Associate Professor Nathan Johnson
Nathan's research focuses on the interaction between physical activity and fat metabolism in health and disease. Within the Faculty of Health Sciences, Nathan teaches undergraduate exercise science and postgraduate exercise physiology. His teaching philosophy focuses the development of practical skill mastery for exercise physiology and the promotion of evidence-based clinical practice.
My research finds practical solutions and innovative approaches, particularly exercise, for managing dangerous body fats and metabolic health in the absence of weight loss. This is a societal priority because there is no suitable pharmacological or lifestyle therapy available for significant and sustainable weight loss.
This research program is multidisciplinary in nature and involves experts in endocrinology, hepatology, radiology and allied health. Current collaborations enclude Shanghai Jiao Tong University, CSIRO and the Garvan Institute.
Clinical exercise specialists should be on the front-line of the battle against obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Advocacy of this is central to my research, teaching and training. My initiatives in research training and clinical exercise physiology teaching focus on providing graduates with the relevant knowledge and hands-on skills to meet this health challenge.
Publications
Book Chapters
- Johnson, N., Stannard, S. (2015). Fat Needs in Masters Athletes. In Peter R.J. Reaburn (Eds.), Nutrition and Performance in Masters Athletes, (pp. 91-113). London: CRC Press. [More Information]
Journals
- Baker, C., Twigg, S., Min, D., Marsh-Wakefield, F., Siwan, E., Gerofi, J., Wang, X., Hocking, S., Colagiuri, S., Johnson, N. (2024). Circulating CD31+ Angiogenic T cells are reduced in prediabetes and increase with exercise training. Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications, 38(11), 108868. [More Information]
- Li, M., Song, H., Shen, J., Hou, T., He, R., Li, L., Zhao, Z., Xu, M., Lu, J., Wang, T., Johnson, N., et al (2024). Effect of 5:2 Regimens: Energy-Restricted Diet or Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Training Combined With Resistance Exercise on Glycemic Control and Cardiometabolic Health in Adults With Overweight/Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial. Diabetes Care, 47(6), 1074-1083. [More Information]
- Baker, C., Bi, Y., Min, D., Johnson, N., Twigg, S., Hocking, S., Wang, X., Gerofi, J., Colagiuri, S., Sabag, A., Molyneaux, L., et al (2024). Effect of low-volume exercise on hepatic steatosis in adults with obesity plus normal glucose, prediabetes or type 2 diabetes: a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 10(4), e001878. [More Information]
Conferences
- Parker, H., O'Connor, H., Cohn, J., Garg, M., Johnson, N., Caterson, I., George, J. (2015). Effect of combined fish oil plus coenzyme Q10 supplementation on Omega-3 Index and cardiovascular risk markers in overweight men. Joint Annual Scientific Meeting of the Nutrition Society of New Zealand and the Nutrition Society of Australia, New Zealand: Nutrition Society of Australia and Nutrition Society of New Zealand.
- Parker, H., O'Connor, H., Keating, S., Cohn, J., Garg, M., Caterson, I., George, J., Johnson, N. (2014). Efficacy of the Omega-3 Index in predicting NAFLD in overweight and obese adults: a pilot study. 2014 Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society Annual Scientific Meeting, Sydney, Australia: Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society.
- Parker, H., O'Connor, H., Keating, S., Cohn, J., Garg, M., Caterson, I., George, J., Johnson, N. (2014). Omega-3 Index and liver fat: an unexpected relationship. Nutrition Society of Australia 2014 Annual Scientific Meeting, Australia.
