Dr Tom Mullen
Dr Tom Mullen
Lecturer in Applied Physiology
Programme Lead for BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Nutrition
My profile
Biography
Since 2019, Tom has been a Lecturer in Applied Physiology at Manchester Metropolitan University and currently holds the role of Programme Leader for the BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Nutrition degree. Their research focuses on applied exercise physiology, particularly the practices and demands faced by team sports athletes. Specifically, Tom investigates the influence of various physiological factors on athletic performance and recovery, with a strong interest in athletes’ nutritional practices. Recent work includes examining the impact of low energy availability (LEA) on physiological and metabolic outcomes in team sport athletes, as well as exploring nutritional strategies to mitigate these effects and optimize performance. In addition to research, Tom is committed to teaching and supervising both undergraduate and postgraduate students, leveraging their industry experience as a sport scientist to enrich practical learning.
Teaching
Tom has been actively involved in the design and delivery of sport-related courses since 2014. In his current role at Manchester Metropolitan University, he contributes to the delivery of a range of undergraduate programmes, including the BSc Sport and Exercise Nutrition, BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences, and MSc Sports Nutrition. Tom teaches various physiology-related modules at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, drawing on his expertise in applied exercise physiology. Additionally, he supervises postgraduate researchers, particularly in areas related to applied exercise physiology and sports nutrition, supporting research projects aimed at enhancing performance and health outcomes in athletes.
Courses
Supervision
Postgraduate supervision of several research projects in [MSc] Sport Nutrition.
Currently supervising a PhD student, assessing low energy availability in male team sport athletes.
I would be very happy to consider postgraduate supervision in these, or similar areas of research. Please contact me to discuss any research ideas - [email protected].
Research outputs
Current research interests include; the physical and mental demands of team sports, pacing strategies, mental fatigue and athletic performance, low energy availability in male athletes.
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Journal articles
Ashby, J., Mullen, T., Smith, P., Dobbin, N. (2024) 'Prevalence of physiological and perceptual markers of low energy availability in male academy football players: a study protocol for a cross-sectional study.' BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 10(4)
Mullen, T., Twist, C., Dobbin, N., Daniels, M., Highton, J. (2021) 'Influence of contextual factors, technical performance and movement demands on the subjective task load associated with professional rugby league match-play.' International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 16(6) pp. 763-771.
Mullen, T., Twist, C., Highton, J. (2020) 'The Physiological and Perceptual Effects of Stochastic Simulated Rugby League Match Play.' International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 16(1) pp. 73-79.
Mullen, T., Twist, C., Highton, J. (2019) 'Stochastic ordering of simulated rugby match activity produces reliable movements and associated measures of subjective task load, cognitive and neuromuscular function.' Journal of Sports Sciences, 37(21) pp. 2506-2512.
Gibson, N.V., McCunn, R., MacNay, S.A., Mullen, T., Twist, C. (2018) 'Playing exposure does not affect movement characteristics or physiological responses of elite youth footballers during an intensified period of competition.' Science and Medicine in Football, 2(4) pp. 288-293.
Highton, J., Mullen, T., Twist, C. (2017) 'Influence of knowledge of task endpoint on pacing and performance during simulated rugby league match play.' International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 12(9) pp. 1192-1198.
Highton, J., Mullen, T., Norris, J., Oxendale, C., Twist, C. (2017) 'The unsuitability of energy expenditure derived from microtechnology for assessing internal load in collision-based activities.' International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 12(2) pp. 264-267.
Mullen, T., Highton, J., Twist, C. (2015) 'The internal and external responses to a forward-specific rugby league simulation protocol performed with and without physical contact.' International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 10(6) pp. 746-753.
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Conference papers
Mullen, T., Twist, C., Highton, J. (2017) 'The influence of stochastic movement patterns on external and internal load measures during simulated rugby league match play.' In BASES Conference. Nottingham, UK, 2017 -
Mullen, T., Twist, C., Highton, J. (2017) 'The influence of stochastic movement patterns on external and internal load measures during simulated rugby league match play.' In Rugby Science Network (RSN) Conference. Bath, UK, 2017 -
Mullen, T., Twist, C., Highton, J. (2015) 'Knowledge of exercise end point alters pacing during simulated rugby league match-play.' In BASES Conference. Burton upon Trent, UK, 2015 -
Mullen, T., Highton, J., Twist, C. (2015) 'The influence of physical contact on the movement and physiological responses to forward-specific rugby league match-play.' In Rugby Science Network (RSN) Conference. Bath, UK, 2015 -
Twist, C., Mullen, T., Waldron, M., Highton, J. (2014) 'The influence of physical contact on the external and internal demands during simulated rugby league match.' In ECSS Annual Congress. Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2014 -
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Posters
Bolland, P., Mullen, T., Dobbin, N. (2023) 'The effect of neck strength and anthropometric properties of academy football players on the linear and rotational accelerations experienced during heading.' [Poster] In British Association for Sport and Exercise Medicine Conference 2023. Date viewed 5/10/2023.