• Muscle function: effect of growth, maturation and training
• Thermoregulation during exercise
• Exercise and training effects on bone during the growing years

• Canadian Society of Exercise Physiologists
• North American Society for Pediatric Exercise Science
• European Group for Pediatric Work Physiology
• American College of Sports Medicine – Fellow
• European College of Sports Sciences
• Israeli Society of Sports Medicine

• 2019 to present – Stanford database inclusion – higher 2% of world scientists, based on impact and citations.
• 2024 – Brock University Distinguished professor
• 2022-2027 – Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Senior Research Fellowship
• 2021 – Brock University Distinguished Research and Creative Activity Award
• 2019 – Faculty of Applied Health Sciences Research Excellence Award
• 2012-2015 Brock University Chancellor’s Chair for Research Excellence
• 2019, 2020, 2023 – nominated for Graduate Mentorship Award

McKenna Faragher*, Andrew McKiel* Natalia Jevtic*, Michael Holmes, Shawn M. Beaudette, Bareket Falk. Age-Related Differences in Maximal Strength and Muscle Fatigue: Association with Motor Unit Activation Patterns. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. Accepted: June 30 2026

Madison Bell^, Pedro H. Narsico^, Ethan Miskolczi, Maria I Retsidou, Bareket Falk, Brian D. Roy, Andrea R. Josse, Panagiota Klentrou. Greek yogurt versus whey protein supplementation in adolescent athletes throughout a competitive season. J Nutrition. 156, (May 5) 2026

Bareket Falk, Hina A. Ticknor*, Stacey Woods*, Panagiota Klentrou, Diane E. Mack. Despite differences in heat dissipation, children’s temperature regulation during heat stress is similar to adults’ – a systematic review. Temperature. 13(2):120-138, 2026 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23328940.2026.2631843

Madison Bell^, Pedro H. Narsico^, Elizabeth Baker, Bareket Falk, Brian D. Roy, Andrea R. Josse, Panagiota Klentrou. Effects of Greek Yogurt Supplementation and Exercise on Markers of Bone Turnover and Inflammation in Older Adult Exercisers: An 8-Week Pilot Intervention Trial. Nutrients. 17(24):3902. 2025 https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17243902

Madison Bell^, Pedro H. Narsico, Adam J. MacNeil, Andrea R. Josse, Brian D. Roy, Bareket Falk, Panagiota Klentrou: Effect of Greek Yogurt versus Whey Protein Supplementation on Markers of Bone Turnover and Inflammation in University Athletes: A 24-Week Intervention Study. Int J Sports Nutr Exerc Metab. Ahead of Print Jan 2026 https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2025-0155.

Andrew McKiel*, Bareket Falk. Methodological considerations for studying exercise and training responses in youths. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 50:1-6, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2025-0122

O’Mahoney#, Caragh, Stacey Woods*, Andrew McKiel*, Bareket Falk: A question of rate? Girl-women differences in motor unit firing rate. Eur J Appl Physiol, 126(1):107-121, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-025-05899-8

Nicole Chimera, Bareket Falk, Panagiota Klentrou, Phillip Sullivan. Is biobanding the future of youth sport participation? Pediatr Exerc Sci, 36(4):181-191, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1123/pes.2024-0021. Runner up – Paper of the Year.

Andrew McKiel*, Stacey Woods*, Panagiota Klentrou, Bareket Falk. Get Lifting – Strength Training for Children. Frontiers for Young Minds. Published online July 10, 2024. https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2024.1379190

Stacey Woods*, Andrew McKiel*, Trent Herda, Panagiota Klentrou, Michael Holmes, David Gabriel, Bareket Falk. Motor unit firing rates during slow and fast contractions in boys and men. Eur J Appl Physiol, 124(10):2965-2979, 2024. Online ahead of print May 19, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-024-05500-8

McKiel A*, S Woods*, M Faragher*, G Taylor#, R Vandenboom, B Falk. Optimization of post-activation potentiation in girls and women. Eur J Appl Physiol, 124:2737-2747, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-024-05475-6

Stacey Woods*, Andrew McKiel*, Trent Herda, Panagiota Klentrou, Michael Holmes, David Gabriel, Bareket Falk. Developmental changes in motor unit activity patterns: child-adult comparison using discrete motor unit analysis. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab, 49(7):904-919, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2023-0339