2024
- Baker, C., Twigg, S., Min, D., Marsh-Wakefield, F., Siwan, E., Gerofi, J., Wang, X., Hocking, S., Colagiuri, S., Johnson, N. (2024). Circulating CD31+ Angiogenic T cells are reduced in prediabetes and increase with exercise training. Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications, 38(11), 108868. [More Information]
- Li, M., Song, H., Shen, J., Hou, T., He, R., Li, L., Zhao, Z., Xu, M., Lu, J., Wang, T., Johnson, N., et al (2024). Effect of 5:2 Regimens: Energy-Restricted Diet or Low-Volume High-Intensity Interval Training Combined With Resistance Exercise on Glycemic Control and Cardiometabolic Health in Adults With Overweight/Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial. Diabetes Care, 47(6), 1074-1083. [More Information]
- Baker, C., Bi, Y., Min, D., Johnson, N., Twigg, S., Hocking, S., Wang, X., Gerofi, J., Colagiuri, S., Sabag, A., Molyneaux, L., et al (2024). Effect of low-volume exercise on hepatic steatosis in adults with obesity plus normal glucose, prediabetes or type 2 diabetes: a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 10(4), e001878. [More Information]
2023
- Reddy, A., Roberts, S., George, E., Tierney, A., Gatta, P., Mason, S., Nicoll, A., Ryan, M., Itsiopoulos, C., Abbott, G., Johnson, N., et al (2023). Adherence to a Mediterranean diet may improve serum adiponectin in adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: The MEDINA randomized controlled trial. Nutrition Research, 119, 98-108. [More Information]
- Thøgersen-Ntoumani, C., Kritz, M., Grunseit, A., Chau, J., Ahmadi, M., Holtermann, A., Koster, A., Tudor-Locke, C., Johnson, N., Sherrington, C., Stamatakis, E., et al (2023). Barriers and enablers of vigorous intermittent lifestyle physical activity (VILPA) in physically inactive adults: a focus group study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 20(1). [More Information]
- Keating, S., Sabag, A., Hallsworth, K., Hickman, I., MacDonald, G., Stine, J., George, J., Johnson, N. (2023). Exercise in the Management of Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) in Adults: A Position Statement from Exercise and Sport Science Australia. Sports Medicine, 53(12), 2347-2371. [More Information]
2022
- Armstong, A., Jungbluth Rodriguez, K., Sabag, A., Mavros, Y., Parker, H., Keating, S., Johnson, N. (2022). Effect of aerobic exercise on waist circumference in adults with overweight or obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Obesity Reviews, 23(8). [More Information]
- Sahinovic, A., Irwin, C., Doohan, P., Kevin, R., Cox, A., Lau, N., Desbrow, B., Johnson, N., Sabag, A., Hislop, M., Haber, P., McGregor, I., McCartney, D. (2022). Effects of Cannabidiol on Exercise Physiology and Bioenergetics: A Randomised Controlled Pilot Trial. SPORTS MEDICINE-OPEN, 8(1), 27. [More Information]
- George, E., Reddy, A., Nicoll, A., Ryan, M., Itsiopoulos, C., Abbott, G., Johnson, N., Sood, S., Roberts, S., Tierney, A. (2022). Impact of a Mediterranean diet on hepatic and metabolic outcomes in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: The MEDINA randomised controlled trial. Liver International, 42(6), 1308-1322. [More Information]
2021
- Choo, J., Tran, C., Luscombe-Marsh, N., Stonehouse, W., Bowen, J., Johnson, N., Thompson, C., Watson, E., Brinkworth, G., Rogers, G. (2021). Almond consumption affects fecal microbiota composition, stool pH, and stool moisture in overweight and obese adults with elevated fasting blood glucose: A randomized controlled trial. Nutrition Research, 85, 47-59. [More Information]
- Lanting, S., Way, K., Sabag, A., Sultana, R., Johnson, N., Baker, M., Gerofi, J., Caterson, I., Twigg, S., Chuter, V. (2021). Degree of adiposity and obesity severity is associated with cutaneous microvascular dysfunction in type 2 diabetes. Microvascular research, 136, 104149. [More Information]
- Stonehouse, W., Sergi, D., Benassi-Evans, B., James-Martin, G., Johnson, N., Thompson, C., Abeywardena, M. (2021). Eucaloric diets enriched in palm olein, cocoa butter, and soybean oil did not differentially affect liver fat concentration in healthy participants: a 16-week randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 113(2), 324-337. [More Information]
