Professor Leigh Breen PhD, FHEA, FECSS

Professor Leigh Breen

School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences
Exercise & Health Theme Lead
Professor of Translational Muscle Physiology

Contact details

Address
School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
UK

Professor Leigh Breen is a leading expert in the field of skeletal muscle physiology and metabolism, with an international standing in this field of research. His research has focused on the regulatory mechanisms of human skeletal muscle remodeling, alongside translational in vitro cell approaches. By combining muscle biochemistry with stable isotope tracer techniques and comprehensive in vivo human physiology profiling, Professor Breen’s group have made important discoveries concerning the role of ageing, disease and inactivity on protein turnover and associated molecular signaling networks that underpin muscle health. Alongside this, research in his laboratory also focuses on the skeletal muscle adaptive response to nutrition and exercise in the context of sports nutrition, general health, and disease.

Feedback and office hours

Professor Breen's office hours are Friday 11:00am-12:00midday on Fridays. Professor Breen is located in the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences.

Qualifications

  • PhD (Exercise Metabolism) – University of Birmingham 2010
  • MSc by Research – Manchester Metropolitan University 2007
  • BSc(hons) Sport and Exercise Sciences - Manchester Metropolitan University 2006

Biography

Professor Breen is based in the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Birmingham and works under the auspices of the Medical Research Council/Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Inflammation. He is Director of the Metabolic and Molecular Physiology Group (MMPG) and the inaugural Chair of the Centre for Movement and Wellbeing (MoveWell).

The overarching goal of Professor Breen’s research is to understand cellular mechanisms of skeletal muscle plasticity and how exercise and nutrition modulate muscle remodelling, function and performance in health and disease. His research is fundamentally translational and utilises innovative biochemistry and physiology experimental techniques, centred around wide-ranging interdisciplinary collaborations to maximize impact and influence. Professor Breen’s work is supported by extensive research funding from UKRI, charitable foundations, healthcare bodies and industry partners. Professor Breen leads the UKRI-funded ‘ATTAIN’ Network, which focuses on transformative healthy ageing research through physical activity in those most affected by health inequalities. He has published over 90 peer-reviewed articles (H-index 34, i10 index 51, >7000 citations) and is a regular invited speaker at national and international conferences. 

Prior to joining UoB, Dr Breen completed his PhD training at UoB in 2010 under the supervision of experts in the field of Exercise Metabolism. In 2011, Dr Breen received a Young Investigator of the Year Award at the European Congress for Sports Sciences for studies of muscle protein metabolism in exercising humans. Subsequently, Dr Breen undertook a post-doctoral fellowship in the internationally distinguished laboratory of Prof Stuart Phillips (McMaster University, Canada) investigating the influence of exercise, nutrition, and inactivity on muscle metabolic health across the lifespan. During this time, Dr Breen developed a keen interest in musculoskeletal ageing, and undertook extensive specialist training in stable isotope tracer methodology and muscle biochemistry techniques to characterise mechanisms of skeletal muscle remodelling.

Teaching

Professor Breen teaches on the following modules for the BSc Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences:

  • Metabolic Perspectives in Health and Disease (Year 3): Role - Module Lead
  • Sports Nutrition (Year 2): Role - Co-contributor

Postgraduate supervision

Professor Breen is Director of the Metabolic and Molecular Physiology Group (MMPG), comprising 2 Post-Doctoral Research Fellows, 6 PhD students, 2 MSc by Research student and Visiting Interns (rotating basis). 

Professor Breen has successfully supervised 5 PhD students and 11 MSc by Research students to completion and welcomes applications from potential post-graduate students with interests aligned to his research agenda.

Research

Professor Breen’s current research is broadly focused on the following specific projects: 

  • How aspects of chronological and biological ageing influence age-related skeletal muscle deterioration (e.g., from lifelong exercise to obesity).
  • The impact of disuse (e.g., reduced step-count, limb immobilization, bed rest) on skeletal muscle deterioration and the discovery of nutritional and exercise countermeasures.
  • Mechanisms and countermeasures to muscle atrophy in chronic inflammatory disease conditions (e.g., liver disease, cancer, IBD).
  • The muscle adaptive remodelling response to novel, sustainable dietary protein sources.

