Optimising exercise interventions for musculoskeletal health using blood flow restriction (RDF25/HLS/SER/ALLISON)

The Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation is a UK top 5 department for research power (REF2021), and a top quartile and 4th ranked Department for Sport & Exercise Sciences and Physiotherapy subjects, respectively (GUG2024). Over 90% of our research is considered Word leading or Internationally Excellent with key research strengths in areas including Management of Long-term Conditions and emerging research areas including Physical Activity & Exercise for Health Across the Lifespan. 

Blood flow restriction (BFR) is a novel technique using a pneumatic tourniquet system to restrict blood flow in the limb(s) during low intensity exercise. BFR could provide a novel strategy to optimise bone health in populations at risk of fracture and post-operative patients undergoing rehabilitation. However, this technique has traditionally been developed to stimulate neuromuscular adaptions, so we have little understanding of the skeletal response and adaptations to BFR. Emerging data suggests that BFR can influence bone metabolism and mitigate loss of bone mineral density during periods of disuse/unloading.

In this PhD, you will advance knowledge of the role BFR has on bone health, and the underpinning mechanisms, which may inform guidelines for the use of BFR as a novel intervention in the musculoskeletal field. The early stages of this PhD will focus on developing components of the BFR intervention to optimise its application before preliminary work plans to test feasibility and outcomes in a longer-term randomised controlled trial.

The project is supervised by Dr Sarah Allison and Dr Luke Hughes. The research group have an international reputation and strong local, national and international collaborations in their field. The PhD studentship will make use of the extensive world-class facilities in the Department for Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation. Training and support in a wide variety of areas is available where necessary to support this studentship.

Interested candidates would ideally have a background in health and exercise science, exercise physiology, physiotherapy, or strength and conditioning with an interest in ageing and clinical populations.

Academic Enquiries

This project is supervised by Dr Sarah Allison. For informal academic queries, contact s.allison@northumbria.ac.uk . For enquiries relating to eligibility or application process, email fc.pgr.admissions@northumbria.ac.uk

Eligibility Requirements:

•       Academic excellence i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities with 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 if they are already a PhD holder or if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.

•       Must be able to commit to campus-based full-time or part-time study.

To be classed as a Home student, candidates must:

•       Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or

•       have settled status, or

•       have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or

•       have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student. 

Applicants will need to be fully enrolled in the UK before stipend payments can commence, and be aware of additional costs that may be incurred, as these are not covered by the studentship, such as:

·        Immigration Health Surcharge

·        If you need to apply for a Student Visa to enter the UK, please refer to https://www.gov.uk/student-visa. Read this information carefully as it is your responsibility to ensure that you hold the funds required for your visa application, otherwise your visa may be refused.

·        Costs associated with English Language requirements (which may be required for students not having completed a first degree in English) will not be paid by the University.

·        International applicants (including EU) must have valid immigration permissions to live and study in the UK if they wish to study on a part-time basis. Northumbria University does not sponsor part-time student visas.

Apply now at https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/  (Select Full-Time PhD or Part-Time PhD depending on your preference)

In your application, include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words and also the advert reference (e.g. RDF25/…).

Application Deadline: 24 January 2025

Start date of course: 1 October 2025

Northumbria University is committed to creating an inclusive culture where we take pride in, and value, the diversity of our postgraduate research students. We encourage and welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds a bronze Athena Swan award in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality, we are a Disability Confident Leader, a member of the Race Equality Charter and are participating in the Stonewall Diversity Champion Programme. We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career Development of Researchers and are members of the Euraxess initiative to deliver information and support to professional researchers.