Associate Professor Katherine Black, Our people, Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, New Zealand

BSc(Hons)(Salf) MSc PhD(Lough)

Katherine Black 2019 image Email katherine.black@otago.ac.nz

Katherine Black is an associate professor within the Department of Human Nutrition. She is responsible for the Sport and Exercise Nutrition papers and programmes within the Department. Her research interests are in the area of elite sporting performance, nutrition and health. She has worked with some leading athletes with New Zealand to investigate nutritional practices to optimise their performance. Recently, her research has focused on the health of female athletes, both high performance and recreational, to asses the impact of inappropriate energy intakes on reproductive and bone health.

Originally from Yorkshire, Katherine gained a BSc (Hons) in Exercise and Health Sciences at the University of Salford, an MSc in Sport and Exercise Nutrition at Loughborough University investigating blood brain barrier permeability, hydration and exercise in the heat followed by a PhD studying the fluid and electrolyte balance of special populations, focusing on paralympic athletes and kidney transplant recipients.

Paper coordination

HUNT 232 Sport and exercise nutrition
HUNT 355 Perspectives in sports nutrition
NUTN 407 Advanced sports nutrition / SPME 703 Sports nutrition

Current postgraduate students

Master of Science

Sam Christensen. Markers of cardiovascular disease risk in elite rugby players with and without Low Energy Availability

Recent graduates

PhD

Pouya Saeedi. Associations between dietary patterns and fitness, and indices of arterial stiffness among primary school children aged 9 to 11 years.
Anna Howe. Dietary patterns and health in New Zealand adolescents.

Master of Science

Brittany Davison. The association between parent and child dietary patterns.
Rachel Scrivin. Meta-analysis on the effects of sodium supplementation and intake on hydration and athletic performance in physically active people.
Luke Scullion. Health And Bread Intervention Trials (HABIT)
Hannah Gentle. Pre-exercise protein ingestion on muscle damage and performance in high-intensity exercise.
Alex Lubransky. Active commuting and fitness in Otago adolescents.

Master of Dietetics

Brylee Haywood. Effects of probiotic supplementation on upper respiratory tract infections in team sports.
Dave Shaw. Sports nutrition knowledge differences between able bodied and spinal cord injured athletes.
Jessica Moulds. Nutrition knowledge differences between able bodied and spinal cord injured athletes.

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Publications

Jerram, M. L., Baker, D., Smith, T. B., Healey, P., Taylor, L., & Black, K. (2023). A 0.1% L-menthol mouth swill in elite male rugby players has different effects in forwards and backs. International Journal of Sports Physiology & Performance. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2022-0191

Rogan, M. M., & Black, K. E. (2022). Dietary energy intake across the menstrual cycle: A narrative review. Nutrition Reviews. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuac094

Pai, N. N., Brown, R. C., & Black, K. E. (2022). The development and validation of a questionnaire to assess relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) knowledge. Journal of Science & Medicine in Sport. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2022.07.004

Fenemor, S. P., Mills, B., Sella, F. S., Gill, N. D., Driller, M. W., Black, K., … Beaven, C. M. (2022). Evaluation of an off-feet heat response test for elite rugby sevens athletes. Science & Sports. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.scispo.2021.10.002

Pai, N. N., Brown, R. C., Haszard, J. J., & Black, K. E. (2022). Knowledge on signs and symptoms of relative energy deficiency in sports among healthcare professionals and physically active individuals. Medical Sciences Forum, 9, 17. doi: 10.3390/msf2022009017

Journal - Research Article

Rogan, M. M., & Black, K. E. (2022). Dietary energy intake across the menstrual cycle: A narrative review. Nutrition Reviews. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuac094

Journal - Research Article

Higgins, S., Stoner, L., Black, K., Wong, J. E., Quigg, R., Meredith-Jones, K., & Skidmore, P. M. L. (2021). Social jetlag is associated with obesity-related outcomes in 9-11-year-old children, independent of other sleep characteristics. Sleep Medicine, 84, 294-302. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2021.06.014

Journal - Research Article

Sharples, A. M., Galloway, S. D., Baker, D., Smith, B., & Black, K. (2021). Barriers, attitudes, and influences towards dietary intake amongst elite rugby union players. Frontiers in Sports & Active Living, 3, 789452. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2021.789452