Stacey Woods*, Andrew McKiel*, Trent Herda, Panagiota Klentrou, Michael Holmes, David Gabriel, Bareket Falk. Different discrete motor-unit activation patterns in the flexor carpi radialis in boys and men.  Eur J Appl Physiol, 124:1933–1942, 2024.. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-024-05417-2

Einat Kodesh, Pearl Law, Fadia Haddad, Annamarie Stehli, Bareket Falk, Shlomit Radom-Aizik. Leukocytes and Lactate Responses to Cycling and Running at the Same Target Heart Rate. Eur J Sports Sci. 24(5); 2024 (online). https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsc.12072

McKiel A*, S Woods*, D Gabriel, R Vandenboom, B Falk. Post-activation potentiation and potentiated motor unit firing patterns in boys and men. Eur J Appl Physiol, 124(5):1561-1574, 2024.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-023-05377-z

Raffy Dotan, Stacey Woods*, Jordan Langille*, Bareket Falk. Boys–men mean-power-frequency differences in progressive exercise to exhaustion, confounded by variability and adiposity. Eur J Appl Physiol, 124(2):491-505, 2024 (accepted, July 26, 2023, published online Aug 9, 2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-023-05292-3

Stacey Woods*, Caragh O’Mahoney#, James Maynard*, Raffy Dotan, Gershon Tenenbaum, Edson Filho, Bareket Falk. Erratum: Increase in volitional muscle activation from childhood to adulthood – A systematic review and meta-analysis. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2023 Oct 1;55(10):1942-1943. Doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000002853

Stacey Woods*, Caragh O’Mahoney#, Andrew McKiel*, Laurel Natale#, Bareket Falk. Child-Adult differences in antagonist muscle coactivation: A systematic review. J Electromyog Kinesiol. 68:102727, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2022.102727

Diane E. Mack, Daniel Anzovino, Malcolm Sanderson, Raffy Dotan & Bareket Falk. Reporting of adverse events in muscle strengthening interventions in youth: A systematic review. Pediatric Exercise Science, 35:127-143, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1123/pes.2021-0145

Kottaras S, Stoikos, J, McKinlay BJ*, Ludwa IA, Josse A, Falk B, Klentrou P.  Bone Turnover Markers and Osteokines in Adolescent Female Athletes of High-impact and Low-impact Sports Compared with Non-athletic Controls. Pediatric Exercise Science, 35(1):41-47, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1123/pes.2022-0025

Stacey Woods*, Caragh O’Mahoney#, James Maynard*, Raffy Dotan, Gershon Tenenbaum, Edson Filho, Bareket Falk. Increase in volitional muscle activation from childhood to adulthood – A systematic review and meta-analysis. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 54(5):789-799, 2022. doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000002853

Brandon J. McKinlay*, Phillip J. Wallace, Shai Olansky, Stacey Woods*, Nigel Kurgan, Brian D. Roy, Andrea R. Josse, Bareket Falk and Panagiota Klentrou. Intensified Training in Adolescent Female Athletes: A Cross-Over Study of Greek Yogurt Effects on Indices of Recovery. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 19(1): 17-33, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1080/15502783.2022.2044732 .

Raffaele Joseph Massarotto*, Gary J. Hodges, Alexandra Woloschuk*, Deborah O’Leary, Raffy Dotan, Bareket Falk. Skin blood flow responses to acetylcholine and local heating at rest and 60%VO2max, and associated nitric oxide contribution, in boys vs. girls. Pediatr Exerc Sci. 34(2):67-75, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1123/pes.2021-0121

Panagiota Klentrou, Katherine McKee^, Brandon J. McKinlay*, Nigel Kurgan, Brian Roy, Bareket Falk. Circulating Levels of Bone Markers After Short-term Intense Training with Increased Dairy Consumption in Adolescent Female Athletes. Children. 2021, 8, 961. https://doi.org/10.3390/ children8110961

