Academic staff
Professor Katya Mileva
milevakn@lsbu.ac.uk
Human Sciences
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5412-8566 (unauthenticated)
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I am a Professor in Human Neurophysiology and also hold a Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. My MSc and PhD degrees in Biomedical Engineering were completed with magna cum laude at the Electrotechnical University 'LETI' in St Petersburg, Russia. Before Joining LSBU as a Senior Research Fellow in 2001, I worked for 10 years at the Institute of Biophysics of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in collaboration with medics, physicists, molecular biologists and engineers on projects investigating the intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing the excitability and the contractility of isolated skeletal muscle fibres and single motor units.
My scientific expertise is in neurophysiology, biomedical engineering, and sport and exercise sciences. In my research I apply interdisciplinary approach to improve understanding of the integrative behaviour of the human physiological systems in health and pathology (disease or injury). I am proficient in a wide range of neuromechanical, psychophysiological and cardiorespiratory methodologies. These create opportunities for research, collaborations and consultancy on topics related to human health and performance across the lifespan. My collaborations create contemporary topics for research-informed and innovative lectures, workshops and projects, extracurricular and CPD learning opportunities.
My recent projects explore the mechanisms underlying central and peripheral fatigue, and the health benefits from physical activity, nutrition, physical modalities, environmental and social factors. I was invited to write a chapter in the ‘Manual of Vibration Exercise and Vibration Therapy’ (2020, Springer Nature) overviewing the Supraspinal Responses and Spinal Reflexes to human body vibration. I also recently worked with the Scientific Department of the BBC on episode 2 of the programme ‘Truth about cosmetic treatments’, which explored the benefits from the latest weight loss technology using infrared light.
I am also an expert in physical activity policy and routes to impact with extensive experience as a consultant to sports governing bodies, charities, start-ups, and businesses on the design, development and evaluation of novel health-, performance- and fitness-enhancing technology and programs. I have also acted as an expert advisor to national and international regulatory agencies such as the Charity Commission (UK), Food and Drug Administration (USA), Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia), Advertising Standard Agency (UK). I have written 19 reports from research commissioned by industrial partners and am a named researcher on 3 patents. My publications underpin both impact case studies submitted by LSBU to REF2014 in sport and exercise sciences, which were rated of international and world-leading quality and significance (3*/4*; GPA 3.40).
In 2019 a team of LSBU researchers led by me completed a project funded by Sport England and Lambeth Council and inspired by Sport England’s national campaign ‘This Girl Can’ to design effective programs promoting increased and sustainable engagement of young females in physical activity. The outcomes from this project underpinned one impact case study submitted by LSBU to REF2021. The team also contributes to an interdisciplinary expert consortium at LSBU (PHIRST LONDON), awarded £2.4M funding support from NIHR to evaluate local government schemes across the UK.
Courses taught
Sport and Exercise Science - BSc (Hons)
Human Sciences - PhD
Postgraduate Research Supervision
Current
| Miss Adri Bester | Doctoral Research Project | PhD |
| Mr Austin Lui | Doctoral Research Project | PhD |
| Mr Louis Gladstone Annan | Doctoral Research Project | PhD |
| Mr Scott Pollock | Doctoral Research Project | PhD |
| Mr Matthew Campbell | PhD |
Awarded in the last 5 years
| Mr Andrei Leonardo Perez Olivera | Optimisation Of A Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Paradigm For Targeted Strengthening Of An Intrinsic Foot Muscle. | PhD |
| Miss Zsofia Eva Szekeres | “Getting the old limbs going”: Exploring the emotional and cognitive benefits of exercise and the barriers to participation in older adults | PhD |
| Ms Reisha Edith Matilda Hull | This girl can: an ecological approach to investigating physical activity in urban females | PhD |
| Miss Freya Margaretta Bayne | Cycling Time-trial Performance with Per-cooling via Cold-water in Hot Conditions | PhD |
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electrophysics, St.Petersburg Electrotechnical University, Russia
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Electrophysics, St.Petersburg Electrotechnical University, Russia
Russian Ministry of Education and Science
