Skip to main content
The William Harvey Research Institute - Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
  1. WHRI
  2. People
  3. Academic staff
  4. Items

Dr Aivaras Ratkevicius

Aivaras

Senior Lecturer - Sports and Exercise Medicine

Centre: Sports and Exercise Medicine

Email: a.ratkevicius@qmul.ac.uk

Profile

ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4737-5817 

Dr. Aivaras Ratkevicius got his PhD in Biology from the Joint Programme of Doctorial Studies coordinated by the Lithuanian Sports University and Lithuanian University of Health Sciences in 1996. He was Guest Researcher at the Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre (University of Copenhagen) from 1993 to 1998. He worked as Assistant Professor at the University of Copenhagen where he did research and teaching in Exercise Biochemistry and Metabolism from 1998 to 2002. Aferwards, he moved to UK and worked as a Senior Lecturer in Sports and Exercise Science at the University of Sunderland. In 2005, Dr. Aivaras Ratkevicius started working as a Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen where he did research and teaching in Sports Science and Molecular Exercise Physiology. In 2016, he was appointed as a Professor at the Lithuanian Sports University where he lead research in the area of Muscles, Motor Control and Health Promotion. He is now a Senior Lecturer in Sports Medicine at Queen Mary University of London. 

Research

Dr. Aivaras Ratkevicius has studied human muscle metabolism using P31-NMR spectroscopy at the University of Copenhagen. He later worked on the role of mitochondrial citrate synthase in metabolism using cell cultures and mouse models. He also did research on the functional role of myostatin in ageing-related muscle weakness and adaptations to exercise training. His research also focused on adaptations of skeletal muscles to caloric restriction and dietary factors. He is now interested in effects of exercise interventions on resting metabolic rate and patterns of leisure time physical activity. 

Publications

  • Baumert P, Mäntyselkä S, Schönfelder M et al. (2024). Skeletal muscle hypertrophy rewires glucose metabolism: An experimental investigation and systematic review. nameOfConference


  • Minderis P, Fokin A, Povilonis T et al. (publicationYear). Effects of Diet Macronutrient Composition on Weight Loss during Caloric Restriction and Subsequent Weight Regain during Refeeding in Aging Mice. nameOfConference


  • Lionikas A, Cordero AIH, Kilikevicius A et al. (2023). Stanniocalcin‐2 inhibits skeletal muscle growth and is upregulated in functional overload‐induced hypertrophy. nameOfConference


  • Minderis P, Fokin A, Dirmontas M et al. (publicationYear). Caloric Restriction per se Rather Than Dietary Macronutrient Distribution Plays a Primary Role in Metabolic Health and Body Composition Improvements in Obese Mice. nameOfConference


  • Lapinskas E, Krusnauskas R, Ratkevicius A (2021). Effect of repeated bouts of fasting and refeeding on body composition and proteolysis gene expression in skeletal muscles and liver of C57BL/6J mice. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Lapinskas E, Krusnauskas R, Cekanauskaite A et al. (2020). Effect of fasting on body composition and proteolysis gene expression in skeletal muscles and liver of BEH+/+ and BEL mice. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Kvedaras M, Minderis P, Cesanelli L et al. (2021). Effects of fasting on skeletal muscles and body fat of adult and old C57BL/6J mice. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Kvedaras M, Minderis P, Krusnauskas R et al. (2020). Effects of ten-week 30% caloric restriction on metabolic health and skeletal muscles of adult and old C57BL/6J mice. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Minderis P, Fokin A, Dirmontas M et al. (2020). Hypocaloric Low‐Carbohydrate and Low‐Fat Diets with Fixed Protein Lead to Similar Health Outcomes in Obese Mice. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Gedmantaite A, Celis-Morales CA, Ho F et al. (2020). Associations between diet and handgrip strength: a cross-sectional study from UK Biobank. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Kvedaras M, Minderis P, Ratkevičius A (publicationYear). Effects of Single 48 H Fasting on Soleus Muscle Mass and Contractile Properties in Old and Young Mice. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Lapinskas E, Ratkevičius A (publicationYear). A/J pelių linijoje esanti 10 chromosoma neveikia C57BL/J pelių raumenų savybių. Pelių modelis žmonių metabolizmo ir senėjimo tyrimuose. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Kvedaras M, Minderis P, Krusnauskas R et al. (2019). Myostatin dysfunction is associated with lower physical activity and reduced improvements in glucose tolerance in response to caloric restriction in Berlin high mice. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Fokin A, Minderis P, Venckunas T et al. (2019). Myostatin dysfunction does not protect from fasting-induced loss of muscle mass in mice.. nameOfConference

    DOI: doi

  • Alhindi Y, Vaanholt LM, Al-Tarrah M et al. (2019). Corrigendum to “Low Citrate Synthase Activity Is Associated with Glucose Intolerance and Lipotoxicity”. nameOfConference


