Health and Sport Sciences research

The School of Health and Sport Sciences is a dynamic, interdisciplinary research hub. Our work spans fundamental investigations into physiology, metabolism, and musculoskeletal function, applied studies that enhance athletic performance and inform clinical practice, and research into the behavioural and experiential responses of individuals to exercise, rehabilitation, and health interventions.

By combining expertise in exercise physiology, nutrition, motor control, and rehabilitation, we tackle real-world challenges using experimental, clinical, and translational approaches. Our research generates evidence-based insights that advance understanding of human health, improve patient and athlete outcomes, and drive innovation across sport and healthcare.

We work closely with industry, healthcare, and academic partners to turn research insights into real-world solutions, building on successful collaborations across sport, health, and rehabilitation.

Research Groups

Exercise, Physiology and Nutrition Research Group

Musculoskeletal and Rehabilitation Research Group

State-of-the-Art Research Hub

Research in the School of Health and Sport Sciences is supported by state-of-the-art facilities spanning exercise, rehabilitation, nutrition, and bioscience. These are primarily housed in the Health Sciences Building, opened in 2016. This £8.5 million facility serves as the hub for research and teaching, and includes a 150m² biomechanics and human movement laboratory, alongside specialised laboratories for exercise and cardiovascular physiology, sport performance, body composition, psychophysiology, nutrition, and metabolic bioscience.

Additional campus investments include modern indoor and outdoor sport facilities, a strength and conditioning suite, and an on-site physiotherapy and sport rehabilitation clinic. Together, these create a unique environment where academic research and clinical practice intersect.

Advanced Research Capabilities

The Health Sciences Building is equipped for the complete analysis of human movement, physiological and metabolic function, and psychological evaluation. Key features include:

• Movement and Biomechanics Laboratories
  • Full 3D motion capture
  • Integrated force plates for advanced analysis of human movement
• Cardiac and Vascular Assessment
  • Ultrasound imaging, including echocardiography and Doppler
  • Arterial stiffness assessment
• Physiological and Metabolic Measurement
  • Breath-by-breath pulmonary gas exchange
  • Near-infrared spectroscopy for non-invasive muscle oxygenation
    
    
• Nutrition and Food Science Facilities
  • Metabolic measurement
  • Product development
  • Sensory analysis
    
    
• Bioscience Laboratories
  • Molecular and biochemical analyses to complement applied human research

Collectively, these resources underpin a multidisciplinary research environment, enabling mechanistic, applied, and translational studies across exercise science, nutrition, cardiovascular health, musculoskeletal function, and rehabilitation.

Studying an MPhil or PhD

We warmly welcome motivated applicants to join our research community through MPhil and PhD study in areas that reflect our research strengths. Before submitting an application, please explore our research groups to see how your interests align with their expertise and ongoing projects. We particularly welcome interdisciplinary proposals and encourage prospective applicants to contact a relevant academic colleague to discuss their research ideas and explore potential supervision before making a formal application

Specific funded opportunities will be advertised on this page.

Applications for Postgraduate Research within the School can be made directly using the online system.

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.

Our current PhD students

The school is lucky to have numerous talented PhD students conducting leading research:

Maxime Ansell   Max is undertaking a PhD as part of the Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship Programme, investigating imagery and practice structure effects on skill acquisition. He previously completed both his BSc and MSc in Sport Science at Bangor University, where his research examined personality effects on performance under pressure. Outside of his studies, Max enjoys running, slacklining, and creating music and art. Supervisors: Prof. Caroline Wakefield, Dr Robin Owen, Dr Liam Owens
Sima Jalali Farahani   Sima’s PhD explores the effects of chronic disease on musculoskeletal health in older adults, with a focus on heart failure, sarcopenia, and ageing. She holds degrees in Sports Physiology and Nutrition and has lectured in Exercise Physiology at Allameh Tabatabai University in Iran. A former elite athlete and coach in Dragon Boat racing and Karate, she brings both academic and applied experience to her research. Supervisors: Prof. Omid Khaiyat, Dr Matthew Jackson, Dr Hannah Shepherd
Ruth Batin   Ruth’s PhD examines kinematics and muscle activation profiles in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, comparing patients with good and poor outcomes. With a background in physiotherapy and rehabilitation, she also has interests in cardiac rehabilitation, virtual reality, and mental health. In her spare time, Ruth enjoys music, cycling, and journaling. Supervisors: Dr Ginny Coyles, Prof. Omid Khaiyat, Dr Hannah Shepard, Dr Liam Owens
Liam Pope   Liam is pursuing a PhD through the Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship, investigating the cardiovascular implications of low energy availability in female athletes. He previously completed his undergraduate and master’s degrees at Hartpury University, where his research focused on hormonal influences on performance. Liam is passionate about health, nutrition, and performance, and enjoys an active lifestyle and playing the guitar. Supervisors: Dr Richard Webb, Dr Denise Roche
David Hawkes   David is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon with a specialist interest in upper limb conditions. His PhD focuses on the pathophysiology of subacromial pain, drawing on extensive clinical experience and published research on shoulder function and pathology. His work aims to improve understanding of pain mechanisms to inform rehabilitation and surgical management. Supervisors: Prof Omid Khaiyat, Dr Neil Harrison
Ben Ashworth   Ben’s PhD project, Optimising kinematic and kinetic contributions to throwing performance, extends his long-standing applied experience in elite sport. With over two decades working in professional rugby and Olympic programmes, he developed the “Athletic Shoulder” testing and monitoring framework now used across multiple sports. His current research focuses on performance, fatigue, and neuromuscular profiling in throwing athletes. Supervisors: Prof Omid Khaiyat, Dr Ginny Coyles
Taryn Guy   Taryn’s PhD investigates neuromuscular function and performance across the menstrual cycle in female team sport athletes. She completed her undergraduate degree at UA92 and her master’s at LJMU before taking up a Doctoral Demonstrator role. Alongside her research, Taryn works as a strength and conditioning coach and enjoys playing football, attending live music events, and travelling. Supervisors: Prof Omid Khaiyat, Dr Peter Angell
David Campbell   David Campbell is a physical education specialist with over 10 years’ teaching experience across the UK and Dubai, where he also served as Head of PE. He holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and has extensive coaching experience in football and tennis, having worked with players in Australia and the United States. His PhD investigates the relationship between teaching styles and physical activity levels in school children, aiming to inform more engaging and effective PE practice. Supervisors: Dr Stefan Koehn, Dr Denise Roche

Recent PhD completions

Jake Ashton, “The effect of medium-chain triglyceride supplementation on cognitive performance”
Supervisors: Prof. Simon Marwood, Prof. Caroline Wakefield, Dr James Malone, Dr James Roberts

Liam Owens, “Kinetic Chain Sequencing in Overhead Athletes With and Without Shoulder Injury”
Supervisors: Prof. Omid Khaiyat, Dr Ginny Coyles

Richie Goulding, “Physiological determinants of critical power and exercise tolerance in health & disease”.
Supervisors: Prof. Simon Marwood, Dr Denise Roche

Ben Kirk, “The multidimensional effect of supervised moderate exercise training on musculoskeletal function and health-related quality of life in age-related sarcopenia”
Supervisors: Prof. Omid Khaiyat, Prof. Rosanna Cousins, Dr Peter Angell, Dr Ginny Coyles

Kate Mooney, ”An investigation into the effect of nutritional supplementation and exercise training on musculoskeletal function and health related quality of life in age-related sarcopenia”
Supervisors: Prof. Omid Khaiyat, Dr Farzad Amirabdollahain

Luke O’Brien, “An investigation into the body composition, nutritional status and fitness of elite Hurling players in Ireland”.
Supervisors: Prof. Omid Khaiyat, Dr Farzad Amirabdollahain

Johnny Parr, “Investigating the visuomotor and cortical mechanisms behind learning to use a prosthetic hand”
Supervisors: Prof. Omid Khaiyat, Dr Greg Wood, Prof. Caroline Wakefield, Dr Neil Harrison

Stephanie Romano-Smith, “Examining the efficacy of imagery and observation interventions on motor performance using transcranial magnetic stimulation.”
Prof. Omid Khaiyat, Prof. Caroline Wakefield, Dr Greg Wood, Dr Stefan Koehn