Overview
Key publications
Research funding
Supervising & teaching
Career
Section: Overview
Overview
Key publications
Research funding
Supervising & teaching
Career

Key details

Areas of expertise

  • Exercise physiology
  • Muscle physiology
  • Molecular exercise physiology
  • Exercise training
  • Heat Stress and Heat Shock Proteins

Available to supervise research students

Available for media queries

About Aaron Petersen

Dr Aaron Petersen obtained his PhD in Exercise Physiology at Victoria University, Melbourne. He undertook post-doctoral training at Deakin University, Melbourne investigating the effects of exercise and diet on skeletal muscle signalling pathways. He has now returned to Victoria University where he is a Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology in the College of Sport and Exercise Science.

Aaron’s research focuses on muscular responses and adaptation to exercise training and environmental stressors. Additionally, Aaron is interested in the molecular mechanisms involved in regulation of muscle mass and identifying strategies to improve muscle mass and function. He is particularly interested in the benefits of chronic heat therapy for the enhancement of muscle function in both sporting and clinical settings.

His research interests include muscle adaptation to exercise training and the benefits of exercise in ageing and disease. Additionally, Aaron is interested in the molecular mechanisms and signalling pathways involved in adaptation to exercise and strategies to enhance the adaptive response. He has a particular interest in heat stress and heat shock proteins.

Aaron has published over 40 peer-reviewed journal articles. He has supervised two Masters by Research and five PhD candidates. He is a member of the Australian Physiological Society and the European College of Sport Science. 

Aaron's first notable scientific achievement was awarded to him at age 11, when he received the Te Aroha Primary School prize for science.

Qualifications

  • PhD (Exercise Physiology), Victoria University, 2008

Key publications

Aaron has over 54 publications, with a selection listed here.


A more comprehensive list of Aaron's publications is available in the VU Research Repository.

Year Citation
2020 Altarawneh, M. M., Petersen, A. C., Farr, T., Garnham, A., Broatch, J. R., Halson, S., Bishop, D. J., & McKenna, M. J. (200801). Resistance training upregulates skeletal muscle Na+, K+-ATPase content, with elevations in both 1 and 2, but not isoforms. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 120(8), (1777-1785).

doi: 10.1007/s00421-020-04408-3
2020 Altarawneh, M. M., Hanson, E. D., Betik, A. C., Petersen, A. C., Hayes, A., & McKenna, M. J. (200101). Effects of testosterone suppression, hindlimb immobilization, and recovery on [3H]ouabain binding site content and Na+, K+-ATPase isoforms in rat soleus muscle. Journal of Applied Physiology, 128(3), (501-513).

doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.01077.2018
2020 Kim, K., Reid, B. A., Casey, C. A., Bender, B. E., Ro, B., Song, Q., Trewin, A. J., Petersen, A. C., Kuang, S., & Gavin, T. P. (200101). Effects of repeated local heat therapy on skeletal muscle structure and function in humans. Journal of Applied Physiology, 128(3), (483-492).

doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00701.2019
2019 Beetham, K. S., Howden, E. J., Fassett, R. G., Petersen, A., Trewin, A. J., Isbel, N. M., & Coombes, J. S. (190801). High-intensity interval training in chronic kidney disease: A randomized pilot study. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 29(8), (1197-1204).

doi: 10.1111/sms.13436
2019 D'Souza, R. F., Zeng, N., Markworth, J. F., Figueiredo, V. C., Hedges, C. P., Petersen, A. C., Della, Gatta., Cameron-Smith, D., & Mitchell, C. J. (190612). Whey protein supplementation post resistance exercise in elderly men induces changes in muscle mirna's compared to resistance exercise alone. Frontiers in Nutrition, 6

doi: 10.3389/fnut.2019.00091
2019 Fyfe, J. J., Broatch, J. R., Trewin, A. J., Hanson, E. D., Argus, C. K., Garnham, A. P., Halson, S. L., Polman, R. C., Bishop, D. J., & Petersen, A. C. (190101). Cold water immersion attenuates anabolic signaling and skeletal muscle fiber hypertrophy, but not strength gain, following whole-body resistance training. Journal of Applied Physiology, 127(5), (1403-1418).

doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00127.2019
2019 Mcquade, R. M., Thaalibi, M. A., Petersen, A. C., Abalo, R., Bornstein, J. C., Rybalka, E., & Nurgali, K. (190101). Co-treatment With BGP-15 exacerbates 5-fluorouracil-induced gastrointestinal dysfunction. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 13(MAY),

doi: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00449
2018 Levinger, P., Downie, C., Nagano, H., Petersen, A., Hayes, A., Sanders, K. M., Cicuttini, F., & Begg, R. (181001). Stepping strategy used to recover balance during an induced fall is associated with impaired function and strength in people with knee osteoarthritis. International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases, 21(10), (1763-1771).

doi: 10.1111/1756-185X.12891
2018 Figueiredo, V. C., Zeng, N., D'Souza, R. F., Markworth, J. F., Della, Gatta., Petersen, A., Barnett, M. PG., & Cameron-Smith, D. (180601). High dose of whey protein after resistance exercise promotes 45 S preribosomal RNA synthesis in older men. Nutrition, 50 (105-107).

doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2017.11.018
2018 Broatch, J. R., Petersen, A., & Bishop, D. J. (180601). The Influence of Post-Exercise Cold-Water Immersion on Adaptive Responses to Exercise: A Review of the Literature. Sports Medicine, 48(6), (1369-1387).

doi: 10.1007/s40279-018-0910-8

Research funding for the past 5 years

Please note:

  • Funding is ordered by the year the project commenced and may continue over several years.
  • Funding amounts for contact research are not disclosed to maintain commercial confidentiality.
  • The order of investigators is not indicative of the role they played in the research project.

UPI Postural Support Garment Testing
From: United Pacific Industries
For period: 2019-2020
 Not disclosed

INT - 0498 & Sport Compression Regimes
From: APR Intern
For period: 2018-2018
 Not disclosed
UPI Postural Support Garment Testing
From: United Pacific Industries
For period: 2018-2018
 Not disclosed

UPI Thermoskin testing
From: United Pacific Industries
For period: 2017-2018
 Not disclosed
Glerups footwear biomechanical and thermal testing
From: The New Zealand Merino Company Limited
Investigators: Dr Karen Mickle
For period: 2017-2017
 Not disclosed
Stage 1 Testing services for Ox Exoskeleton.
From: COBALT DESIGN PTY LTD
Investigators: Prof Rezaul Begg
For period: 2017-2017
 Not disclosed

Project Schedule 33: HEAT: Heat effects on adaptations to resistance training.
From: Australian Institute of Sport
Investigators: Dr Jonathan Bartlett, Dr Andre Nelson, Prof David Bishop
For period: 2016-2017
 $22,222

Effects of cryotherapy on recovery following resistance training.
From: The Pratt Foundation Grant
Investigators: Prof David Bishop, Dr James Broatch
For period: 2015-2016
 Not disclosed
Coming in from the cold: is cold or heat application better for muscle repair - Schedule 31
From: Australian Sports Commission (ASC)
For period: 2015-2016
 $11,465
Coming in from the cold: is cold or heat application better for muscle repair
From: United Pacific Industries
For period: 2015-2015
 $18,362

Ankle device effects on foot skin temperature and blocked flow in patients with Type II diabetes melitus
From: United Pacific Industries
Investigators: Dr Matthew Varley
For period: 2014-2017
 $29,997

Supervision of research students at VU

Available to supervise research students

Available for media queries

Currently supervised research students at VU

No. of students Study level Role
3 PhD Principal supervisor

Currently supervised research students at VU

Students & level Role
PhD (3) Principal supervisor

Completed supervision of research students at VU

No. of students Study level Role
1 Masters by Research Associate supervisor
1 Masters by Research Principal supervisor
6 PhD Associate supervisor
1 PhD Principal supervisor

Completed supervision of research students at VU

Students & level Role
Masters by Research (1) Associate supervisor
Masters by Research (1) Principal supervisor
PhD (6) Associate supervisor
PhD (1) Principal supervisor

Key academic roles

Dates Role Department / Organisation
Jan 2010 - Aug 2019
Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology
Victoria University
Jan 2008 - Dec 2009
Post-doctoral research fellow
Deakin University
Dates Role & Department/Organisation
Jan 2010 -
Aug 2019
Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology
Victoria University
Jan 2008 -
Dec 2009
Post-doctoral research fellow
Deakin University

Awards

Year Award
2019

Australian Sports Medicine Federation Fellows Award, 2005: Best Paper (Performance Enhancement and Basic Science) - Australian Sports Medicine Federation

Professional memberships

  • Professional member, Australian Physiological Society
  • Professional member, European College of Sports Science

Media appearances

13th August 2019

Hot Yoga or Cool Runnings?

ABC Radio Afternoons with Richelle Hunt Invited expert on exercise in different environments