Dr J Roberts, Dr I Basevitch, Dr L Smith
Applications accepted all year round
Self-Funded PhD Students Only
About the Project
Research Group: Cambridge Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences
https://www.anglia.ac.uk/science-and-technology/research/our-research-institutes-and-groups/cambridge-centre-for-sport-and-exercise-sciences
Proposed supervisory team: Dr Justin Roberts, [Email Address Removed], Dr Itay Basevitch, [Email Address Removed] Dr Lee Smith [Email Address Removed]
https://www.anglia.ac.uk/science-and-technology/about/sport-exercise-sciences/our-staff/justin-roberts
https://www.anglia.ac.uk/science-and-technology/about/sport-exercise-sciences/our-staff/itay-basevitch
https://www.anglia.ac.uk/science-and-technology/about/sport-exercise-sciences/our-staff/lee-smith
Theme: Health, Nutrition and Physical Activity, Nutrition and Mindful Eating
https://www.anglia.ac.uk/science-and-technology/research/our-research-institutes-and-groups/cambridge-centre-for-sport-and-exercise-sciences/health-nutrition-and-physical-activity
Summary of the research project:
Nutritional coaching, and methods to improve the application of nutritional strategies is of current interest to sport and exercise scientists, coaches and practitioners alike. In many cases, nutritional interventions are not reinforced and as such athletes (and exercising individuals) often fail in the consistent application of such interventions. This can lead to poor dietary intake or practices over time, with athlete’s regularly viewing nutrition as important, but not really focusing on its application in comparison to both training and recovery (Roberts, 2015 personal observations).
Levels of nutritional knowledge have been reported to be poor in many athletic groups (Furber, Roberts and Roberts, 2016), with education and advice often coming from non-scientific sources. In many cases, this gives rise to an unconscious approach to eating patterns, with athletes eating out of necessity, on the go, rushed or making poor food choices. Subclinical symptoms such as fatigue, poor recovery, bloating, mental confusion, poor decision making, inflammatory states and gastrointestinal distress may all stem from simple ‘decisions’ linked to food intake.
Strategies to improve mindful approaches to eating behaviours may provide practical means to advance athletic training and performance through improved nutrition and recovery mechanisms. This research aims to explore current practices in a variety of athletic cohorts, combined with practical and psychological strategies to enhance nutritional intake leading to measurable physiological improvements.
Resources required: the programme would require access to exercise physiology laboratory space for standard exercise testing/training, as well as access to the HTA laboratory for storage of potential plasma samples. Additionally, access to the main analytical laboratories would be required for assessment of pertinent assays. All cardio-metabolic testing equipment is currently available in the Sport and Exercise Sciences laboratories. Purchase of, and training in, assay use would be required, if applicable.
Where you'll study: Cambridge
https://www.anglia.ac.uk/student-life/life-on-campus/cambridge-campus
Funding:
This project is self-funded. Details of studentships for which funding is available are selected by a competitive process and are advertised on our jobs website as they become available.
https://www24.i-grasp.com/fe/tpl_angliaruskin01.asp
Next steps:
If you wish to be considered for this project, you will need to apply for our Sport and Exercise Sciences MPhil, PhD. In the section of the application form entitled 'Outline research proposal', please quote the above title and include a research proposal.