Inaugural professorial lecture of Professor Theocharis Ispoglou

Why physical activity, exercise and nutrition matter: fuelling healthier, stronger lives at every age, and reshaping how we think about ageing.

In this inaugural professorial lecture, Professor Theocharis Ispoglou will reflect on his personal and academic journey – from growing up in rural Greece where physical activity was part and parcel of daily life, to living by the belief 'don’t tell me what I cannot do' and celebrating the professorship as one of his proudest milestones.

He will show how moving more, building strength and eating well can protect muscle, prevent sarcopenia and support lifelong health. Drawing on studies of protein nutrition, resistance training and nutritional supplementation, Professor Ispoglou will highlight the importance of non-pharmacological approaches to promoting healthy ageing, and show how simple, evidence-based strategies can improve lives and re-shape the experience of ageing.

As Director of the Centre for Active Lifestyles and Healthy Ageing, he will also set out his vision for a society that embraces physically active lifestyles as a path to ageing well.

This lecture is part of Leeds Beckett University's inaugural professional lecture series.

You can book to attend this event online here.

Professor Theocharis Ispoglou

Theocharis Ispoglou is Professor of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences and Director of the Centre for Active Lifestyles and Healthy Ageing at Leeds Beckett University. His work explores how physical activity, exercise and nutrition support healthy ageing and improve quality of life across the lifespan. Over more than two decades, his research has advanced understanding of muscle loss and sarcopenia, highlighted the value of resistance training as an underused strategy for health, and informed nutritional approaches in both clinical and community settings.

His projects focus on protein nutrition, resistance training, and other forms of physical activity with applications for older adults, patients, and women in midlife and menopause. This work connects laboratory insights with real-world needs and has been supported by major national funders as well as industry collaborations. Over his career, he has published widely and supervised 12 PhD students to completion across exercise, nutrition and healthy ageing.

Alongside his academic work, Ispoglou has built a strong record of knowledge exchange. He has worked closely with the NHS, local authorities and professional organisations, and has organised and contributed to conferences, workshops and training for healthcare professionals on topics such as protein nutrition, resistance training and women’s health. These initiatives bring together scientists, clinicians and practitioners, reflecting his commitment to bridging research and practice, and shaping both professional and public understanding of healthy ageing. His expertise has also been shared more widely through media outlets, including The Times and BBC1’s Food: Truth or Scare. Equally, he takes pride in his teaching and mentoring. He has led undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, contributed to curriculum design, and supported the academic development of students and colleagues at every stage of their academic journey.