Extreme Heat Policies in Sport: developing a new risk assessment system and associated guidelines indicating when it is too hot to continue playing different summer sports (LDS/SGH/0618)

Guidance indicating when it is too hot to continue playing different summer sports is currently limited. The project will develop a new risk assessment system and associated guidelines indicating when it is too hot to continue playing different summer sports. Examples of sporting events interrupted by hot weather include the 2018 Australian Tennis Open in Melbourne, and the 4th Ashes Cricket Test match between England and Australia in Sydney (Jan.2018).

Future large-scale sporting events with extreme heat management concerns include the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The project may also strive to develop and evaluate new cooling strategies to be used during different sports to mitigate health risk, and/or examine the possible methods of delivering extreme heat policies and guidance.

The project is based in the Environmental Ergonomics Research Centre, but the candidate will have the opportunity to conduct some of their research in the Thermal Ergonomics Laboratory (with Dr Ollie Jay) at the University of Sydney in Australia, and may also have the opportunity to participate in field-based measurements at major international summer sporting events. The research will primarily consist of laboratory-based data collection using simulated thermal environments in the state-of-the-art climatic chambers both in Loughborough and Sydney

Applications from a wide range of disciplines are welcomed, including, ergonomics, physiology, sports and exercise science or other life sciences. A background in environmental ergonomics is not essential, but an enthusiasm to pursue research in this area is desired.

Entry requirements
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, a first Honours degree (or equivalent; a 2:1 degree qualification would be the minimum) in a relevant. A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience in environmental ergonomics or environmental physiology / psychology will be an advantage.

How to apply:
All applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/. Under programme name, select Design School.

Please quote reference number: LDS/SGH/0618