Twitter - https://twitter.com/leighbreen?lang=en

 ATTAIN Network - https://www.ukanet.org.uk/attain/

Other activities

In 2019 Professor Breen was awarded Fellow status with the European College of Sports Sciences (ECSS). In 2021 Professor Breen was elected to the Scientific Committee of the ECSS. 

Professor Breen acts as a consultant for various nutrition and healthcare industry bodies (e.g., Dairy UK, European Whey Processors Association) and has received research funding from industry stakeholders including Volac LTD and Myprotein.

Professor Breen leads the UKRI-funded ‘ATTAIN’ Network, which focuses on transformative healthy ageing research through physical activity in those most affected by health inequalities. More information on the ATTAIN Network can be found at the following link https://www.ukanet.org.uk/attain/.

Professor Breen holds a Visiting Professorship at the Beijing Sport University, China (2021 – present)

Publications

A full list of Professor Breen’s publications can be found on his Google Scholar page https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=z4yhIikAAAAJ&hl=en

 

Research Articles:

No effect of five days of bed rest or short-term resistance exercise prehabilitation on markers of skeletal muscle mitochondrial content and dynamics in older adults. Marshall RN, Smeuninx B, Seabright AP, Morgan PT, Atherton PJ, Philp A, Breen L. Physiol Rep. 2022 Jul;10(13):e15345. doi: 10.14814/phy2.15345. PMID: 35785448.

 

The Effect of Ex Vivo Human Serum from Liver Disease Patients on Cellular Protein Synthesis and Growth. Allen SL, Seabright AP, Quinlan JI, Dhaliwal A, Williams FR, Fine NHF, Hodson DJ, Armstrong MJ, Elsharkaway AM, Greig CA, Lai YC, Lord JM, Lavery GG, Breen L. Cells. 2022 Mar 24;11(7):1098. doi: 10.3390/cells11071098. PMID: 35406665.

 

Feasibility, Efficacy, and Safety of Percutaneous Muscle Biopsies in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease. Quinlan JI, Dhaliwal A, Williams F, Allen SL, Breen L, Greig CA, Lord JM, Armstrong MJ, Elsharkawy AM. Front Physiol. 2022 Feb 15;12:817152. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.817152. eCollection 2021. PMID: 35242045.

 

Dietary protein requirements and recommendations for healthy older adults: a critical narrative review of the scientific evidence - CORRIGENDUM. Nishimura Y, Højfeldt G, Breen L, Tetens I, Holm L. Nutr Res Rev. 2021 Dec 17:1. doi: 10.1017/S0954422421000408. Online ahead of print. PMID: 34919036.


Evaluation of the mechanisms of sarcopenia in chronic inflammatory disease: protocol for a prospective cohort study. Dhaliwal A, Williams FR, Quinlan JI, Allen SL, Greig C, Filer A, Raza K, Ghosh S, Lavery GG, Newsome PN, Choudhary S, Breen L, Armstrong MJ, Elsharkawy AM, Lord JM. Skelet Muscle. 2021 Dec 11;11(1):27. doi: 10.1186/s13395-021-00282-5. PMID: 34895316.

 

Short-term step reduction reduces citrate synthase activity without altering skeletal muscle markers of oxidative metabolism or insulin-mediated signaling in young males. Edwards SJ, Shad BJ, Marshall RN, Morgan PT, Wallis GA, Breen L. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2021 Dec 1;131(6):1653-1662. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00650.2021. Epub 2021 Nov 4. PMID: 34734783. 

 

Dietary protein requirements and recommendations for healthy older adults: a critical narrative review of the scientific evidence. Nishimura Y, Højfeldt G, Breen L, Tetens I, Holm L. Nutr Res Rev. 2021 Oct 20:1-17. doi: 10.1017/S0954422421000329. Online ahead of print. PMID: 34666855.

