Dr Nick Dobbin
Dr Nick Dobbin
Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology
My profile
Biography
Biography
I am a Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology/Sports Medicine, and am based in the Department of Health Professions. My current role sees me teaching within the area of Physiotherapy, Sport and Exercise Medicine, and Sport and Exercise Nutrition. I am also currently the current the Deputy Chair of the Faculty of Health and Education Research Ethics and Governance Committee. I moved to Manchester Metropolitan in 2019.
- BSc in Sport and Exercise Science with Biological Sciences
- MRes in Sport and Exercise Physiology
- PhD in Applied Physiology and Sport Performance
- PGcert in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
- HEA fellowship
Internal/External Examiner Roles
PhD = 1
MRes = 1
Journal Reviewer Roles
- British Journal of Sport Medicine
- Science and Medicine in Football
- BMC Sport Science
- Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport
- International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport,
- PLOSone,
- Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology
- Journal of Sport Sciences
- International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
- Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
- European Journal of Sport Sciences,
- International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching
- Journal of Sport Sciences for Health
- Sports Medicine Open
- Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness
- Scientific Reports Nature
Editorial Roles
- PLoS One
Awards
British Institute of Musculoskeletal Medicine Award 2023
Projects
I am currently running several research projects centred on the following areas:
- An investigation into the clinical value of an isometric hamstring strength assessment protocol in professional rugby league
- Physiological implications of low energy availability in elite academy soccer players.
- Understanding and improving concussion knowledge and attitudes amongst key stakeholders in cricket.
- The development and implementation of an ACL risk-specific intervention for touch rugby athletes: a parallel groups trial.
- The efficacy of caffeine and CHO mouth rinse for improving sporting performance in an immersive and non-immersive environment: A randomised controlled trial.
- The effect of cross-education on quadricep strength, muscle activity, and knee function in the untrained limb: a randomized controlled trial
- Pain and injury in sport (ballet, tennis)
- Impact of sports clothing on health and wellbeing in sport.
- ACL rehabilitation and screening
I am also supervisor a current NIHR Predoctoral students on the role of strength in the management of patients with cystic fibrosis.
Teaching
Undergraduate teaching
- Anatomy, Physiology and Human Movement (L4)
- Cardiorespiratory Function and Assessment (L4)
- Physical Activity and Health (L6)
- Research Methods (L4-6)
- Dissertation (l6)
Postgraduate teaching
- Maximising Sport Performance
- Project in Sport and Exercise Medicine, Advanced Physiotherapy, and Pre-Registration Physiotherapy.
- Research Methods in Sport and Exercise Medicine, Advanced Physiotherapy, and Pre-Registration Physiotherapy.
- Foundation in Physiotherapy Management
- Rehabilitation in Sport
- Exercise Physiology
- Physical Activity and Health
- Upper- and Lower-Quadrant (MSK)
- Sport Team Physician
Supervision (current)
- MSc in Pre-Registration Physiology (n = 6)
- MSc in Advanced Physiotherapy (n = 1)
- MSc in Sport and Exercise Medicine (n = 9)
- PhD in Physiotherapy and Sport and Exercise Medicine (n = 3)
- Jamie Ashby - Low Energy Availability in Male Athletes
- Cari Thorpe - Movement Screening in Touch [rugby]
- Glenis Donaldson - Factors influencing the late recurrence of talipes equinovarus post Ponseti treatment in children aged 5-12 years
- NIHR Predoctoral (n = 1)
- Nicola Hodgson - The role of strength in the management of patients with cystic fibrosis.
Supervision (completions)
- MSc Pre-Registration (n = 3)
- MSc in Advanced Physiotherapy (n = 10)
- MSc in Sport and Exercise Medicine (n = 23)
- MSc in Sport and Exercise Nutrition (n = 8)
- PhD in Sport and Exercise Medicine (n = 1)
- Rachael Hearn - The effects of person-centred active rehabilitation on symptoms of suspected Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: A mixed methods single case design.
Courses
Research outputs
I have broad research interests and am keen to support staff and students on any research project where I can bring value. My personal interest centre on performance and injuries in elite sports, injury epidemiology, and sport and exercise nutrition. All research interests and project are developed and supported by those working in academia, in elite sport, in private healthcare, and the National Health Service. I am keen to undertake and complete research that has impact and addresses a genuine question in the applied or clinical setting.