  • Vadopalas K, Ratkevičius A, Skurvydas A et al. (publicationYear). Pre-Exercise Rehydration Attenuates Central Fatigability during 2-Min Maximum Voluntary Contraction in Hyperthermia. nameOfConference


  • Alhindi Y, Vaanholt LM, Al-Tarrah M et al. (2019). Low Citrate Synthase Activity Is Associated with Glucose Intolerance and Lipotoxicity. nameOfConference


  • Satkunskiene D, Ratkevicius A, Kamandulis S et al. (2019). Effects of myostatin on the mechanical properties of muscles during repeated active lengthening in the mouse. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Gabriel BM, Al-Tarrah M, Alhindi Y et al. (publicationYear). H55N polymorphism is associated with low citrate synthase activity which regulates lipid metabolism in mouse muscle cells. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Psatha M, Wu Z, Gammie F et al. (2017). Age-related changes in the effects of strength training on lower leg muscles in healthy individuals measured using MRI. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Kvedaras M, Minderis P, Fokin A et al. (publicationYear). Forced Running Endurance Is Influenced by Gene(s) on Mouse Chromosome 10. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Fokin A, Minderis P, Žūkienė R et al. (2017). METABOLISM ANALYSIS IN MICE WITH REDUCED CITRATE SYNTHASE ACTIVITY. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Minderis P, Fokin A, Ratkevičius A (2016). High Growth Dummerstorf Mice Have Reduced Specific Force of Slow and Fast Twitch Skeletal Muscle. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Minderis P, Libnickienė I, Ratkevičius A (2016). Muscle Wasting after 48 Hours of Food Deprivation Differs between Mouse Strains and is Promoted by Myostatin Dysfunction. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Fokin A, Žūkienė R, Ratkevičius A (2016). REDUCED CITRATE SYNTHASE ACTIVITY EFFECT ON OXYGEN CONSUMPTION RATES IN ISOLATED MITOCHONDRIA FROM MICE LIVER AND MUSCLES. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Minderis P, Kilikevicius A, Baltusnikas J et al. (2016). Myostatin dysfunction is associated with reduction in overload induced hypertrophy of soleus muscle in mice. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Psatha M, Wu Z, Gammie FM et al. (2015). A longitudinal study of muscle rehabilitation in the lower leg after cast removal using magnetic resonance imaging and strength assessment. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Baltusnikas J, Venckunas T, Kilikevicius A et al. (publicationYear). Efflux of creatine kinase from isolated soleus muscle depends on age, sex and type of exercise in mice.. nameOfConference

    DOI: doi

    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Baltusnikas J, Kilikevicius A, Venckunas T et al. (2015). Myostatin dysfunction impairs force generation in extensor digitorum longus muscle and increases exercise-induced protein efflux from extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscles. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Baltusnikas J, Kilikevicius A, Venckunas T et al. (2015). Regenerated soleus muscle shows reduced creatine kinase efflux after contractile activity in vitro. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Gabriel BM, Pugh J, Pruneta-Deloche V et al. (publicationYear). The Effect of High Intensity Interval Exercise on Postprandial Triacylglycerol and Leukocyte Activation – Monitored for 48h Post Exercise. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Lionikas A, Kilikevicius A, Bünger L et al. (2013). Genetic and genomic analyses of musculoskeletal differences between BEH and BEL strains. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Lionikas A, Meharg C, Derry JM et al. (2012). Resolving candidate genes of mouse skeletal muscle QTL via RNA-Seq and expression network analyses. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Gabriel B, Ratkevicius A, Gray P et al. (2012). High-intensity exercise attenuates postprandial lipaemia and markers of oxidative stress. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Kilikevicius A, Venckunas T, Zelniene R et al. (2013). Divergent physiological characteristics and responses to endurance training among inbred mouse strains. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Psatha M, Wu Z, Gammie FM et al. (2012). A longitudinal MRI study of muscle atrophy during lower leg immobilization following ankle fracture. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Ratkevicius A, Joyson A, Selmer I et al. (2011). Serum Concentrations of Myostatin and Myostatin-Interacting Proteins Do Not Differ Between Young and Sarcopenic Elderly Men. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Judson RN, Wackerhage H, Hughes A et al. (2011). The Functional ACTN3 577X Variant Increases the Risk of Falling in Older Females: Results From Two Large Independent Cohort Studies. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Ratkevicius A, Carroll AM, Kilikevicius A et al. (2010). H55N polymorphism as a likely cause of variation in citrate synthase activity of mouse skeletal muscle. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Watt KI, Jaspers RT, Atherton P et al. (2010). SB431542 treatment promotes the hypertrophy of skeletal muscle fibers but decreases specific force. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Watt KI, Judson R, Medlow P et al. (2010). Yap is a novel regulator of C2C12 myogenesis. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Gray SR, Ratkevicius A, Wackerhage H et al. (2009). The effect of interleukin‐6 and the interleukin‐6 receptor on glucose transport in mouse skeletal muscle. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Wackerhage H, Ratkevicius A (2008). Signal transduction pathways that regulate muscle growth. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Nielsen A, Mizuno M, Ratkevicius A et al. (1999). No Effect of Antioxidant Supplementation in Triathletes on Maximal Oxygen Uptake, 31P-NMRS Detected Muscle Energy Metabolism and Muscle Fatigue. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Streckis V, Skurvydas A, Ratkevicius A (2007). Children are more susceptible to central fatigue than adults. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Ratkevicius A, Stasiulis A, Dubininkaite L et al. (publicationYear). Muscle Fatigue Increases Metabolic Costs of Ergometer Cycling without Changing VO2 Slow Component.. nameOfConference

