Worldwide, only half of children master motor skills such as jumping and balancing before adolescence. Children with poor motor skills tend to have low fitness and physical activity levels. Without intervention, it is likely that their inactive lifestyle would extend into adulthood. Perceptual factors including how hard exercise feels (i.e., perceived exertion), how enjoyable it is (i.e., affective valence) and ability to focus (i.e., attentional load) are the strongest predictors of physical activity levels in children. Children with poor motor skills have altered perceptual responses compared to their typically-developing peers. Following motor skill training, children with poor motor skills show positive changes in perceptual responses and reduced brain activity (indicating less cortical demand) comparable to their typically-developing peers. Considering perceptual responses to physical activity are regulated within the brain via interoceptive-cognitive processes, how motor control impacts perceptual responses is unclear. Therefore, the goal of this PhD project is to examine motor control and perceptual factors associated with physical activity responses, and subsequent exercise engagement in children. Using a multi-disciplinary mixed-method approach, this project will generate evidence of the neurophysiological processes underlying motor control and perceptual responses by (i) consolidating existing theory (through systematic and narrative analysis), and (ii) conducting experimental studies using state-of-the-art technologies, such as brain imaging (fNIRS and/or EEG) during novel exercise tasks. It is expected that the project will contribute to the development of new ways to help children master motor skills, improve perceptual responses, and ultimately, increase physical activity engagement.
The supervisory team includes Dr Gavin Tempest, Dr Fiona Ling & Dr Gill Barry (Northumbria University). Project advisors/mentors include Professor Florentina Hettinga (Northumbria University) & Professor Helen Dawes (Oxford Brookes). The supervisors/advisors provide expertise in complementary fields of research and an extensive (inter)national collaborative network across Europe, North America and Australia.
Interested applicants would ideally have a background in human movement, neuroscience, physiology or psychology, and/or any other related subject, and an interest in applied exercise research. Experience in (neuro)physiological testing and running statistical analyses is preferred. Experience working with children would be an advantage.
Eligibility and How to Apply:
Please note eligibility requirement:
· Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
· Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
· Applicants cannot apply for this funding if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.
For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see
https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/
Please note: Applications that do not include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words (not a copy of the advert), or that do not include the advert reference (e.g. RDF21/…) will not be considered.
Deadline for applications: 29 January 2021
Start Date: 1 October 2021
Northumbria University takes pride in, and values, the quality and diversity of our staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community.
Informal enquiries to Dr Gavin Tempest ([Email Address Removed])
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