A causal relationship between physical activity and lower risk of cardiovascular disease, such as ischaemic heart disease and ischaemic stroke, as well as diabetes mellitus type 2 and colon and breast cancer, is well established. Although the health benefits of physical activity are well-known, the prevalence of physical inactivity globally remains high placing a large burden on health services. Council-run leisure centres offer tailored structured exercise programmes to members with the aim of addressing key cardiovascular disease risk factors. A prospective study will be conducted to assess the cost-effectiveness and impact of structured exercise interventions focused on inactive populations and delivered in council-run leisure centres to determine whether they represent value for money. This project will determine the costs of structured exercise interventions delivered in leisure centres, health care costs of treating chronic conditions associated with physical inactivity and the quality of life (QoL) impacts of exercise interventions delivered in leisure centres. Participants attending leisure centres will be recruited and followed up over a period of six months. This will include participants regularly engaging with leisure centres as well as participants using structured exercise interventions delivered in leisure centres. Data collection will include: i) physiological parameters, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, anthropometric measurements (height, weight, body mass index), level of physical activity, and nutritional habits; ii) health service utilisation, iii) data on costs associated with using leisure centres, including member payments and any staff time and iv) QoL assessment using EQ-5D-5L tool collected at baseline, 1 month, 3 month, and 6 month follow-up. These data will be used to measure costs and QoL impacts and to estimate quality adjusted life-years (QALYs). This project will enable cost-effectiveness analysis of structured exercise interventions delivered in leisure centres.
Person Specification:
1st Class or 2nd class, First Division (Upper Second Class) honours degree or a taught master’s degree with a minimum average of 60% across all areas of assessment (UK or UK equivalent) in a relevant area to the proposed research project
For those whose first language is not English and/or if from a country where English is not the majority spoken language (as recognised by the UKBA), a language proficiency score of at least IELTS 6.5 (in all elements of the test) or an equivalent UK VISA and Immigration secure English Language Test is required, if your programme falls within the faculty of Engineering and Science a language proficiency score of at least IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in all elements of the test or an equivalent UK VISA and Immigration secure English Language Test is required. Unless the degree above was taught in English and obtained in a majority English speaking country, e.g. UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, etc, as recognised by the UKBA
Previous experience of undertaking research (e.g. undergraduate or taught master’s dissertation) within the areas of social sciences, health economics, sports science, public health, education or psychology.
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Experience in quantitative research methodologies relative to the candidate’s career level
Experience in conducting economic evaluations relative to the candidate’s career level
Understands the fundamental differences between a taught degree and a research degree in terms of approach and personal discipline/motivation
Able to, under guidance, complete independent work successfully
Excellent collaborative skills and interest in mentorship, knowledge sharing, and partnership building with stakeholders of the research
This scholarship may require Academic Technology Approval Scheme approval for the successful candidate if from outside of the EU/EEA
The scholarship must commence before 31 March 2023
Making an application:
Please read this information before making an application. Information on the application process is available at: https://www.gre.ac.uk/research/study/apply/application-process. Applications need to be made online via this link. No other form of application will be considered.
All applications must include the following information. Applications not containing these documents will not be considered.
• VC Scholarship Reference Number - VCS-FEHHS-08-22– included in the personal statement section
• applicants must apply to the PhD Human Sciences programme
• Personal Statement - outlining your motivation for applying for this PhD, and your previous research experience (e.g., as a research assistant or completing a dissertation).
• Academic qualification certificates/transcripts*
• IELTS/English Language certificate if you are an international applicant or if English is not your first language or you are from a country where English is not the majority spoken language as defined by the UK Border Agency *
• Research Proposal* (ca. 1500 words- please use template available from: https://www.gre.ac.uk/institute-lifecourse-development/phd-opportunities). This proposal should outline your plans and explain your proposed research project linking to the advertised project description.
• Your complete CV*
• Two professional reference letters (one ideally from a dissertation supervisor)*
*upload to the qualification section of the application form. Attachments must be a PDF format.
Before submitting your application, you are encouraged to liaise with the Lead Supervisor on the details above.
Continue with Facebook
