Our Doctoral Researchers
Discover more about the PhD projects undertaken by Doctoral Researchers in the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport.
Addressing psychophysiological responses to stress in elite para-footballers. Utilising longitudinal studies with the aim of informing a potential intervention study to improve performance.
Researching effectiveness of training strategies to meet the physiological and kinematic demands of wheelchair basketball players, in collaboration with British Wheelchair Basketball.
Working alongside British Athletics to optimise wheelchair racing, analysing data to improve performance. I aim to use sensor technology and sports biomechanics to enhance wheelchair racing.
To improve the return of serve in wheelchair tennis, Yash is investigating how players anticipate serve type and direction and optimally move towards the ball.
Barriers and facilitators to participation in wheelchair basketball by examining athlete experiences of the sport alongside how participation can impact athlete mental and physical well-being.
Researching aerodynamics around athletes and wheelchairs during racing. Focusing on how drag varies with changing body position and whilst following other athletes.
The greatest risk to Para-sport’s integrity is weaknesses in its own classification process. Iain’s research will examine the elements of the process that are in most need of strengthening.
James investigates digital interventions aiming to increase physical activity and reduce non-communicable disease risk in adults with disabilities.
Researching physiological challenges faced by cerebral palsy athletes, the influence on training/competition, and strategies to mitigate these / further develop performance.
Currently researching the effect of exercise and exercise-induced dehydration on metabolism and salt balance and the implications on performance and recovery strategies.
Researching the effects of ischaemic pre-conditioning on upper body exercise performance in people with SCI and introducing ischaemic preconditioning as a pre exercise intervention.
Brodie’s work focusses on para-athlete well-being; experiences of pregnancy in elite female athletes; and female para-athlete experiences in relation to gender, athleticism, and disability.
Lynsey is investigating how interior design and aesthetics within long-stay rehabilitation facilities influences attitudes towards physical activity following SCI.
Researching experiences, psychological stressors and implications of classification in para sport, and how this influences athlete and athlete support personal mental health and well-being.
Research will focus on understanding unique female physiology and its relation to heat therapy, particularly in improving the health and quality of life for women with mobility impairments.
Understanding the mental health and well-being challenges and facilitators in para-athletes to inform policy developments and organisational guidelines for the English Institute of Sport.