Empowering people with chronic conditions: applying sport science and digital innovation to support activity pacing and self-management

Summary

Background
Many people living with a range of long-term health conditions, such as respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease and cancer, experience fatigue, pain, or fluctuating energy levels. This can make everyday life difficult to manage. Some people with chronic conditions limit their activities because they worry symptoms will worsen, while others do too much on good days and then need prolonged recovery. These patterns can affect participation in meaningful daily activities, including work, family life, social engagement and physical activity.

Aim
This project will explore how people with chronic conditions can learn to better self-manage their daily activities. The project builds on knowledge from sport science, where pacing is used to understand how athletes learn to regulate effort, respond to feedback and adapt performance. It will investigate whether similar approaches, supported by wearable technology and artificial intelligence, can help people with chronic conditions maintain participation in the activities that matter most to them.

Methods
The project will review how pacing is learned in sport, and how this knowledge could inform activity pacing in healthcare. Qualitative research will explore the experiences of people living with chronic conditions, healthcare practitioners and sport scientists, to identify how pacing principles might be translated into practical support. The project will consider how wearable technology and artificial intelligence could support personalised pacing guidance. Finally, a cohort study will evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and effects of an activity pacing intervention.

Project output
By combining insights from sport science with innovative digital technologies, this project aims to empower people with chronic conditions to take a more active role in managing their health and well-being. In doing so, it has the potential to improve wellbeing, support participation in work and daily life, and contribute to reducing health inequalities and economic inactivity across Northern Ireland.

Essential criteria

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.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement demonstrating interest in the subject area
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Applicants should hold, or expect to hold a First Class Honours Degree in a relevant subject area
• Applicants should hold, or expect to hold a relevant Masters Degree at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Track record of peer reviewed publications

Equal Opportunities

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.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

PhD scholarships are available for this project to all applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile, and will cover:

• Tuition fees.
• A maintenance allowance of approximately £22,000 (exact rate is to be confirmed) per annum for three years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
• A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of approximately £900 per annum.

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, funded from any source, including self-financing students, are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Students in full-time employment are not eligible for an award.

Part-time PhD scholarships may be available at a 0.5 pro rata rate of the full-time scholarship, which would require a six-year registration period.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

The University will award a successful candidate one of the following scholarships for the project, depending on the funding available at the time an admissions offer is made:

1. Department for the Economy (DfE) PhD Scholarships
2. Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS)

Please note that the Terms and Conditions for scholarships are subject to change for 2027/28.