Oliver is a Senior Lecturer in Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism at King’s College London. His academic research interests are in the response of muscle protein metabolism to exercise and nutrition with application to athletic and clinical populations.
Dr Oliver Witard
PhD, AFHEA
Education & Qualifications
Oliver is a Senior Lecturer in Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism at King’s College London and deputy programme director for the undergraduate programme in Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences. He is Chair of the Special Interest Group on Sport and Exercise Nutrition for The Nutrition Society and is a former member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh Young Academy of Scotland. Oliver’s research focus is protein nutrition for maximising muscle adaptation to exercise training. His publications focus on establishing the optimal dose, source and timing of dietary protein for muscle recovery and performance in athletes. Recently, Oliver has delivered invited talks on protein nutrition at international symposiums, including the International Sport and Exercise Nutrition Conference, The Royal Society of Medicine, and The Physiological Society.
2005-2009 PhD. University of Birmingham.Protein Feeding and Exercise Recovery
2003-2004 MSc. Loughborough University.Exercise Physiology.
2000-2003 BSc (Hons). Leeds Metropolitan University. Sport and Exercise Science.
- Morgan P, Witard OC, Killer S, Breen L. British Association in Sport and Exercise Sciences. Protein recommendations for athlete performance. 2022.
- Hamilton DL, Galloway S, Witard OC, & Wackerhage H. Molecular sport nutrition. Molecular exercise physiology: An introduction. New York: Routledge. 2014, 174-204. ISBN: 978-0-415-60787-2 https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/edit/10.4324/9780203132142/molecular-exercise-physiology-henning-wackerhage.
- Witard OC & Tipton KD (2012). Postexercise nutrient timing with resistive activities. Nutrient timing: Metabolic optimisation for health, performance, and recovery. Florida: CRC Press. 163-176. ISBN: 978-1-4398-3888-1 https://www.teknoscienze.com/tks_article/defining-the-anabolic-window-of-opportunityis-protein-intake-immediately-post-resistance-exercise-critically-important-for-muscle-growth/.
Jackman SR, Wallis GA, Yu J, Philp A, Baar K, Tipton KD & Witard OC*.Co-Ingestion of Branched-Chain Amino Acids and Carbohydrate Stimulates Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis Following Resistance Exercise in Trained Young Men.Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2023 May 24;33(4):189-197 https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2023-0015.
Witard OC*, Bannock L & Tipton KD. Making sense of muscle protein synthesis: A focus on muscle growth during resistance training. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2022 Jan 25:1-13 https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2021-0139.
Pearson AG, Alexander L, Witard OC, Coughlin TE, Tipton KD & Walshe IH.A hypoenergetic diet with decreased protein intake does not reduce lean body mass in trained females. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2021 Mar;121(3):771-781 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-020-04555-7.
Philpott JD, Bootsma NJ, Rodriguez-Sanchez N, Hamilton DL, MacKinlay E, Dick J, Mettler S, Galloway SDR, Tipton KD & Witard OC*.Influence of fish oil-derived n-3 fatty acid supplementation on changes in body composition and muscle strength during short-term weight loss in resistance-trained men. Front Nutr. 2019 Jul 16;6:102 https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2019.00102.
Burke LM, Castell LM, Casa DJ, Close GL, Costa RJS, Desbrow B, Halson SL, Lis DM, Melin AK, Peeling P, Saunders PU, Slater GJ, Sygo J, Witard OC, Bermon S & Stellingwerff T. International Association of Athletics Federations Consensus statement 2019: Nutrition for athletics. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2019 Mar 1;29(2):73-84 https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2019-0065.
Civil R, Lamb A, Loosmore D, Ross L, Livingstone K, Strachan F, Dick JR, Stevenson EJ, Brown MA & Witard OC. Assessment of dietary intake, energy status, and factors associated with RED-S in vocational female ballet students. Front Nutr. 2019 Jan 9;5:136 https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2018.00136.
Rodriguez-Giustiniani P, Rollo I, Witard OC & Galloway SDR.Ingesting a 12% carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage before each half of a soccer match simulation facilitates retention of passing performance and improves high-intensity running capacity in academy players. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2019 Jul 1;29(4):397–405 https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0214.
Witard OC*, Garthe I & Phillips SM. Dietary protein for training adaptation and body composition manipulation in track and field athletes. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2019 Mar 1;29(2):165-174 https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0267.
Philpott JD, Witard OC* & Galloway SDR. Applications of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation for sport performance.Res Sports Med. 2019 Apr-Jun;27(2):219-237 https://doi.org/10.1080/15438627.2018.1550401.
Black KE, Witard OC, Baker D, Healey P, Lewis V, Tavares F, Christensen S, Pease T & Smith B. Adding omega-3 fatty acids to a protein-based supplement during pre-season training results in reduced muscle soreness and the better maintenance of explosive power in professional Rugby Union players. Eur J Sport Sci. 2018 Nov;18(10):1357-1367 https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2018.1491626.
Philpott JD, Donnelly C, Walshe IH, MacKinley EE, Dick J, Galloway SDR, Tipton KD & Witard OC*.Adding fish oil to whey protein, leucine, and carbohydrate over a six-week supplementation period attenuates muscle soreness following eccentric exercise in competitive soccer players. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2018 Jan 1;28(1):26-36 https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2017-0161.