 

Efficacy of Dietary and Supplementation Interventions for Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. Lewgood J, Oliveira B, Korzepa M, Forbes SC, Little JP, Breen L, Bailie R, Candow DG. Nutrients. 2021 Jul 12;13(7):2378. doi: 10.3390/nu13072378. PMID: 34371888.

 

Effects of short-term graded dietary carbohydrate intake on intramuscular and whole body metabolism during moderate-intensity exercise. Maunder E, Bradley HE, Deane CS, Hodgson AB, Jones M, Joanisse S, Turner AM, Breen L, Philp A, Wallis GA. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2021 Jul 1;131(1):376-387. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00811.2020. Epub 2021 May 27. PMID: 34043470

 

The effect of young and old ex vivo human serum on cellular protein synthesis and growth in an in vitro model of aging.  Allen SL, Marshall RN, Edwards SJ, Lord JM, Lavery GG, Breen L. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2021 Jul 1;321(1):C26-C37. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00093.2021. Epub 2021 Apr 28. PMID: 33909501.

 

The role of protein hydrolysates for exercise-induced skeletal muscle recovery and adaptation: a current perspective. Morgan PT, Breen L. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2021 Apr 21;18(1):44. doi: 10.1186/s12986-021-00574-z. PMID: 33882976 Free PMC article.

 

Protein Source and Quality for Skeletal Muscle Anabolism in Young and Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Morgan PT, Harris DO, Marshall RN, Quinlan JI, Edwards SJ, Allen SL, Breen L. J Nutr. 2021 Jul 1;151(7):1901-1920. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxab055. PMID: 33851213

 

Daily Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis Rates in Response to Low- and High-Frequency Resistance Exercise Training in Healthy, Young Men. Shad BJ, Thompson JL, Mckendry J, Holwerda AM, Elhassan YS, Breen L, van Loon LJC, Wallis GA. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2021 May 1;31(3):209-216. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2020-0274. Epub 2021 Feb 17. PMID: 33601335

 

The effect of short-term exercise prehabilitation on skeletal muscle protein synthesis and atrophy during bed rest in older men. Smeuninx B, Elhassan YS, Manolopoulos KN, Sapey E, Rushton AB, Edwards SJ, Morgan PT, Philp A, Brook MS, Gharahdaghi N, Smith K, Atherton PJ, Breen L. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2021 Feb;12(1):52-69. doi: 10.1002/jcsm.12661. Epub 2020 Dec 21. PMID: 33347733

 

Exploring the Impact of Obesity on Skeletal Muscle Function in Older Age. Morgan PT, Smeuninx B, Breen L. Front Nutr. 2020 Dec 1;7:569904. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2020.569904. eCollection 2020. PMID: 33335909

 

Sarcopenia in chronic liver disease: mechanisms and countermeasures. Allen SL, Quinlan JI, Dhaliwal A, Armstrong MJ, Elsharkawy AM, Greig CA, Lord JM, Lavery GG, Breen L. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2021 Mar 1;320(3):G241-G257. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00373.2020. Epub 2020 Nov 25. PMID: 33236953

 

Protein-carbohydrate ingestion alters Vps34 cellular localization independent of changes in kinase activity in human skeletal muscle. Hodson N, Dent JR, Song Z, O'Leary MF, Nicholson T, Jones SW, Murray JT, Jeromson S, Hamilton DL, Breen L, Philp A. Exp Physiol. 2020 Dec;105(12):2178-2189. doi: 10.1113/EP088805. Epub 2020 Oct 17. PMID: 32965751

 

High-dose leucine supplementation does not prevent muscle atrophy or strength loss over 7 days of immobilization in healthy young males. Edwards SJ, Smeuninx B, Mckendry J, Nishimura Y, Luo D, Marshall RN, Perkins M, Ramsay J, Joanisse S, Philp A, Breen L. Am J Clin Nutr. 2020 Nov 11;112(5):1368-1381. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqaa229. PMID: 32910813.

