Professor Jamie Highton | University of Chester

Jamie joined the Department as a member of staff in January 2011, having completed both his undergraduate degree and PhD at the University of Chester.

Jamie teaches in the areas of Sport and Exercise Physiology, Nutrition and Research Methods on the undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. His research is focused on multiple-sprint sport exercise, pacing, nutritional interventions and the reliability and validity of measures in sport and exercise sciences.

External Roles

Jamie has been a nutritional consultant to Saint Helens RL, acted as external examiner on the Sports Performance BSc at the University of Bath, and has examined several PhDs at external universities. Jamie is also regularly invited to review scientific papers in academic journals such as the Journal of Sports Sciences and International Journal of Sports Medicine.

Jamie teaches on the following modules:

Introduction to the Physiology of Exercise (Level 4)
Research Methods and Study Skill in Sport and Exercise Sciences (Level 4)
Measurement and Evaluation Issues in Sport and Exercise Physiology (Level 5)
Experiential Based Learning (Level 5)
Issues in Elite Performance (Level 6)
Sports Nutrition and Performance (Level 6)
Contemporary Issues in Sports Physiology (MSc)
Optimising Sports Performance (MSc)
Applied Physiology: Assessment and Evaluation of Sports Performance (MSc)

Jamie also supervises dissertations at level 6 and MSc.

Research Interests

Exercise-induced muscle damage
Nutritional supplementation for team sport performance
Post-exercise recovery of performance
Pacing in team sports
Reliability and validity in sport and exercise physiology

Selected publications

Oxendale C.L, Highton, J., & Twist, C. (2017). Energy expenditure, metabolic power and high speed activity during linear and multi-directional running. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 20, 957-961.

Highton, J., Mullen, T., & Twist, C. (2017). Knowledge of task end-point influences pacing and performance during simulated rugby league match-play. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, [Epub ahead of print]. DOI

Twist, C., Highton, J., Daniels, M., Mill, N., & Close, G. (2017). Player responses to match and training demands during an intensified fixture schedule in professional rugby league: A case study. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 17, 1-22 [Epub ahead of print].

Clarke, J.S., Highton, J., Close, G.L., & Twist, C. (2016). Carbohydrate and caffeine improves high-intensity running of elite rugby league interchange players during simulated match play. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 19, [Epub ahead of print].

Highton, J., Mullen, T., Norris, J., Oxendale, C., Twist, C. (2016). The Unsuitability of Energy Expenditure Derived From Microtechnology for Assessing Internal Load in Collision-Based Activities. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 12, 264-267.

Book Chapters

Jones, B., Highton, J., & Twist, C. (2015). Monitoring fatigue and recovery. In K. Till & B. Jones (Ed.), The Science of Sport: Rugby (pp. 44-55). Wiltshire, United Kingdom: The Crowood Press.

Twist, C., & Highton, J. (2015). Monitoring fatigue and recovery in rugby players. In C. Twist & P. Worsfold (Ed.), The Science of Rugby (pp.68-83). Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge.

Highton, J. & Twist C. (2015). Recovery strategies for rugby. In C. Twist & P. Worsfold (Ed.), The Science of Rugby (pp.101-117). Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge.

All publications by year

In Press

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, 1 (ahead of print), 1-7.

2020

Morehen, J., Clarke, J., Batsford, J., Highton, J., Erskine, R.M., Morton, J.P., & Close, G.L. (2020). Development of anthropometric characteristics in professional rugby league players: Is there too much emphasis on the pre-season period? European Journal of Sport Science, 20 (8), 1013-1022.

Williams, R.D., Gillham, S., Highton, J., & Twist, C. (2020). The influence of warm-up duration on simulated rugby league interchange match performance. Science and Medicine in Football, 1-7.

Dobbin, N., Thorpe, C., Highton, J., & Twist, C. (2020). Sex-related changes in physical performance, well-being, and neuromuscular function of elite touch players during a 4-day international tournament. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 1 (ahead of print), 1-9.

Mullen, T., Twist, C., Daniels, M., Dobbin, N., & Highton, J. (2020). 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 (in press).

Dobbin, N., Highton, J., Moss, S.L., & 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), 705-713.

2019

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), 2506-2512.

Daniels, M., Highton, J., & Twist, C. (2019). Pre-season training responses and their associations with training load in elite rugby league players. Science and Medicine in Football, 3(4), 313-319.