Higher Education Academy, UK
conducting scientific research
conducting scientific research
conducting scientific research
teaching and research
teaching and research
teaching and research
| Funder | Year won | Project | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) | 2021 | Public Health Intervention Responsive Studies Team | Co-Investigator |
| National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) | 2020 | Public Health Intervention Responsive Studies Team | Co-Investigator |
| BBC - Science EP3 | 2019 | BBC Science - Non invasive surgery group experiment | Principal Investigator |
| Sport England | 2019 | Helping the Active Stay Active When Life Changes | Co-Investigator |
| Ice Health Cryotherapy | 2017 | SCi073_Eng_Ice Health Cryotherapy_Allo Rejuvination Phase 2 | Co-Investigator |
| Allo Rejuvination | 2016 | SCi039_APS_AppRes_Allo Rejuvination_Cryo Stim - Initial Research | Principal Investigator |
| Bodycap Medical | 2017 | PGR_011_APS_STU_BodyCap | Principal Investigator |
| Active Communities Network | 2017 | KE114_ACNetwork_PhD_07072017 | Principal Investigator |
| Proposal | Project | Role | Funder | Status | Status last updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSL2324-0309 APS_Feasibility Study_KURE | APS_Feasibility Study_KURE | Principal Investigator | KURE LTD | OPEN Submitted | Apr 2024 |
| PSL2324-0306 APS_Open Fund evaluation partner_Sport England | APS_Open Fund evaluation partner_Sport England | Principal Investigator | Sport England | OPEN Approved for submission | Apr 2024 |
| Optimizing Energy Consumption and Thermal Comfort for Ageing and Vulnerable Population in Healthcare | Optimizing Energy Consumption and Thermal Comfort for Ageing and Vulnerable Population in Healthcare | Co-Investigator | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) | OPEN In preparation | Apr 2023 |
collaborative interdisciplinary research
Co-supervisor on a PhD scholarship (Ms Julia Attias)
Co-supervisor on PhD project (Mr. Matt Campbell)
External reviewer for academic promotions
Board of Advisors
Selection Committee for Delsys Travel Assistance Grant award
Member of the steering group on ‘This Girl Can-Lambeth’
This Girl Can, can't she? Perspectives from exercise providers and participants on what factors influence participation
Hull, R., Zaidell, L., Mileva, K. and De Oliveira, R. (2021). This Girl Can, can't she? Perspectives from exercise providers and participants on what factors influence participation . Psychology of Sport and Exercise. 57, p. 102043. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2021.102043
Gastrocnemius Medialis Contractile Behavior Is Preserved During 30% Body Weight Supported Gait Training
Richter, C., Braunstein, B., Staeudle, B., Attias, J., Suess, A., Weber, T., Mileva, K.N., Rittweger, J., Green, D.A. and Albracht, K. (2021). Gastrocnemius Medialis Contractile Behavior Is Preserved During 30% Body Weight Supported Gait Training. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 2. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2020.614559
Less Is More—Cyclists-Triathlete’s 30 min Cycling Time-Trial Performance Is Impaired With Multiple Feedback Compared to a Single Feedback
Bayne, F., Racinais, Sebastien, Mileva, Katya, Hunter, Steve and Gaoua, Nadia (2020). Less Is More—Cyclists-Triathlete’s 30 min Cycling Time-Trial Performance Is Impaired With Multiple Feedback Compared to a Single Feedback. Frontiers in Psychology. 11, p. 608426. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.608426
Supraspinal Responses and Spinal Reflexes
Mileva, K and Ritzmann, R (2020). Supraspinal Responses and Spinal Reflexes. in: Rittweger, J (ed.) Manual of Vibration Exercise and Vibration Therapy Cham, Switzerland Springer Nature. pp. 121-133
Direct muscle electrical stimulation as a method for the in vivo assessment of force production in m. abductor hallucis
Olivera, A.L.P., Alzapiedi, D.F., Solan, M.C., Karamanidis, K., Mileva, K. and James, D.C. (2020). Direct muscle electrical stimulation as a method for the in vivo assessment of force production in m. abductor hallucis. Journal of Biomechanics. 100, p. 109606. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.109606
Lower body acceleration and muscular responses to rotational and vertical whole-body vibration of different frequencies and amplitudes
Zaidell, L, Mileva, K., James, DC, Bowtell, J, Pollock, RD, Newham, DJ and Sumners, DP (2019). Lower body acceleration and muscular responses to rotational and vertical whole-body vibration of different frequencies and amplitudes. Dose-Response. 17 (1). https://doi.org/10.1177/1559325818819946
Training Regimes and Recovery Monitoring Practices of Elite British Swimmers
Pollock, S., Gaoua, N., Johnston, M., Cooke, K., Girard, O. and Mileva, K. (2019). Training Regimes and Recovery Monitoring Practices of Elite British Swimmers. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. 18, pp. 577-585.