Witard OC* & Ball D. The interaction between nutrition and exercise for promoting health and performance.Proc Nutr Soc. 2018 Feb;77(1):1-3 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0029665117001100.
Heaton LE, Davis JK, Rawson ES, Nuccio RP, Witard OC, Stein KW, Baar K, Carter JM & Baker LB. Selected in-season nutritional strategies to enhance recovery for team sport athletes: A practical overview.Sports Med. 2017 Nov;47(11):2201-2218 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-017-0759-2.
Jackman SR, Witard OC, Philp A, Wallis GA, Baar K & Tipton KD. Branched-chain amino acid ingestion stimulates muscle myofibrillar protein synthesis following resistance exercise in humans. Front Physiol. 2017 Jun 7;8:390 https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2017.00390.
Gravina L, Brown FF, Alexander L, Dick J, Bell G, Witard OC & Galloway SDR. n-3 fatty acid supplementation during 4 weeks of training leads to improved anaerobic endurance capacity, but not maximal strength, speed, or power in soccer players. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2017 Aug;27(4):305-313 https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2016-0325.
Macnaughton LS, Wardle SL, Witard OC, McGlory C, Hamilton DL, Jeromson S, Lawrence CE, Wallis GA & Tipton KD. The response of muscle protein synthesis following whole-body resistance exercise is greater following 40 g than 20 g of ingested whey protein. Physiol Rep. 2016 Aug;4(15):e12893 https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.12893.
Witard OC*, Wardle SL, Macnaughton LS, Hodgson AB & Tipton KD. Protein considerations for optimising skeletal muscle mass in healthy young and older adults. Nutrients. 2016 Mar 23;8(4):181 https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8040181.
McGlory C, Wardle SL, Macnaughton LS, Witard OC, Scott F, Dick J, Bell JG, Phillips SM, Galloway SD, Hamilton DL & Tipton KD. Fish oil supplementation suppresses resistance exercise and feeding-induced increases in anabolic signaling without affecting myofibrillar protein synthesis in young men. Physiol Rep. 2016 Mar;4(6):e12715 https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.12715.
Piacentini MF, Witard OC, Tonoli C, Jackman SR, Turner JE, Kies AK, Jeukendrup AE, Tipton KD & Meeusen R. Effect of intensive training on mood with no effect on brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2016 Sep;11(6):824-830 https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2015-0279.
Bettonviel A EO, Brinkmans N YJ, Russcher K, Wardenaar FC & Witard OC*. Nutritional status and daytime pattern of protein intake on match, post-match, rest and training days in senior professional and youth elite soccer players. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2016 Jun;26(3):285-93 https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2015-0218.
Moore DR, Churchward-Venne TA, Witard O, Breen L, Burd NA, Tipton KD & Phillips SM. Protein ingestion to stimulate myofibrillar protein synthesis requires greater relative protein intakes in healthy older versus younger men. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2015 Jan;70(1):57-62 https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glu103.
Witard OC, Cocke TL, Ferrando AA, Wolfe RR & Tipton KD. Increased net muscle protein balance in response to simultaneous and separate ingestion of carbohydrate and essential amino acids following resistance exercise. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2014 Mar;39(3):329-39 https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2013-0264.
Witard OC, Jackman SR, Breen L, Smith K, Selby A & Tipton KD. Myofibrillar muscle protein synthesis rates subsequent to a meal in response to increasing doses of whey protein at rest and after resistance exercise. Am J Clin Nutr. 2014 Jan;99(1):86-95 https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.112.055517.
Witard OC, Turner JE, Jackman SR, Kies AK, Jeukendrup AE, Bosch JA & Tipton KD.High dietary protein restores overreaching induced impairments in leukocyte trafficking and reduces the incidence of upper respiratory tract infection in elite cyclists. Brain Behav Immun. 2014 Jul;39:211-9 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2013.10.002.
Breen L, Philp A, Witard OC, Jackman SR, Selby A, Smith K, Baar K & Tipton KD. The influence of carbohydrate-protein co-ingestion following endurance exercise on myofibrillar and mitochondrial protein synthesis. J Physiol. 2011 Aug 15;589(Pt 16):4011-25 https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.2011.211888.
Witard OC, Jackman SR, Kies AK, Jeukendrup AE & Tipton KD.Effect of increased dietary protein on tolerance to intensified training.Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2011 Apr;43(4):598-607 https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181f684c9.
Jackman SR, Witard OC, Jeukendrup AE & Tipton KD.Branched-chain amino acid ingestion can ameliorate soreness from eccentric exercise.Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2010 May;42(5):962-70 https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181c1b798.
Witard OC, Tieland M, Beelen M, Tipton KD, van Loon LJ & Koopman R.Resistance exercise increases postprandial muscle protein synthesis in humans.Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009 Jan;41(1):144-54 https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181844e79.
Stevenson E, Williams C, Nute M, Humphrey L & Witard O.Influence of the glycaemic index of an evening meal on substrate oxidation following breakfast and during exercise the next day in healthy women.Eur J Clin Nutr. 2008 May;62(5):608-16 https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602759.
Tipton KD & Witard OC.Protein requirements and recommendations for athletes: relevance of ivory tower arguments for practical recommendations.Clin Sports Med. 2007 Jan;26(1):17-36 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csm.2006.11.003.
Contact information
LinkedIn: Oliver Witard