-
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)
Dobbin, N., Getty, C., Digweed, B. (2024) 'Factors associated with non-specific low back pain in field hockey: a cross-sectional study of Premier and Division One players.' PLoS ONE, 19(7)
Hearn, R., Selfe, J., Cordero, M.I., Dobbin, N. (2024) 'The effects of person-centred active rehabilitation on symptoms of suspected Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: a mixed-methods single case design.' PLoS One, 19(5)
Oxford, S., Neil, C., Dobbin, N. (2024) 'A international cross-sectional study examining knowledge and attitudes towards sport-related concussion in Touch.' Physical Therapy in Sport,
Thorpe, C., Dobbin, N., Twist, C., Callaghan, M. (2024) 'The relationship between individual and composite FMS™ score with the anthropometric and physical characteristics of elite Touch (rugby) players.' Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise,
Dobbin, N., Thorpe, M., Highton, J., Twist, C. (2023) 'Individual and situational factors affecting the movement characteristics and internal responses to Touch match-play during an international tournament.' Science and Medicine in Football, 7(4) pp. 347-357.
Olanrewaju, O., Rashid, H., Dobbin, N. (2023) 'A cross-sectional study examining Nigerian footballers’ knowledge and attitudes towards sport-related concussion and associated contextual factors.' Brain Impairment, 24(2) pp. 424-440.
Olanrewaju, O., Rashid, H., Dobbin, N. (2023) 'A cross-sectional study examining Nigerian footballers’ knowledge and attitudes towards sport-related concussion and associated contextual factors – CORRIGENDUM.' Brain Impairment, 24(2) pp. 441-441.
O’Donnell, J., White, C., Dobbin, N. (2023) 'Perspectives on relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S): a qualitative case study of athletes, coaches and medical professionals from a super league netball club.' PLoS One, 18(5) pp. e0285040-e0285040.
Dobbin, N., Atherton, A., Hill, C. (2022) 'The subjective task load responses and movement characteristics associated with purposefully designed games in junior Touch players.' International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 19(1) pp. 257-267.
Richardson, B., Dobbin, N., White, C., Bloyce, D., Twist, C. (2022) 'Are you lookin’ at me? A mixed-methods case study to investigate the influence of coaches’ presence on performance testing outcomes in male academy rugby league players.' International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 18(2) pp. 563-571.
Cook, O., Dobbin, N. (2022) 'The association between sport nutrition knowledge, nutritional intake, energy availability and training characteristics with the risk of an eating disorder amongst highly trained competitive road cyclists.' Sport Sciences for Health, 18(4) pp. 1243-1251.
Selfe, J., Mbada, C., Kaka, B., Odole, A., Ashbrook, J., Yusuf, M., Dobbin, N., Lee, D., Fatoye, F. (2022) 'Red flags for spinal pain in patients diagnosed with spinal infection in Nigeria: A 10-year medical records review.' Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 60
Hearn, R., Selfe, J., Cordero Campa�a, M., Dobbin, N. (2022) 'The effects of active rehabilitation on symptoms associated with tau pathology: an umbrella review. Implications for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy symptom management.' PLoS One, 17(7) pp. e0271213-e0271213.
Twist, C., Williams, J., Dobbin, N. (2022) 'Deteriorations in physical qualities during a 10-week unsupervised off-season period in academy rugby union players.' Science and Medicine in Football, 6(3) pp. 347-354.
Esen, O., Dobbin, N., Callaghan, M. (2022) 'The effect of dietary nitrate on the contractile properties of human skeletal muscle: a systematic review and meta-analysis.' Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 42(4) pp. 327-338.
Dobbin, N., Richardson, D., Myler, L., Esen, O. (2022) 'Effects of a 12% carbohydrate beverage on tackling technique and running performance during rugby league activity: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial.' PLoS One, 17(1) pp. e0262443-e0262443.
Lee, M., Wee, J., Dobbin, N., Roman, Q., Choong, G. (2022) 'The impact of tournament load on neuromuscular function, perceived wellness and coach ratings of performance during intensified netball competition.' Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise, 5(1) pp. 16-24.
Dobbin, N. (2021) 'Sprint mechanical properties of professional rugby league players according to playing standard, age and position, and the association with key physical characteristics.' The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 62(4) pp. 467-475.
