The mechanics of hamstring muscle function during maximal velocity sprinting: enhancing performance and improving injury prediction, prevention, and recovery strategies

Application details:

Reference number: SSEHS/GB/18
Start date of studentship: 1st October 2018
Closing date of advert: 22nd June 2018
Interview date: WC 2nd July 2018

Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014). In choosing Loughborough for your research, you’ll work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from our Doctoral College, including tailored careers advice, to help you succeed in your research and future career.

Find out more: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/supporting-you/research/

The School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences has been ranked 1st in the world for Sport-related Subjects (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017 and 2018).

Full Project Detail:

Hamstring muscle injuries are extremely common in sports demanding high levels of speed and power, leading to considerable time loss from training and competition. The purpose of this project is to develop a greater understanding of why hamstring injuries commonly occur during maximal velocity sprinting and whether anything can be done to predict or prevent them.

Various performance factors are associated with an increased risk of hamstring injury (muscle imbalances, muscular fatigue, hamstring tightness), however the importance of sprinting technique and movement coordination is often overlooked. The project will entail: 1) determining the typical intersegmental kinematic variability during sprinting, and 2) modelling how replicating typical kinematic variability via changes in muscle parameters (activation parameters, force-length-velocity relationship) affects the loads and stresses within the hamstring muscles. The project will combine motion analysis (Vicon, instrumented treadmill) and muscle strength (isovelocity dynamometer) data with forward and inverse dynamics musculoskeletal modelling (OpenSim) to examine how changes in muscle parameters and coordination variability affects the loads and stresses within hamstring muscles.

Find out more:

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Glen Blenkinsop ([Email Address Removed]), Dr Sam Allen ([Email Address Removed])
For general enquiries, please contact Joanne Bebb (Postgraduate Research Administrator) ([Email Address Removed]).
To find out more about the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences please visit our website (http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/ssehs/research/).

Entry requirements:

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in sport science (with a large component of biomechanics), physics, engineering, mathematics, computing or a related subject. A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience in one or more of the following will be an advantage: computer programming (Matlab, C++, C#, etc.), computer simulation modelling (OpenSim, AnyBody, AutoLev, etc.), 3D motion analysis (Vicon, Qualisys, etc.).

Funding information:

The studentship provides a tax-free stipend of £14,777 per annum for three years plus tuition fees at the UK/EU rate. International (non-EU) students may apply, and international funding may be available, but is competitive. If international funding is not attained, international students are welcome to apply, but please be advised that it will only be possible to fund the tuition fees at the international rate and no stipend will be available. For more details about international funding please contact Dr Glen Blenkinsop.

Contact details:

Name: Glen Blenkinsop
Email address: [Email Address Removed]
Telephone number: +44 (0)1509 228 226

How to apply:

All applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/. Under programme name, select ‘School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences’

Please quote reference number: SSEHS/GB/18