Dobbin, N., Highton, J., Moss, S.L., & Twist, C. (2019). The discriminant validity of a 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), 1110-1116.

Dobbin, N., Highton, J., Moss, S.L., & Twist, C. (2019). Factors affecting the anthropometric and physical characteristics of elite academy rugby league players: a multiclub study. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 14(7), 958-965.

Moss, S., Francis, B., Calogiuri, G., & Highton, J. (2019). Pacing during a cross-country mountain bike mass-participation event according to race performance, experience, age and sex. European Journal of Sport Science, 19(6), 793-801.

Norris, J., Highton, J., & Twist, C. (2019). The reproducibility and external validity of a modified rugby league movement-simulation protocol for interchange players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 14(4), 445-450.

Fairbank, M., Highton, J., & Twist, C. (2019). Passive Heat Maintenance After an Initial Warm-up Improves High-Intensity Activity During an Interchange Rugby League Movement Simulation Protocol. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, [Epub ahead of print]. DOI

Dobbin, N., Highton, J., Moss, S.L, & 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, [Epub ahead of print]. DOI

Dobbin, N., Highton, J., Moss, S.L, & Twist, C. (2019). Factors Affecting the Anthropometric and Physical Characteristics of Elite Academy Rugby League Players: A Multi-Club Study. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, [Epub ahead of print]. DOI

2018

Moss, S.L., Francis, B., Calogiuri, G., Highton, J. (2018). Pacing during a cross-country mountain bike mass-participation event according to race performance, experience, age and sex. European Journal of Sport Science, [Epub ahead of print]. DOI

Norris, J.P., Highton, J., & Twist, C. (2018). The reproducibility and external validity of a modified rugby league movement simulation protocol for interchange players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. DOI

Waldron, M., Waldron, L., Lawlor, C., Gray, A., & Highton J. (2018). Beetroot supplementation improves the physiological responses to incline walking. European Journal of Applied Physiology. DOI

Dobbin, N., Hunwicks, R, Highton, J., & Twist, C. (2018). Reliable Testing Battery for Assessing Physical Qualities of Elite Academy Rugby League Players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, [Epub ahead of print]. DOI

Dobbin N, Moss SL, Highton J, Twist C. (2018). An examination of a modified Yo-Yo test to measure intermittent running performance in rugby players. European Journal of Sports Sciences, 18(8), 1068-1076.

Dobbin N, Highton J, Moss SL, 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. DOI

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), 235-239.

2017

Twist, C., Highton, J., Daniels, M., Mill, N., & Close, G. (2017). Player responses to match and training demands during an intensified fixture schedule in professional rugby league: A case study. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 17, 1-22 [Epub ahead of print].

Pugh, J.N, Sage, S., Hutson, M., Doran, D.A., Fleming, S.C., Highton, J., Morton, J.P., & Close, G.L. (2017). Glutamine supplementation reduces markers of intestinal permeability during running in the heat in a dose-dependent manner. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 117(12), 2569-2577.

Waldron, M., Thomson, E., Highton, J., & Twist, C. (2017). Transient fatigue is not influenced by ball-in-play time during elite rugby league matches. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, [Epub ahead of print]. DOI

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(2), 99-104.

2016

Clarke, J.S., Highton, J., Close, G.L., & Twist, C. (2016). Carbohydrate and caffeine improves high-intensity running of elite rugby league interchange players during simulated match play. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 19, [Epub ahead of print].

Highton, J., Mullen, T., Norris, J., Oxendale, C., Twist, C. (2016). Energy expenditure derived from micro-technology is not suitable for assessing internal load in collision-based activities. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 24, 1-15 [Epub ahead of print].

Norris, J., Hughes, S.F., Highton, J., & Twist, C. (2016). The effects of physical contact type on the internal and external demands during a rugby league match simulation protocol. Journal of Sport Sciences, 34, 1859-1866.

Oxendale, C., Twist, C., Daniels, M., & Highton, J. (2016). The relationship between match-play characteristics of elite rugby league and indirect markers of muscle damage. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 11, 515-521.

2015

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, 746-753.

Jones, B., Highton, J., & Twist, C. (2015). Monitoring fatigue and recovery. In K. Till & B. Jones (Ed.), The Science of Sport: Rugby (pp. 44-55). Wiltshire, United Kingdom: The Crowood Press.

