PhD Study : Using sensor data to assess the golf swing.

Summary

The human eye system is closely related to cognitive functions such as perception and provides the easiest and the most accurate way to extract information from our visual environment for further processing.   Approximately 30% of our brain is used to process the information.  Eye movements typically happen because we are looking where our current task requires us to focus.

This PhD research will use senor technology to explore the different perspectives on how Quiet Eye (QE), defined as the “final fixation or tracking gaze located on a specific location or object in the visuomotor workspace for a minimum of 100 ms” (Vickers, 2007) can be used to retrain the golfers to better focus to allow their body to accommodate, retrain and improve in accuracy for golf.

The PhD study will build experiments using elite category 1 golfers to use 3D motion capture and Tobii Glasses to create a baseline, intervention and review of their skills to view and send golf balls to targets different distances way (50-150m).  This will allow for the data pertaining to ball, club and/or swing kinematics to be measured for 3D tracking using radar technology (e.g. TrackMan®). This would enable precise measurement of ball flight parameters, such as the angle and speed of the club head at impact, the launch angle of the ball and shot dispersion for various clubs where the scoring scenarios add the pressure to complete the task with the minimal dispersion from the targets.

The work builds on initial trials of capturing eye gaze using Tobii Glasses and integrating it the 3D motion capture system in the Rory McIlroy Golf Lab facilities.  The Rory McIlroy Golf Lab is a world class and state-of-the-art environment that will permit further work with Physical Activity and Health using sensor technology.  As a result, the findings will be analysed and create scenarios that will be tried with other non-elite golfers to retrain their eye, hand coordination and generate better focus leading to more consistent golf results.

Rory McIlroy Golf Lab: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/news/2010/march/rory-mcilroy-opens-y-1-2m-sports-sciences-labs

Nikolaev, Andrey R., Pannasch, Sebastian, Ito, Junji, Belopolsky, Artem V., Eye movement-related brain activity during perceptual and cognitive processing, Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience, vol 8.

Vickers, J. (2007). Perception, cognition, and decision training: The quiet eye in action. Chicago, IL: Human Kinetics.

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.

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

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.

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