Improving the efficacy of lifestyle interventions through the use of advanced body measurement techniques at Sheffield Hallam University on FindAPhD.com

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Dr S Choppin, Dr Dave Rogerson, Dr A Bullas No more applications being accepted Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Sheffield United Kingdom Epidemiology Psychology Sport & Exercise Science Physiology Rural Planning

About the Project

About the Programme

Applications are invited for Graduate Teaching Assistant PhD scholarships in The Academy of Sport and Physical Activity (ASPA), hosted by the Sport and Physical Activity Research Centre (SPARC), commencing 1st February 2022.

SPARC conducts research activity in a number of key areas and hosts four Research Groups:

· Physical Activity, Wellness and Public Health

· Sports Industry Research Group

· Sports Engineering Research Group

· Sport and Human Performance

Sport and Physical Activity Research Centre | Sheffield Hallam University (shu.ac.uk)

In the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF), 67% of our research was rated as world-leading and internationally excellent (4* and 3*), with 100% of our research environment judged to be 3* or 4*. Our innovative and applied research is funded through research councils and charities grants, in addition to investment from companies and organisations in the sport and physical activity industry. Staff have well established national and international collaborations with academics and industry/clinical partners. We have a community of approximately 45 postgraduate students in sport and physical activity who are at the heart of contributing to our research output. All doctoral students are supported by a comprehensive programme of doctoral training and encouraged to present their research findings at national and international conferences.

About the PhD GTA programme

GTA scholarships combine PhD study with professional development to gain practical experience in learning, teaching and assessment in Higher Education and provide an excellent opportunity for those wishing to pursue an academic or clinical/academic health career. You will be based in The Academy of Sport and Physical Activity and specifically SPARC. As part of your training, you will be expected to support teaching related activities in that department, up to a maximum of 180 hours per academic year and not more than 6 hours in any one week, in line with University policy. You will be supported to work towards Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. For more information please visit University scholarships | Sheffield Hallam University (shu.ac.uk)

About the PhD Project

Long term weight loss through diet and exercise is difficult to achieve for individuals. While research is active in this area there has been a lack of focus on empowering the individual through increased access to information. Our research group has developed novel ways of measuring the human body. We can look at not only the size and weight of the body, but its shape and composition.

This PhD will explore how body shape, size and composition information can be used to motivate people on weight loss programs, helping them to take control of their own health and lifestyle.

You will help to establish whether adherence to, and effectiveness of, lifestyle interventions (weight loss through diet/exercise) increases when individuals are given access to additional information in the form of advanced human body measurement.

The project has three broad objectives:

1. Develop and refine methods of information delivery involving advanced body measurement techniques (for example, body size/shape/composition interactive dashboards or 3D printed models representing body size/shape change.)

2. Assess and validate these methods in terms of usability/preference within a representative cohort

3. Run a randomised controlled trial to determine whether access to additional information improves adherence and weight loss during lifestyle interventions

Who should apply?

A professional qualification and or clinical background in sport, exercise or physical activity, is desirable but not essential. Applicants without a professional qualification should have a strong academic background in a sport or health-related discipline. 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.

More details of our entry requirements can be found here PHD Sport and Physical Activity Full-time 2021 | Sheffield Hallam University (shu.ac.uk)

How to apply

For more information about how to apply and an application form please visit https://www.shu.ac.uk/research/degrees/apply

For general enquires please contact the Health Research Institute Postgraduate Research Team via email at [Email Address Removed]

For project specific enquiries please contact Dr Simon Choppin [Email Address Removed]

Submit your application to [Email Address Removed]. Please do not submit your application and references to [Email Address Removed]

What is the submission deadline?

The closing date for applications is Friday 5th November 2021 at 11.30pm.

Interviews will be held w/c 6th December 2021.

Start date Tuesday 4th February 2022.

Funding Notes

Scholarships are available to Home/EU and International students for 42 months of full-time or 70 months of part-time funding to include: • Annual maintenance stipend at standard UKRI national minimum doctoral stipend rates: £15,609 per annum for 2021/22 full-time study; £7,805 per annum for part-time. The stipend is paid on a monthly basis as a tax-free bursary and intends to cover basic living costs. • University tuition fees at Home/EU levels. If you're required to pay tuition fees at the International rate you will be expected to fund the difference between Home and International fees.

References

Choppin S, Clarkson S, Bullas A, Thelwell M, Heller B, Wheat J. Anatomical and principal axes are not aligned in the torso: Considerations for users of geometric modelling methods. J Biomech. 2021 Jan;114:110151.
Chiu C-Y, Ciems R, Thelwell M, Bullas A, Choppin S. Estimating somatotype from a single-camera 3D body scanning system. Eur J Sport Sci. 2021;
Thelwell M, Chiu C-Y, Bullas A, Hart J, Wheat J, Choppin S. How shape-based anthropometry can complement traditional anthropometric techniques: a cross-sectional study. Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):12125.
Chiu C-Y, Thelwell M, Senior T, Choppin S, Hart J, Wheat J. Comparison of depth cameras for three-dimensional reconstruction in medicine. Proc Inst Mech Eng Part H J Eng Med. 2019 Sep 28;233(9):938–47.
Bullas AM, Choppin S, Heller B, Wheat J. Validity and repeatability of a depth camera-based surface imaging system for thigh volume measurement. J Sports Sci. 2016;34(20):1998–2004.