The neurophysiological responses and adaptation to resistance exercise: implications and applications for healthy and neurologically challenged adult humans (HLS/SE/DRFAPP7P/63605)

It is well documented that loss of strength and muscle mass during aging, fatigue or prolonged bed-rest/limb disuse, as well as neuropathological disorders can have profound effects on functional behaviour of the musculoskeletal system. These effects may include inability to perform simple everyday functions, such as getting up from a chair, to excessive tremor or complete loss of mobility.
Much has been made of how muscular changes might be involved in increasing muscle mass and hence restoring strength/function following long-term strength training. Recent studies have suggested sensory and motor neural changes may occur prior to morphological muscular adaptation with shorter term training, though the changes reported are confusing. These confusions appear to be associated to the techniques used to assess sensory and motor pathways, as well as the type, amount and duration of the ‘short term’ training protocol used. Therefore, to understand how training protocols may be functionally beneficial to varying population groups, healthy or neurologically challenged, it is important to investigate how these protocols affect the nervous system using standardised formats of assessment for sensory and motor pathways.

The aims of this PhD study programme are:
1. Evaluation of the neurophysiological variables that can effectively be used in assessing sensory and motor function in normal and fatigued states.
2. Elucidate the mechanisms underpinning both sensory and motor pathways in normal, non-pathological, individuals following strength training.
3. Benefits of strength training protocols on neurologically challenged individuals in improving motor function and resistance to fatigue.

Informal Enquiries
Enquiries regarding this studentship should be made to:
Dr Rade Durbaba. Telephone: 0191 227 3751. E-mail address: [Email Address Removed]

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 ensure you quote the advert reference above on your application form.

Eligibility
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 ensure you quote the advert reference above on your application form.

How to Apply
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 ensure you quote the advert reference above on your application form.