Research publications

For a complete publication record, see Charles's Google Scholar profile.

Selected research publications
  • Edinborough L, Hill J, Bruce-Low S, Steele J, Woodhouse J, Jarvis M and Pedlar CR Day type and start time influence objective wrist-accelerometery derived sleep metrics in professional U18 football (Soccer) players. International Journal of Sports Medicine
  • Lewis N, Hodgson A, Khanbhai T, Sygo J, Mazur J, Smith C, Catterson P and Pedlar CR (2022) Editorial: The rise of intravenous nutrition products among professional team sport athletes – reasons to be concerned? British Journal of Sports Medicine
  • Bruinvels. G, Hackney AC and Pedlar CR (2022) Current Opinion: the importance of understanding both the phases and the transitions between phases of the menstrual cycle to train or compete on any day of the cycle. Sports Medicine
  • Petek BJ, Groezinger EY, Pedlar CR and Baggish AL (2022) Cardiac effects of detraining in athletes: a narrative review. Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine
  • Batatinha, HAP, Baker FL, Smith KA, Zuniga TM, Pedlar CR, Burgess SC, Katsanis E and Simpson RJ (2022) Recent COVID-19 vaccination is associated with modest increases in the physiological demands of graded exercise. Journal of Applied Physiology
  • Hough P, North JS, Patterson SD and Pedlar CR (2021) Monitoring athletes sleep: a survey of current trends amongst practitioners. Journal of Sport and Exercise Sciences.
  • Pedlar CR, Myrissa, K, Barry M, Khwaja IG, Simpkin AJ, Newell J, Scarrott C, Whyte GP, Kipps C and Baggish A. (2021) Medical encounters at community physical activity events (parkrun) in the United Kingdom. British Journal of Sports Medicine. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2021-104256
  • Shaw JW, Mattiussi AM, Brown DD, Williams S, Kelly S, Springham M, Pedlar CR* and Tallent J* (2021) Dance Exposure, Individual Characteristics, and Injury Risk over Five Seasons in a Professional Ballet Company. Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise. *joint last authors doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002725
  • Mattiussi A, Shaw JW, Williams S, Price P, Brown DD, Cohen DD, Clark R, Kelly S, Retter G, Pedlar CR*, Tallent J* (2021) Injury epidemiology in professional ballet: a five-season prospective study of 1596 medical attention injuries and 543 time-loss injuries. British Journal of Sports Medicine. *joint last authors 10.1136/bjsports-2020-103817
  • McKay B, Delaney J, Simpkin A, Larkin T, Murray A, Pedlar CR, Lewis N and Sampson J (2021) The association between alterations in redox homeostasis, cortisol and commonly used objective and subjective markers of fatigue in American Collegiate Football. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. 10.1123/ijspp.2020-0933
  • Bruinvels G, Goldsmith E, Blagrove RC, Simpkin AJ, Lewis NA, Morton K, Suppiah A, Rogers JP, Ackerman KE, Newell J and Pedlar CR. (2020) The prevalence and frequency of menstrual cycle symptoms are associated with availability to train and compete: A study of 6,812 exercising women recruited using the STRAVA exercise app. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 10.1136/bjsports-2020-102792
  • Blagrove R, Bruinvels G and Pedlar C (2020) Variations in strength-related measures during the menstrual cycle in eumenorrheic women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 10.1016/j.jsams.2020.04.022
  • Lewis N A, Daniels D, Calder P C, Castell L and Pedlar CR. (2020) Are there benefits for the use of fish oil (omega-3) supplements in athletes? A systematic review. Advances in Nutrition. 10.1093/advances/nmaa050
  • Lewis N A, Simpkin A J, Moseley S, Turner G, Homer M, Redgrave A, Pedlar CR and Burden R (2020) Increased oxidative stress in injured and ill elite international Olympic rowers. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. 10.1123/ijspp.2019-0425
  • Pedlar CR, Newell J and Lewis N (2019) Blood biomarker testing for high performance physiology and nutrition: current perspectives, limitations and recommendations. Sports Medicine. 10.1007/s40279-019-01158-x
  • Blagrove R C, Howatson G, Pedlar C R and Hayes P R (2019) Quantification of aerobic determinants of performance in post-pubertal adolescent middle-distance runners. European Journal of Applied Physiology.
  • Blagrove R, Howatson G, Cushion E, Hayes P and Pedlar C. (2018) Strength training improves running economy in adolescent distance runners. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
  • Pedlar C, Bruinvels G, Brugnara C and Burden R (2018) Invited review: Iron balance and iron supplementation for the female athlete, a practical approach. European Journal of Sports Science, 18(2), pp. 295 - 305