Journal - Research Article

Black, K. E., Baker, D. F., & Sims, S. T. (2020). Nutritional needs of the female athlete: Risk and prevention of low energy availability. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 42(4), 77-81. doi: 10.1519/SSC.0000000000000464

Journal - Research Article

Higgins, S., Stoner, L., Lubransky, A., Howe, A. S., Wong, J. E., Black, K., & Skidmore, P. (2020). Social jetlag is associated with cardiorespiratory fitness in male but not female adolescents. Sleep Medicine, 75, 163-170. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2020.07.030

Journal - Research Article

Jones, M. A., Skidmore, P. M. L., Stoner, L., Harrex, H., Saeedi, P., Black, K., & Gibbs, B. B. (2020). Associations of accelerometer-measured sedentary time, sedentary bouts, and physical activity with adiposity and fitness in children. Journal of Sports Sciences, 38(1), 114-120. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2019.1685842

Journal - Research Article

Kuroko, S., Black, K., Chryssidis, T., Finigan, R., Hann, C., Haszard, J., Jackson, R., … Robinson, C., Thomson, C., … Skidmore, P. (2020). Create Our Own Kai: A randomised control trial of a cooking intervention with group interview insights into adolescent cooking behaviours. Nutrients, 12(3), 796. doi: 10.3390/nu12030796

Journal - Research Article

Mohr, A. E., Jäger, R., Carpenter, K. C., Kerksick, C. M., Purpura, M., Townsend, J. R., … Black, K., … Antonio, J. (2020). The athletic gut microbiota. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 17, 24. doi: 10.1186/s12970-020-00353-w

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Saeedi, P., Haszard, J., Stoner, L., Skeaff, S., Black, K. E., Davison, B., … Meredith-Jones, K., Quigg, R., … Skidmore, P. M. L. (2020). Relationships between dietary patterns and indices of arterial stiffness and central arterial wave reflection in 9–11-year-old children. Children, 7(6), 66. doi: 10.3390/children7060066

Journal - Research Article

Smith, S., Sims, S. T., Thorpe, H., Baker, D., Haszard, J., Badenhorst, C., & Black, K. E. (2020). Hepcidin and iron: Novel findings for elite female rugby sevens players. Journal of Sports Medicine & Physical Fitness, 60(2), 289-293. doi: 10.23736/s0022-4707.19.10096-5

Journal - Research Article

Stoner, L., Higgins, S., Black, K., Boggess, K., Meyer, M. L., Chou, A., Galland, B., Haszard, J. J., Meredith-Jones, K., … Skeaff, S., & Skidmore, P. M. L. (2020). Short sleep duration is associated with central arterial stiffness in children independent of other lifestyle behaviors. Journal of Science in Sport & Exercise, 2, 236-245. doi: 10.1007/s42978-020-00062-5

Journal - Research Article

White, N., Naldoza-Drake, P., Black, K., Scullion, L., & Machado, L. (2020). Can improving the nutritional content of bread enhance cognition? Cognitive outcomes from a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Cognitive Enhancement, 4, 167-178. doi: 10.1007/s41465-019-00149-0

Journal - Research Article

Black, K. E., Hindle, C., McLay-Cooke, R., Brown, R. C., Gibson, C., Baker, D. F., & Smith, B. (2019). Dietary intakes differ by body composition goals: An observational study of professional rugby union players in New Zealand. American Journal of Men's Health, 13(6), 1-10. doi: 10.1177/1557988319891350

Journal - Research Article

Gibson, C., Hindle, C., McLay-Cooke, R., Slater, J., Brown, R., Smith, B., … Black, K. (2019). Body image amongst elite rugby union players. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 33(8), 2217-2222. doi: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000002312

Journal - Research Article

Black, K. E., Black, A. D., Baker, D., & Fairbairn, K. (2018). Body mass changes during training in elite rugby union: Is a single test of hydration indices reliable? European Journal of Sport Science, 18(8), 1049-1057. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2018.1470677

Journal - Research Article

Black, K. E., Witard, O. C., Baker, D., Healey, P., Lewis, V., Tavares, F., Christensen, S., … Smith, B. (2018). Adding omega-3 fatty acids to a protein-based supplement during pre-season training results in reduced muscle soreness and the better maintenance of explosive power in professional Rugby Union players. European Journal of Sport Science, 18(10), 1357-1367. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2018.1491626

Journal - Research Article

Black, K., Slater, J., Brown, R. C., & Cooke, R. (2018). Low energy availability, plasma lipids, and hormonal profiles of recreational athletes. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 32(10), 2816-2824. doi: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000002540

