Dr Nicholas Tiller MRes, PhD, PGCert, FHea
Senior Lecturer in Applied Physiology
Summary
Nick is a BASES-accredited physiologist, Senior Lecturer in Applied Physiology, the sports sciences Laboratory Director, and Deputy-Chair of the Research Ethics Committee. He is actively engaged in research and scholarly activity.
About
Nick completed his undergraduate studies in Sport and Exercise Science (2005) at the University of Hertfordshire, and his Masters by Research the following year at the same institution. His thesis looked at carbohydrate metabolism and substrate utilisation during endurance cycling. After providing consultancy services to the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) and England Athletics, Nick joined the English Institute of Sport at Bisham Abbey (South East), where he provided physiology support to Badminton England, UK Athletics and the Flatwater Kayak Olympic programmes. While at the EIS, he completed his BASES accreditation (2010).
In 2011, Nick won a Pro-vice Chancellor Research Scholarship to complete Doctoral studies at Brunel University London, under the supervision of Dr Lee Romer. During this time, Nick worked as a teaching fellow, won two Brunel travel grants, a BASES international conference grant, and a post-graduate prize for research. Following his Doctoral studies, Nick assumed a role at the GSK Human Performance Lab (West London), where he developed their Expert Science programme and science communication strategies. Nick joined Sheffield Hallam in 2016, where he now leads on the Applied Physiology module at level 6.
Specialist areas of interest
Respiratory mechanics
Respiratory muscle function/fatigue
Cardiorespiratory physiology
Ultra-endurance exercise
Ergogenic aids and drugs of abuse
Teaching
Applied Physiology of Sport and Exercise (ML, level 6)
Physiology and Nutrition of Sport and Exercise (level 5)
Physiology and Nutrition in Practice (ML, level 4)
Subject area
Physiology
Courses
Sport and Exercise Science
Modules
Applied Physiology of Sport and Exercise (level 6)
Issues in Sports Science (level 6)
Physiology and Nutrition in Practice (level 4)
Research
Ongoing projects relating to: pulmonary function and airflow dynamics in response to cold-water immersion; ultra-endurance physiology; cardiorespiratory responses to indoor climbing; the efficacy of CPR in the exercise training environment.
The 100-Peaks Challenge (principal researcher and physiology consultant). This is a collaborative project between Sheffield Hallam University, University College London, Brunel University, and Anglia Ruskin University, I which we are investigating the physiological responses to extreme-endurance exercise.
Pulmonary function following cold-water ingestion: challenging the current guidelines on pulmonary function testing (collaborative project with Dr Louise Turner).
Cardiovascular profiles of elite competitive rock climbers (collaborative project with NHS medics and Newcastle University).
Influence of multi-day marathon running on pulmonary function (principal researcher).
Masters project supervisor: Pre-exercise hypocapnic hyperventilation as an ergogenic aid.
Doctoral project supervisor: Influence of between-point rest duration on thermal strain during simulated tennis match-play
Pulmonary and respiratory muscle responses to exercise
Respiratory mechanics and ventilatory constraint in health and disease
Pathophysiology of ultra-endurance exercise
Publications
Key Publications
Tiller, N., Aggar, T.R., West, C.R., & Romer, L.M. (2018). Exercise-induced diaphragm fatigue in a Paralympic champion rower with spinal cord injury. Journal of Applied Physiology, 124 (3), 805-811. http://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00870.2017
Tiller, N., & Simpson, A.J. (2018). Effect of spirometry on intra-thoracic pressures. BMC research notes, 11 (110). http://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-018-3217-9
Tiller, N., Campbell, I.G., & Romer, L.M. (2017). Influence of upper-body exercise on the fatigability of human respiratory muscles. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 49 (7), 1461-1472. http://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000001251
Tiller, N., Price, M.J., Campbell, I.G., & Romer, L.M. (2017). Effect of cadence on locomotor–respiratory coupling during upper-body exercise. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 117 (2), 279-287. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-016-3517-5
Journal articles
Tiller, N.B., & Jeukendrup, A.E. (2024). Comment On: "A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study Examining an Oxygen Nanobubble Beverage for 16.1-km Time Trial and Repeated Sprint Cycling Performance.". Journal of dietary supplements, 21 (2), 207-209. http://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2023.2263563
Turner, L.A., & Tiller, N.B. (2023). Lung function responses to cold water ingestion: A randomised controlled crossover trial. Respiratory physiology & neurobiology, 318, 104161. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.resp.2023.104161
Ekkekakis, P., Swinton, P., & Tiller, N.B. (2023). Extraordinary Claims in the Literature on High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): I. Bonafide Scientific Revolution or a Looming Crisis of Replication and Credibility? Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 53 (10), 1865-1890. http://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-023-01880-7
