Julian is a Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Physiology in the School of Psychology and Sport Science and before arriving in Bangor, spent 8 years working as a physiologist and sport scientist within various performance pathways and professional sports. Julian's teaching and research reflects this interest in applied sport science and he has ongoing research in sport injury epidemiology, long-term athlete development and athlete monitoring and assessment. 

Position: Lecturer.

Email: j.owen@bangor.ac.uk

Telephone: (01248) 38 2197

Twitter: @julianowenPhD

Location: Office 007.8, Padarn Building, Normal Site

• PhD: Exercise Physiology
  2015
• MSc: Sport Physiology
  Liverpool John Moores University, 2008
• Professional: PGCE
  Manchester Metropolitan University, 2006
• Professional: FA Fitness Trainers Award
  The Football Association, 2004–2006
• Other: Diploma in Science & Football
  Liverpool John Moores University, 1997
• BSc: Applied Biochemistry
  Liverpool John Moores University, 1995

• Principles of Strength & Conditioning (Level 4 BSc)
• Practical Strength & Conditioning (Level 5 BSc)
• Research Project (Level 6 BSc & Level 7 MSc)
• Dissertation (Level 6 BSc & Level 7 MSc)
• The Sport & Exercise Science Practitioner (Level 7 MSc)

Current Research Supervision

Eloise Kirby (PhD, 2023 to present) - Welsh Injury Surveillance in Girls' Youth Rugby (WISGYR Project). Funding: World Rugby.

Steffi Studt (PhD, 2023 to present) - Head Sense: Prevention of sport-related brain trauma in the North Wales education sector. Funding: Academy for Health Equity, Prevention and Wellbeing.

Dr Tom Chandy (Masters by Research, 2021 to present) - Injury surveillance in female youth rugby union: A pilot study in the community sport setting. Funding: British Association of Sport & Exercise Medicine (BASEM).

George Lowe (PhD, 2021 to present) - Enhancing talent systems in rugby union. Funding: ESF Knowledge Exchange Scholarship Scheme (KESS II) with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).

Jack Bickley (PhD, 2021 to present) - Development of elite performance in rowing. Funding: Bangor University and Welsh Rowing.

Marco Martin (PhD, 2020 to present) - Efficacy of triaxial accelerometry in soccer. Supported by MAPEI Sports Institute.

Ersagun Kepir (PhD 2019 to present) - Muscle arcitecture, activity and strength related to lower leg injury. Funding: Turkish Education Ministry.

Previous research students

Seren Evans (PhD, Completed 2023) - From surveillance to prediction: a multifactorial approach to injury risk in Senior Academy Rugby Union. Funding: Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlathol and Bangor University.

Gokhan Yagiz (PhD, Completed 2023) - Muscle architecture of vastus lateralis and bicep femoris long head: implications for injury. Funding: Turkish Education Ministry.

Jessica Hughes (Masters by Research, Completed 2021) - Psychological and physical determinants of regional age-grade rugby players. Funding: ESF Knowledge Exchange Scholarship Scheme (KESS II) with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).

Davide Mondin (Masters by Research, Completed 2021) - Athlete monitoring in rugby union: inter- and intra-week associations of training markers with load during an entire Rugby Union Season. Funding: ESF Knowledge Exchange Scholarship Scheme (KESS II) with the Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC).

Claire Griffith-McGeever (PhD, completed 2020) - Factors In Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: Chemosensitivity and Perception of Effort Before and After Loading of Respiratory and Locomotor Systems. Funding: Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlathol.

Julian's primary research focus is within sport medicine, and more specifically sport injury epidemiology, particularly the prevention of sport injury in different populations.

Current externally funded research projects include:

• Welsh injury surveillance in girls' youth Rugby (WISGYR) - Funded by World Rugby
• Prevention of sport-related brain injury in the school settings - Head Sense project funded by the ALPHAcademy
• Pitch-side detection of concussion in Rugby Union - Tackling Rugby Union's Headache project funded by Research Wales Innovation Fund (RWIF)
• Hamstring injury risk and prevention in team sports - Funded by the Turkish Education Ministry

In addition Julian also contributes to research in the following areas:

• Talent and long-term athlete development (LTAD) - with the WRU and GB Rowing/Welsh Rowing
• Athlete monitoring and assessment - with Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC) in collaboration with the WRU and Mapei Sport, Italy

Editorial Duties

Julian is currently Associate Editor for the International Journal of Strength and Conditioning, and an editorial board member of Frontiers in Sport and Active Living within the injury prevention and rehabilitation section. Julian also regularly reviews for journals including International Journal of Sport Medicine, European Journal of Sport Sciences, Journal of Sport Sciences, Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport and International Journal of Spport Physiology and Performance.

