Health and Sport Sciences research
The School of Health and Sport Sciences has a vibrant research environment, with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary research.
The £8.5m Health Sciences Building opened in 2016 houses excellent research facilities and specialised laboratories for its active research groups in the main fields of Sport and Exercise Science, Nutrition and Food Science, and Applied Biomedical Health.
All academics within the School of Health Sciences are research-active and work very proactively towards research assessment exercises.
Research Groups
Musculoskeletal Health and Rehabilitation Research Group
In January 2016 the Health Sciences Building was launched, housing the Sport Science research facilities. The development of this £8.5m facility produced more than 320m2 dedicated to research, including specialised laboratories: Sport Biomechanics, Sport and Exercise Physiology, Cardiovascular Physiology, Sport Performance, Body Composition, and Sport Psychophysiology.
The Health Sciences Building was supplemented by further investments of £7.7m in on-campus indoor and outdoor sport facilities (sports building including modern gym and strength and conditioning suite, 3G football pitch, tennis/net ball courts, rugby pitch) and on-site physiotherapy and sport rehabilitation clinic. The University explicitly dedicated these resources not only as leisure facilities for students, but for research space for the academics.
More than 100m2of further space is dedicated to research across separate rooms to support specialist areas of Exercise Physiology and Sport Performance, Cardiovascular Physiology, Psychophysiology, and Body Composition. These areas are supported by specialised equipment invested into the unit. Primary research equipment includes: eye tracking system (ALS), further 8-channel wireless EMG system (Delsys), three online, breath-by-breath expired gas analysis systems (LoveMedical), near infrared spectrometer (Oxiplex), cardiac ultrasound (VividQ), vascular ultrasound (Terason), Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (GE Lunar iDXA)), pulse wave velocity (SphygmoCor XCEL), motorised (h/p/cosmos) and non-motorised (Woodway Curve) treadmill, isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex), programmable (Lode Excalibur Sport with pedal force measurement, Lode Corival, Tacx) and non-programmable (SRM trainer) cycle ergometers, cardiac stress-test / supine ergometer table (Lode Angio) and standard haematology.
The Health Sciences Building houses dedicated space and specialised research laboratories for Nutrition and Food Sciences in relation to clinical nutrition, nutritional biochemistry, food sensory analysis and food product development. Comprehensive and well-equipped product development kitchen and sensory labs are integral parts for the trailing and production of Food and Nutritional Sciences research projects. This 309m2 space includes a dedicated phlebotomy suite and facilities for the measurement of metabolic and molecular markers of human function in a regular biosciences area. There are also research facilities for the biosciences, representing a shared space with other units of assessment for analysis of human blood samples. This 309m2 space includes a dedicated phlebotomy suite and facilities for the measurement of metabolic and molecular markers of human function in a regular biosciences area.
In addition to the specialised and discipline-specific research laboratories, a broad range of multidisciplinary research equipment are available to the academics and research groups within School’s research environment including Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) lab (GE Healthcare); Evidence Investigator (Randox); Afinion multi-assay analyser (Alere); RX Misano (Randox); BioSpec Nano (Shimadzu); Real-time PCR Thermocyclers (BIORAD and Thermo Veriti); Bomb Calorimeter (IKA C1); CDR Food lab; ChemicDoc XRS+ imager (BIORAD); I-stat and I-stat Alinity (Abbot); LDX Analyser; Smart 96 plate readers (Accuris and Thermo); Plate washer (VWR); Spectrophotometers (Shimadzu and VWR); Heracell 240i CO2 Incubator (Thermo) and Flame Photometer (BWB).
Studying an MPhil or PhD at the School
The department features numerous MPhil and PhD supervision opportunities. These can have funding already in place or be self-funded. Details concerning the types of research projects currently underway at the school can be found on the different research groups' pages and research opportunities page.
The University admits students to its MPhil and PhD programmes at two points during the year.
For an October start date, you must submit your full application before the 1st May in the same year. For a February start date, you must submit your full application before 1st October in the preceding calendar year.
Find out more information concerning entry requirements and how to apply on our apply online webpage.