Ferguson, C., Tiller, N.B., Porszasz, J., Casaburi, R., & Rossiter, H.B. (2023). Response. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 55 (10), 1941. http://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0000000000003211
Illidi, C.R., Romer, L.M., Johnson, M.A., Williams, N.C., Rossiter, H.B., Casaburi, R., & Tiller, N.B. (2023). Distinguishing science from pseudoscience in commercial respiratory interventions: an evidence-based guide for health and exercise professionals. European journal of applied physiology, 123 (8), 1599-1625. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-023-05166-8
Illidi, C.R., Romer, L.M., Johnson, M.A., Williams, N.C., Rossiter, H.B., Casaburi, R., & Tiller, N.B. (2023). Correction to: Distinguishing science from pseudoscience in commercial respiratory interventions: an evidence-based guide for health and exercise professionals. European journal of applied physiology, 123 (8), 1627. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-023-05194-4
Tiller, N.B., & Ekkekakis, P. (2023). Overcoming the “Ostrich Effect”: A Narrative Review on the Incentives and Consequences of Questionable Research Practices in Kinesiology. Kinesiology Review, 12 (3), 201-216. http://doi.org/10.1123/kr.2022-0039
Tiller, N.B., Porszasz, J., Casaburi, R., Rossiter, H.B., & Ferguson, C. (2023). Critical Power and Respiratory Compensation Point Are Not Equivalent in Patients with COPD. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 55 (6), 1097-1104. http://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0000000000003124
Tiller, N.B., & Phillips, S.M. (2023). How Skepticism (not Cynicism) Can Raise Scientific Standards and Reform the Health and Wellness Industry. International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism, 33 (3), 174-178. http://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2023-0037
Ekkekakis, P., & Tiller, N.B. (2023). Extraordinary Claims in the Literature on High-Intensity Interval Training: II. Are the Extraordinary Claims Supported by Extraordinary Evidence? Kinesiology Review, 12 (2), 144-157. http://doi.org/10.1123/kr.2022-0003
Tiller, N.B., Sullivan, J.P., & Ekkekakis, P. (2023). Baseless Claims and Pseudoscience in Health and Wellness: A Call to Action for the Sports, Exercise, and Nutrition-Science Community. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 53 (1), 1-5. http://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-022-01702-2
Tiller, N.B., & Stringer, W.W. (2023). Exercise-induced increases in "liver function tests" in a healthy adult male: Is there a knowledge gap in primary care? Journal of family medicine and primary care, 12 (1), 177-180. http://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1923_22
Tiller, N.B., Wheatley-Guy, C.M., Fermoyle, C.C., Robach, P., Ziegler, B., Gavet, A., ... Stewart, G.M. (2022). Sex-Specific Physiological Responses to Ultramarathon. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 54 (10), 1647-1656. http://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0000000000002962
Tiller, N.B. (2022). Comment on: "Association of Vitamin D Supplementation in Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Muscle Strength in Adult Twins: A Randomized Controlled Trial". International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism, 32 (5), 419-420. http://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2022-0101
Scheer, V., Tiller, N.B., Doutreleau, S., Khodaee, M., Knechtle, B., Pasternak, A., & Rojas-Valverde, D. (2022). Potential Long-Term Health Problems Associated with Ultra-Endurance Running: A Narrative Review. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 52 (4), 725-740. http://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-021-01561-3
Scheer, V., Tiller, N.B., Doutreleau, S., Khodaee, M., Knechtle, B., Pasternak, A., & Rojas-Valverde, D. (2022). Authors' Response to: Comment on: "Potential Long-Term Health Problems Associated with Ultra-Endurance Running: A Narrative Review". Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 52 (4), 957-958. http://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-022-01647-6
Macdonald, D.M., Palzer, E.F., Abbasi, A., Baldomero, A.K., Bhatt, S.P., Casaburi, R., ... Kunisaki, K.M. (2022). Chronotropic index during 6-minute walk and acute respiratory events in COPDGene. Respiratory medicine, 194, 106775. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2022.106775
Tiller, N.B., Kinninger, A., Abbasi, A., Casaburi, R., Rossiter, H.B., Budoff, M.J., & Adami, A. (2022). Physical Activity, Muscle Oxidative Capacity, and Coronary Artery Calcium in Smokers with and without COPD. International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 17, 2811-2820. http://doi.org/10.2147/copd.s385000
Tiller, N.B., Cao, M., Lin, F., Yuan, W., Wang, C.-.Y., Abbasi, A., ... Porszasz, J. (2021). Dynamic airway function during exercise in COPD assessed via impulse oscillometry before and after inhaled bronchodilators. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 131 (1), 326-338. http://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00148.2021
