Influence of Lower Limb Musculature on Tibial Stress During Running: An Interdisciplinary Approach - Biosciences, PhD (GW4 BioMed MRC DTP)

About
Supervisory Team: Dr Hannah Rice
Location: Exeter, St Luke’s Campus

Project
This interdisciplinary project will investigate the influence of lower limb musculature on tibial stress during running. Running is one of the most popular and accessible forms of physical activity, but is associated with a high injury occurrence. Stress fractures of the tibia (shin bone) are a particularly burdensome injury amongst both runners and military populations. They are the most common site of stress fracture in athletic populations, and result in considerable time loss and associated financial cost.

The tibia experiences high stress during running, which can lead to microdamage and ultimately result in a stress fracture. Bones are known to adapt well to the loading environment they habitually experience, allowing normal levels of fatigue damage to be repaired. However, both repetitive, large muscular forces and impaired muscular forces due to fatigue have been implicated in the development of stress fractures. The calf muscles exert large forces of up to seven times body weight on the surrounding bones during running, which can contribute to microdamage development. Conversely, increased bone strain has been observed during walking after a fatiguing activity compared with before the activity. This may be due to a reduced ability of the muscles to effectively attenuate shock at impact, which has been implicated in the development of stress fractures.

Greater understanding of the role of the musculature surrounding the tibia is required in order to identify interventions which minimise the risk of tibial stress fracture. Such interventions include footwear design, and bespoke training programmes for example. To address this problem, we propose a non-invasive, interdisciplinary approach, integrating mathematical modelling, finite element analyses and experimental biomechanical data. The following specific aims will be addressed:

1) Develop a 3D simulation model of the tibia and surrounding musculature to estimate tibial stress during running

2) Simulate the model to investigate the influence of high muscular forces, and insufficient muscular forces (due to fatigue) on bone stress

3) Experimentally determine the physiological limits of muscular forces during human movement

4) Identify interventions which minimise tibial stress during running

This project addresses a highly important question, which has far-reaching implications, with the potential to benefit large populations of active adults. The combination of interdisciplinary techniques required to fulfil the project aims presents a rewarding challenge for a doctoral student.

Start date: October 2018

Most studentships will be 3.5 years full time or up to 7 years part-time, and can be longer where additional training is undertaken.


How to apply
APPLICATIONS OPEN ON 25 SEPTEMBER AND CLOSE AT 17:00 ON 24 NOVEMBER 2017.

IMPORTANT: In order to apply for this project, you should apply using the DTP’s online application form. More information on the application process may be found here: http://www.gw4biomed.ac.uk/projects-2/for-students/

You do NOT need to apply to the University of Exeter at this stage – only those applicants who are successful in obtaining an offer of funding from the DTP will be required to submit an application to study at Exeter.