Applications are invited for a GTA scholarship in The Academy of Sport and Physical Activity (ASPA), hosted by the Sport and Physical Activity Research centre (SPARC), commencing 2 October 2023
SPARC conducts research activity in a number of key areas and hosts four Research Groups: https://www.shu.ac.uk/research/specialisms/sport-and-physical-activity-research-centre
In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), 88% of our research was rated as world-leading and internationally excellent (4* and 3*) We have a community of postgraduate students in sport and physical activity who are at the heart of contributing to our research output.
The GTA scholarship scheme aims to develop highly skilled postgraduate researchers and incorporates additional training and professional development :https://www.shu.ac.uk/-/media/home/research/research-degrees/files/gta-scholarships-overview-of-scheme-for-applicants.pdf?sc_lang=en&hash=F4D6FDE7809DAFD448DB0D16E870A5D5
Project Title: Promoting community recreational sports for preserving neuromotor fitness and quality of life in adults with neurological conditions
The existing report suggests that people with disabilities are more inactive (43%) than those without a disability (23%) in the UK (Sport England), but the exact figure for the inactivity rate in people with neurological conditions is unknown.
Participation in sports and physical activity has short and long-term benefits for people with neurological conditions and designing the community environments to facilitate participation in sports and physical activity is vital to reduce the adverse effects of limited mobility on physical conditions and quality of life (QoL). In the participants with disabilities, perceived benefits of sport participation were: improving physical fitness, mental health and social interactions, but little is known specifically in people with neurological conditions.
According to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework (WHO), participation in physical activity depends on both personal limitations and environmental constraints and understanding the barriers and facilitators of participation should be investigated based on interactions between them. Our approach in this study is based on disablement theory in which participation in recreational sports is investigated based on personal adaptations (e.g. coping skills relative to perceived barriers, acquired individual strategies from movement competency and perceived benefits), task modifications (e.g. motor behaviour changes in response to environmental and organisational constraints) and community infrastructure constraints.
We are also interested in whether active behaviours strategies in the sport participants could be transferred to the sedentary people through a short intervention because of similarity in physical conditions/limitations, environmental constraints, organisational constraints and cultural backgrounds.
We recruit 100 active participants and sedentary adults (25-80 years) with a neurological condition (Parkinson’s Disease, Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, Traumatic Brain Injuries) from local and national advertisements to take part in a 1-year longitudinal study. They will be approached through Sport England regional networks in South Yorkshire and the Neurological Alliance. We collect data from the participants through qualitative methods such as group discussions and natural behavioural observations and quantitative methods such as surveys (QoL, habitual physical activity) and field physical assessments on mobility, balance, walking speed and activities of daily living (ADLs).
In the first phase, the participants of 2 groups will be assessed 2 times at the baseline and after one year to examine the changes in the QoL, the neuromotor fitness (strength, balance, speed, endurance and reaction time) and the ADLs. We use standard tests such as TUG, 6min walking, hand grip dynamometry, choice reaction time and 10m walking (with/without dual task). We also involve them in group discussions to understand the barriers and facilitators.
In the second phase, we conduct a short-term intervention (6-mon) based on the principles of constraints (person-environment-task) for behavioural changes in the inactive group. The contents are educational and practical and will be delivered in groups remotely and face-to-face. We will assess its effectiveness with the Stages of Change Questionnaire, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (Garner & Page, 2005), attendance rate, QoL and neuromotor tests.
Applicants should hold a BSc (1st or 2:1) honours degree (or equivalent) in sport or exercise science, Psychology, Public Health, physiotherapy or a related area. An MSc qualification in a related area is desirable, as would experience of working with clients or patients in health promotion or exercise settings. We are offering this as a full-time PhD scholarship. We welcome applications from all members of our community and are particularly encouraging those from diverse groups, such as members of the LGBTQIA+, BAME and disabled communities.
GTA scholarships are open to Home, EU and International applicants. Please be aware that the bursary will cover only the Home fee. Generally, the shortfall between the Home and EU/ International fee, currently around £10,300 per year, will need to be covered by the student for the duration of the studentship. As part of the Sheffield Hallam PhD scholarship programme, additional funding may be made available to assist International students with the fee gap as described above. This additional funding is limited, though, and will only be offered to exceptional International applicants. Allocation of this additional funding will be based on information obtained through the standard GTA recruitment process, and no additional application will be required.
Sheffield Hallam also has a mandatory English language requirement of IELTS 7, or equivalent language qualification, for all applicants to whom English is not their first language. This qualification should have been taken within the last two-years, with a score of at least 7 in all test areas.
Further information about equivalent English language qualifications :https://www.shu.ac.uk/international/international-experience-team/pre-arrival-and-visa-information/english-language-entry-requirements
We strongly encourage all applicants to contact the Director of Studies or member of the supervisory team, prior to completing an application.
To apply for the PhD studentship, please complete and submit an application form, providing a 2,000-word research proposal addressing the project title.
You can find our on-line application form on the ‘Apply Now’ section of the Sport and Physical Activity PhD page here https://www.shu.ac.uk/courses/sport-and-physical-activity/phd-sport-and-physical-activity/full-time/2023 Please choose the option to apply for the October 2023 intake.
Please add the project title and the studentship you are applying for clearly within the 'Personal Statement' field of the application form.
Please submit your application form by the closing date of Wednesday 10 May 2023 at 12 noon GMT. Late applications will not be accepted.
Provisional interviews, week commencing 12 & 19 June 2023
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