Identification and Modification of Hamstring Strain Injury Risk Factors

A 3-year programme of research will be undertaken to investigate (1) current strategies adopted by semi-professional and professional athletes to decrease hamstring strain injury (HSI) risk and (2) identify sensible and effective exercises and volume-load configurations aimed at reducing HSI risk factors.

Background
HSI represents the predominant lower limb injury sustained by athletes To exacerbate this issue, recurrence of HSI is very common and at the highest levels of professional sport, incidence of HSI is increasing by up to 4% annually. This is concerning for sports such as professional football, where ~5–6 HSIs per squad commonly occur each season. HSIs can lead to athletes being unable to compete in their respective sports for more than one month, which, in relation to team sports, may negatively affect team success and, for professional team sports, accumulate a high monetary cost. As HSIs are predominantly sustained through non-contact sporting actions they should be largely preventable. Current strategies, to decrease HSI risk, adopted by semi-professional and professional athletes need to be explored to further determine why the incidence of HSI is increasing. There is also a requirement for research to be conducted in relation to further exploring HSI risk factors and identifying sensible and effective exercises and volume-load configurations aimed at reducing these risk factors. Such research, if subsequently applied in a sporting setting, should help to reduce non-contact HSI sustainment for a range of athletes and sports.

Health Sciences Research at the University of Salford
The Centre for Health Sciences Research at the University of Salford comprises a multidisciplinary team of staff and research students drawn from the health professions and related disciplines. The research centre has world class research facilities including three biomechanics laboratories, a clinical imaging suite, a psychology lab and a rehabilitation flat. The School currently boasts over £5 million pounds of research funding and has extensive national and international links, with both academic and clinical partners. There is also a vibrant community of approximately 100 students studying either at Ph.D. level or Master’s by research.
For this studentship, you would work within Sport and Exercise Science research theme. This work will build on the excellent research profile established for the Sport and Exercise Science theme and further enhance links with industry (local professional and semi-professional sports teams).

To find out more the research undertaken in Health Sciences at Salford see http://www.salford.ac.uk/research/health-sciences/ and to learn more about studying for a Ph.D. n health sciences at Salford, see http://www.salford.ac.uk/research/health-sciences/postgraduate-research.

Eligibility
Applicants will be expected to hold a minimum of an upper second class degree in sports science, sports rehabilitation or a related area; demonstrate excellent communication skills through a variety of modes of communications, with a diverse range of individuals. In addition, experience working within team sports, recognised strength and conditioning qualifications (e.g. UKSCA or NSCA) and completion of an empirical research project as part of their previous studies is desirable.