Tiller, N.B., Elliott-Sale, K.J., Knechtle, B., Wilson, P.B., Roberts, J.D., & Millet, G.Y. (2021). Do Sex Differences in Physiology Confer a Female Advantage in Ultra-Endurance Sport? Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 51 (5), 895-915. http://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-020-01417-2
Callender, N.A., Hayes, T.N., & Tiller, N.B. (2021). Cardiorespiratory demands of competitive rock climbing. Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme, 46 (2), 161-168. http://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2020-0566
Kingston, T., Tiller, N.B., Partington, E., Ahmed, M., Jones, G., Johnson, M.I., & Callender, N.A. (2021). Sports safety matting diminishes cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality and increases rescuer perceived exertion. PloS one, 16 (7), e0254800. http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254800
Zhao, D., Abbasi, A., Casaburi, R., Adami, A., Tiller, N.B., Yuan, W., ... COPDGene Investigators, (2021). Identifying a Heart Rate Recovery Criterion After a 6-Minute Walk Test in COPD. International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 16, 2545-2560. http://doi.org/10.2147/copd.s311572
Tiller, N., Turner, L., Hart, J., & Casaburi, R. (2020). Airflow dynamics and exhaled-breath temperature following cold-water ingestion. Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology, 284, 103564. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.resp.2020.103564
Tiller, N.B., Stewart, G.M., Illidi, C.R., & Levine, B.D. (2020). Exercise Is Medicine? The Cardiorespiratory Implications of Ultra-marathon. Current sports medicine reports, 19 (8), 290-297. http://doi.org/10.1249/jsr.0000000000000738
Callender, N.A., Hart, P.W., Ramchandani, G.M., Chaggar, P.S., Porter, A.J., Billington, C.P., & Tiller, N.B. (2020). Case-Studies in Physiology: The exercise pressor response to indoor rock climbing. J Appl Physiol (1985), 129 (2), 404-409. http://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00357.2020
Tiller, N., Roberts, J.D., Beasley, L., Chapman, S., Pinto, J.M., Smith, L., ... Bannock, L. (2019). International Society of Sports Nutrition Position Stand: Nutritional considerations for single-stage ultra-marathon training and racing. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 16 (1), 50. http://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-019-0312-9
Tiller, N.B. (2019). Correction to: Pulmonary and Respiratory Muscle Function in Response to Marathon and Ultra-Marathon Running: A Review. Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.), 49 (8), 1307. http://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01140-7
Tiller, N., Chiesa, S.T., Roberts, J.D., Turner, L., Jones, S., & Romer, L.M. (2019). Physiological and pathophysiological consequences of a 25-day ultra-endurance exercise challenge. Frontiers in physiology, 10, 589. http://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2019.00589
Tiller, N. (2019). Pulmonary and respiratory muscle function in response to marathon and ultra-marathon running: a review. Sports Medicine. http://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01105-w
Tiller, N.B., Campbell, I.G., & Romer, L.M. (2019). Mechanical-ventilatory responses to peak and ventilation-matched upper- versus lower-body exercise in normal subjects. Experimental physiology. http://doi.org/10.1113/EP087648
Tiller, N.B., Turner, L.A., & Taylor, B.J. (2019). Pulmonary and respiratory muscle function in response to 10 marathons in 10 days. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 119 (2), 509-518. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-018-4037-2
Cherrington, J., Black, J., & Tiller, N. (2018). Running away from the taskscape : ultramarathon as ‘dark ecology’. Annals of Leisure Research, 1-21. http://doi.org/10.1080/11745398.2018.1491800
Ranchordas, M., Tiller, N., Ramchandani, G., Jutley, R., Blow, A., Tye, J., & Drury, B. (2017). Normative data on regional sweat-sodium concentrations of professional male team-sport athletes. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 14 (1), 40. http://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-017-0197-4
Jones, L., Tiller, N., & Karageorghis, C.I. (2017). Psychophysiological effects of music on acute recovery from high-intensity interval training. Physiology & Behavior, 170, 106-114. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2016.12.017
Book chapters
Cherrington, J., Black, J., & Tiller, N. (2023). Running Away From the Taskscape: Ultramarathon as 'Dark Ecology'. In Melo, R., Van Rheenen, D., & Gammon, S. (Eds.) Nature Sports: Concepts and Practice. Routledge: https://www.routledge.com/Nature-Sports-Concepts-and-Practice/Melo-Rheenen-Gammon/p/book/9781032558530#
Tiller, N.B. (2021). Exercise and sport: Definitions, classifications, and relevance to population health. In Epigenetics of Exercise and Sports. (pp. 3-22). Elsevier: http://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-820682-9.00010-4
Other activities
Nick is a science writer and frequent contributor to mainstream media publications including Peak Performance, Cycling Weekly Magazine, and The Conversation. He has a publishing contract with Routledge for his first book.