Correction to: Effect of Immobilisation on Neuromuscular Function In Vivo in Humans: A Systematic Review
Campbell, M, Varley-Campbell, J, Fulford, J, Taylor, B, Mileva, KN and Bowtell, JL (2019). Correction to: Effect of Immobilisation on Neuromuscular Function In Vivo in Humans: A Systematic Review. Sports Medicine. 49 (6), pp. 981-986. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01100-1
Effect of Immobilisation on Neuromuscular Function In Vivoin Humans: A Systematic Review
Campbell, M, Varley-Campbell, J, Fulford, J, Taylor, B, Mileva, K. and Bowtell, J (2019). Effect of Immobilisation on Neuromuscular Function In Vivoin Humans: A Systematic Review. Sports Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01088-8
Improved Exercise Tolerance with Caffeine Is Associated with Modulation of both Peripheral and Central Neural Processes in Human Participants.
Bowtell, JL, Mohr, M, Fulford, J, Jackman, SR, Ermidis, G, Krustrup, P and Mileva, K. (2018). Improved Exercise Tolerance with Caffeine Is Associated with Modulation of both Peripheral and Central Neural Processes in Human Participants. Frontiers in Nutrition. 5, p. 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2018.00006
Selected B vitamins and their possible link to the aetiology of age-related sarcopenia: relevance of UK dietary recommendations.
Aytekin, N, Mileva, K. and Cunliffe, AD (2018). Selected B vitamins and their possible link to the aetiology of age-related sarcopenia: relevance of UK dietary recommendations. Nutrition Research Reviews. 31 (2), pp. 104-224. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954422418000045
Muscle metabolic and neuromuscular determinants of fatigue during cycling in different exercise intensity domains.
Black, MI, Blackwell, JR, Bailey, SJ, Wylie, LJ, McDonagh, STJ, Thompson, C, Kelly, J, Sumners, P, Mileva, K., Bowtell, JL and Vanhatalo, A (2017). Muscle metabolic and neuromuscular determinants of fatigue during cycling in different exercise intensity domains. Journal of Applied Physicology (1985). 122 (3), pp. 446-459. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00942.2016
47 An acute session of high-frequency, low-intensity, wide-pulse electrical stimulation evokes fatigue adaptations in an intrinsic foot muscle
James, DC, Mileva, K. and Solan, MC (2015). 47 An acute session of high-frequency, low-intensity, wide-pulse electrical stimulation evokes fatigue adaptations in an intrinsic foot muscle. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 49 (Suppl). https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2015-095573.47
The biomechanical characteristics of wearing FitFlop™ sandals highlight significant alterations in gait pattern: a comparative study.
James, DC, Farmer, LJ, Sayers, JB, Cook, DP and Mileva, K. (2015). The biomechanical characteristics of wearing FitFlop™ sandals highlight significant alterations in gait pattern: a comparative study. Clinical Biomechanics. 30 (4), pp. 347-354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2015.02.016
Low-frequency accelerations over-estimate impact-related shock during walking.
James, DC, Mileva, K. and Cook, DP (2014). Low-frequency accelerations over-estimate impact-related shock during walking. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. 24 (2), pp. 264-270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2013.12.008
Effect of Hypohydration on Peripheral and Corticospinal Excitability and Voluntary Activation
Bowtell, JL, Avenell, G, Hunter, SP and Mileva, K. (2013). Effect of Hypohydration on Peripheral and Corticospinal Excitability and Voluntary Activation. PLoS ONE. 8 (10), p. e77004. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0077004
Repeated sprint training in normobaric hypoxia
Cooke, K, Galvin, HM, Sumners, DP, Mileva, K. and Bowtell, JL (2013). Repeated sprint training in normobaric hypoxia. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 47, pp. i74-i79. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2013-092826
Wide-pulse electrical stimulation to an intrinsic foot muscle induces acute functional changes in forefoot-rearfoot coupling behaviour during walking.