2020
- Seimon, R., Wild-Taylor, A., McClintock, S., Harper, C., Gibson, A., Johnson, N., Fernando, H., Markovic, T., Center, J., Franklin, J., Grieve, S., Caterson, I., et al (2020). 3-Year effect of weight loss via severe versus moderate energy restriction on body composition among postmenopausal women with obesity - the TEMPO Diet Trial. Heliyon, 6(6), e04007. [More Information]
- Baker, C., Martinez Huenchullan, S., D'Souza, M., Xu, Y., Li, M., Bi, Y., Johnson, N., Twigg, S. (2020). Effect of exercise on hepatic steatosis: Are benefits seen without dietary intervention? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Diabetes, 13(1), 63-77. [More Information]
- Lee, A., Johnson, N., McGill, M., Overland, J., Luo, C., Baker, C., Martinez Huenchullan, S., Wong, J., Flack, J., Twigg, S. (2020). Effect of high-intensity interval training on glycemic control in adults with type 1 diabetes and overweight or obesity: A randomized controlled trial with partial crossover. Diabetes Care, 43(9), 2281-2288. [More Information]
2019
- Piotrowicz, A., McGill, M., Overland, J., Molyneaux, L., Johnson, N., Twigg, S. (2019). An on-line support tool to reduce exercise-related hypoglycaemia and improve confidence to exercise in type 1 diabetes. Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications, 33(9), 682-689. [More Information]
- Parker, H., Cohn, J., O'Connor, H., Garg, M., Caterson, I., George, J., Johnson, N. (2019). Effect of Fish Oil Supplementation on Hepatic and Visceral Fat in Overweight Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients, 11(2), 1-15. [More Information]
- Seimon, R., Wild-Taylor, A., Keating, S., McClintock, S., Harper, C., Gibson, A., Johnson, N., Fernando, H., Markovic, T., Center, J., Grieve, S., Caterson, I., Salis (nee Sainsbury), A., et al (2019). Effect of Weight Loss via Severe vs Moderate Energy Restriction on Lean Mass and Body Composition Among Postmenopausal Women With Obesity: The TEMPO Diet Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Network Open, 2(10), 1-19. [More Information]
2018
- Ooi, G., Earnest, A., Kemp, W., Burton, P., Laurie, C., Majeed, A., Johnson, N., McLean, C., Roberts, S., Brown, W. (2018). Evaluating feasibility and accuracy of non-invasive tests for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in severe and morbid obesity. International Journal of Obesity, 42(11), 1900-1911. [More Information]
- Seimon, R., Wild-Taylor, A., Gibson, A., Harper, C., McClintock, S., Fernando, H., Hsu, M., Quinto da Luz, F., Keating, S., Johnson, N., Grieve, S., Markovic, T., Caterson, I., Salis (nee Sainsbury), A., et al (2018). Less waste on waist measurements: Determination of optimal waist circumference measurement site to predict visceral adipose tissue in postmenopausal women with obesity. Nutrients, 10(2), 1-10. [More Information]
- Mitchell, L., Slater, G., Hackett, D., Johnson, N., O'Connor, H. (2018). Physiological implications of preparing for a natural male bodybuilding competition. European Journal of Sport Science, 18(5), 619-629. [More Information]
2017
- Keating, S., Johnson, N., Mielke, G., Coombes, J. (2017). A systematic review and meta-analysis of interval training versus moderate-intensity continuous training on body adiposity. Obesity Reviews, 18(8), 943-964. [More Information]
- Engelen, L., Bauman, A., Bellew, B., Caillaud, C., Merom, D., Fiatarone Singh, M., Mackey, M., Johnson, N., Davis, G., Shirley, D., et al (2017). Capacity building in physical activity and non-communicable disease prevention: a low-cost online training course can reach isolated practitioners. Global Health Promotion, 24(1), 27-33. [More Information]
- Perreault, K., Bauman, A., Johnson, N., Britton, A., Rangul, V., Stamatakis, E. (2017). Does physical activity moderate the association between alcohol drinking and all-cause, cancer and cardiovascular diseases mortality? A pooled analysis of eight British population cohorts. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 51, 651-657. [More Information]
2016
- Stannard, S., Johnson, N., O'Connor, H. (2016). Martin Thompson PhD (1946-2016). Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 19, 516-517.
