Dr Matthew Black
University of Exeter, UK
Dr Tim Podlogar
University of Exeter, UK
Professor Anni Vanhatalo
University of Exeter, UK
Breaking Barriers: The Ultimate Limits of Human Performance
From the sub two hour marathon to the rise of gene editing, the boundaries of human performance continue to evolve. The 2027 conference in Exeter, UK, will explore these developments through the lens of integrative physiology, highlighting its central role in understanding the mechanisms that underpin exceptional performance and the limits of human capability. The programme will feature sessions on the neurophysiology of fatigue, aerodynamic and biomechanical innovation, and nutrition and metabolism in elite endurance sport. Keynote lectures from leading researchers and industry experts who have directly contributed to record breaking performances will provide unique insights into the physiological science behind breaking barriers in elite sport.
09:45 Pushing the limits: Redefining human endurance performance
TBC
10:15 Pushing boundaries: AI and machine learning; the new frontier of performance optimisation
TBC
11:15 Oral Communication 1
11:30 Oral Communication 2
11:45 Oral Communication 3
12:00 Oral Communication 4
13:15 New frontiers in the world of high-performance cycling
TBC
13:45 From impossible to achievable: The innovation behind performance breakthroughs
Dr Brett Kirby, Nike, US
14:15 Oral Communication 5
14:30 Oral Communication 6
15:15 Training volume, intensity and periodization in world-class endurance athletes
Professor Øyvind Sandbakk, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
15:45 VLamax and glycolytic capacity: Implications for training prescription
Dr Katharina Dunst, Institute of Applied Training Science, Germany
16:15 Training to the cycle: Smart strategy or overhyped myth?
Dr Dionne Noordhof, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway
09:30 Carbohydrate metabolism to fuel the future records: personalisation, lactate and everything in between
Professor Gareth Wallis, University of Birmingham, UK
10:00 Supplements: What works, what doesn't, and what's next
Professor Lewis Gough, Birmingham City University, UK
11:00 Oral Communication 7
11:15 Oral Communication 8
11:30 Oral Communication 9
11:45 Oral Communication 10
12:00 Oral Communication 11
13:15 Comparative physiology: Elite performance in the animal kingdom
Dr Mark Burnley, University of Loughborough, UK
13:45 The neurophysiology of fatigue in elite sport
TBC
14:15 Challenges for oxygen transport and utilisation: Breaking the limits
Professor Jose Calbet, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
15:15 Aerodynamic advances in sport: Effects on physiological demands
Mary O'Donnell, WattShop Ltd, UK
15:45 Wearable technology and running performance: Footwear, surfaces, and exoskeletons
TBC
Registration
Registration will open on 1 February 2027 and close on 10 August 2027..
To celebrate our 150th anniversary in 2026, we have introduced a new, more inclusive membership model, including the launch of a new free category, Associate Member, to welcome qualified individuals and strengthen the future of the Society. This is alongside reduced global membership fees to make joining and staying involved more accessible for all.
| Membership category | Early registration rate until 06 May 2027 | Standard registration rate until 24 May 2027 |
| Undergraduate & Master’s member | £50.00 | £100.00 |
| Postgraduate member | £50.00 | £100.00 |
| Full member (concessionary) * | £50.00 | £100.00 |
| Full member | £100.00 | £150.00 |
| Fellow member | £100.00 | £150.00 |
| Honorary Fellow | £100.00 | £150.00 |
| Retired member | £50.00 | £100.00 |
| Associate member | £150.00 | £200.00 |
| Non-member | £200.00 | £250.00 |
| ECR Non-member * | £100.00 | £150.00 |
*please email events@physoc.org for the discount code
Please note, Full Member (concessionary) refers to those who have Full Membership at the reduced rate.
Before registering, please read our event terms and conditions.
Member registration
In order to register as a member, you first need to log in with username and password. The system will default to the correct fee for your membership category.
Should you have any queries, please email events@physoc.org
Non-member registration
In order to register as a non-member you need to create a guest account.
Non-member rates include a complimentary one-year Society membership. Non-member attendees will be contacted after the event to confirm their membership activation.
By joining as a member, you will benefit from reduced registration and other key member benefits including:
- Free online access to The Society’s three world-class journals
- Free or discounted registration for Society events
- Eligibility for Society’s grant schemes
To find out more about membership with The Society, please click here or email membership@physoc.org
Applying for a visa
Do you need a visa to be able to participate in the meeting?
To check whether you need a visa to be able to attend, please click here
For more detailed information, application forms and guidance notes, please visit the official UK visa website.
It is recommended that you apply for your visa well in advance (at least 12 weeks before the meeting) as applications for UK visas in certain countries can take longer than expected. Attendees are requested that they book early enough and apply for a visa with sufficient time prior to the conference.
The conference organisers cannot be held responsible if delegates do not receive their visas in time, and the cancellation policy will automatically apply. Every effort will be made to support genuine applications. The conference organisers are happy to provide you with documentation to support your application which will be sent as a PDF attachment. If you require a hard copy to be sent to you, please include your mailing (postal) address. The Physiological Society will only send via regular post.
Documentation to support visa applications will only be provided to those attendees who have registered to attend.
Please complete the webform below, and attach confirmation of your registration, and submitted abstract (if appropriate).
Supporting documentation will be distributed within 10 working days – it is the responsibility of the attendee to allow sufficient time for processing.
Please note that The Society are not involved with and cannot influence consular decisions.
Abstracts
Abstract submission will open on 1 April 2027 and close on 1 June 2027.
We are calling for abstracts for presentation as either oral or poster communications.
Abstracts can be submitted in one of the following categories:
- Original research
- Case study
- Systematic reviews (including qualitative research)
- Technical paper (e.g. methods)
- Study proposal
- Education and Teaching
It is important that the following are included:
- Appropriate statistical analysis including n numbers
- Appropriate structure including introduction, aims and objectives, method, results, and conclusions
Please find The Society’s guidelines for creating your abstract here.
Key Information
Key Dates
| Registration opens | 01 February 2027 |
| Abstract submission opens | 01 April 2027 |
| Abstract submission closes | 01 June 2027 |
| Early review deadline | 15 April 2027 |
| Early bird registration deadline | 20 July 2027 |
| Conference attendance award deadline | 20 July 2027 |
| Registration deadline | 10 August 2027 |
| Meeting dates | 8 – 9 September 2027 |
Support to Attend
The grants below support attendance at our events.
Grants for Carers
We care because you do. We are aware that many of our members have caring responsibilities or need care. We have funds allocated to help you with care costs to facilitate your attendance at meetings.
Conference Attendance Award
Up to £375 for the support of member engagement at our own meetings.
Partner With Us
Partnering with us provides you with the ideal platform to highlight your brand, products and services to our members and the broader physiology community of researchers and educators.
In addition, attending our conferences also gives you an invaluable opportunity to network with influential scientists from around the UK, Europe and further afield.
All external funding is used to support the scientific community by keeping event registration fees at an affordable level and to achieve the charitable aims of The Society.
Partner Packages
Opportunities range from a standard tabletop exhibition space, to more comprehensive sponsorship packages, including advertising, session sponsorship and speaking slots at the meeting.
To discuss your requirements in more detail and build a package that suits you, contact us today at events@physoc.org.