James, DC, Chesters, T, Sumners, DP, Cook, DP, Green, DA and Mileva, K. (2012). Wide-pulse electrical stimulation to an intrinsic foot muscle induces acute functional changes in forefoot-rearfoot coupling behaviour during walking. International Journal of Sports Medicine. 34 (5), pp. 438-443. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1321893
Impact of different mechanical and metabolic stimuli on the temporal dynamics of muscle strength adaptation
Lambrianides, Y., Epro, G., Smith, K., Mileva, K., James, D. and Karamanidis, K. (2022). Impact of different mechanical and metabolic stimuli on the temporal dynamics of muscle strength adaptation. Journal of strength and conditioning research. 36 (11), pp. 3246-3255. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000004300
The Type of Per-Cooling Strategies Currently Employed by Competitive and Professional Cyclists-Triathletes During Training and Competition Are Condition (Dry vs. Humid) Dependant
Bayne, F., Racinais, S., Mileva, K.N., Hunter, S. and Gaoua, N. (2022). The Type of Per-Cooling Strategies Currently Employed by Competitive and Professional Cyclists-Triathletes During Training and Competition Are Condition (Dry vs. Humid) Dependant. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 4, p. 845427. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2022.845427
Integrated multi-omics of the gut microbiome: assessing the beneficial effects of fermented foods to human health
Bester, A., Toribio-Mateas, M., Mileva, K. and Gaoua, N. (2022). Integrated multi-omics of the gut microbiome: assessing the beneficial effects of fermented foods to human health. Exploring Human Host-Microbiome Interactions in Health and Disease. Hinxton, Cambridge 05 - 07 Dec 2018 Wellcome Connecting Science Courses and Conferences. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.10244.58246
Sport and Exercise Science and Health
Mileva, K. and Zaidell, L. (2022). Sport and Exercise Science and Health. in: Wills, J. (ed.) Health Studies: an Introduction Springer Nature. pp. 84-124
What makes young people get involved with street gangs in London? A study of the perceived risk factors
Annan, L., Gaoua, N., Mileva, K. and Borges, M. (2021). What makes young people get involved with street gangs in London? A study of the perceived risk factors. Journal of Community Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.22767
A voluntary activation deficit in m. abductor hallucis exists in asymptomatic feet.
Perez Olivera, A., Solan, M.C, Karamanidis, K., Mileva, K.N. and James, D. (2021). A voluntary activation deficit in m. abductor hallucis exists in asymptomatic feet. Journal of Biomechanics. 130, p. 110863. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110863
Gastrocnemius medialis contractile behavior during running differs between simulated Lunar and Martian gravities
Richter, Ch., Braunstein B., Staeudle B., Attias J., Suess A., Weber T., Mileva, K., Rittweger J., Green D.A. and Albracht K. (2021). Gastrocnemius medialis contractile behavior during running differs between simulated Lunar and Martian gravities. Scientific Reports. 11 (22555). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-00527-9
Contractile behavior of the gastrocnemius medialis muscle during running in simulated hypogravity
Richter, C., Braunstein, B., Staeudle, B., Attias, J., Suess, A., Weber, T., Mileva, K., Rittweger, J., Green, D.A. and Albracht, K. (2021). Contractile behavior of the gastrocnemius medialis muscle during running in simulated hypogravity. NPJ microgravity. 7 (32), pp. 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-021-00155-7
Experimental evidence of the tonic vibration reflex during whole-body vibration of the loaded and unloaded leg
Zaidell, L., Mileva, K., Sumners, D.P. and Bowtell, J. (2013). Experimental evidence of the tonic vibration reflex during whole-body vibration of the loaded and unloaded leg. PLoS ONE. 8 (12), p. e85247. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0085247