Enhanced Cycling Time-Trial Performance During Multiday Exercise With Higher-Pressure Compression Garment Wear. Williams ER, McKendry J, Morgan PT, Breen L. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2021 Feb 1;16(2):287-295. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2019-0716. Epub 2020 Sep 1. PMID: 32871554

 

Nutritional Strategies to Offset Disuse-Induced Skeletal Muscle Atrophy and Anabolic Resistance in Older Adults: From Whole-Foods to Isolated Ingredients. Marshall RN, Smeuninx B, Morgan PT, Breen L. Nutrients. 2020 May 25;12(5):1533. doi: 10.3390/nu12051533. PMID: 32466126

 

Immobilization Leads to Alterations in Intracellular Phosphagen and Creatine Transporter Content in Human Skeletal Muscle. Luo D, Edwards S, Smeuninx B, McKendry J, Nishimura Y, Perkins M, Philp A, Joanisse S, Breen L. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2020 May 6. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00072.2020. Online ahead of print. PMID: 32374680

 

Quadriceps muscle electromyography activity during physical activities and resistance exercise modes in younger and older adults. Marshall RN, Morgan PT, Martinez-Valdes E, Breen L. Exp Gerontol. 2020 Jul 15;136:110965. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2020.110965. Epub 2020 Apr 30. PMID: 32360986

 

Amount, Source and Pattern of Dietary Protein Intake Across the Adult Lifespan: A Cross-Sectional Study. Smeuninx B, Greig CA, Breen L. Front Nutr. 2020 Mar 16;7:25. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2020.00025. eCollection 2020. PMID: 32232047

 

PHD1 controls muscle mTORC1 in a hydroxylation-independent manner by stabilizing leucyl tRNA synthetase. D'Hulst G, Soro-Arnaiz I, Masschelein E, Veys K, Fitzgerald G, Smeuninx B, Kim S, Deldicque L, Blaauw B, Carmeliet P, Breen L, Koivunen P, Zhao SM, De Bock K. Nat Commun. 2020 Jan 10;11(1):174. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-13889-6. PMID: 31924757.

 

Pre-Sleep Casein Protein Ingestion Does Not Impact Next-Day Appetite, Energy Intake and Metabolism in Older Individuals. Morehen S, Smeuninx B, Perkins M, Morgan P, Breen L. Nutrients. 2019 Dec 28;12(1):90. doi: 10.3390/nu12010090. PMID: 31905607 Free PMC article.

 

Comparable Rates of Integrated Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis Between Endurance-Trained Master Athletes and Untrained Older Individuals. McKendry J, Shad BJ, Smeuninx B, Oikawa SY, Wallis G, Greig C, Phillips SM, Breen L. Front Physiol. 2019 Aug 30;10:1084. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01084. eCollection 2019. PMID: 31543824

 

Superior Aerobic Capacity and Indices of Skeletal Muscle Morphology in Chronically Trained Master Endurance Athletes Compared With Untrained Older Adults. McKendry J, Joanisse S, Baig S, Liu B, Parise G, Greig CA, Breen L. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2020 May 22;75(6):1079-1088. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glz142. PMID: 31155637

 

Vaspin promotes insulin sensitivity of elderly muscle and is upregulated in obesity. Nicholson T, Church C, Tsintzas K, Jones R, Breen L, Davis ET, Baker DJ, Jones SW. J Endocrinol. 2019 Feb 1:JOE-18-0528.R3. doi: 10.1530/JOE-18-0528. Online ahead of print. PMID: 30721136

 

The challenges of muscle biopsy in a community based geriatric population. Wilson D, Breen L, Lord JM, Sapey E. BMC Res Notes. 2018 Nov 26;11(1):830. doi: 10.1186/s13104-018-3947-8. PMID: 30477571 Free PMC article.