Postgraduate supervision
Matthew Debney: Influence of between-point rest duration on thermal strain during simulated tennis match-play
Media
- Tiller NB (2018, September). I ran 100 miles in a day; this is what happened to my body. An original article written for The Conversation UK, (retrieved from www.theconversation.com). *Republished by 10 outlets; >165,000 reads
- Tiller N. (2017, October). Alternative therapies in cycling; cure or con? An original article written for Cycling Weekly Magazine, pp 27 – 30
- Tiller N. (2017, August). From diarrhoea to heart damage; ultra endurance sports put a huge strain on the body. An original article written for The Conversation UK, (retrieved from www.theconversation.com).
- Tiller N. (2017, August). Ultra-endurance: a model to examine the limits of physiological function. The Sport and Exercise Scientist, Issue 53, pp 10-11.
- Tiller N. (2017, March). Does Cadence Really Matter? An original article written for Cycling Weekly Magazine, pp 42 - 45.
- Tiller N. (2016, September). How do I improve my lactate threshold? An original article written for Cycling Weekly Magazine, pp. 56-59.
- Tiller N. (2016, August). Metrics That Matter. An original article written for Cycling Weekly Magazine, pp. 56-59.
- Tiller N. (2016, June). Ergogenic aids: facts vs. fads. An original article written for Cycling Weekly Magazine, pp. 44-48.
- Tiller N. (2016, February). Protein Metabolism and supplementation, part two. An original article written for Peak Performance Magazine, 348, pp. 04 - 06.
- Tiller N. (2016, January). The science of respiratory muscle fatigue. An original article written for Glaxosmithkline Human Performance Lab (retrieved from www.gskhpl.com).
- Tiller N. (2015, December). Protein metabolism and supplementation, part one. An original article written for Peak Performance Magazine, 347, pp. 14 - 16.
- Tiller N. (2015, November). The truth about detoxing: fact or fallacy? An original article written for Peak Performance Magazine, Issue 346, pp. 13-16.
- Tiller N. (2015, October). Fruit, vegetables, and the myths of dietary fructose. An original article written for Peak Performance Magazine, Issue 345, pp. 08-11.
- Tiller N. (2015, May). Strategies to maximize rugby training and performance. An original article written for MaxiNutrition Online (retrieved from www.maxinutrition.co.uk).
- Tiller N. (2013, October). Breathing mechanics and ventilatory constraint during upper-body exercise. An original article written for The Sport and Exercise Scientist, Issue 38, pp. 14 - 15.
- Tiller N. (2013, September). Lance Armstrong; deception, drug abuse and cancer. An original article written for Peak Performance Magazine, 326, pp. 01 - 03.
- Tiller N. (2013, June). Maximising the anabolic response to training. An original article written for Peak Performance Magazine, 324, pp. 05 - 07.
- Tiller N. (2013, May). Myths and fallacies of sports science, part two. An original article written for Peak Performance Magazine, Issue 316, pp. 05-08.
- Tiller N. (2012, December). Myths and fallacies of sports science, part one. An original article written for Peak Performance Magazine, 311, pp. 08-11.
- Tiller N. (2011, December). Ultramarathon; the science of training & nutrition, part two. An original article written for Peak Performance Magazine, 309, pp. 13 - 15.
- Tiller N. (2011, October). Ultramarathon; the science of training & nutrition, part one. An original article written for Peak Performance Magazine, 307, pp. 05-07.