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PhD SCHOLARSHIP (3 years) AVAILABLE FOR HIGHLY QUALIFIED AUSTRALIAN or INTERNATIONAL STUDENT to complete doctoral level studies aimed at determining the effects of electrically-evoked (NMES-based) eccentric muscle strength training on muscle mass, strength, physical health and quality of life in people with spinal cord injury.
Application closing date: Monday 20th January, 2020.
THE PROJECT
Spinal cord injury (SCI) increases all-cause mortality, resulting partly from a loss of muscle mass (the origin of important anti-inflammatory signalling molecules) and physical inactivity. We recently showed that isometric “strength training” performed by electrically stimulating the thigh muscles of people with SCI increased muscle mass, reduced spasticity, and improved blood biomarkers of health (cholesterol profile, systemic inflammation). https://www.ecu.edu.au/research/worldclass/spinalcord and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29634640.
The proposed project will test the effects of electrically-stimulated eccentric strength training, where the muscle lengthens during activation. This type of training has been shown to promote greater muscle mass and health gains in non-clinical subjects but has not been tested after SCI. Additional studies will also be completed, as determined by both the student and research team.
The proposed project start date is March, 2020, although this date is negotiable.
During the project, the successful applicant will learn to use techniques such as neuromuscular electrical stimulation, electromyography, ultrasound, MRI and DEXA scanning, isokinetic dynamometry and the measurement of markers of both physical and mental health.
APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS
The successful applicant will be expected to hold a Masters-level degree (or equivalent) in sport/exercise science, human movement studies, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or equivalent, and have good knowledge in the area of exercise training. It will be an advantage to have experience working with clinical (patient) populations, and particularly people with SCI.
ABOUT US
The Centre for Exercise and Sport Science Research (CESSR) at Edith Cowan University (Joondalup, Perth) has an international reputation for research in fields of exercise and sports training/testing and exercise medicine. We have excellent facilities and extensive research activities in a collaborative and collegial working environment. We aim to produce world-leading research contributing to the development of both basic and applied knowledge.
FUNDING
The accepted candidates will be given a 3-year scholarship that covers all tuition fees (including health insurance for international students) and provides a tax-free living allowance of $29,000 per year. Additional funding will be provided to cover research costs, office space, computer use, etc. Funding for this research project was provided by the Neurotrauma Research Program WA, and was funded by the State Government of Western Australia through the Department of Health.
HOW TO APPLY
Please email an expression of interest letter and your Curriculum Vitae to Professor Anthony Blazevich at a.blazevich@ecu.edu.au by Monday 20th January. Highly competitive applicants will then be contacted for interview. For more information about potential research projects or to find out more about research in the Centre, please contact Professor Anthony Blazevich at the same email address - please note that some delay in reply will occur over the Christmas/new year period.
WEB LINKS
CESSR: http://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/exerci...ience-research
ECU: http://www.ecu.edu.au/
ECU Research: https://www.ecu.edu.au/research/worldclass and https://www.ecu.edu.au/research/overview
Application closing date: Monday 20th January, 2020.
THE PROJECT
Spinal cord injury (SCI) increases all-cause mortality, resulting partly from a loss of muscle mass (the origin of important anti-inflammatory signalling molecules) and physical inactivity. We recently showed that isometric “strength training” performed by electrically stimulating the thigh muscles of people with SCI increased muscle mass, reduced spasticity, and improved blood biomarkers of health (cholesterol profile, systemic inflammation). https://www.ecu.edu.au/research/worldclass/spinalcord and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29634640.
The proposed project will test the effects of electrically-stimulated eccentric strength training, where the muscle lengthens during activation. This type of training has been shown to promote greater muscle mass and health gains in non-clinical subjects but has not been tested after SCI. Additional studies will also be completed, as determined by both the student and research team.
The proposed project start date is March, 2020, although this date is negotiable.
During the project, the successful applicant will learn to use techniques such as neuromuscular electrical stimulation, electromyography, ultrasound, MRI and DEXA scanning, isokinetic dynamometry and the measurement of markers of both physical and mental health.
APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS
The successful applicant will be expected to hold a Masters-level degree (or equivalent) in sport/exercise science, human movement studies, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or equivalent, and have good knowledge in the area of exercise training. It will be an advantage to have experience working with clinical (patient) populations, and particularly people with SCI.
ABOUT US
The Centre for Exercise and Sport Science Research (CESSR) at Edith Cowan University (Joondalup, Perth) has an international reputation for research in fields of exercise and sports training/testing and exercise medicine. We have excellent facilities and extensive research activities in a collaborative and collegial working environment. We aim to produce world-leading research contributing to the development of both basic and applied knowledge.
FUNDING
The accepted candidates will be given a 3-year scholarship that covers all tuition fees (including health insurance for international students) and provides a tax-free living allowance of $29,000 per year. Additional funding will be provided to cover research costs, office space, computer use, etc. Funding for this research project was provided by the Neurotrauma Research Program WA, and was funded by the State Government of Western Australia through the Department of Health.
HOW TO APPLY
Please email an expression of interest letter and your Curriculum Vitae to Professor Anthony Blazevich at a.blazevich@ecu.edu.au by Monday 20th January. Highly competitive applicants will then be contacted for interview. For more information about potential research projects or to find out more about research in the Centre, please contact Professor Anthony Blazevich at the same email address - please note that some delay in reply will occur over the Christmas/new year period.
WEB LINKS
CESSR: http://www.ecu.edu.au/schools/exerci...ience-research
ECU: http://www.ecu.edu.au/
ECU Research: https://www.ecu.edu.au/research/worldclass and https://www.ecu.edu.au/research/overview