2023

• PublishedDifferential effects of repeated inspiratory and limb muscle loading on effort perception in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and healthy males
  Griffith-McGeever, C. L., Owen, J., Earing, C., McKeon, D. & Kubis, H-P., Jun 2023, In: Psychological Reports. 11, 11, 18 p., e15732.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedNoncontact injury distribution and relationship with preseason training load and non-modifiable risk factors in Rugby Union players across multiple seasons
  Evans, S., Whittaker, G., Davis, O. E., Jones, E., Hardy, J. & Owen, J., Jul 2023, In: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 37, 7, p. 1456-1462 7 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• E-pub ahead of printRugby Players Exhibit Stiffer Biceps Femoris, Lower Biceps Femoris Fascicle Length to Knee Extensors, and Knee Flexors to Extensors Muscle Volume Ratios Than Active Controls
  Yagiz, G., Shida, N., Kuruma, H., Furuta, M., Morimoto, K., Yamada, M., Uchiyama, T., Kubis, H-P. & Owen, J., 26 Jul 2023, (E-pub ahead of print) In: International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedRugby World Cup: why hamstring injuries are so prevalent in the sport
  Yagiz, G. & Owen, J., 5 Sept 2023, The Conversation.
  Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article
• PublishedRugby injuries: how pre-season training can help players avoid the sidelines
  Evans, S. & Owen, J., 9 Mar 2023, The Conversation.
  Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article

2022

• PublishedAlterations in biceps femoris long head fascicle length, eccentric hamstring strength qualities and single-leg hop distance throughout the ninety minutes of TSAFT90 simulated football match
  Yagiz, G., Williams, K., Owen, J. & Kubis, H-P., 9 Dec 2022, In: PLoS ONE. 17, 12, p. e0278222 22 p., e0278222.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedMatch and training injury risk in semi-professional rugby union: a four-year study
  Evans, S., Davis, O. E., Jones, E. S., Hardy, J. & Owen, J., 3 May 2022, In: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 25, 5, p. 379-384
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedPre-competitive anxiety and autonomic responses in professional U-20 futsal players: Effect of the competition phase and game location
  Paludo, A-C., Woodman, T., Owen, J., Rabelo, F. N., Bernacikovà, M. & Simões, A. C., 1 Oct 2022, In: Physiology and Behavior. 254, 113903.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedPsychosocial and Physiological Factors Affecting Selection to Regional Age-Grade Rugby Union Squads: A Machine Learning Approach
  Owen, J., Owen, R., Hughes, J., Leach, J., Anderson, D. & Jones, E., 28 Feb 2022, In: MDPI Sports. 10, 3, 20 p., 35.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedPsychosocial and Physiological Factors Affecting Selection to Regional Age-Grade Rugby Union Squads: A Machine Learning Approach
  Owen, J., Owen, R., Hughes, J., Leach, J., Anderson, D. & Jones, E., 11 Jul 2022.
  Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review
• PublishedThe Effects of Resistance Training on Architecture and Volume of the Upper Extremity Muscles: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials and Meta-Analyses
  Yagiz, G., Akaras, E., Kubis, H-P. & Owen, J. A., 2 Feb 2022, In: Applied Sciences. 12, 3, 21 p., 1593.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2021

• PublishedAn exploratory study to investigate the association between age, physical activity, femoral trochlear cartilage thickness and biomarkers of tissue metabolism in adult males
  Roberts, H., Griffith-Mcgeever, C., Owen, J., Angell, L., Moore, J. & Thom, J., Jul 2021, In: European Journal of Applied Physiology. 121, 7, p. 1871-1880 10 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedHeterogeneous effects of eccentric training and nordic hamstring exercise on the biceps femoris fascicle length based on ultrasound assessment and extrapolation methods: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials with meta-analyses
  Yagiz, G., Akaras, E., Kubis, H-P. & Owen, J. A., 9 Nov 2021, In: PLoS ONE. 16, 11, 23 p., e0259821.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedPower-load relationship of bench press, ballistic bench press, and prone bench pull in Italian international canoeists and kayakers
  Fortunati, M., Gemelli, T., Puci, M., Drid, P., Owen, J., Bianco, A., D’Antona, G. & Rama, S., 10 Oct 2021.
  Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review
• PublishedThe impact of menstrual-cycle phase on basal and exercise-induced hormones, mood, anxiety and exercise performance in physically-active women
  Paludo, A-C., Cook, C., Owen, J., Woodman, T., Irwin, J. & Crewther, B., Mar 2021, In: Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness. 61, 3, p. 461-467
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2019

