Image of Dr George Wilson

Dr George Wilson

Sport and Exercise Sciences

Faculty of Science

I am an exercise physiologist and performance nutritionist (SENr), based at Liverpool John Moores University. Since 2009, I have undertaken research in weight-making on the physical & mental health, and performance in over 450 jockeys. This research has resulted in 15 peer-reviewed publications, presentations at over 30 horseracing conferences globally, and cited in rule changes for jockeys, deemed in the interest of athlete welfare. Additionally, I am the performance nutritionist for the British Equine Federation and their World-class programme, including working with the PARIS 2024 Olympic team. I have also published in the field of equine exercise physiology and notably on recovery heart rate in racehorses and racing performance. My early career (1980 – 1992) involved working in horse racing, including having ridden as both a conditional and amateur jump jockey. In the wider sporting world, I currently work with professional boxers and previously have worked in professional football.

Journal article

Wilson G, Langan-Evans C, Martin D, Kasper AM, Morton JP, Close GL. 2023. Longitudinal Changes in Body Composition and Resting Metabolic Rate in Male Professional Flat Jockeys: Preliminary Outcomes and Implications for Future Research Directions. International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism, 33 :161-168 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Yamada Y, Zhang X, Henderson MET, Sagayama H, Pontzer H, Watanabe D, Yoshida T, Kimura M, Ainslie PN, Andersen LF, Anderson LJ, Arab L, Baddou I, Bedu-Addo K, Blaak EE, Blanc S, Bonomi AG, Bouten CVC, Bovet P, Buchowski MS, Butte NF, Camps SG, Close GL, Cooper JA, Cooper R, Das SK, Dugas LR, Eaton S, Ekelund U, Entringer S, Forrester T, Fudge BW, Goris AH, Gurven M, Halsey LG, Hambly C, Hamdouchi AE, Hoos MB, Hu S, Joonas N, Joosen AM, Katzmarzyk P, Kempen KP, Kraus WE, Kriengsinyos W, Kushner RF, Lambert EV, Leonard WR, Lessan N, Martin CK, Medin AC, Meijer EP, Morehen JC, Morton JP, Neuhouser ML, Nicklas TA, Ojiambo RM, Pietiläinen KH, Pitsiladis YP, Plange-Rhule J, Plasqui G, Prentice RL, Rabinovich RA, Racette SB, Raichlen DA, Ravussin E, Redman LM, Reilly JJ, Reynolds RM, Roberts SB, Schuit AJ, Sardinha LB, Silva AM, Sjödin AM, Stice E, Urlacher SS, Valenti G, Van Etten LM, Van Mil EA, Wells JCK, Wilson G, Wood BM, Yanovski JA, Murphy-Alford AJ, Loechl CU, Luke AH, Rood J, Westerterp KR, Wong WW, Miyachi M, Schoeller DA, Speakman JR. 2022. Variation in human water turnover associated with environmental and lifestyle factors Science, 378 :909-915 DOI Author Url Publisher Url

