PhD Study : Perception of effort and physical activity responses in novice exercisers

Apply and key information  

Summary

This scholarship is linked to the Northern Ireland Programme for Government.

Physical inactivity is considered a major risk factor for morbidity and premature mortality (Lee et al., 2012). However, the mortality risk is attenuated for those who are more physically active, and the most recent evidence suggests that high levels of physical activity (PA), equivalent to 60-75 minutes of moderate intensity PA per day (e.g., walking, jogging) seems to eliminate the risks associated with a sedentary lifestyle (Ekelund et al., 2016). PA is also associated with improvements in mental health and psychological wellbeing and a reduction in symptoms of both anxiety and depression, for example (e.g., Schuch et al., 2016). Despite this, most adults in Northern Ireland do not meet current PA guidelines. For example, in 2015/2016 53% of adults in Northern Ireland reported not participating in PA at least one day per week (McCallion, 2016). Furthermore, sport and PA participation in the most deprived areas of Northern Ireland was lower (46%) than that in the least deprived areas (65%) (McCallion, 2016). In addition, 25% of children and 60% of adults in Northern Ireland are currently considered overweight or obese (Scarlett & Denvir, 2016).

These statistics highlight the importance of key aims of the government of Northern Ireland as set out in the Programme for Government (2016). Specifically, to meet the Programme for Government aims of people “Enjoying long, healthy, active lives”, for people to live healthily and to also improve the health of people in the poorest areas (i.e., “Being fair to everyone”), research prioritising PA health behaviour and related interventions is essential. As such, increasing and maintaining participation in free, publicly accessible exercise programmes, such as the NHS Couch to 5k (C25K) running programme, can help reduce physical inactivity and provide a route to address social inequalities in sport participation, physical activity, and in health-related outcomes.

One area under-researched in PA behaviour and behaviour change is the role of effort perception during exercise. During physical exercise, perception of effort is the conscious sensation of how hard or strenuous a physical task is (Pageaux, 2016). The perceived level of effort required to perform a behaviour (e.g., physical exercise) has been shown to moderate the relationship between behavioural attitudes, intentions, and actual behaviour, with stronger intentions required to perform more effortful behaviours (e.g., Bagozzi et al., 1990). Perception of effort is also considered an inverse correlate of PA (e.g., Buman et al., 2012) and a source of exercise-induced displeasure and subsequent avoidance in obese individuals, for example (e.g., Ekkekakis et al., 2015).

However, evidence suggests that effort perceptions can be altered using various strategies (e.g., attentional focus, psychological skills) to reduce effort perception during exercise activity (e.g., Brick et al., 2014). Despite this, no studies have investigated the effectiveness of these strategies to improve long-term PA adherence. The present project aims to address this research gap with a specific focus on novice exercise participants.

Methods to be used: The project will include a systematic review to identify a range of practical interventions to reduce effort perception during PA. These may include attentional, psychological, and nutritional strategies. Repeated-measures design studies will investigate the efficacy of evidence-based strategies to reduce effort perception in novice participants (e.g., beginner runners on an NHS C25K plan) during acute exercise bouts. Previous research has suggested that such individuals may not have as well developed psychological and attentional skills, for example, in comparison with their more experienced counterparts (e.g., Russell & Weeks, 1994) and may benefit most from interventions designed to reduce effort perception during PA.

Outcomes of these studies will include psychological (e.g., perceived effort, affective state, exercise enjoyment), attentional (e.g., using eye-tracking systems), and physiological responses (e.g., heart rate, oxygen use). After identifying effective strategies from previous literature, a randomised control trial will be used to investigate the effectiveness of an intervention to reduce effort perception on long-term PA adherence in novice exercisers (i.e., on a C25K programme).

Objectives of the research: To identify practical interventions to reduce perception of effort during PA. To investigate the efficacy of strategies to reduce effort perception on psychological, attentional, and physiological responses during acute exercise bouts in novice exercisers. To determine the effectiveness of an intervention designed to reduce effort perception on long-term PA adherence in novice exercisers.

Skills required of the applicant: The applicant should have an interest in PA behaviour. They should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of behaviour change theory and of the role of effort perception during PA. The applicant should also demonstrate knowledge of the research methods outlined.

References

Bagozzi, R, Yi, Y., & Baumgartner, J. (1990). The level of effort required for behaviour as a moderator of the attitude-behaviour relation. European Journal of Social Psychology, 20, 45-59.

Brick, N., MacIntyre, T., & Campbell, M. (2014). Attentional focus in endurance activity: new paradigms and future directions. International Review of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 7, 106-134.

Buman, A., Reis, R., Sallis, J., Wells, J., Loos, R., & Martin, B. (2012). Correlates of physical activity: why are some people physically active and others not? The Lancet, 380, 258-271.

Scarlett, M., & Denvir, J. (2016). Health Survey (NI) First Results 2015/2016. Department of Health, 1-24.

Ekelund et al., 2016). Does physical activity attenuate, or even eliminate, the detrimental association of sitting time with mortality? A harmonised meta-analysis of data from more than 1 million men and women. Lancet, 338, 1302-1310.

Ekkekakis, P., Vazou, S., Bixby, W., & Georgiadis, E. (2015). The mysterious case of the public health guideline that is (almost) entirely ignored: call for a research agenda on the causes of the extreme avoidance of physical activity in obesity. Obesity Reviews, 17, 313-329.

Lee, I. M., Shiroma, E. J., Lobelo, F., Puska, P., Blair, S.N., & Katzmarzyk, P. T. (2012). Lancet Physical Activity Series Working Group. Effect of physical inactivity on major non-communicable diseases worldwide: an analysis of burden of disease and life expectancy.

Lancet, 380, 219-229. McCallion, C. (2016). Engagement in culture, arts and leisure by adults in Northern Ireland. Department for Communities, 1-15.

Pageaux, B. (2016). Perception of effort in exercise science: definition, measurement and perspectives. European Journal of Sport Science, 16, 885-894.

Russell, W. D., & Weeks, D. L. (1994). Attentional style in ratings of perceived exertion during physical exercise. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 78, 779-783.

Schuch, F. B., Vancampfort, D., Richards, J., Rosenbaum, S., Ward, P. B., & Stubbs, B. (2016). Exercise as a treatment for depression: A meta-analysis adjusting for publication bias. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 77, 42-51.

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.

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.

  • First Class Honours (1st) Degree
  • Masters at 70%
  • Research project completion within taught Masters degree or MRES
  • Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
  • Publications record appropriate to career stage

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (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.

  • Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
  • Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
  • Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
  • 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.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Monday 19 February 2018
12:00AM

Interview Date
mid March 2018

Preferred student start date
mid September 2018

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Dr Noel Brick

Other supervisors