• PublishedAn act of balance: interaction of central and peripheral chemosensitivity with inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors in obstructive sleep apnoea
  Earing, C., Owen, J., Griffith-Mcgeever, C., McKeon, D., Engeli, S., Moore, J. & Kubis, H-P., Aug 2019, In: Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology. 266, p. 73-81
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedHydration marker diagnostic accuracy to identify mild intracellular and extracellular dehydration
  Owen, J. A., Fortes, M. B., Ur Rahman, S., Jibani, M., Walsh, N. P. & Oliver, S. J., Nov 2019, In: International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. 29, 6, p. 604-611 23 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2018

• PublishedDeterminants of apnoea –hypopnoea-index (AHI) levels in newly diagnosed obstructive sleep apnoea patients
  Owen, J., Earing, C., Griffith-Mcgeever, C., McKeon, D., Engeli, S., Moore, J. & Kubis, H-P., Sept 2018.
  Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review
• PublishedValidity and reliability of a non-invasive test to assess Quadriceps and Hamstrings strength in athletes.
  Mondin, D., Owen, J., Negro, M. & D'antona, G., 29 Nov 2018, In: Frontiers in Physiology. 9, 7 p., 1702.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2017

• PublishedPsycho-physiological responses of mountain bike riders during anaerobic and aerobic testing
  Paludo, A-C., Cook, C., Owen, J., Woodman, T., Owen, S. & Crewther, B., Jun 2017, In: Journal of Science and Cycling. 6, 1, p. 18-25
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2015

• PublishedResponse to the Letter to the Editor by Aaron Spital, “Is This Elderly Patient Dehydrated? Diagnostic Accuracy of Hydration Assessment Using Physical Signs, Urine, and Saliva Markers”
  Fortes, M., Owen, J., Oliver, S. & Walsh, N. P., 1 Aug 2015, In: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. 16, 8, p. 708
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2014

• PublishedIs This Elderly Patient Dehydrated? Diagnostic Accuracy of Hydration Assessment Using Physical Signs, Urine, and Saliva Markers
  Fortes, M. B., Owen, J. A., Raymond-Barker, P., Bishop, C., Elghenzai, S., Oliver, S. J. & Walsh, N. P., 22 Oct 2014, In: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. 16, 3, p. 221-228
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2013

• PublishedEndurance performance in a temperate environment after mild hypertonic and isotonic hypohydration
  Owen, J., 1 Feb 2013, p. S7.
  Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review
• PublishedThe utility of hydration markers to identify mild hypertonic and isotonic hypohydration
  Owen, J., 1 Feb 2013, p. S7.
  Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review

2012

• PublishedInfluence of fluid intake on soccer performance in a temperate environment
  Owen, J. A., Kehoe, S. J. & Oliver, S. J., 5 Sept 2012, In: Journal of Sports Sciences. 31, 1
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
• PublishedIs Whole-Body Hydration an Important Consideration in Dry Eye?
  Walsh, N., Fortes, M., Raymond-Barker, P., Bishop, C., Owen, J., Tye, E., Esmaeelpour, M., Purslow, C. & Elghenzai, S., 25 Sept 2012, In: Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 53, 10, p. 6622-6627 6 p.
  Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2023

• Member of a sport science steering group for GB beach sprint rowing

  Providing physiology input on the GB Rowing panel to develop applied practice for beach sprint rowing after acceptance as a Commonwealth Games sport.

  1 Sep 2023 →

  Activity: Consultancy (Consultant)
• Frontiers in Sports and Active Living (Journal)

  Review Editor within Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation:

  The Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation section of Frontiers in Sports and Active Living publishes high quality experimental, applied, clinical, and translational (i.e. knowledge translation) research across the fields of sports medicine, rehabilitation, sports science, strength and conditioning, and with a multidisciplinary approach including but not limited to physiological, biological, biomechanical, lifestyle (e.g. nutrition, sleep), psychological and societal aspects. The areas covered in this section inform contemporary scientific and practical knowledge of injury prevention and rehabilitation aimed at keeping individuals active and involved in sports.

  29 Jun 2023

  Activity: Editorial activity (Editorial board member)
• External Examiner

  External examiner for the School of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Brighton.

  2 Apr 2023 – 1 Jun 2027

  Activity: Consultancy (Consultant)

2021

• International Journal of Strength and Conditioning (Journal)

  Editorial Board Member

  1 Sep 2021 – 1 Sep 2023

  Links:

  • https://journal.iusca.org/index.php/Journal/issue/archive
  Activity: Editorial activity (Editorial board member)
• Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol (External organisation)

  Chair of the National Panel for Sport.

