Gaven Barker, Ph.D.
Area(s) of Expertise: Sports Performance, Warfighter Performance, Sports Nutrition, Dietary Supplements, Cognitive Performance, Fatigue, Recovery, Exercise Physiology
Education
- Ph.D., Exercise Science & Health Promotion, University of North Alabama, 2025
- M.S., Kinesiology,Southeastern Louisiana University, 2021
- B.S., Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University, 2017
Research/Special Interests
- Dietary Supplementation to improve health and athletic performance
- Mental Fatigu
- Athletic & Warfighter Peak Performanc
- Muscle Soreness & Recover
- Nutritional Interventions
Publications
Lyons, T. S., Killen, L. G., Green, J. M., Barker, G. A., Bishop, N. L., & Higgins, T. D. (2025). Effects of caffeine on selected performance measures in collegiate softball players. Science & Sports, 40(7), 562–569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scispo.2025.06.004
Barker, G. A., Parten, A. L., Lara, D. A., Hannon, K. E., McAllister, M. J., & Waldman, H. S. (2023). Astaxanthin Supplementation Reduces Subjective Markers of Muscle Soreness following Eccentric Exercise in Resistance-Trained Men. Muscles, 2(2), 228-237.
Waldman H., O’Neal E., Barker G., Witt C., Lara D., Huber A., Forsythe V., Koutnik A., D’Agostino D., Staiano W., & Egan B. (2023). No Benefit of Ingesting a Low-Dose Ketone Monoester Supplement on Markers of Cognitive Performance in Females. Journal of Cognitive Enhancement, 7(3), 193-202.
Waldman H., O’Neal E., Barker G., Witt C., Lara D., Huber A., Forsythe V., Koutnik A., D’Agostino D., Staiano W., & Egan B. (2023). A Ketone Monoester with Carbohydrate Improves Cognitive Measures Post-Exercise, but not Performance in Trained Females. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.
Parten A., Barker G., O’Neal E., & Waldman H. (2022). Seven-week accommodating resistance training improves Wingate peak power but not muscular strength or endurance in strength-trained, females. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 37(9). 1789-1794. DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004473.