 

Dose-Response Relationship of Weekly Resistance-Training Volume and Frequency on Muscular Adaptations in Trained Men. Heaselgrave SR, Blacker J, Smeuninx B, McKendry J, Breen L. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2019 Mar 1;14(3):360-368. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2018-0427. Epub 2019 Feb 6. PMID: 30160627 

 

The effect of acute oral phosphatidic acid ingestion on myofibrillar protein synthesis and intracellular signaling in older males. Smeuninx B, Nishimura Y, McKendry J, Limb M, Smith K, Atherton PJ, Breen L. Clin Nutr. 2019 Jun;38(3):1423-1432. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2018.06.963. Epub 2018 Jun 21. PMID: 29970319

 

Muscle morphology and performance in master athletes: A systematic review and meta-analyses. Mckendry J, Breen L, Shad BJ, Greig CA. Ageing Res Rev. 2018 Aug;45:62-82. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2018.04.007. Epub 2018 Apr 30. PMID: 29715523

 

A small dose of whey protein co-ingested with mixed-macronutrient breakfast and lunch meals improves postprandial glycemia and suppresses appetite in men with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial. King DG, Walker M, Campbell MD, Breen L, Stevenson EJ, West DJ. Am J Clin Nutr. 2018 Apr 1;107(4):550-557. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqy019. PMID: 29635505

 

Characterisation of L-Type Amino Acid Transporter 1 (LAT1) Expression in Human Skeletal Muscle by Immunofluorescent Microscopy. Hodson N, Brown T, Joanisse S, Aguirre N, West DWD, Moore DR, Baar K, Breen L, Philp A. Nutrients. 2017 Dec 26;10(1):23. doi: 10.3390/nu10010023. PMID: 29278358

 

Age-Related Anabolic Resistance of Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis Is Exacerbated in Obese Inactive Individuals. Smeuninx B, Mckendry J, Wilson D, Martin U, Breen L. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2017 Sep 1;102(9):3535-3545. doi: 10.1210/jc.2017-00869. PMID: 28911148

 

Overload-mediated skeletal muscle hypertrophy is not impaired by loss of myofiber STAT3. Pérez-Schindler J, Esparza MC, McKendry J, Breen L, Philp A, Schenk S. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2017 Sep 1;313(3):C257-C261. doi: 10.1152/ajpcell.00100.2017. Epub 2017 Jun 28. PMID: 28659288

 

Does the muscle protein synthetic response to exercise and amino acid-based nutrition diminish with advancing age? A systematic review. Shad BJ, Thompson JL, Breen L. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2016 Nov 1;311(5):E803-E817. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00213.2016. Epub 2016 Aug 23. PMID: 27555299

 

Short inter-set rest blunts resistance exercise-induced increases in myofibrillar protein synthesis and intracellular signalling in young males. McKendry J, Pérez-López A, McLeod M, Luo D, Dent JR, Smeuninx B, Yu J, Taylor AE, Philp A, Breen L. Exp Physiol. 2016 Jul 1;101(7):866-82. doi: 10.1113/EP085647. Epub 2016 Jun 2. PMID: 27126459

 

Live strong and prosper: the importance of skeletal muscle strength for healthy ageing. McLeod M, Breen L, Hamilton DL, Philp A. Biogerontology. 2016 Jun;17(3):497-510. doi: 10.1007/s10522-015-9631-7. Epub 2016 Jan 20. PMID: 26791164

 

Exercising our brains, muscles and cells to fight the ageing process. Lucas SJ, Breen L, Phillips AC. Sci Prog. 2015;98(Pt 4):413-5. doi: 10.3184/003685015X14467218232110. PMID: 26790179

 

The mechanistic and ergogenic effects of phosphatidic acid in skeletal muscle. Shad BJ, Smeuninx B, Atherton PJ, Breen L. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2015 Dec;40(12):1233-41. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2015-0350. Epub 2015 Sep 21. PMID: 26566242

 

Low-load resistance training during step-reduction attenuates declines in muscle mass and strength and enhances anabolic sensitivity in older men. Devries MC, Breen L, Von Allmen M, MacDonald MJ, Moore DR, Offord EA, Horcajada MN, Breuillé D, Phillips SM. Physiol Rep. 2015 Aug;3(8):e12493. doi: 10.14814/phy2.12493. PMID: 26265753

 

