PhD Studentship: Exploring the Experiences of Fear of Movement in Pregnant Population as a Barrier to Exercise Uptake

Subject area: Arts and Humanities, Science, Social and Health Services

Closing date of advert: 16th June 2024

Start date: October 2024

Name of primary supervisor/CDT lead: Emma Pullen

Name(s) of secondary supervisor(s): Aimee Mears, Emily Rousham, Ines Varela-Silva

Primary supervisor email address: e.l.pullen@lboro.ac.uk

Primary supervisor telephone number: +441509226389

Link to supervisor's online staff profile page: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/schools/sport-exercise-health-sciences/people/emma-pullen/#tab1

Link to secondary supervisor(s) online staff profile page(s): https://www.lboro.ac.uk/schools/meme/staff/aimee-mears/

Project detail:

Regular participation in exercise during pregnancy is associated with significant benefits for the mother and baby, with reduced risks of common pregnancy concerns such as hypertension, gestational diabetes, weight gain, preterm birth, maternal psychosocial wellbeing and potential benefits for cognitive and language development in children. Evidence suggests that most pregnant women do not meet the current recommended guidelines of least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week despite acknowledging the benefits of exercise during the perinatal period. Whilst it is recognised that many factors contribute towards reduced physical activity levels among pregnant women, disengagement with exercise during pregnancy has been attributed to a fear of harm to oneself and the baby through excessive motion/movement.

This inter/transdisciplinary PhD project seeks to better explore the construct of fear of movement through a biopsychosocial approach and the role fear of movement plays in women’s experiences of, and engagement with, exercise during pregnancy.

The studentship will appeal to students with a sports science, social science and social and health service background.

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. Learn more here.

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.

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

English language requirements:

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. IELTS band 7.0 or above with not less than 7.0 in each component. Further details are available on the International website (http://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/applicants/english/).

Funding information:

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

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

Project search terms: sport & exercise science - other

Other search terms not listed: Social Sciences, Gender and Feminism, Public Health, Health

Email Address SSEHS: pgr-ssehs@lboro.ac.uk

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