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Black, K., Thomson, C., Chryssidis, T., Finigan, R., Hann, C., Jackson, R., Robinson, C., Toldi, O., & Skidmore, P. (2018). Pilot testing of an intensive cooking course for New Zealand adolescents: The Create-Our-Own Kai Study. Nutrients, 10(5), 556. doi: 10.3390/nu10050556

Journal - Research Article

Francois, M. E., Cosgrove, S. D., Walker, N. M., Lucas, S. J. E., & Black, K. E. (2018). Physiological responses to a five-day adventure race: Continuous blood glucose, hemodynamics and metabolites the 2012 GODZone field-study. Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness, 16(3), 78-82. doi: 10.1016/j.jesf.2018.07.002

Journal - Research Article

Harrex, H. A. L., Skeaff, S. A., Black, K. E., Davison, B. K., Haszard, J. J., Meredith-Jones, K., Quigg, R., Saeedi, P., … Skidmore, P. M. L. (2018). Sleep timing is associated with diet and physical activity levels in 9-11-year-old children from Dunedin, New Zealand: The PEDALS study. Journal of Sleep Research, 27(4), e12634. doi: 10.1111/jsr.12634

Journal - Research Article

Love, T. D., Baker, D. F., Healey, P., & Black, K. E. (2018). Measured and perceived indices of fluid balance in professional athletes. The use and impact of hydration assessment strategies. European Journal of Sport Science, 3, 349-356. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2017.1418910

Journal - Research Article

McIntosh, N. D., Love, T. D., Haszard, J. J., Osborne, H. R., & Black, K. E. (2018). β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB) supplementation effects on body mass and performance in elite male rugby union players. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 32(1), 19-26. doi: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000001695

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Saeedi, P., Black, K. E., Haszard, J. J., Skeaff, S., Stoner, L., Davidson, B., Harrex, H. A. L., Meredith-Jones, K., Quigg, R., … Skidmore, P. M. L. (2018). Dietary patterns, cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness in 9-11-year-old children from Dunedin, New Zealand. Nutrients, 10, 887. doi: 10.3390/nu10070887

Journal - Research Article

Scrivin, R., & Black, K. (2018). Sports drinks consumed during exercise, which affect thermoregulation and/or athletic performance in the heat: A review. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 40(5), 108-119. doi: 10.1519/SSC.0000000000000394

Journal - Research Article

Scullion, L., Baker, D., Healey, P., Edwards, A., Love, T., & Black, K. (2018). No association between vitamin D and acute respiratory tract infections amongst elite New Zealand rugby players and rowers. International Journal for Vitamin & Nutrition Research, 88, 8-15. doi: 10.1024/0300-9831/a000285

Journal - Research Article

Davison, B., Saeedi, P., Black, K., Harrex, H., Haszard, J., Meredith-Jones, K., Quigg, R., Skeaff, S., … Skidmore, P. (2017). The association between parent diet quality and child dietary patterns in nine- to eleven-year-old children from Dunedin, New Zealand. Nutrients, 9(5), 483. doi: 10.3390/nu9050483

Journal - Research Article

Slater, J., Brown, R., McLay-Cooke, R., & Black, K. (2017). Low energy availability in exercising women: Historical perspectives and future directions. Sports Medicine, 47(2), 207-220. doi: 10.1007/s40279-016-0583-0

Journal - Research Article

Howe, A. S., Skidmore, P. M. L., Parnell, W. R., Wong, J. E., Lubransky, A. C., & Black, K. E. (2016). Cardiorespiratory fitness is positively associated with a healthy dietary pattern in New Zealand adolescents. Public Health Nutrition, 19(7), 1279-1287. doi: 10.1017/S1368980015002566

Journal - Research Article

McLean, A., Brown, R. C., & Black, K. E. (2016). The fluid and electrolyte balance of New Zealand European and Maori/Pacific Island athletes: An observational study. European Journal of Sport Science, 16(3), 336-343. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2015.1017539

Journal - Research Article

Sharma, M., Tuaine, J., McLaren, B., Waters, D. L., Black, K., Jones, L. M., & McCormick, S. P. A. (2016). Chemotherapy agents alter plasma lipids in breast cancer patients and show differential effects on lipid metabolism genes in liver cells. PLoS ONE, 11(1), e0148049. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148049