Our current PhD students
The school is lucky to have numerous talented PhD students conducting leading research. Here is some information to help you get to know them and their journeys:
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Maxime Ansell (Max) achieved his Undergraduate degree in SportsScience (2020) and Masters degree in Applied Sports Science (2021) at Bangor University. He is now completing his PhD as part of the VC Scholarship program at Liverpool Hope University and is expect to finish in 2026. The PhD investigates imagery and practice structure effects on skill aquisition. He is also in the process of writing up the experiments he completed during his masters involving personality effects on performance under pressure. In his spare time Max enjoys running, slacklining and making music/art. |
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Sima Jalali Farahani completed an Associate Degree in Physical Education (2012-2014), BSc in Sports Science and Health (2014-2016), and M.Sc. Degree in Sports Physiology and Nutrition (2017-2020). She acted as Lecturer in Sports Science and Exercise Physiology at Allameh Tabatabai University (2018- 2022). She was also a Professional Coach and athlete in the nation of Iran (Dragon Boat team and Karate; 2012-2020); winner of 13 Medals in a National competition (2012-2020). Her current research topic is the effects of chronic disease on Muscluskeltal health in older adults (heart failure, sarcopenia, and aging). |
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Ruth Batin finished her undergraduate degree in Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy in 2011 at Mariano Marcos State University in the City of Batac, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. She attended the University of Santo Tomas – Graduate School in Manila, Philippines and successfully completed her Master of Science in Physical Therapy degree in 2019. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Philosophy in Sport and Exercise Science degree at Liverpool Hope University through the Vice Chancellor Scholarship awarded by the same university. Her research project focuses on the kinematics and muscle activation profiles in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, and to compare these variables between patients with good and poor outcomes. Her research interests include teaching-learning methodologies, cardiac rehabilitation, virtual reality, mental health and shoulder complex conditions. In her spare time, she is fond of journaling, singing, playing the guitar and cycling. |
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Liam Pope completed his undergraduate degree in 2020 and his master's degree in 2022 at Hartpury University. Liam is currently pursuing a Vice Chancellor Scholarship PhD in Nutrition at Liverpool Hope University, focusing on the cardiovascular implications of low energy availability in female athletes. His previous research investigated the impact of the menstrual cycle and hormonal contraception use on performance in female athletes. Apart from his academic pursuits, Liam has a passion for living a healthy active lifestyle and playing the guitar. |
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Jake Ashton gained a 1st class degree in Sport & Exercise Science from Liverpool Hope University. He published his final year dissertation “Immediate effects of an acute bout of repeated soccer heading on cognitive performance” in the journal Science and Medicine in Football before commencing an industry-support PhD in medium chain triglyceride supplementation and cognitive performance. Jake enjoys travelling to different places in Europe when possible and also helps coach a local youth football team. Supervisors: Prof Simon Marwood, Prof Caroline Wakefield, Dr James Malone |
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David Hawkes is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon with a specialist interest in upper limb. He has a longstanding interest in upper limb research and has published widely in relation to normal shoulder function and pathology. His PhD is currently evaluating the pathophysiology of subacromial pain. Supervisors: Prof Omid Khaiyat, Dr Neil Harrison |
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Ben Ashworth’s PhD project title is “Optimising kinematic and maximising kinetic contributions to (sustainable) throwing performance. He has over two decades of experience as a practitioner with Masters in both Physiotherapy and Strength & Conditioning and for the past 2 years has been employed as Director of Performance. Ben’s interest & experience in shoulders developed from his time in professional rugby at London Wasps (2002-2005) and was accelerated through his work with the English Institute of Sport & in particular the British Judo team in the lead up to his Team GB role at the Olympics in London 2012. The Athletic Shoulder testing & monitoring philosophy combines Ben’s shoulder expertise with over ten years of monitoring athletes in performance environments. Creatively challenging the way we use information to impact on minimising injury risk and maximising athletic performance potential. Ben is currently working towards completion of a PhD in the area of Shoulder performance monitoring at Liverpool Hope University, a centre of excellence for upper limb and shoulder research (focussing on fatigue, return to play markers and neuromuscular profiling for performance). This is an extension of Ben’s recent published work around the now well established use of force platforms for shoulder testing developed at Saracens rugby and currently applied in baseball, tennis, rugby, MMA, Olympic & collegiate sports. |
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Taryn Guy completed her undergraduate degree in Sport and Exercise Science at UA92 in 2022, followed by a Master’s in Strength and Conditioning at LJMU in 2023. From September 2022 to July 2024, Taryn was a lecturer in sport and sports science at The City of Liverpool College. Taryn is now pursuing a PhD at Liverpool Hope University as part of the Doctoral Demonstrator role, with an expected completion in 2028. Her research investigates neuromuscular function and performance in female team sport athletes across different menstrual cycle phases. Taryn also coaches as a strength and conditioning coach alongside her studies. Outside of her research, Taryn enjoys playing football, attending music events and travelling to new places. Supervisors: Prof Omid Khaiyat, Dr Peter Angell |
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David Campbell is a passionate sportsman with a strong background in football and tennis. With over 10 years of experience as a Physical Education (PE) teacher, he has taught in both primary and secondary schools across the UK and Dubai. Holding a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, David has successfully combined his leadership skills with his passion for sports education. As Head of PE in Dubai, he led his school to its first-ever victory at the prestigious BSME Games. Additionally, David has extensive tennis coaching experience, having worked with players in Australia and the United States. His career reflects a commitment to fostering both individual potential and team success. David is currently undertaking a PhD investigating the relationship between teaching styles and physical activity levels in school children. His research seeks to determine whether adapting teaching styles can influence psychological aspects such as motivation, confidence, and enjoyment, and how these changes might, in turn, impact children’s physical activity levels. By exploring these connections, David aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for PE teachers and schools to create more engaging and effective physical education experiences. |
