PhD Studentship: Quantifying the Physical and Tactical Demands of Wheelchair Tennis on Different Court Surfaces

This project will seek to compare the physical and tactical demands of wheelchair tennis on different court surfaces (hard, clay and grass). British wheelchair tennis players will be tracked longitudinally, for 2 years. Physical and tactical match analysis and physiological testing will be conducted in a combined lab- and field-based approach.

Wheelchair tennis research has focused on male players and hard courts, with little research examining females, juniors or court surface differences. With the French Open and Wimbledon Grand Slams only 4 weeks apart, this surface transition is particularly crucial. This research will facilitate the development of multi-disciplinary performance profiles for junior and senior, male and female wheelchair players on different court surfaces. Crucially, the research will align enhanced insights of wheelchair tennis performance with physical health and recovery data.

This research will enhance our understanding of the interaction between wheelchair tennis players and the playing environment, informing and guiding the development of elite players’ training programmes. The research will also support players’ health and recovery, allowing us to identify periods of increased injury risk. The collection of match data alongside health and recovery data will facilitate players’ physical preparation and recovery, as well as supporting the development of the next generation of players, guiding their progression towards the LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Paralympics.

This PhD will be in partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association, with the successful applicant embedded in the Peter Harrison Centre for Disability Sport, supported by Dr Anna Fitzpatrick, Dr Thomas O'Brien and Professor Vicky Tolfrey.

Loughborough University is ranked number one in the world for sport-related subjects (QS World University Rankings). The School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences offers an exciting, interdisciplinary research environment, where research students work alongside expert staff with a diverse range of interests and experience.

By studying for a PhD with us, you will be joining a thriving research community of over 200 Doctoral Researchers from across the globe. You will add to world-leading research that is helping to shape the latest advancements across the sport, exercise and health sectors.

In REF 2021, 100% of research impact from the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences was rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’.

Entry requirements:

Essential:

• Applicants should have or expect to achieve a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent international qualification) and a master’s degree in a relevant subject (sport & exercise science, performance analysis, statistics or similar).
• Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International Website (http://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/applicants/english/).
• Outstanding communication, time management and organisation skills.
• Excellent tennis-specific knowledge.

Funding

The studentship is for 3 years and provides a tax-free stipend of £19,237 per annum for the duration of the studentship, plus university tuition fees.

How to Apply:

All applications should be made online via the above ‘Apply’ button. Under programme name, select Sport, Exercise & Health Sciences. Please quote the advertised reference number: SSEHS/AFP25 in your application.

Please ensure that you submit the minimum supporting documents

The following selection criteria will be used to help make a decision on your application.

In addition to a CV, a 2,000 word (maximum) research proposal should be included, detailing:

• A clear statement of the problem
• Existing literature on the problem
• Appropriate research methods
• Scope and nature of the project
• Problems, challenges, issues
• Possible conclusions

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