Halsey LG, Careau V, Pontzer H, Ainslie PN, Andersen LF, Anderson LJ, Arab L, Baddou I, Bedu-Addo K, Blaak EE, Blanc S, Bonomi AG, Bouten CVC, Bovet P, Buchowski MS, Butte NF, Camps SGJA, Close GL, Cooper JA, Das SK, Cooper R, Dugas LR, Ekelund U, Entringer S, Forrester T, Fudge BW, Goris AH, Gurven M, Hambly C, Hamdouchi AE, Hoos MB, Hu S, Joonas N, Joosen AM, Katzmarzyk P, Kempen KP, Kimura M, Kraus WE, Kushner RF, Lambert EV, Leonard WR, Lessan N, Martin CK, Medin AC, Meijer EP, Morehen JC, Morton JP, Neuhouser ML, Nicklas TA, Ojiambo RM, Pietiläinen KH, Pitsiladis YP, Plange-Rhule J, Plasqui G, Prentice RL, Rabinovich RA, Racette SB, Raichlen DA, Ravussin E, Reynolds RM, Roberts SB, Schuit AJ, Sjödin AM, Stice E, Urlacher SS, Valenti G, Van Etten LM, Van Mil EA, Wilson G, Wood BM, Yanovski J, Yoshida T, Zhang X, Murphy-Alford AJ, Loechl CU, Luke AH, Rood J, Sagayama H, Schoeller DA, Westerterp KR, Wong WW, Yamada Y, Speakman JR. 2022. Variability in energy expenditure is much greater in males than females Journal of Human Evolution, 171 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Zhang X, Yamada Y, Sagayama H, Ainslie PN, Blaak EE, Buchowski MS, Close GL, Cooper JA, Das SK, Dugas LR, Gurven M, El Hamdouchi A, Hu S, Joonas N, Katzmarzyk P, Kraus WE, Kushner RF, Leonard WR, Martin CK, Meijer EP, Neuhouser ML, Ojiambo RM, Pitsiladis YP, Plasqui G, Prentice RL, Racette SB, Ravussin E, Redman LM, Reynolds RM, Roberts SB, Sardinha LB, Silva AM, Stice E, Urlacher SS, Van Mil EA, Wood BM, Murphy-Alford AJ, Loechl C, Luke AH, Rood J, Schoeller DA, Westerterp KR, Wong WW, Pontzer H, Speakman JR, Andersen LF, Anderson LJ, Arab L, Baddou I, Addo B, Blanc S, Bonomi A, Bouten CVC, Bovet P, Branth S, De Bruin NC, Butte NF, Colbert LH, Camps SG, Dutman AE, Eaton SD, Ekelund U, Entringer S, Ebbeling C, Elmståhl S, Fogelholm M, Forrester T, Fudge BW, Harris T, Heijligenberg R, Goris AH, Hambly C, Hoos MB, Jorgensen HU, Joosen AM, Kempen KP, Kimura M, Kriengsinyos W, Lambert EV, Larsson CL, Lessan N, Ludwig DS, McCloskey M, Medin AC, Meijer GA, Matsiko E, Melse-Boonstra A, Morehen JC, Morton JP, Nicklas TA, Pannemans DL, Pietiläinen KH, Philippaerts RM, Rabinovich RA, Reilly JJ, Rothenberg EM, Schuit AJ, Schulz S, Sjödin AM, Subar A, Tanskanen M, Uauy R, Valenti G, Van Etten LM, Van den Berg-Emons R, Van Germet WG, Velthuis-te Wierik EJ, Verboeket-van de Venne WW, Verbunt JA, Wells JCK, Wilson G. 2022. Human total, basal and activity energy expenditures are independent of ambient environmental temperature iScience, 25 :104682 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Rimbach R, Yamada Y, Sagayama H, Ainslie PN, Anderson LF, Anderson LJ, Arab L, Baddou I, Bedu-Addo K, Blaak EE, Blanc S, Bonomi AG, Bouten CVC, Bovet P, Buchowski MS, Butte NF, Camps SGJA, Close GL, Cooper JA, Das SK, Dugas LR, Ekelund U, Entringer S, Forrester T, Fudge BW, Goris AH, Gurven M, Hambly C, El Hamdouchi A, Hoos MB, Hu S, Joonas N, Joosen AM, Katzmarzyk P, Kempen KP, Kimura M, Kraus WE, Kushner RF, Lambert EV, Leonard WR, Lessan N, Martin CK, Medin AC, Meijer EP, Morehen JC, Morton JP, Neuhouser ML, Nicklas TA, Ojiambo RM, Pietiläinen KH, Pitsiladis YP, Plange-Rhule J, Plasqui G, Prentice RL, Rabinovich RA, Racette SB, Raichlen DA, Ravussin E, Reynolds RM, Roberts SB, Schuit AJ, Sjödin AM, Stice E, Urlacher SS, Valenti G, Van Etten LM, Van Mil EA, Wells JCK, Wilson G, Wood BM, Yanovski J, Yoshida T, Zhang X, Murphy-Alford AJ, Loechl CU, Luke AH, Rood J, Schoeller DA, Westerterp KR, Wong WW, Speakman JR, Pontzer H, IAEA DLW Database Consortium . 2022. Total energy expenditure is repeatable in adults but not associated with short-term changes in body composition. Nature Communications, 13 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Westerterp KR, Yamada Y, Sagayama H, Ainslie PN, Andersen LF, Anderson LJ, Arab L, Baddou I, Bedu-Addo K, Blaak EE, Blanc S, Bonomi AG, Bouten CVC, Bovet P, Buchowski MS, Butte NF, Camps SGJA, Close GL, Cooper JA, Das SK, Cooper R, Dugas LR, Ekelund U, Entringer S, Forrester T, Fudge BW, Goris AH, Gurven M, Hambly C, El Hamdouchi A, Hoos MB, Hu S, Joonas N, Joosen AM, Katzmarzyk P, Kempen KP, Kimura M, Kraus WE, Kushner RF, Lambert EV, Leonard WR, Lessan N, Martin CK, Medin AC, Meijer EP, Morehen JC, Morton JP, Neuhouser ML, Nicklas TA, Ojiambo RM, Pietiläinen KH, Pitsiladis YP, Plange-Rhule J, Plasqui G, Prentice RL, Rabinovich RA, Racette SB, Raichlen DA, Ravussin E, Reynolds RM, Roberts SB, Schuit AJ, Sjödin AM, Stice E, Urlacher SS, Valenti G, Van Etten LM, Van Mil EA, Wells JCK, Wilson G, Wood BM, Yanovski J, Yoshida T, Zhang X, Murphy-Alford AJ, Loechl CU, Luke AH, Pontzer H, Rood J, Schoeller DA, Wong WW, Speakman JR, International Atomic Energy Agency Doubly Labeled Water database . 