PhD Studentship: Sport and Physical Activity as Tools to Promote a Healthy Menopause Transition

Physical activity (PA) is beneficial for physical and mental health at all stages of life and becomes of critical importance from mid-life onwards, when regular engagement can help prevent or reduce age-related injuries.

Many midlife women do not engage in regular physical activity and the menopause transition itself can present both physical and psychological barriers to starting, or continuing, to be active.

With increasing awareness of the physiological and physical effects of the menopause transition (perimenopause onwards) and the associated negative psychological effects, particularly on mental wellbeing, body image, and identity, PA is likely to have a key role to play in facilitating a healthy menopause transition.

In this PhD you will seek to explore, taking a longitudinal, intervention approach, the role of different forms and intensities of sport and PA (for example, cardiovascular versus strength-based activities, individual versus team/group-based activities).

The PhD will also explore the impact of sport and PA on the mental wellbeing of peri/menopausal women from a variety of different groups (e.g., physical activity background, BAME women and those with intersecting identities), and using a range of methodologies (qualitative interviews and surveys).

You will work with women and PA providers to understand how PA supports the menopause transition and how initial and sustained engagement can be improved, particularly for previously inactive, underserved, and under-represented groups.

This research is critical to furthering our understanding of the effects, outcomes, and protective factors associated with menopause and increasing the visibility of women’s health and wellbeing.

The project is part of the Health and Wellbeing of Women in Sport PhD cluster that brings together multidisciplinary project teams and cross cutting PhD Projects.

Supervisors

The supervisory team consists of Dr Gemma Witcomb (Senior Lecturer in Psychology) who has expertise in gendered wellbeing, including body image and transitions; Dr Carolyn Plateau (Senior Lecturer in Psychology) who has expertise in mental wellbeing, eating behaviour, longitudinal and intervention research design; and Professor Amanda Daley (Professor in Behavioural Medicine) who has expertise in public health interventions.

Entry requirements

Applicants must have, or expect to have, at least a 2:1 honours degree (or international equivalent) with a UK master's degree (with average programme mark of no less than 65%) or international equivalent.

A background in Psychology, Sport and Exercise Psychology, Sport and Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology, Nutrition, or Biology would be an advantage.

English language requirement of IELTS band 7.0 or above with not less than 7.0 in each component.

Fees and funding

The studentship is for three years (full time) and provides a tax-free stipend of £19,237 per annum for the duration of the studentship plus university tuition fees.

How to apply

Please click on the ‘Apply’ button to be redirected to our website and complete the Application Form. All applications should be made online. Under programme name, select School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences (SSEHS). Please quote the advertised reference number SSEHS/VCGW in your application.

To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit the minimum supporting documents.

The following selection criteria will be used by academic schools to help them make a decision on your application.

Funding 

The three-year studentship provides a tax-free stipend of £19,237 per annum, plus tuition fees.

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