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Slater, J., McLay-Cooke, R., Brown, R., & Black, K. (2016). Female recreational exercisers at risk of low energy availability. International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, 26(5), 421-427. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.2015-0245

Journal - Research Article

Wong, J. E., Parnell, W. R., Howe, A. S., Lubransky, A. C., Black, K. E., & Skidmore, P. M. L. (2015). Diet quality is associated with measures of body fat in adolescents from Otago, New Zealand. Public Health Nutrition, 18(8), 1453-1460. doi: 10.1017/s1368980014001645

Journal - Research Article

Black, K. E., Skidmore, P., & Brown, R. C. (2014). Fluid balance of cyclists during a 387-km race. European Journal of Sport Science, 14(Suppl. 1), S421-S428. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2012.711860

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Clark, E. M., Quigg, R., Wong, J. E., Richards, R., Black, K. E., & Skidmore, P. M. L. (2014). Is the food environment surrounding schools associated with the diet quality of adolescents in Otago, New Zealand? Health & Place, 30, 78-85. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2014.08.008

Journal - Research Article

Cosgrove, S. D., Love, T. D., Brown, R. C., Baker, D. F., Howe, A. S., & Black, K. E. (2014). Fluid and electrolyte balance during two different preseason training sessions in elite rugby union players. Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 28(2), 520-527. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3182986d43

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Gentle, H. L., Love, T. D., Howe, A. S., & Black, K. E. (2014). A randomised trial of pre-exercise meal composition on performance and muscle damage in well-trained basketball players. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 11, 33. doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-11-33

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Haywood, B. A., Black, K. E., Baker, D., McGarvey, J., Healey, P., & Brown, R. C. (2014). Probiotic supplementation reduces the duration and incidence of infections but not severity in elite rugby union players. Journal of Science & Medicine in Sport, 17(4), 356-360. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2013.08.004

Journal - Research Article

Walker, N., Love, T. D., Baker, D. F., Healey, P. B., Haszard, J., Edwards, A. S., & Black, K. E. (2014). Knowledge and attitudes to vitamin D and sun exposure in elite New Zealand athletes: A cross-sectional study. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 11, 47. doi: 10.1186/s12970-014-0047-6

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Black, K. E., Huxford, J., Perry, T., & Brown, R. C. (2013). Fluid and sodium balance of elite wheelchair rugby players. International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, 23, 110-118.

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Cosgrove, S. D., & Black, K. E. (2013). Sodium supplementation has no effect on endurance performance during a cycling time-trial in cool conditions: A randomised cross-over trial. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 10, 30. doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-10-30

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Cosgrove, S. D., Love, T. D., & Black, K. E. (2013). Sodium supplementation during prolonged exercise: Effects on plasma sodium and performance. OA Sports Medicine, 1(2), 12.

Journal - Research Article

Howe, A. S., Black, K. E., Wong, J. E., Parnell, W. R., & Skidmore, P. M. L. (2013). Dieting status influences associations between dietary patterns and body composition in adolescents: A cross-sectional study. Nutrition Journal, 12(1), 51. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-12-51

Journal - Research Article

Skidmore, P. M. L., Howe, A. S., Polak, M. A., Wong, J. E., Lubransky, A., Williams, S. M., & Black, K. E. (2013). Sleep duration and adiposity in older adolescents from Otago, New Zealand: Relationships differ between boys and girls and are independent of food choice. Nutrition Journal, 12, 128. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-12-128

Journal - Research Article

Wong, J. E., Parnell, W. R., Howe, A. S., Black, K. E., & Skidmore, P. M. L. (2013). Development and validation of a food-based diet quality index for New Zealand adolescents. BMC Public Health, 13, 562. doi: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-562

Journal - Research Article

Black, K. E., Skidmore, P. M. L., & Brown, R. C. (2012). Energy intakes of ultraendurance cyclists during competition: An observational study. International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, 22(1), 19-23.

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Black, K. E., Skidmore, P., & Brown, R. C. (2012). Case study: Nutritional strategies of a cyclist with celiac disease during an ultraendurance race. International Journal of Sport Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, 22(4), 304-310.

Journal - Research Article

Wong, J. E., Parnell, W. R., Black, K. E., & Skidmore, P. M. L. (2012). Reliability and relative validity of a food frequency questionnaire to assess food group intakes in New Zealand adolescents. Nutrition Journal, 11, 65. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-11-65

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