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Leeds Beckett University Sponsored PhD Studentship in Collaboration with Dexastrong - Investigating the impact of bioDensity loading, nutrition, and exercise on musculoskeletal and metabolic health of older adults with sarcopenia
Dexastrong™ Sponsored PhD Studentship in collaboration with the Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University
- Full-time
- Funded (UK Fees and Stipend)
- Start date: October 2023
- Location: Leeds, UK
- Funding note: The studentship has a bursary of £17,668 per annum (pro-rata into 12 monthly payments) plus UK Fees paid initially for a period of four years
The Carnegie School of Sport in collaboration with DexaStrong is looking to recruit a highly motivated individual to a prestigious PhD Studentship.
We are pleased to be working with DEXAStrong and their new clinic in Leeds is the first of its kind in Yorkshire, providing a high-end range of private services under one roof; specialising in bone and muscle health and founded and led by UK-renowned medical experts. The DEXAStrong Clinic’s scanning service is evidence-based and its director team are actively involved in research at Leeds Becket University.
The Carnegie School of Sport at Leeds Beckett University is purposefully driven by a focus on working together to make a positive difference. Our strength is the breadth and depth of our research, which is underpinned by the disciplinary experience of our colleagues and students. Pursuing an inclusive and ambitious research agenda, we cross the broad spectrum of the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Our research culture is founded upon a genuine commitment and capacity to work with others on real-world applied problems, to achieve impact beyond academia. From our leading work on talent development, coaching practice, and anti-doping, to our research in gender equality, ageing and obesity, we work to apply our knowledge to address some of the key issues facing our communities today.
Funding will consist of UK full tuition fees for three years and the award of a living stipend at UK Research Council rates (£17,668 per annum pro-rata into 12 monthly payments). Funding will be subject to satisfactory progress.
A laptop will be provided and the opportunity to apply for funding to support the research project.
Project: Investigating the impact of bioDensity loading, nutrition, and exercise on musculoskeletal and metabolic health of older adults with sarcopenia
Musculoskeletal and metabolic health may be compromised in older adults. Low physical activity and insufficient intakes of dietary protein and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, are crucial for optimising muscle and bone health and are highly prevalent in this demographic. Emerging research exploring innovative loading techniques (e.g., bioDensity apparatus) indicates that bioDensity may improve musculoskeletal and metabolic health. Recognising that optimising these adaptations relies on nutritional support and physical activity/exercise levels, further research is needed to evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of the bioDensity apparatus individually or in conjunction with exercise and nutrition interventions.
The main aim of this research is to investigate the optimal integration of bioDensity with exercise/physical activity and innovative nutritional interventions to maximise musculoskeletal and metabolic health. The PhD programme will focus on older adults (both men and women over 60 years of age) with pre-existing sarcopenia or osteo-sarcopenia. This presents an attractive opportunity for PhD applicants to contribute to the advancement of the role of nutrition and exercise in regulating musculoskeletal and metabolic health in older populations.
State-of-the-art facilities will grant you access to sophisticated equipment such as liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and potentially cell culture for measuring various outcomes.
Applicants are encouraged to discuss their applications and project proposals with Dr Theocharis Ispoglou (t.ispoglou@leedsbeckett.ac.uk)
1. Ispoglou, T., et al., The efficacy of essential amino acid supplementation for augmenting dietary protein intake in older adults: implications for skeletal muscle mass, strength and function. Proc Nutr Soc, 2020: p. 1-13.
2. Lees, M.J., et al., Muscle quality as a complementary prognostic tool in conjunction with sarcopenia assessment in younger and older individuals. Eur J Appl Physiol, 2019. 119(5): p. 1171-1181.
3. Lees, M.J., et al., Novel Essential Amino Acid Supplements Following Resistance Exercise Induce Aminoacidemia and Enhance Anabolic Signaling Irrespective of Age: A Proof-of-Concept Trial. Nutrients, 2020. 12(7).
4. Ispoglou, T., et al., Novel essential amino acid supplements enriched with L-leucine facilitate increased protein and energy intakes in older women: a randomised controlled trial. Nutrition Journal, 2017. 16(1): p. 75.
5. Ispoglou, T., et al., Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial of L-Leucine-enriched amino-acid mixtures on body composition and physical performance in men and women aged 65-75 years. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2016. 70(2): p. 182-8.
6. Hung, Y.-L., et al., Influence of oestrogen on satellite cells and myonuclear domain size in skeletal muscles following resistance exercise. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle. n/a(n/a).
7. Kissow, J., et al., Effects of Follicular and Luteal Phase-Based Menstrual Cycle Resistance Training on Muscle Strength and Mass. Sports Medicine, 2022.
8. Harding, A.T., et al., The LIFTMOR-M (Lifting Intervention For Training Muscle and Osteoporosis Rehabilitation for Men) trial: protocol for a semirandomised controlled trial of supervised targeted exercise to reduce risk of osteoporotic fracture in older men with low bone mass. BMJ Open, 2017. 7(6): p. e014951.
9. Bemben, D., et al., Relevance of Whole-Body Vibration Exercises on Muscle Strength/Power and Bone of Elderly Individuals. Dose-response : a publication of International Hormesis Society, 2018. 16(4): p. 1559325818813066-1559325818813066.
10. Kirk, B., J. Zanker, and G. Duque, Osteosarcopenia: epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment—facts and numbers. Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle, 2020. 11(3): p. 609-618.
As part of your application, please provide a CV, cover letter and research proposal. The proposal should align to the above theme and include a brief literature review related to this project, with an outline of the studies that you would propose to the answer the aims of the PhD (maximum 5 pages single spaced).
We can only consider complete applications. The research degree application is complete once you have uploaded all of the following:
- Your application form (include the project reference DEXA1
- Your research proposal, statement of purpose and CV on the Research proposal template
- Copies of your bachelors and master certificates, including transcripts
- Copy of your IELTS (or equivalent) certificate (if applicable) further information can be found on our Graduate School FAQs
- Copy of your passport
Email the documentation above) to researchadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
The deadline for applications is midnight on 25th June 2023
Candidates must be available for interview on 24th or 25th July 2023
Who to contact
- To discuss your application and project proposal please contact Dr Theocharis Ispoglou (t.ispoglou@leedsbeckett.ac.uk) and Dr Matthew Barlow (matthew.barlow@leedsbeckett.ac.uk)
- For questions on the application process; researchadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
For candidates outside the UK. Please ensure that you contact our colleagues in Research Admissions prior to starting your application. They will go through the requirements that will need to be undertaken for you to study in the UK. Research Admissions can be contacted on researchadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