Abrisham Beigpoor, Brandon J. McKinlay*, Nigel Kurgan, Michael J. Plyley,
Deborah O’Leary, Bareket Falk, Panagiota Klentrou. Cytokine Concentrations in Saliva vs. Plasma at Rest and in Response to Intense Exercise in Adolescent Athletes. Annals Hum Biol. 48:5, 389-392, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1080/03014460.2021.1980105

Nitsan Dror, Joseph Carbone, Fadia Haddad, Bareket Falk, Panagiota Klentrou, and Shlomit Radom-Aizik.  Sclerostin and bone turnover markers response to cycling and running at the same moderate-to-vigorous exercise intensity in healthy men. Journal of Endocrinological Investigation. 2022 Feb;45(2):391-397. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-021-01659-5

Lauren E Skelly, Erin N Barbour-Tuck, Nigel Kurgan, Melissa Calleja^, Panagiota Klentrou, Bareket Falk, Andrea R Josse. Neutral effect of increased dairy product intake, as part of a lifestyle modification program, on cardiometabolic health in adolescent girls with overweight/obesity: a secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial. Frontiers Nutrition. 21 May;8:673589, 2021.  https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.673589

Alyssa M. Bax*,  Chimerem O. Amiaka,  Bareket Falk,  David A. Gabriel,  Craig D. Tokuno. The effect of acute low-load resistance exercise with the addition of blood flow occlusion on muscle function in boys and men. Eur J Appl Physiol. 121:2177-2185, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-021-04687-4

Malcolm Sanderson , Brandon J. McKinlay* , Alexandros Theocharidis^, Rozalia Kouvelioti^, Bareket Falk and Panagiota Klentrou. Changes in Inflammatory Cytokines and Irisin in Response to High Intensity Swimming in Adolescent versus Adult Male swimmers. Sports 8:157, 2020, 10 pages. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports8120157

Brandon J. McKinlay*, Alexandros Theocharidis^, Tony Adebero*, Nigel Kurgan, Val A. Fajardo, Brian D. Roy, Andrea R. Josse, Heather Logan-Sprenger, Bareket Falk and Panagiota Klentrou. Effects of post-exercise whey protein consumption on recovery indices in adolescent swimmers. Int J Environ Public Health, 17(21):7761, 2020. Doi: 10.3390/ijerph17217761

Katlynne Nelson^, Rozalia Kouvelioti^, Alexandros Theocharidis^, Bareket Falk, Peter Tiidus, Panagiota Klentrou. Osteokines and Bone Markers at Rest and Following Plyometric Exercise in Pre- and Postmenopausal Women. Biomed Res Int, Vol 2020, Article ID 7917309, 10 pages, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/7917309

Theocharidis A^, McKinlay BJ*, Vlachopoulos D, Josse AR, Falk B, Klentrou P. Effects of Post Exercise Protein Supplementation on Markers of BoneTurnover in Adolescent Swimmers. J International Soc Sports Nutr. 17:20, 2020  doi: 10.1186/s12970-020-00350-z

Melissa Calleja^, Natalie Caetano Feitoza^, Bareket Falk, Panagiota Klentrou, Wendy E. Ward, Phillip J. Sullivan, Andrea R. Josse. Increased dairy product consumption as part of a diet and exercise weight management program improves body composition in adolescent females with overweight and obesity – A Randomized Controlled Trial. Pediatric Obesity. 15:e12690, 2020 doi: 10.1111/ijpo.12690

Alexandra Woloschuk*, Gary J. Hodges, Raffaele J. Massarotto & Panagiota Klentrou, Bareket Falk. Correction: The skin blood flow response to exercise in boys and men and the role of nitric oxide. Eur J Appl Physiol. 120:763–764, 2020. doi: 10.1007/s00421-020-04311-x

Stacey Woods*, Raffy Dotan, Nicole Jenicek*, Bareket Falk. Isometric‑based EMG threshold in girls and women. Eur. J Appl Physiol 120:907–914, 2020. doi: 10.1007/s00421-020-04331-7

Andrea R. Josse, Izabella A. Ludwa, Rozalia Kouvelioti^, Melissa Calleja^, Bareket Falk, Wendy E. Ward and Panagiota Klentrou. Dairy product intake decreases bone resorption following a 12-week diet and exercise intervention in overweight and obese adolescent girls. Pediatr Res. 88(6): 910-916, 2020. doi: 10.1038/s41390-020-0834-5