- Keating, S., Parker, H., Pavey, T., Baker, M., Caterson, I., George, J., Johnson, N. (2016). Objectively Quantified Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior in Predicting Visceral Adiposity and Liver Fat. Journal of Obesity, 2016, 1-10. [More Information]
- Way, K., Keating, S., Baker, M., Chuter, V., Johnson, N. (2016). The effect of exercise on vascular function and stiffness in type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Current Diabetes Reviews, 12(4), 369-383. [More Information]
2015
- Keating, S., Hackett, D., Parker, H., O'Connor, H., Gerofi, J., Salis (nee Sainsbury), A., Baker, M., Chuter, V., Caterson, I., George, J., Johnson, N. (2015). Effect of aerobic exercise training dose on liver fat and visceral adiposity. Journal of Hepatology, 63(1), 174-182. [More Information]
- Parker, H., O'Connor, H., Cohn, J., Garg, M., Johnson, N., Caterson, I., George, J. (2015). Effect of combined fish oil plus coenzyme Q10 supplementation on Omega-3 Index and cardiovascular risk markers in overweight men. Joint Annual Scientific Meeting of the Nutrition Society of New Zealand and the Nutrition Society of Australia, New Zealand: Nutrition Society of Australia and Nutrition Society of New Zealand.
- Shephard, R., Johnson, N. (2015). Effects of physical activity upon the liver. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 115(1), 1-46. [More Information]
2014
- Keating, S., Machan, E., O'Connor, H., Gerofi, J., Salis (nee Sainsbury), A., Caterson, I., Johnson, N. (2014). Continuous Exercise but Not High Intensity Interval Training Improves Fat Distribution in Overweight Adults. Journal of Obesity, 2014, 1-12. [More Information]
- Parker, H., O'Connor, H., Keating, S., Cohn, J., Garg, M., Caterson, I., George, J., Johnson, N. (2014). Efficacy of the Omega-3 Index in predicting NAFLD in overweight and obese adults: a pilot study. 2014 Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society Annual Scientific Meeting, Sydney, Australia: Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society.
- Hoon, M., Hopkins, W., Jones, A., Martin, D., Halson, S., West, N., Johnson, N., Burke, L. (2014). Nitrate supplementation and high-intensity performance in competitive cyclists. Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism, 39(9), 1043-1049. [More Information]
2013
- Burdon, C., Johnson, N., Chapman, P., Muhamed, A., O'Connor, H. (2013). Case study: Beverage temperature at aid stations in Ironman triathlon. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 23(4), 418-424. [More Information]
- Johnson, N., Chuter, V., Rooney, K. (2013). Conception of learning and clinical skill acquisition in undergraduate exercise science students: a pilot study. Advances in Physiology Education, 37(1), 108-111. [More Information]
- Hughes, J., Chapman, P., Brown, S., Johnson, N., Stannard, S. (2013). Indirect measures of substrate utilisation following exercise-induced muscle damage. European Journal of Sport Science, 13(5), 509-517. [More Information]
2012
- Hackett, D., Johnson, N., Halaki, M., Chow, C. (2012). A novel scale to assess resistance-exercise effort. Journal of Sports Sciences, 30(13), 1405-1413. [More Information]
- Ismail, I., Keating, S., Baker, M., Johnson, N. (2012). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of aerobic vs. resistance exercise training on visceral fat. Obesity Reviews, 13(1), 68-91. [More Information]
- Parker, H., Keating, S., O'Connor, H., Cohn, J., Caterson, I., George, J., Johnson, N. (2012). Can reported short-term dietary intake predict fatty liver? Nutrition Society of Australia 2012 Annual Scientific Meeting, Not-Known.
2011
- Temesi, J., Johnson, N., Raymond, J., Burdon, C., O'Connor, H. (2011). Carbohydrate ingestion during endurance exercise improves performance in adults. The Journal of Nutrition, 141(5), 890-897. [More Information]
- Green, J., Johnson, N., Sachinwalla, T., Cunningham, C., Thompson, M., Stannard, S. (2011). Moderate-intensity endurance exercise prevents short-term starvation-induced intramyocellular lipid accumulation but not insulin resistance. Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental, 60(8), 1051-1057. [More Information]
- Parker, H., Burdon, C., O'Connor, H., George, J., Cohn, J., Johnson, N. (2011). Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in humans: a systematic review and meta- analysis. International Conference on the Science of Nutrition in Medicine and Healthcare 2011, Sydney, Australia: The Science of Nutrition in Medicine and Healthcare.