2021. Physical activity and fat-free mass during growth and in later life. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Careau V, Halsey LG, Pontzer H, Ainslie PN, Andersen LF, Anderson LJ, Arab L, Baddou I, Bedu-Addo K, Blaak EE, Blanc S, Bonomi AG, Bouten CVC, Buchowski MS, Butte NF, Camps SGJA, Close GL, Cooper JA, Das SK, Cooper R, Dugas LR, Eaton SD, Ekelund U, Entringer S, Forrester T, Fudge BW, Goris AH, Gurven M, Hambly C, El Hamdouchi A, Hoos MB, Hu S, Joonas N, Joosen AM, Katzmarzyk P, Kempen KP, Kimura M, Kraus WE, Kushner RF, Lambert EV, Leonard WR, Lessan N, Martin CK, Medin AC, Meijer EP, Morehen JC, Morton JP, Neuhouser ML, Nicklas TA, Ojiambo RM, Pietiläinen KH, Pitsiladis YP, Plange-Rhule J, Plasqui G, Prentice RL, Rabinovich RA, Racette SB, Raichlen DA, Ravussin E, Reilly JJ, Reynolds RM, Roberts SB, Schuit AJ, Sjödin AM, Stice E, Urlacher SS, Valenti G, Van Etten LM, Van Mil EA, Wells JCK, Wilson G, Wood BM, Yanovski J, Yoshida T, Zhang X, Murphy-Alford AJ, Loechl CU, Luke AH, Rood J, Sagayama H, Schoeller DA, Wong WW, Yamada Y, Speakman JR, IAEA DLW database group . 2021. Energy compensation and adiposity in humans. Current Biology, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Pontzer H, Yamada Y, Sagayama H, Ainslie PN, Andersen LF, Anderson LJ, Arab L, Baddou I, Bedu-Addo K, Blaak EE, Blanc S, Bonomi AG, Bouten CVC, Bovet P, Buchowski MS, Butte NF, Camps SG, Close GL, Cooper JA, Cooper R, Das SK, Dugas LR, Ekelund U, Entringer S, Forrester T, Fudge BW, Goris AH, Gurven M, Hambly C, El Hamdouchi A, Hoos MB, Hu S, Joonas N, Joosen AM, Katzmarzyk P, Kempen KP, Kimura M, Kraus WE, Kushner RF, Lambert EV, Leonard WR, Lessan N, Martin C, Medin AC, Meijer EP, Morehen JC, Morton JP, Neuhouser ML, Nicklas TA, Ojiambo RM, Pietiläinen KH, Pitsiladis YP, Plange-Rhule J, Plasqui G, Prentice RL, Rabinovich RA, Racette SB, Raichlen DA, Ravussin E, Reynolds RM, Roberts SB, Schuit AJ, Sjödin AM, Stice E, Urlacher SS, Valenti G, Van Etten LM, Van Mil EA, Wells JCK, Wilson G, Wood BM, Yanovski J, Yoshida T, Zhang X, Murphy-Alford AJ, Loechl C, Luke AH, Rood J, Schoeller DA, Westerterp KR, Wong WW, Speakman JR, IAEA DLW Database Consortium . 2021. Daily energy expenditure through the human life course. Science, 373 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Speakman JR, Yamada Y, Sagayama H, Berman ESF, Ainslie PN, Andersen LF, Anderson LJ, Arab L, Baddou I, Bedu-Addo K, Blaak EE, Blanc S, Bonomi AG, Bouten CVC, Bovet P, Buchowski MS, Butte NF, Camps SGJA, Close GL, Cooper JA, Creasy SA, Das SK, Cooper R, Dugas LR, Ebbeling CB, Ekelund U, Entringer S, Forrester T, Fudge BW, Goris AH, Gurven M, Hambly C, El Hamdouchi A, Hoos MB, Hu S, Joonas N, Joosen AM, Katzmarzyk P, Kempen KP, Kimura M, Kraus WE, Kushner RF, Lambert EV, Leonard WR, Lessan N, Ludwig DS, Martin CK, Medin AC, Meijer EP, Morehen JC, Morton JP, Neuhouser ML, Nicklas TA, Ojiambo RM, Pietiläinen KH, Pitsiladis YP, Plange-Rhule J, Plasqui G, Prentice RL, Rabinovich RA, Racette SB, Raichlen DA, Ravussin E, Reynolds RM, Roberts SB, Schuit AJ, Sjödin AM, Stice E, Urlacher SS, Valenti G, Van Etten LM, Van Mil EA, Wells JCK, Wilson G, Wood BM, Yanovski J, Yoshida T, Zhang X, Murphy-Alford AJ, Loechl CU, Melanson EL, Luke AH, Pontzer H, Rood J, Schoeller DA, Westerterp KR, Wong WW, IAEA DLW database group . 2021. A standard calculation methodology for human doubly labeled water studies. Cell Reports Medicine, 2 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Wilson G, Hill J, Martin D, Morton JP, Close GL. 2020. GB Apprentice Jockeys Do Not Have the Body Composition to Make Current Minimum Race Weights: Is It Time to Change the Weights or Change the Jockeys? International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 30 :101-104 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Wilson G, McGowan CM. 2019. Recovery heart rates as a predictor of race position in race-fit National Hunt racehorses Comparative Exercise Physiology, 15 :307-312 DOI Publisher Url Public Url