Alexandra Woloschuk*, Gary J. Hodges, Raffaele J. Massarotto, Panagiota Klentrou, Bareket Falk. The skin blood flow response to exercise in boys and men and the role of nitric oxide. Eur J Appl Physiol. 120:753–762, 2020. doi: 10.1007/s00421-019-04286-4

Gary J. Hodges, Panagiota Klentrou, Stephen S. Cheung, and Bareket Falk. Comparison of laser speckle contrast imaging and laser-Doppler fluxmetry in boys and men. Microvasc Res Mar;128:103927, 2020.  doi: 10.1016/j.mvr.2019.103927

Adebero, Tony*, McKinlay, Brandon John*, Theocharidis, Alexandros^, Root, Zach^, Josse, Andrea R, Klentrou, Panagiota, Falk, Bareket. Salivary and Serum Concentrations of Cortisol and Testosterone at Rest and in Response to Intense Exercise in Boys versus Men. Pediatr Exerc Sci 32(2):65-72, 2020. doi:10.1123/pes.2019-0091

Woods S*, R Dotan, N Jenicek*, J Maynard#, D Gabriel, C Tokuno, B Falk. Isometric-based test improves EMG-threshold determination in boys vs. men. Eur J Appl Physiol 119:1971-1979, 2019. doi: 10.1007/s00421-019-04185-8

R. Kouvelioti^, N. Kurgan^, B. Falk, W.E. Ward, A.R. Josse and P. Klentrou. Cytokine and sclerostin response to high intensity interval running versus cycling. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 51(12):2458-2464, 2019. DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002076

Kayleigh M. Beaudry^, Aysha M. Thomas, Izabella A. Ludwa^, Wendy E. Ward, Bareket Falk, Andrea R. Josse. First-year university is associated with greater body weight, body composition and adverse dietary changes in males than females. PLOS ONE 2019 Jul 3;14(7):e0218554. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218554. eCollection 2019.

GJ Hodges, MM Mallette, A Rigby, P Klentrou, SS Cheung, B Falk. Comparison of different wheelchair seating on thermoregulation and perceptual responses in thermoneutral and hot conditions in children. J Tissue Viabil  28:144-151, 2019. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtv.2019.04.003

R. Kouvelioti^, P. LeBlanc, B. Falk, W.E. Ward, A.R. Josse and P. Klentrou^. Effects of high intensity interval running versus cycling on sclerostin, markers of bone turnover and oxidative stress in young men. Calcif Tiss Int 104:582-590, 2019. DOI: 10.1007/s00223-019-00524-1

1. CTI Award for Publishing Excellence – one of the 10 most cited papers in 2019

B. Falk, R Dotan. Measurement and interpretation of maximal aerobic power in children. Pediatr Exerc Sci 31(2):144-151, 2019. DOI: 10.1123/pes.2018-0191

R. Kouvelioti^, N. Kurgan^, B. Falk, W.E. Ward, A.R. Josse, and P. Klentrou. Response of sclerostin and bone turnover markers to high-intensity interval exercise in young women: does impact matter?  Biomed Res Int, Special issue: “The Bone Response to Exercise”. 2018 Nov 1;2018:4864952. doi: 10.1155/2018/4864952. eCollection 2018

Gary J. Hodges, Matthew C. Mueller#, Stephen S. Cheung, Bareket Falk. Cutaneous vasomotor responses in boys and men. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 43(10):1019-1026, 2018. DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2018-0083

Gary J. Hodges, Antti M. Kiviniemi, Matthew M. Mallette, Panagiota Klentrou, Bareket Falk, & Stephen S. Cheung. Effect of passive heat exposure on cardiac autonomic function in healthy children. Eur J Appl Physiol 118:2233-2240, 2018. DOI: 10.1007/s00421-018-3957-1

Nigel Kurgan^, Heather Logan-Sprenger, Bareket Falk, Panagiota Klentrou. Bone and inflammatory responses to training in female rowers over an Olympic year. Med Sci Sport Exerc 50(9):1810-1817, 2018. DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001640

