Optimising cognitive function through exercise in young people: mechanisms of the effects

Recent data is alarming in suggesting that only 21% of boys and 16% of girls (aged 5 to 15 years) currently meet the recommended guidelines of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day (British Heart Foundation, 2015). This is of concern given not only the health benefits that are achieved, but also the potential for exercise to enhance cognitive function. Cognitive function is broadly defined as the ability of the brain to perceive, process and store information and thus it is not surprising that enhanced cognitive function has been linked with improvements in academic achievement. Therefore, factors (such as exercise) that have the potential to enhance cognitive function are of interest to schools and school policy makers, given the importance placed upon academic achievement.

Research to date, including from our own laboratory, indicates that an acute bout of exercise has the potential to enhance subsequent cognitive function for up to ~ 1 hour post-exercise. However, the optimum intensity and duration of exercise for cognition in young people remains relatively unexplored, alongside the mechanisms that are responsible for these effects.

Therefore, this PhD has 2 main research aims:
- To investigate the optimum intensity, duration and modality of exercise to enhance cognitive function in adolescents
- To examine the mechanisms responsible for these effects

The PhD is supervised by Dr Simon Cooper, Dr Caroline Sunderland and Professor Mary Nevill and the successful candidate will join a vibrant research group with a strong record of publication in this area. There are also exciting opportunities to utilise technologies available within the department, such as Near Infra-Red Spectroscopy (NIRS) to measure brain blood flow and oxygenation, and electroencephalography (EEG) to measure activity in key areas of the brain, such as the frontal lobe, following exercise.

Specific qualifications/subject areas required of the applicants for this project
Entrants must have a first/undergraduate Honours degree, with an Upper Second Class or a First Class grade, in sport and exercise science, or related disciplines. A Masters degree in sport science or a related discipline is also desirable.

This studentship competition is open to applicants who wish to study for a PhD on a full-time basis only. The studentship will pay UK/EU fees (currently set at £4,195 for 2017/18 and are revised annually) and provide a maintenance stipend linked to the RCUK rate (this is revised annually and is currently set at £14,553 for the academic year 2017/18) for up to three years. Applications from non-EU students are welcome, but a successful non-EU candidate would be responsible for paying the difference between non-EU and UK/EU fees. (Fees for 2017/18 are £12,900 for non-EU students and £4,195 for UK/EU students). The studentships will be expected to commence in October 2018.