PhD Studentship: Enhancing the Otago Exercise Programme to Preserve Bone Health in Women with Osteopenia or Osteoporosis

Overview

This three-year, full-time funded PhD studentship focuses on enhancing the established, home-based Otago Exercise Programme to better preserve bone health in women with osteopenia or osteoporosis. High-impact or heavy-load programmes are often unsuitable or unappealing for these populations, especially when weakness, impaired balance, or fear of falling are present. The project will introduce exercise bands for continuous resistance and high-speed contractions to increase the rate of force development and skeletal loading. The doctoral candidate will collaborate with the University of Hull, the Osprey charity, and the local National Health Service Trust.

The research involves completing four linked studies comprising an evidence review, a laboratory electromyography comparison of traditional and banded Otago exercises, a feasibility and repeatability study in adults over 55, and a twelve-month clinical study comparing usual National Health Service care, banded Otago, and high-speed banded Otago in postmenopausal women. The primary outcome evaluates bone mineral density through DEXA scans and blood-based biomarkers, alongside measurements of strength, balance, falls, fear of falling, and body composition.

Who can apply

This award provides a Home fee waiver only and is exclusively available to home students. Applicants must hold at least a 2:1 honours degree, or equivalent, in sport and exercise science, strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, biomechanics, human movement science, or a closely related subject. Possessing a relevant taught Master of Science or a Masters by Research is highly desirable. Candidates need to show an interest in exercise for clinical or older populations, demonstrate strong communication and organisational skills, and have the ability to work sensitively with participants and clinical partners. Beneficial experience includes exercise delivery, electromyography, DEXA, biomechanics, clinical research, systematic reviewing, or statistical analysis, though training will be provided.

What you get

The successful applicant receives a Home tuition-fee waiver and a maintenance stipend set at the applicable United Kingdom Research and Innovation rate, which increases annually in line with their guidance. Additional project funding is available to cover supplements, equipment, and testing. No stipend or tuition-fee waiver is provided during any additional writing-up period. Candidates also gain professional experience in exercise prescription, surface electromy