Summary of Research Project:
Resistance exercise is a potent stimulus to a host of physiological systems, and the biological stresses associated with resistance exercise modalities have been shown to involve complex adaptations that benefit both healthy and clinical populations. Resistance exercise bouts are defined physiologically by preceding anticipatory changes, acute within and immediate post-exercise modulations, and chronic/prolonged training adaptations in bioenergetic, endocrine, and neuromuscular systems that reflect augmented or deleterious functional performance.
By manipulating change within the acute resistance training variables, it is possible to influence the nature of the exercise stress, and ultimately impact the characteristics of the physiological adaptations induced. While previous research has examined resistance exercise stress, the intervention of resistance training protocols remains to be fully explored; particularly with respect to understanding training load, recovery dynamics, and physical performance adaptation. Specifically, from a clinical perspective the role of resistance training in health and wellbeing, aging, and exercise prescription is an expanding area, while from a performance perspective concurrent training methods, diurnal variations in training structure, and modulations in acute training variables all remain to be fully elucidated.
This research studentship will follow a course of study examining ‘resistance exercise stress’; with a view to understanding the role training load, recovery, and physiological adaptation play in promoting physical, physiological, and functional performance within athletic, clinical, and adolescent populations. The research will include the study of physiological systems (e.g. endocrine, cardiorespiratory) and neuromuscular function, and students will be expected to develop laboratory based techniques as well as applied monitoring and assessment skills. The Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences at Northumbria University aims to challenge current understanding within the area of resistance exercise stress, and develop a world-class reputation as a research centre for resistance training and conditioning science.
Details of research training to be undertaken as part of this project:
The student will be expected to undertake a tailored programme of training under the guidance of the lead supervisor and the supervisory committee. The Northumbria University Graduate School also provides extensive training and support to PhD students. Scientific skills will be developed in accordance with the needs of the specific research projects undertaken, and will include a variety of bench-top laboratory techniques (biochemistry, cardiorespiratory), imagery procedures (ultrasound, MRI), and neuromuscular monitoring (NIRS, EMG,). Students will also be exposed to significant skill development in the handling of resistance exercise training protocols across a variety of participant populations.
Please visit the website for application details at http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/researchstudentships