McAuley, S., Dobbin, N., Morgan, C., Goodwin, P. (2021) 'Predictors of time to return to play and re-injury following hamstring injury with and without intramuscular tendon involvement in adult professional footballers : a retrospective cohort study.' Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 25(3) pp. 216-221.
Rashid, H., Mishra, S., Dobbin, N. (2021) 'Management of sport-related concussion in emergency departments in England: a multi-centre study.' Brain Injury, 35(9) pp. 1035-1042.
Money-Taylor, E., Dobbin, N., Gregg, R., Matthews, J.J., Esen, O. (2021) 'Differences in attitudes, behaviours and beliefs towards eating between female bodybuilding athletes and non-athletes, and the implications for eating disorders and disordered eating.' Sport Sciences for Health, 18(1) pp. 67-74.
Dobbin, N., Cushman, S., Clarke, J., Batsford, J., Twist, C. (2021) 'Differences in the vertical and horizontal force-velocity profile between academy and senior professional rugby league players, and the implications for strength and speed training..' The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 62(2) pp. 184-191.
Adam, A., Dobbin, N., Thorpe, M.C. (2021) 'The concurrent validity and intrarater reliability of a hand-held dynamometer for the assessment of neck strength in semi-professional rugby union players.' Physical Therapy in Sport, 49pp. 229-235.
Loftus, N., Dobbin, N., Crampton, J. (2021) 'The effects of a group exercise and education programme on symptoms and physical fitness in patients with fibromyalgia: a prospective observational cohort study.' Disability and Rehabilitation, 44(15) pp. 3860-3867.
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.
Dobbin, N., Thorpe, C., Highton, J., Twist, C. (2020) 'Sex-related changes in physical performance, wellbeing and neuromuscular function of elite Touch players during a 4-day international tournament..' International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 15(8) pp. 1138-1146.
Dobbin, N., Atherton, A., Hill, C. (2020) 'Influence of game design, physical demands and skill involvement on the subjective task load associated with various small-sided games among elite junior rugby league players.' International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 16(6) pp. 802-810.
Dobbin, N., Highton, J., Moss, S., Twist, C. (2020) 'The effects of in-season, low-volume sprint interval training with and without sport-specific actions on the physical characteristics of elite academy rugby league players..' International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 15(5) pp. 705-713.
Dobbin, N., Clarke, J., Cushman, S. (2020) 'The effects of an 8-week off-season period on the mechanical properties of sprinting in professional rugby league players: implications for training considerations.' Journal of Trainology, 9(1) pp. 15-19.
Dobbin, N., Bloyce, D., Hughes, S.F., Twist, C. (2020) 'Effects of a four-week touch rugby and self-paced interval running intervention on health markers in active young men.' Sport Sciences for Health, 16(4) pp. 635-643.
Finlay, C., Dobbin, N., Jones, G. (2019) 'The epidemiology of injuries in adult amateur rowers: A cross-sectional study.' Physical Therapy in Sport, 41pp. 29-33.
Dobbin, N., Highton, J., Moss, S., Twist, C. (2019) 'The discriminant validity of standardised testing battery and its ability to differentiate anthropometric and physical characteristics between youth, academy and senior professional rugby league players..' International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 14(8) pp. 1110-1116.
Dobbin, N., Highton, J., Moss, S., Twist, C. (2018) 'Factors affecting the anthropometric and physical characteristics of elite academy rugby league players: a multi-club study.' International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 14(7) pp. 958-965.
Dobbin, N., Highton, J., Moss, S.L., Hunwicks, R., Twist, C. (2018) 'Concurrent Validity of a Rugby-Specific Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (Level 1) for Assessing Match-Related Running Performance.' Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 35(1) pp. 176-182.
Dobbin, N., Moss, S.L., Highton, J., Twist, C. (2018) 'An examination of a modified Yo-Yo test to measure intermittent running performance in rugby players.' European Journal of Sport Science, 18(8) pp. 1068-1076.
Dobbin, N., Gardner, A., Daniels, M., Twist, C. (2018) 'The influence of` preseason training phase and training load on body composition and its relationship with physical qualities in professional junior rugby league players.' Journal of Sports Sciences, 36(24) pp. 2778-2786.
