PhD Studentship: Female-specific Physiological Responses to Exercise in the Heat

This project proposes a timely investigation into the impacts of rising global temperatures on female exercisers. As females increasingly participate in mass endurance events, often held in cities where solar radiation and the urban heat island effect amplify thermal strain, the need for focused research on females in these settings is evident. There is a paucity of data from female-only studies in sports science, leading to distinct knowledge gaps in understanding how extreme environments impact female athletes’ health and performance. Climate change is intensifying heatwaves, with unpredictable extreme heat and humidity, posing a rising threat to thermoregulation and exercise tolerance, and raising the risk of heat illness, particularly in athletes, recreational and occupational exercisers (manual workers, rescue services, military etc.).

Females encounter unique thermoregulatory challenges that differ from males, including variations in core temperature regulation, body water and hydration, thermal perception, and sweating capacity. These physiological differences, crucial to temperature regulation, can contribute to higher core temperatures and increased susceptibility to heat illness, as well as gastrointestinal and renal complications. Despite these critical distinctions, research on female-specific heat responses remains sparse, with limited evidence for effective heat mitigation strategies that reduce thermal or cardiovascular strain. This PhD project aims to fill this critical research gap by quantifying the effects of exercising in hot/humid conditions and assessing the efficacy of heat management strategies specifically for recreationally active and trained females.

Primary supervisor: Dr Samantha Rowland

Secondary supervisors: Dr Liam Heaney and Dr Lewis James

Entry requirements:

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities) in a related subject such as Sport and Exercise Science, Human Biology, Human or Environmental Physiology or Biological Sciences. A relevant master’s degree and/or experience is desirable but not essential.

English language requirements:

Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website. (http://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/applicants/english/).

Funding information:

The studentship is fully funded by the University (includes both UK and International) for 3 years and provides a tax-free stipend of £19,237 (these are the 24/25 rates, 25/26 rates TBC) 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 *School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences*. Please quote the advertised reference number: SSEHS/SR25 in your application.

To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit the minimum supporting documents.

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

Your application must include a cover letter (1 page maximum), CV and a research proposal based on the project title and details (500 words maximum). Please submit as a merged PDF.  

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