Oregon Performance Research Lab | 541-346-1570

Brad Wilkins is an academic expert in exercise physiology and the physiological limits of human performance. He studies the balance between oxygen supply through the cardiovascular system and the demand/utilization of oxygen in the muscles to produce the energy required for exercise. Wilkins explores neural and metabolic factors related to blood flow regulation and muscle bioenergetics that lead to changes in oxygen supply-demand balance or create an imbalance. He is especially keen on understanding the mechanisms that contribute to potential limitations in endurance performance.  Wilkins’ career as a research scientist spans both industry and academia where he has studied elite marathoners, helped Olympic athletes prepare for competition, worked with special forces operators, and developed technologies to help push the boundaries of human potential.   

Recent Media:
The Summer Olympics can’t keep up this speed (The Atlantic, Aug. 8, 2024)
Fastest, highest, strongest (The Washington Post, July 26, 2024)
University of Oregon researchers study how hormones may affect athletic performance (KGW, July 26, 2024)
Are muscle oxygen sensors the next great fitness wearable? (Outside, July 25, 2023)
Live simple, train hard, be honest. (Office Magazine, Sept. 20, 2017)
The epic untold story of Nike’s (almost) perfect marathon (Wired, June 29, 2017)
An exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at how Nike is trying to break the 2-hour marathon barrier (Runner’s World, May 7, 2017)
Nike Digital Sport's science director strives to go beyond 'dumb' sensor technology (Portland Business Journal, Sept. 17, 2014)