Wilson G, Martin D, Morton JP, Close GL. 2018. Male Flat Jockeys Do Not Display Deteriorations in Bone Density or Resting Metabolic Rate in Accordance With Race Riding Experience: Implications for RED-S. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Wilson G, Lucas D, Hambly C, Speakman JR, Morton JP, Close GL. 2018. Energy expenditure in professional flat jockeys using doubly labelled water during the racing season: Implications for body weight management European Journal of Sport Science, 18 :235-242 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url

Langan-Evans C, Crighton B, Kasper A, Martin D, Wilson G. 2017. Current practices in weight making sport The Sport and Exercise Scientist, :8-9 Publisher Url Public Url

Martin D, Wilson G, Close GL, Morton JP, Murphy RC. 2017. Race-Day Catering in Professional Horseracing: Does Current Provision Facilitate Weight Management and Riding Performance?. EC Nutrition, 12 :3-17 Publisher Url Public Url

Martin D, Wilson G, Morton JP, Close GL, Murphy RC. 2017. The horseracing industry’s perception of nutritional and weight-making practices of professional jockeys Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise, :1-15 DOI Publisher Url Public Url

Wilson G, Hill J, Sale C, Morton JP, Close GL. 2015. Elite male Flat jockeys display lower bone density and lower resting metabolic rate than their female counterparts: implications for athlete welfare APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY NUTRITION AND METABOLISM, 40 :1318-1320 DOI Author Url Publisher Url

Wilson G, Pritchard PP, Papageorgiou C, Phillips S, Kumar P, Langan-Evans C, Routledge H, Owens DJ, Morton JP, Close GL. 2015. Fasted Exercise and Increased Dietary Protein Reduces Body Fat and Improves Strength in Jockeys INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE, 36 :1008-1014 DOI Author Url Publisher Url

Wilson G, Drust B, Morton JP, Close GL. 2014. Weight-Making Strategies in Professional Jockeys: Implications for Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being SPORTS MEDICINE, 44 :785-796 DOI Author Url Publisher Url

Wilson G, Hawken MB, Poole I, Sparks A, Bennett S, Drust B, Morton J, Close GL. 2014. Rapid weight-loss impairs simulated riding performance and strength in jockeys: implications for making-weight. J Sports Sci, 32 :383-391 DOI Author Url Publisher Url

Wilson G, Fraser WD, Sharma A, Eubank M, Drust B, Morton JP, Close GL. 2013. Markers of bone health, renal function, liver function, anthropometry and perception of mood: a comparison between Flat and National Hunt Jockeys. Int J Sports Med, 34 :453-459 DOI Author Url Publisher Url

Wilson G, Sparks SA, Drust B, Morton JP, Close GL. 2013. Assessment of energy expenditure in elite jockeys during simulated race riding and a working day: Implications for making weight Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism, 38 :415-420 DOI Author Url Publisher Url

Close GL, Russell J, Cobley JN, Owens DJ, Wilson G, Gregson W, Fraser WD, Morton JP. 2013. Assessment of vitamin D concentration in non-supplemented professional athletes and healthy adults during the winter months in the UK: implications for skeletal muscle function. J Sports Sci, 31 :344-353 DOI Author Url Publisher Url

Wilson G, Chester N, Eubank M, Crighton B, Drust B, Morton JP, Close GL. 2012. An alternative dietary strategy to make weight while improving mood, decreasing body fat, and not dehydrating: a case study of a professional jockey. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab, 22 :225-231 DOI Author Url Publisher Url

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