Rapamycin does not prevent increases in myofibrillar or mitochondrial protein synthesis following endurance exercise. Philp A, Schenk S, Perez-Schindler J, Hamilton DL, Breen L, Laverone E, Jeromson S, Phillips SM, Baar K. J Physiol. 2015 Sep 15;593(18):4275-84. doi: 10.1113/JP271219. PMID: 26227152

 

Whey protein supplementation preserves postprandial myofibrillar protein synthesis during short-term energy restriction in overweight and obese adults. Hector AJ, Marcotte GR, Churchward-Venne TA, Murphy CH, Breen L, von Allmen M, Baker SK, Phillips SM. J Nutr. 2015 Feb;145(2):246-52. doi: 10.3945/jn.114.200832. Epub 2014 Dec 17. PMID: 25644344

 

Protein ingestion to stimulate myofibrillar protein synthesis requires greater relative protein intakes in healthy older versus younger men. Moore DR, Churchward-Venne TA, Witard O, Breen L, Burd NA, Tipton KD, Phillips SM. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2015 Jan;70(1):57-62. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glu103. Epub 2014 Jul 23. PMID: 25056502

 

Influence of exercise intensity on training-induced tendon mechanical properties changes in older individuals. Grosset JF, Breen L, Stewart CE, Burgess KE, Onambélé GL. Age (Dordr). 2014 Jun;36(3):9657. doi: 10.1007/s11357-014-9657-9. Epub 2014 Apr 24. PMID: 24760611

 

Temporal changes in human skeletal muscle and blood lipid composition with fish oil supplementation. McGlory C, Galloway SD, Hamilton DL, McClintock C, Breen L, Dick JR, Bell JG, Tipton KD. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2014 Jun;90(6):199-206. doi: 10.1016/j.plefa.2014.03.001. Epub 2014 Mar 29. PMID: 24726616

 

Influence of aerobic exercise intensity on myofibrillar and mitochondrial protein synthesis in young men during early and late postexercise recovery. Di Donato DM, West DW, Churchward-Venne TA, Breen L, Baker SK, Phillips SM. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2014 May 1;306(9):E1025-32. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00487.2013. Epub 2014 Mar 4. PMID: 24595306

 

Leucine supplementation of a low-protein mixed macronutrient beverage enhances myofibrillar protein synthesis in young men: a double-blind, randomized trial. Churchward-Venne TA, Breen L, Di Donato DM, Hector AJ, Mitchell CJ, Moore DR, Stellingwerff T, Breuille D, Offord EA, Baker SK, Phillips SM. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014 Feb;99(2):276-86. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.113.068775. Epub 2013 Nov 27. PMID: 24284442

 

Myofibrillar muscle protein synthesis rates subsequent to a meal in response to increasing doses of whey protein at rest and after resistance exercise. Witard OC, Jackman SR, Breen L, Smith K, Selby A, Tipton KD. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014 Jan;99(1):86-95. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.112.055517. Epub 2013 Nov 20. PMID: 24257722 

 

Alterations in human muscle protein metabolism with aging: Protein and exercise as countermeasures to offset sarcopenia. Churchward-Venne TA, Breen L, Phillips SM. Biofactors. 2014 Mar-Apr;40(2):199-205. doi: 10.1002/biof.1138. Epub 2013 Sep 16. PMID: 24105883

 

Two weeks of reduced activity decreases leg lean mass and induces "anabolic resistance" of myofibrillar protein synthesis in healthy elderly. Breen L, Stokes KA, Churchward-Venne TA, Moore DR, Baker SK, Smith K, Atherton PJ, Phillips SM. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2013 Jun;98(6):2604-12. doi: 10.1210/jc.2013-1502. Epub 2013 Apr 15. PMID: 23589526

 

Dose-dependent responses of myofibrillar protein synthesis with beef ingestion are enhanced with resistance exercise in middle-aged men. Robinson MJ, Burd NA, Breen L, Rerecich T, Yang Y, Hector AJ, Baker SK, Phillips SM. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2013 Feb;38(2):120-5. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2012-0092. Epub 2012 Nov 9. PMID: 23438221

 

Interactions between exercise and nutrition to prevent muscle waste during ageing. Breen L, Phillips SM. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2013 Mar;75(3):708-15. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2012.04456.x. PMID: 22957963

 

Myofibrillar protein synthesis following ingestion of soy protein isolate at rest and after resistance exercise in elderly men.

