Background
Promoting and maintaining Physical Activity (PA) remains a major challenge worldwide, particularly for stroke survivors. As a result, they are at higher risk of having a second stroke and developing a range of chronic health conditions. Despite their desire to participate in PA, numerous barriers exist. Whilst local charitable organisations provide short term programmes for people with stroke, the challenge arises post completion, as stroke survivors struggle to sustain PA over the longer term. Therefore research is warrented to determine the most suitable method of supporting PA in the long term with the stroke population.
Aim
To co-design and evaluate an intervention to support PA in the longer term.
Objectives
Method
The proposed project design includes a range of methods to achieve the aims: a scoping review, stakeholder consultation, co-design workshops and a feasibility trial. The results of the scoping review will be used to identify evidence based structures and components of PA maintencne programmes. This data will be used to design the stakeholder consultation and codesign workshops, ensuring the structure and components are relevant to all stakeholder groups. The co-designed intervention will then be evaluated in a subsequent trial to evaluate its feasibility and efficacy.
The proposed project aligns with the Centre for Health and Rehabilitation Technology’s (CHaRT) physical activity for health and rehabilitation research theme. This project will align to ongoing work being conducted within the research centre.
This application was written in collaboration with Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke.
Please note that a copy of this project summary should be uploaded as ‘research proposal’ as part of your application.
Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the project.
Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.
We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.
In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.
If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.
The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.
Appointment will be made on merit.
The University offers the following levels of support:
The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:
These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.
Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.
Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.
The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).
This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.
Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living
Submission deadline
Monday 5 February 2024
04:00PM
Interview Date
March 2024
Preferred student start date
16th September 2024
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Email
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