The role of a panelled sport compression garment on performance and movement control in women’s hockey

An opportunity to apply for a funded full-time PhD in the College of Health, Science and Society at UWE Bristol. The studentship will be funded by UWE Bristol and Medigarments Limited, UK.

Ref: 2324-OCT-HSS03

The expected start date of this studentship is Sunday 1 October 2023.

The closing date for applications is Saturday 15 April 2023.

Applications are invited from ambitious, self-motivated and enthusiastic candidates, with a background in a health-related discipline to work on a fully funded PhD studentship. Funding and stipend are provided by UWE Bristol and Medigarments Limited UK to investigate the effects of panelled Sports Compression Garments (SCG) on performance enhancement in hockey players. The results of the proposed PhD research will inform the future research and its methods will help guide Medigarments future research structure and can perhaps be replicated when assessing new international markets.

Sport performance constitutes of multiple components that include physical and psychological attributes that need to work synchronously for a proficient outcome. In field hockey, speed and agility are important motor abilities that need to be executed synergistically and with precision for optimal performance. Research shows that athletes find Virtual Reality (VR) head-mounted displays intended to enhance sport performance acceptable and that athletes of all sport levels wanted to use VR, believed it was useful and easy and pleasant to use.

The aim of this project is to investigate if wearing a made to measure SCG offers more benefit (primary objective: performance enhancement. Secondary objective: reduce risk of injury) than an off-the-shelf SCG. The programme of research will provide the successful candidate with an excellent opportunity to develop a wide range of research skills and experiences in preparation for a post-doctoral research journey. The PhD researcher will be based at Glenside/Frenchay campus, UWE Bristol within the Centre for Health and Clinical Research and will have regular visits to Medigarments Ltd. The researcher will be expected to directly engage with relevant healthcare professionals and sports professionals.

For an informal discussion about the studentship, please email Dr Praveen Kumar at Praveen.Kumar@uwe.ac.uk.

The studentship is available from Sunday 1 October 2023 for a period of three and half years, subject to satisfactory progress and includes a tax exempt stipend, which is currently £17,668 per annum.

In addition, full-time tuition fees will be covered for up to three years (Home).

Applicants must have minimum of 2:1 with a background in a sport, exercise and health related disciplines (e.g. physiotherapy, occupational therapy, orthotist, sports rehabilitators, sports scientists, neuroscientist etc.) and ideally will have a Masters.

Please note the studentship is eligible for UK applicants only.

Please submit your application online. When prompted use the reference number 2324-OCT-HSS03.

Supporting documentation: You will need to upload your research proposal, all your degree certificates and transcripts and your proof of English language proficiency as attachments to your application, so please have these available when you complete the application form.

References: You will need to provide details of two referees as part of your application. At least one referee must be an academic referee from the institution that conferred your highest degree. Your referee will be asked for a reference at the time you submit your application, so please ensure that your nominated referees are willing and able to provide references within 14 days of your application being submitted.

The closing date for applications is Saturday 15 April 2023.

It is expected that interviews will take place in late April/May. If you have not heard from us by 30 May 2023, we thank you for your application but on this occasion you have not been successful.