Dr Lee Romer
Reader - Human and Applied Physiology

Research area(s)

Dr Romer's research centres on the physiological mechanisms through which respiratory system function can limit exercise performance in health and disease.

His work has examined the contribution of respiratory muscle function, respiratory muscle work and ventilatory mechanics to exercise tolerance and fatigue. Early research demonstrated the susceptibility of the respiratory muscles to fatigue and established the physiological mechanisms and exercise benefits of inspiratory muscle training. Subsequent studies examined the cardiovascular consequences of respiratory muscle work and fatigue, including the respiratory metaboreflex and its effects on blood flow and fatigue in exercising limb muscles. His research has also investigated pulmonary gas exchange, exercise-induced arterial hypoxaemia and the effects of altered oxygen transport on peripheral and central mechanisms of fatigue.

This work has also extended to respiratory responses during exercise in athletes with spinal cord injury and during upper-body exercise in able-bodied individuals, including the interaction between respiratory and postural demands. More recently, his research has focused on the contractile function of the respiratory muscles through the development and application of diaphragm ultrasonography and multimodal approaches. Related research has examined sex- and age-related differences in respiratory function and exertional dyspnoea.

His research has involved collaborations with investigators and research groups in the UK, Canada, USA and Europe. He has secured research support through competitive grants, fellowships, studentships and collaborative awards from organisations including UK Sport, ParalympicsGB, the Canadian Lung Association, The Royal Society, The Physiological Society, NSERC Canada and Mitacs.

Dr Romer has delivered numerous invited presentations at international scientific and professional meetings, including keynote lectures and symposium presentations for organisations such as the European Respiratory Society, The Physiological Society and the American College of Sports Medicine.