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We have 44 Sport Performance PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships
Sport Performance PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships
We have 44 Sport Performance PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships
A PhD in Sport Performance offers an exciting opportunity to delve deeper into the world of sports and explore the factors that contribute to optimal athletic performance.
What's it like to study a PhD in Sport Performance?
Studying a PhD in Sport Performance allows you to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of sports and gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence athletic performance. You will have the chance to conduct cutting-edge research, exploring areas such as biomechanics, physiology, psychology, nutrition, and training methods.
During your PhD journey, you will work closely with experienced supervisors who will guide and support you in your research endeavors. You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, allowing you to collect and analyze data to uncover new insights into sports performance.
In addition to conducting research, you may also have the opportunity to collaborate with professional sports teams, athletes, and coaches, providing real-world applications for your findings. This hands-on experience can be invaluable in shaping your understanding of sport performance and enhancing your career prospects.
Entry requirements for a PhD in Sport Performance
To pursue a PhD in Sport Performance, you will typically need a strong academic background, usually a first-class or upper second-class honours degree in a relevant field such as Sport Science, Exercise Physiology, or Biomechanics. Some universities may also require a Master's degree in a related discipline.
In addition to academic qualifications, research experience and a passion for sports are highly valued. Demonstrating your ability to think critically, design and conduct research, and communicate effectively will strengthen your application.
PhD in Sport Performance funding options
Funding for PhDs in Sport Performance may be available from various sources, including governments, universities and charities, business or industry. See our full guides to PhD funding for more information.
PhD in Sport Performance careers
A PhD in Sport Performance opens up a range of exciting career opportunities. Graduates can pursue careers in academia, becoming researchers and lecturers in universities or research institutions. They can also work in sports organizations, such as national governing bodies or professional sports teams, where they can contribute to the development of training programs and performance enhancement strategies.
Furthermore, graduates may find employment in sports consultancy firms, where they can provide expert advice to athletes, coaches, and teams. Other potential career paths include sports science research and development, sports technology, and sports performance analysis.
Overall, a PhD in Sport Performance equips you with the knowledge, skills, and expertise to make a significant impact in the field of sports and contribute to the advancement of athletic performance.
Institute for Sport Business
The Institute for Sport Business seeks to deliver research with a real-world impact in an era of significant social, economic and technological change. Read more
Sleep and Readiness: what is the optimal nap length during night shifts?
Are you ready to shape the future of workplace productivity and safety? Join a cutting-edge research team at CQUniversity's Appleton Institute in Adelaide, tackling one of the most critical challenges of modern workforces. Read more
Optimising The Health and Performance of Female Soccer Players: A Co-Created Health Literacy Framework for Players and Staff
Only ~20% of soccer-related research is published on females (Kirkendall and Krustrup, 2021), with less still on female adapted soccer (e.g., blind soccer, deaf soccer). Read more
Female-specific physiological responses to exercise in the heat (Ref: SSEHS/SR25)
This project proposes a timely investigation into the impacts of rising global temperatures on female exercisers. Read more
Quantifying the physical and tactical demands of wheelchair tennis on different court surfaces (Ref: SSEHS/AFP25)
This project will seek to compare the physical and tactical demands of wheelchair tennis on different court surfaces (hard, clay and grass). Read more
MRes – Is self-paced performance the key to normalising intensity of interval training across individuals? (Project ID SAS0206)
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a widely employed training methodology known for its effectiveness in improving cardiorespiratory and metabolic fitness, ultimately leading to increased exercise capacity (Buchheit & Laursen, 2013). Read more
MRes – Assessing mountain bike downhill performance following high-intensity exercise bouts (Project ID SAS0207)
Mountain biking, particularly in its enduro and cross-country disciplines, requires not only exceptional technical skills but also substantial physical conditioning to manage repeated high-intensity efforts (Impellizzeri & Marcora, 2007; Kirkwood et al., 2017). Read more
Last chance to apply
Don’t judge a book by its cover: the effect of “lookism” on subjective scoring in gymnastics
Applications are invited for a fully-funded three year PhD to commence in October 2025. . The PhD will be based in the Faculty of Science and Health within the School of Psychology, Sport and Health Science, and will be supervised by Dr Edward Morrison and Dr Chris Mills. . Read more
Last chance to apply
Implementing Strength and Conditioning Support in Youth Swimming
Introduction. This is an exciting opportunity to study a PhD as part of a collaboration between Coventry University, and the City of Coventry Swimming Club. Read more
Returning to sport, performance and physical profiling after Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstructive surgery
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries are one of the most burdensome injuries in sports, particularly in adolescent and youths. Read more
Last chance to apply
Women and concussion in football.
Introduction. This funded PhD position is housed within the Centre for Physical Activity, Sport and Exercise Sciences (PASES) at Coventry University and is in association with the Women’s Professional Leagues Ltd (WPLL). Read more
Informing the design of support for large (hypertrophic) breasts (IDRT25/HLS/WSW/MKUMBUZI)
The breast, lacking bone and muscle, is vulnerable to strain and injury due to excessive movement (Sanchez et al., 2017). During physical activities, it undergoes repeated multidirectional movements, which can stretch the skin and ligaments. Read more
An inter-disciplinary inquiry into the complex stories women who play football want to tell (IDRT25/HLS/WSW/COOK)
The proposed study aims to provide a novel insight into the complex stories women who play football want to tell. Read more
Can endurance athletes be taught pace judgement or is it innate? (RDF25/HLS/SER/JOHNS)
Northumbria University is a research-intensive modern University, ranked 23rd in the UK for Research Power in the recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2021). Read more
Values-Based Models of Leadership in Sport: Authentic and Ethical Leadership
Values-based models of leadership such as authentic (Walumbwa et al., 2008) and ethical Den Hartog, 2015) leadership have received increased research attention by sport psychologists in recent years. Read more