  • Pedlar C, Brown M, Shave R, Otto J, Drane A, Finch J M, Contursi M, Wasfy M, Hutter A, Picard M H, Lewis G D and Baggish A (2018). Cardiovascular response to prescribed exercise detraining among recreational marathon runners. Journal of Applied Physiology
  • Lewis N, Redgrave A, Homer M, Burden R, Martinson W, Moore B and Pedlar CR (2018) Alterations in Redox Homeostasis During Recovery from Unexplained Underperformance Syndrome in an Elite International Rower. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance.
  • Brown F, Gissane C, Howatson G, van Someren K, Pedlar C and Hill J (2017) Compression garments and recovery from exercise – a meta-analysis. Sports Medicine.
  • Hill J, Howatson G, van Someren K and Pedlar C. (2017) The effects of compression garment pressure on recovery from strenuous exercise. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance.
  • Bruinvels G, Burden R, McGregor A, Ackerman K, Dooley M, Richards T and Pedlar C (2017) Sport, exercise and the menstrual cycle: where is the research? Editorial. British Journal of Sports Medicine.
  • Lewis N, Howatson G, Towey C, Bruinvels G and Pedlar C (2016) The effects of exercise on alterations in redox homeostasis in elite male and female endurance athletes using a clinical point of care test. Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism.
  • Bruinvels G, Richards T, Burden R, Brown N and Pedlar C (2015) The prevalence and impact of heavy menstrual bleeding amongst athletes and mass start runners of the 2015 London Marathon British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50(9), p. 566
  • Lewis N, Rogers J, Collins D and Pedlar C (2015) Can clinicians and scientists explain and prevent unexplained underperformance syndrome in elite athletes: An inter-disciplinary perspective and 2016 update BMJ Open: Sport and Exercise Medicine.
  • Lewis N, Morton K, Hill J, Howatson G and Pedlar C (2015) Altered Redox Homeostasis (Oxidative Stress) in Elite Endurance Athletes: A Systematic Review. Sports Medicine, 45(3), pp. 379-409
  • Burden R, Pollock N, Whyte G, Richards T, Moore B, Busbridge M, Srai S K, Otto J and Pedlar C (2015) Impact of intravenous iron on aerobic capacity and iron metabolism in elite athletes. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 47(7), pp. 1399-407
  • Burden R, Morton K, Richards R, Whyte G and Pedlar C (2014) The efficacy of iron treatment for endurance athletes: a meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 49(21), pp. 1389-97
  • Newell J, Korir P, Moore B and Pedlar C (2014) Lactate-OR app for the calculation of blood lactate markers (Letter to the Editor). Journal of Sports Sciences, 33(6), pp. 568-9
  • Hill J, Howatson G, van Someren K, Leeder J and Pedlar C (2013) Compression garments and recovery from exercise-induced muscle damage: A meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48(18):1340-6. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2013-092456.
  • Pedlar C, Burden R, Whyte G, Moore B, Horgan G and Pollock N. (2013) A case study of an iron-deficient female Olympic 1500m runner. International Journal of Sports Performance and Physiology, 8(6), pp. 695 – 698.
  • Holliss B, Fulford J, Vanhatalo A, Pedlar C and Jones A (2013) Influence of intermittent hypoxic training on muscle energetics and exercise tolerance. Journal of Applied Physiology, 114 (5), 611-619.
  • Leeder J, Glaister M, Pizzoferro K, Dawson J and Pedlar C (2012) Sleep duration and quality in elite athletes measured using wristwatch actigraphy. Journal of Sports Sciences, 30(6):541-5.
  • Pollock N, Pedlar C, Morrissey D, Perry M, Grogan C, Dimitriou, L (2010) Bone mineral density and other features of the female athlete triad in elite endurance runners. International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, 20, pp. 418 – 426
  • Ingham S A, Pedlar C, Dunman N, Bailey DB, Whyte GP, and Nevill AM (2008) Identifying the optimal determinants of elite 800m and 1500m running performance using proportional allometric models. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 40(2), pp. 345 – 350
  • Pedlar C, Lane A, Lloyd J, Dawson J, Emegbo S, Whyte G and Stanley N (2007) Sleep profiles and mood states during an expedition to the South Pole. Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, 18(2), pp. 127 – 132
  • Pedlar C, Whyte G, Emegbo S, Stanley N, Hindmarch I and Godfrey R (2005). Acute sleep responses in a normobaric hypoxic tent. Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise. 10.1249/01.mss.0000171623.52757.0f

Media enquiries

For media enquiries, please contact our Press Office Team by emailing press.office@stmarys.ac.uk.