BJ McKinlay*, PJ Wallace, R Dotan, D Long#, C Tokuno, D Gabriel, B Falk. Effects of Plyometric and Resistance Training on Muscle Strength, Explosiveness and Neuromuscular Function in Young Adolescent Soccer Players. J. Strength Cond Res. 32(11): 3039-3050, 2018. DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002428

P Klentrou, K Angrish, N Awadia, Kurgan^, R Kouvelioti^, B Falk. Wnt signaling related osteokines at rest and following plyometric exercise in pre- and early pubertal boys and girls. Pediatr Exerc Sci 30(4):457-465, 2018 Apr 23:1-9. doi: 10.1123/pes.2017-0259

J Dekker^, K Nelson^, N Kurgan^, B Falk, A Josse, P Klentrou. Wnt Signaling-related Osteokines and Transforming Growth Factors Before and After a Single Bout of Plyometric Exercise in Pre- and Post-menarcheal Girls. Pediatr Exerc Sci 29(4):504-512, 2017. DOI: 10.1123/pes.2017-0042

BJ McKinlay*,  PJ Wallace,  R Dotan,  D Long#,  C Tokuno,   D Gabriel,  B Falk. Isometric and dynamic strength and neuromuscular attributes as predictors of vertical jump performance in 11-13 year old male athletes Appl Physiolo Nutr Metab. Sep;42(9):924-930, 2017. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2017-0111

IA Ludwa^, B Falk, WE Ward, KL Gammage, P Klentrou. Mechanical, biochemical, and nutritional determinants of the functional model of bone development of the radius in children and adolescents. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. Jul;42(7):780-787, 2017. doi: 10.1139/apnm-2016-0666.

PT Pianosi, RI Liem, B Falk PhD, FJ Cerny, RG McMurray, HCG Kemper. Pediatric Exercise Testing: value and implications of peak oxygen uptake. MDPI-Children. 4, 6, 2017 doi:10.3390/children4010006

Dotan R, Jenkins G*, O’Brien TD, Hansen S, Falk B. Torque-onset determination: Unintended consequences of the threshold method. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 31:7-13, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2016.08.017.

D Long#, R Dotan, B Pitt*, B McKinlay*, TD O’Brien, C Tokuno, and B Falk: The Electromyographic Threshold in Girls and Women. Pediatric Exercise Science, 29(1):84-93, 2017. doi: 10.1123/pes.2016-0056. Epub 2016 Aug 19

P Klentrou, A Giannopoulou^, B McKinlay*, P Wallace, C Muir, B Falk, D Mack. Salivary cortisol and testosterone responses to resistance and plyometric exercise in 12-14 year old boys. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 41(7):714-718, 2016.  DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2015-0668

Falk B, Haddad F, Klentrou P, Ward WE, Kish K*, Mezil Y, Radom-Aizik S. Differential sclerostin and parathyroid hormone response to exercise in boys and men. Osteoporosis Int., 27:1245-1249, 2016. DOI: 10.1007/s00198-015-3310-z

Undergraduate courses:

1. • Growth and Development (2^nd year)
   • Children’s response to exercise (4^th year)

Graduate courses:

1. • Pediatric exercise science

I accept applications from prospective undergraduate students wishing to participate in our research. Students wishing to conduct independent projects or a thesis (e.g., KINE 3P99, 4P99, 4F91) are especially encouraged to apply. A mark ≥ 80% in Growth and Development (KINE 2P84), as well as a background in data management and statistics, are assets. Prospective students with the appropriate background are invited to read about our research projects and publications and e-mail me a short message outlining their academic background (current year, program, relevant course, research experience, and an unofficial transcript), and their availability for research during the school year and in the summer (Please send only .pdf files).

I am always happy to hear from prospective students with an interest in children and exercise.  I am looking for students who have experience working with children and can demonstrate research skills, particularly students who have completed 4th year or MSc theses. We have a great team of undergraduate students, MSc and Ph.D. students. Students can get involved in one of the above areas of research, or develop their own study, involving children and exercise.

If you think you would be a good addition to our lab, I encourage you to read about our research projects and publications, and message me your interest, including an outline of your academic background (current degree and topic, past/present grades, and research experience), general interests, and if you wish, specific ideas about potential projects or interests.