Till, K., Morris, R., Stokes, K., Trewartha, G., Twist, C., Dobbin, N., Hunwicks, R., Jones, B. (2018) 'Validity of an Isometric Midthigh Pull Dynamometer in Male Youth Athletes.' Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 32(2) pp. 490-493.
Dobbin, N., Hunwicks, R., Jones, B., Till, K., Highton, J., Twist, C. (2018) 'Criterion and Construct Validity of an Isometric Midthigh-Pull Dynamometer for Assessing Whole-Body Strength in Professional Rugby League Players.' International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 13(2) pp. 235-239.
Marsh, N., Dobbin, N., Twist, C., Curtis, C. (2017) 'Estimates of Energy Intake and Expenditure in Elite Female Touch Players During an International Tournament.' International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 27(6) pp. 499-506.
Dobbin, N., Lamb, K.L., Twist, C. (2017) 'Selected Physiological, Perceptual, and Physical Performance Changes During Two Bouts of Prolonged High-Intensity Intermittent Running Separated by 72 Hours.' Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 31(12) pp. 3474-3481.
Dobbin, N., Hunwicks, R., Highton, J., Twist, C. (2017) 'A Reliable Testing Battery for Assessing Physical Qualities of Elite Academy Rugby League Player..' Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 32(11) pp. 3232-3238.
Dobbin, N., Hunwicks, R., Highton, J., Twist, C. (2017) 'Validity of a Jump Mat for assessing Countermovement Jump Performance in Elite Rugby Players.' International Journal of Sports Medicine, 38(02) pp. 99-104.
-
Conference papers
Esen, O., Zambolin, F., Dobbin, N., McPhee, J. (2020) 'THE EFFECT OF DIETARY NITRATE ON KNEE EXTENSOR PEAK ISOMETRIC FORCE AND RATE OF FORCE DEVELOPMENT IN HEALTH ADULTS.' In European Collage of Sport Science 25th Anniversary Congress. 28/12/2020 - 30/12/2020.
Scott, M., Dobbin, N., Peter, G. (2020) 'Predictors of time to return to play and reinjury following hamstring strain injuries with and without tendon involvement in professional football.' In IOC Word Conference on Prevention of Injury and Illness in Sport. Monaco, 12/3/2020 - 14/3/2020.
Finlay, C., Dobbin, N., Jones, G. (2018) 'The epidemiology of injuries in English amateur adult rowers: A cross-sectional study.' 4/10/2018 - 5/10/2018.
-
Presentations
Esen, O., Zambolin, F., Dobbin, N., McPhee, J.S. (2020) THE EFFECT OF DIETARY NITRATE ON KNEE EXTENSOR PEAK ISOMETRIC FORCE AND RATE OF FORCE DEVELOPMENT IN HEALTH ADULTS. [Presentation] European Collage of Sport Science 25th Anniversary Congress, 28/10/2020.
-
Theses and dissertations
Hearn, R. (2024) The effects of person-centred active rehabilitation on symptoms of suspected Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy: A mixed methods single case design.
-
Posters
Badge, R., Ashbrook, J., Amit, A., Dobbin, N. (2024) 'Knowledge and attitudes towards sport-related concussion amongst key stakeholders in cricket: a cross-sectional survey of two counties.' [Poster] Date viewed 7/11/2024.
Olanrewaju, O., Rashid, H., Dobbin, N. (2023) 'A cross-sectional study examining Nigerian footballers’ knowledge and attitudes towards sport-related concussion.' [Poster] In British Association for Sport and Exercise Medicine Conference 2023. Date viewed 5/10/2023.
Griffith, J., Thorpe, M., Dobbin, N. (2023) 'The effect of an immersive environment on basic life support quality in trained clinicians.' [Poster] In British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine Conference 2023. Date viewed 5/10/2023.
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.
Dobbin, N., Getty, C., Digweed, B. (2023) 'Factors associated with non-specific low back pain in field hockey: a cross-sectional study of Premier and Division One players.' [Poster] In British Association for Sport and Exercise Medicine Conference 2023. Date viewed 5/10/2023.
Rashid, H., Dobbin, N., Mishra, S. (2019) 'Management of sports-related concussion in UK emergency departments: a multi-centre study.' [Poster] Date viewed 21/11/2019.