Dr Jakob Škarabot

Jakob completed his undergraduate studies in Kinesiology at the University of Ljubljana (Slovenia) in 2014. He then continued his studies at the Neuromuscular Research Centre, University of Jyväskylä (Finland), where he was awarded an MSc in Sport Science (major: biomechanics). After completing his master’s studies, Jakob undertook a PhD studentship in Neurophysiology at Northumbria University in 2016.

Jakob joined Loughborough University as Doctoral Prize Fellow in October 2019. In July 2020, Jakob was promoted to the position of Lecturer, becoming a Senior Lecturer in January 2024.

Jakob’s research aims to understand how neural signals determine muscle actions, how these signals differ between healthy young and ageing individuals, and how they adapt to different stressors (e.g. training, fatigue). Jakob’s work principally involves recordings of nervous system activity in response to magnetic and electrical stimulation of central and peripheral nervous tissue, and surface recordings of neural signals.

Peer-reviewer for several academic journals:

• Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism
• European Journal of Neuroscience
• European Journal of Sport Science
• Experimental Brain Research
• Experimental Physiology
• The Journal of Physiology
• Journal of Sports Sciences
• Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
• Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
• Neuropharmacology
• Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports

Jakob has represented Slovenia at international powerlifting competitions under the International Powerlifting Federation both as an athlete and a coach (several European and World Championships). Jakob also serves on the Executive Board of the Slovenian Powerlifting Federation.

• Ansdell P, Brownstein CG, Škarabot J, Angius L, Kidgell DJ, Frazer AK, Hicks KM, Durbaba R, Howatson G, Goodall S, Thomas K. (2020). Task-specific strength increases after lower-limb compound resistance training occurred in the absence of corticospinal changes in vastus lateralis. Experimental Physiology, 105(7):1132-1150.
• Ansdell P, Brownstein CG, Škarabot J, Hicks KM, Thomas K, Howatson G, Hunter SK, Goodall S. (2019). Sex differences in fatigability and recovery relative to the intensity-duration relationship. The Journal of Physiology, 597(23):5577-5595.
• Škarabot J, Ansdell P, Temesi J, Howatson G, Goodall S, Durbaba R. (2019). Neurophysiological responses and adaptation following repeated bouts of maximal lengthening contractions in young and older adults. Journal of Applied Physiology, 127(5):1224-1237.
• Škarabot J, Ansdell P, Brownstein CG, Hicks KM, Howatson G, Goodall S, Durbaba R. (2019). Corticospinal excitability of tibialis anterior and soleus differs during passive ankle movement. Experimental Brain Research, 237(9):2238-2254.
• Ansdell P, Brownstein CG, Škarabot J, Hicks KM, Simoes DCM, Thomas K, Howatson G, Hunter SK, Goodall S. (2019). Menstrual cycle-associated modulation in neuromuscular function and fatigability of the knee extensors in eumenorrheic females. Journal of Applied Physiology, 126(6):1701-1712.
• Škarabot J, Mesquita RNO, Brownstein CG, Ansdell P. (2019). Myths and Methodologies: How loud is the story told by the transcranial magnetic stimulation-evoked silent period? Experimental Physiology, 104(5):635-642.
• Škarabot J, Ansdell P, Brownstein CG, Hicks KM, Howatson G, Goodall S, Durbaba R. (2019). Reduced corticospinal responses in older compared to younger adults during submaximal isometric, shortening and lengthening contractions. Journal of Applied Physiology, 126(4):1015-1031.
• Škarabot J, Ansdell P, Brownstein CG, Thomas K, Howatson G, Goodall S, Durbaba R. (2019). Electrical stimulation of human corticospinal axons at the level of the lumbar spinal segments. European Journal of Neuroscience, 49(10):1254-1267.
• Brownstein CG, Ansdell P, Škarabot J, Kidgell D, Frazer A, Howatson G, Goodall S, Thomas K. (2018). Motor cortical and corticospinal function differs during an isometric squat compared to isometric knee extension. Experimental Physiology, 103(9):1251-1263.
• Škarabot J, Cronin N, Strojnik V, Avela J. (2016). Bilateral deficit in maximal force production. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 116(11-12):2057-2084.