Aetiology of the demands of intermittent exercise methods (Advert ref: RDF18/SER/HAYES)

Continuous and intermittent aerobic training practices are commonplace in numerous exercise paradigms. Studies involving elderly and clinical populations have employed continuous, low to moderate intensity aerobic training methods. In more recent years, intermittent aerobic training methods have been employed more regularly in clinical research. These more high intensity intermittent training methods have been shown to have positive effects on physical performance parameters and quality of life indices. A potential confounding factor within research employing both continuous and intermittent training methods is that there is no validated measure of matching the load of continuous and intermittent training.

The responses and associated time courses to continuous and intermittent endurance exercise have been quantified. These comparisons are performed in isolation or, without a validated method of matching exercise intensity and volume. As such, valid comparisons of the physiological, mechanical, neuromuscular and biochemical responses to continuous and intermittent training methods cannot be made. This also presents problems from a load monitoring and injury risk perspective. Load is quantified via an arbitrary unit comprised of volume and intensity metrics, it may however be inappropriate to use the same load metric for continuous and intermittent training if, for example, the mechanical demands of continuous and intermittent type training differ.

The proposed project presents an opportunity to combine measures of simple exercise responses such as heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion and non-invasive measures of muscle contractility via Tensiomyography and Electromyography. This novel line of work would be the first to analyse any relationships between traditional load monitoring metrics obtained via heart rate and / or perceptual responses with mechanistic measures of muscle contractility. These data have the potential to contribute to 3 star and above level publications and evidence based recommendations for matching the load imposed by continuous and intermittent training methods from a cardiovascular, perceptual and muscle contractile perspective.

The aim of this studentship is to detail the physiological and mechanical demands of continuous and intermittent training. The studentship also aims to validate a method of matching “load” of continuous and intermittent training. Data generated by this research programme will provide useable inferences for applied sport science and clinical practitioners’, and researchers and generate evidence based recommendations for practice.

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.

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. RDF18/…) will not be considered.

Deadline for applications: 28 January 2018
Start Date: 1 October 2018

Northumbria University takes pride in, and values, the quality and diversity of our staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award in recognition of our commitment to improving employment practices for the advancement of gender equality and is a member of the Euraxess network, which delivers information and support to professional researchers