Yang Y, Churchward-Venne TA, Burd NA, Breen L, Tarnopolsky MA, Phillips SM. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2012 Jun 14;9(1):57. doi: 10.1186/1743-7075-9-57. PMID: 22698458

 

Resistance exercise load does not determine training-mediated hypertrophic gains in young men. Mitchell CJ, Churchward-Venne TA, West DW, Burd NA, Breen L, Baker SK, Phillips SM. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2012 Jul;113(1):71-7. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00307.2012. Epub 2012 Apr 19. PMID: 22518835

 

Nutrient interaction for optimal protein anabolism in resistance exercise. Breen L, Phillips SM. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2012 May;15(3):226-32. doi: 10.1097/MCO.0b013e3283516850. PMID: 22366920 Review.

 

Resistance exercise enhances myofibrillar protein synthesis with graded intakes of whey protein in older men.  

Yang Y, Breen L, Burd NA, Hector AJ, Churchward-Venne TA, Josse AR, Tarnopolsky MA, Phillips SM. Br J Nutr. 2012 Nov 28;108(10):1780-8. doi: 10.1017/S0007114511007422. Epub 2012 Feb 7. PMID: 22313809

 

Activation of mTOR signalling in young and old human skeletal muscle in response to combined resistance exercise and whey protein ingestion. Farnfield MM, Breen L, Carey KA, Garnham A, Cameron-Smith D. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2012 Feb;37(1):21-30. doi: 10.1139/h11-132. Epub 2011 Dec 13. PMID: 22148961

 

Skeletal muscle protein metabolism in the elderly: Interventions to counteract the 'anabolic resistance' of ageing.

Breen L, Phillips SM. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2011 Oct 5;8:68. doi: 10.1186/1743-7075-8-68. PMID: 21975196

 

The influence of carbohydrate-protein co-ingestion following endurance exercise on myofibrillar and mitochondrial protein synthesis. Breen L, Philp A, Witard OC, Jackman SR, Selby A, Smith K, Baar K, Tipton KD. J Physiol. 2011 Aug 15;589(Pt 16):4011-25. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.211888. Epub 2011 Jul 11. PMID: 21746787

 

Beneficial effects of resistance exercise on glycemic control are not further improved by protein ingestion. Breen L, Philp A, Shaw CS, Jeukendrup AE, Baar K, Tipton KD. PLoS One. 2011;6(6):e20613. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020613. Epub 2011 Jun 20. PMID: 21701685

 

No role for early IGF-1 signalling in stimulating acute 'muscle building' responses. Burd NA, West DW, Camera DM, Breen L. J Physiol. 2011 Jun 1;589(Pt 11):2667-8. doi: 10.1113/jphysiol.2011.207332. PMID: 21632529

 

Influences of carbohydrate plus amino acid supplementation on differing exercise intensity adaptations in older persons: skeletal muscle and endocrine responses. Onambélé-Pearson GL, Breen L, Stewart CE. Age (Dordr). 2010 Jun;32(2):125-38. doi: 10.1007/s11357-009-9129-9. Epub 2010 Jan 29. PMID: 20431985

 

Influence of exercise intensity in older persons with unchanged habitual nutritional intake: skeletal muscle and endocrine adaptations. Onambélé-Pearson GL, Breen L, Stewart CE. Age (Dordr). 2010 Jun;32(2):139-53. doi: 10.1007/s11357-010-9141-0. Epub 2010 Apr 21. PMID: 20407838


No effect of carbohydrate-protein on cycling performance and indices of recovery. Breen L, Tipton KD, Jeukendrup AE. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2010 Jun;42(6):1140-8. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181c91f1a. PMID: 19997018 

 

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