2010
- Burdon, C., O'Connor, H., Gifford (nee Barnard), J., Shirreffs, S., Chapman, P., Johnson, N. (2010). Effect of drink temperature on core temperature and endurance cycling performance in warm, humid conditions. Journal of Sports Sciences, 28(11), 1147-1156. [More Information]
- Hughes, J., Johnson, N., Brown, S., Sachinwalla, T., Walton, D., Stannard, S. (2010). Effects of eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage on intramyocellular lipid concentration and high energy phosphates. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 110, 1135-1141. [More Information]
- Johnson, N., George, J. (2010). Fitness Versus Fatness: Moving Beyond Weight Loss in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Hepatology, 52(1), 370-381. [More Information]
2009
- Johnson, N., Sachinwalla, T., Walton, D., Smith, K., Armstrong, A., Thompson, M., George, J. (2009). Aerobic exercise training reduces hepatic and visceral lipids in obese individuals without weight loss. Hepatology, 50(4), 1105-1112. [More Information]
- Rowlands, D., Johnson, N., Thomson, J., Chapman, P., Stannard, S. (2009). Exogenous glucose oxidation is reduced with carbohydrate feeding during exercise after starvation. Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental, 58(8), 1161-1169. [More Information]
- Johnson, N., St George, A., George, J. (2009). Impact of lifestyle modification on patients with chronic liver disease. Hot Topics in viral Hepatitis, 5(14), 17-22. [More Information]
2008
- Johnson, N., Walton, D., Sachinwalla, T., Thompson, C., Smith, K., Ruell, P., Stannard, S., George, J. (2008). Noninvasive assessment of hepatic lipid composition: advancing understanding and management of fatty liver disorders. Hepatology, 47, 1513-1523. [More Information]
- Johnson, N., Sachinwalla, T., George, J. (2008). Reply: In Vitro Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Liver Tissue Informs In Vivo Hepatic Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Studies. Hepatology, 48(3), 1016-1017. [More Information]
2006
- Johnson, N., Stannard, S., Chapman, P., Thompson, M. (2006). Effect of altered pre-exercise carbohydrate availability on selection and perception of effort during prolonged cycling. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 98, 62-70. [More Information]
- Johnson, N., Stannard, S., Rowlands, D., Chapman, P., Thompson, C., O'Connor, H., Sachinwalla, T., Thompson, M. (2006). Effect of short-term starvation versus high-fat diet on intramyocellular triglyceride accumulation and insulin resistance in physically fit men. Experimental Physiology, 91(4), 693-703. [More Information]
- Stannard, S., Johnson, N. (2006). Energy well spent fighting the diabetes epidemic. Diabetes - Metabolism: Research and Reviews, 22(1), 11-19. [More Information]
2004
- Johnson, N., Stannard, S., Thompson, M. (2004). Muscle triglyceride and glycogen in endurance exercise: implications for performance. Sports Medicine, 34(3), 151-164. [More Information]
2003
- Stannard, S., Johnson, N. (2003). Insulin resistance and elevated triglyceride in muscle: more important for survival than 'thrifty' genes? Journal of Physiology, 554(3), 595-607. [More Information]
- Johnson, N., Stannard, S., Mehalski, K., Trenell, M., Sachinwalla, T., Thompson, C., Thompson, M. (2003). Intramyocellular triacylglycerol in prolonged cycling with high- and low-carbohydrate availability. Journal of Applied Physiology, 94(4), 1365-1372. [More Information]
2002
- Johnson, N., Stannard, S., Mehalski, K., Trenell, M., Thompson, C., Thompson, M., Sachinwalla, T. (2002). Intramyocellular lipid utilisation in the highly trained athlete: Performance following CHO- and placebo-loading. 2002 Australian Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport, : British Medical Journal Publishing Group.
- Johnson, N., Stannard, S., Trenell, M., Thompson, C., Thompson, M., Fairbairn, K., Sachinwalla, C. (2002). The role of intramyocellular lipid in prolonged cycling performance. Third Research Conference, Sydney, NSW, Australia: University of Sydney.
2001
- Johnson, N., Stannard, S., Thompson, M. (2001). Is carbohydrate loading a placebo effect? Exercise, Muscle and Metabolism, : Ads & Adea.
Selected Grants
2022
- The Effect of Bespoke Exercise in People with Diabetes-Related Foot Ulcers (DFUEx study), Chuter V, Johnson N, Baker C, Twigg S, Min D, Exercise and Sports Science Australia/ESSA Research Grant
2020
- Can exercise training treat established NASH fibrosis in diabetes, Twigg S, Min D, Keating S, Wang X, Johnson N, Gorrell M, Diabetes Australia/Diabetes Research Grant Program