Twist, C., & Highton, J. (2015). Monitoring fatigue and recovery in rugby players. In C. Twist & P. Worsfold (Ed.), The Science of Rugby (pp.68-83). Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge.

Highton, J. & Twist C. (2015). Recovery strategies for rugby. In C. Twist & P. Worsfold (Ed.), The Science of Rugby (pp.101-117). Oxon, United Kingdom: Routledge.

2014

Waldron, M & Highton, J. (2014). Fatigue and pacing in high-intensity intermittent team sport: an update. Sports Medicine, 44, 1654-1658.

Beavan, R.P., Highton, J., Thorpe, M.C., Knott, E.V., & Twist, C. (2014). Movement and physiological demands of international and regional men’s touch rugby matches. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 28, 3274-3279.

Twist, C., Highton, J., Waldron, M., Edwards, E., Austin, D, & Gabbett, T.J. (2014). Movement demands of elite rugby league players during Australian National Rugby League and European Super League matches. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 9, 925-930.

2013

Twist, C. & Highton, J. (2013). Monitoring fatigue and recovery in rugby league players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 8, 467-474.

Waldron, M., Highton, J., & Twist, C. (2013). The reliability of a rugby league movement-simulation protocol designed to replicate the performance of interchanged players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 8, 483-489.

Highton, J., Twist C., Lamb, K., & Nicholas, C. (2013). Carbohydrate-protein co-ingestion improves self- simulated multiple-sprint sport performance. Journal of Sports Sciences, 31, 361-369.

Waldron, M., Highton, J., Daniels, M., & Twist, C. (2013). Preliminary evidence of transient fatigue and pacing during interchanges in rugby league. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 8, 157-164.

2012

Highton, J., Lamb, K., Twist, C., & Nicholas, C. (2012). The reliability and validity of short-distance sprint performance assessed on a non-motorized treadmill. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 26, 458-465.

Twist, C., Waldron, M., Highton, J., Burt, D., & Daniels, M. (2012). Neuromuscular, biochemical and perceptual post-match fatigue in professional rugby league forwards and backs. Journal of Sports Sciences, 30, 359-367.

2011

Waldron, M., Twist, C., Highton, J., Worsfold, P., & Daniels, M. (2011). Movement and physiological match demands of elite rugby league using portable global positioning systems. Journal of Sports Sciences, 11, 1223-1230.

2009

Highton, J., Twist, C. & Eston, R.G. (2009). The effects of exercise-induced muscle damage on agility and sprint running performance. Journal of Exercise Science and Fitness, 7 (1), 24-30.

Conference Proceedings

Highton, J., Icke, R., MacNay, S., Waldron, M., & Twist, C. (2013). Fatigue during interchange-specific simulated rugby league match play. 18th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Sciences, 26th 29th June.

Highton, J., Waldron, M., Daniels, M., & Twist, C. (2012). Pacing profiles relative to interchanges in elite rugby league. 17th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Sciences, Bruges, 4th-7th July.

Highton, J., Nicholas, C., Twist, C., & Lamb, K. (2011). Carbohydrate-protein ingestion during self-regulated simulated multiple-sprint sport activity. The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Annual Conference, Essex, 6-8th September.*

Highton, J., Nicholas, C., Twist, C., & Lamb, K. (2011). The effect of carbohydrate-protein ingestion on simulated multiple-sprint sport performance. The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Annual Student Conference, Chester, 12-13th April.

Highton, J., Nicholas, C., Twist, C., & Lamb, K. (2010). The effects of a carbohydrate-protein beverage on muscle function and performance following simulated multiple-sprint sport activity. The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Annual Conference, Glasgow, 6-8th September.

Highton, J., Lamb, K., Twist, C. & Nicholas, C. (2009). Reliability and Concurrent Validity of Maximal Sprint Running Performance Measurements Attained on a Non-motorised Treadmill. 14th Annual Congress of the European College of Sports Sciences, Oslo, 24th-27th June.

Highton, J., Nicholas, C., Twist, C. & Lamb, K. (2008). The inter-day reliability and concurrent validity of maximal sprint running performed on a non-motorised treadmill. The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Annual Conference, London, 2-4th September.

Highton, J., & Twist, C. (2008). The effects of exercise-induced muscle damage on sprint running and agility performance. 13th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Estoril, 9th - 12th July.

*BASES Oral Presentation Award

BSc (Hons), PhD