  1 May 2021 – 1 Apr 2022

  Activity: Membership of board (Chair)
• HEFCW and Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol - Digital learning materials project

  Developing units of digital learning for the subject area of sport including sport coaching and health and wellbeing.

  1 Feb 2021 – 1 Oct 2021

  Activity: Consultancy (Consultant)

2019

• Squash Wales (External organisation)

  Independent board member with strategic responsibility for athletic performance.

  1 Aug 2019 – 6 Apr 2021

  Activity: Membership of board (Director)

2016

• Perceptual response to respiratory loading in health and obstructive sleep apnoea.

  7 Oct 2016

  Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)
• Every breath you don’t take: Respiratory control and awareness in obstructive sleep apnoea.

  16 Sep 2016

  Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)

• Welsh Injury Surveillance in Girls Youth Rugby (WISGYR)

  01/06/2023 – 30/06/2026 (Active)

• KESS IIPhD upgrade with WRU (Rugby Gogledd Cymru)- BUK2E066

  01/09/2021 – 31/12/2023 (Active)

  Description

  Enhancing Talent Systems in Rugby Union

• KESS II MRes with WRU- BUK2206

  01/11/2019 – 31/08/2023 (Finished)

  Description

  Developing Rugby Talent in North Wales: Psychological and physical determinants of regional age-grade rugby players.

• KESS II MRes with RGC- BUK2154

  27/06/2018 – 01/08/2022 (Finished)

  Description

  Athlete monitoring in rugby union: inter- and intra-week associations of training load with musculoskeletal screening tests during an entire Rugby Union Season.

Grants

Owen, J.A. Stakeholder engagement with female youth rugby in North Wales for WISGYR Project. Bangor University Community Engagement Fund, June 2023

Owen, J.A. Evans, S.L. Gottwald, V. WISGYR – Welsh Injury Surveillance in Girls' Youth Rugby. World Rugby December 2022.

Owen, J.A. Mullins, P.G. Head Sense: Prevention of sport-related brain trauma in the North Wales education sector. Applied Learning for Preventative Health Academy (ALPHAcademy), December 2022.

Owen, J.A. Mullins, P.G. Davis, O-E. Dardis, R. van Zuydam, D. Tackling Rugby Union’s Headache: Validity of a handheld medical device for the rapid assessment and evaluation of mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI). Bangor University Impact and Innovation Award. August 2022.

Gottwald, V. Owen, J.A. Fella, D. Hardy, J. Life’s a beach: Anthropometric and psychological profiles of the World’s best Beach Sprint Rowers to determine future talent identification and selection protocols. Bangor University Impact and Innovation Award. August 2022.

Owen, J.A. Gottwald, V., Jones, E.S. Enhancing talent systems in rugby union. ESF Knowledge Exchange Scholarship Scheme (KESS II) Masters by Research Grant. April 2021.

Martin, R., Gottwald, V., Owen, J.A. The role of puberty in the relationship between relative age effects and sports injury. British Association of Sport & Exercise Medicine (BASEM). April 2021

Owen, J.A. and Jones, E.S. Psychological and physiological determinants of regional age-grade rugby players. ESF Knowledge Exchange Scholarship Scheme (KESS II) Masters by Research Grant.  November 2019.

Owen, J.A., Hardy, J.T., Mellalieu, S. Injury Risk in in Pre-Professional and Semi-Professional Regional Rugby Union. Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol PhD Studentship. July 2018.

Owen, J.A., Jones, E.S. and Hardy, J.T. Markers of athlete readiness in rugby union. ESF Knowledge Exchange Scholarship Scheme (KESS II) Masters by Research Grant. April 2018.

Blanchfield, A.W., Owen, J.A., and Griffiths, G. Development of a mindful-exercise training framework. ESRC Impact Acceleration Account. March 2016.

Earing, C.M.N., McKeon, D., Owen, J.A. and Kubis, H.P. Purchase of a pneumotachometer for research within the field of respiratory physiology in health and obstructive sleep apnoea. BCUHB Small grant scheme. February 2016

Owen, J.A., Moore, J.P., and Kubis, H.P.Pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnoea. Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol PhD studentship. April 2015.

Owen, J.A. Conference and travel grant. European Hydration Institute. October 2012.

Owen, J.A., Walsh, N.P., and Oliver, S.J. Hypertonic and isotonic dehydration: effects on hydration marker utility and human performance. European Hydration Institute: Graduate research grant for the study of Human Hydration. January 2012.

Projects

North Wales Rugby Research Project. June 2018 to present.

Inspiratory effort perception and interoception to breathlessness in health and obstructive sleep apnoea. October 2015 to May 2020.

Methods of dehydration assessment and effects on subjective discomfort, well-being and exercise performance. October 2010 to September 2015.