    DOI: doi

    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Streckis V, Skurvydas A, Ratkevicius A (2005). Twelve- to Thirteen-Year-Old Boys Are More Resistant to Low-Frequency Fatigue than Young Men. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • NAKAGAWA Y, RATKEVICIUS A, MIZUNO M et al. (2005). ATP Economy of Force Maintenance in Human Tibialis Anterior Muscle. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Ratkevicius A, Mizuno M, Povilonis E et al. (1998). Energy metabolism of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles during isometric voluntary and electrically induced contractions in man. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • KAMBAYASHI I, RATKEVICIUS A, TAKEDA H et al. (2003). Fiber type composition affects resting ATP turnover estimated by NIRS in human ischemic muscle. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Hartkopp A, Harridge SDR, Mizuno M et al. (2003). Effect of training on contractile and metabolic properties of wrist extensors in spinal cord–injured individuals. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Higginson J, Wackerhage H, Woods N et al. (2002). Blockades of mitogen-activated protein kinase and calcineurin both change fibre-type markers in skeletal muscle culture. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Ratkevicius A, Quistorff B (2002). Metabolic costs of force generation for constant‐frequency and catchlike‐inducing electrical stimulation in human tibialis anterior muscle. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Higginson J, Wackerhage H, Woods N et al. (2002). Skeletal muscle fibre type regulation: both MEK1/2 and calcineurin blockade change expression of myosin heavy chain isoforms. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Laursen B, Jensen BR, Ratkevicius A (2001). Performance and muscle activity during computer mouse tasks in young and elderly adults. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Ratkevicius A, Mizuno M, Hattori M et al. (2000). Higher rates of electrical stimulation decrease ATP costs of isometric contraction in human gastrocnemius muscle. nameOfConference

    DOI: doi

    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Hartkopp A, Andersen JL, Harridge SDR et al. (1999). High expression of MHC I in the tibialis anterior muscle of a paraplegic patient. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Ratkevičius A, Skurvydas A, Povilonis E et al. (1998). Effects of contraction duration on low-frequency fatigue in voluntary and electrically induced exercise of quadriceps muscle in humans. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Hamaoka T, Mizuno M, Osada T et al. (1998). Changes in oxygenation and phosphocreatine during exercise and recovery in relation to fiber types and capillary supply in human skeletal muscle. Photon Propagation in Tissues III


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Hartkopp A, Harridge SDR, Mizuno M et al. (1996). Preliminary Results of Muscle Strength, Endurance and Metabolism in the Wrist Extensors of Tetraplegics Following 12 Weeks of Electrically Induced Training. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref
  • Ratkevicius A, Skurvydas A, Lexell J (1995). Submaximal-exercise-induced impairment of human muscle to develop and maintain force at low frequencies of electrical stimulation. nameOfConference


    QMRO: qmroHref

Sponsors

  • Research Council of Lithuania
  • European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD)
  • NHS Grampian Endowment fund
  • Kosterlitz Center for Therapeutics, University of Aberdeen
  • TMRC Collaboration between Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and Scottish medical universities

Collaborators

  • Prof. Stuart R. Gray (Stuart. Gray@glasgow.ac.uk), School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health. University of Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
  • Dr. Arimantas Lionikas (a.lionikas@abdn.ac.uk), School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, U.K.
  • Prof. Henning Wackerhage (henning.wackerhage@tum.de), School of Sport and Health Science, Technical University of Munich, Germany.
  • Dr. Petras Minderis (petras.minderis@lsu.lt), Institute of Sport Science and Innovations, Lithuanian Sports University, Kaunas, Lithuania

Teaching

Dr. Aivaras Ratkevicius is a Course Coordinator for MSc modules WHR7038 - Applied Exercise Physiology and WHR7081 - Nutrition for Exercise and Health. He is also supervising iBSc and MSc research projects in the area of physical activity and heath. 

Disclosures

No disclosures.

Back to top