Respiratory responses and limitations to exercise

The aim of this project is to determine how healthy ageing influences the dynamic contractile properties of the respiratory muscles. Using advanced assessment techniques, we will comprehensively evaluate inspiratory and expiratory muscle function in older and younger adults. Specifically, the project will examine how dynamic contractile parameters vary with age, sex and physical activity, and will explore their associations with exertional dyspnoea, exercise capacity and quality of life. We hypothesise that while respiratory muscle strength is relatively well preserved with healthy ageing, there are pronounced age-related impairment in contractile dynamics that contribute to increased fatigability and functional limitation. The findings will advance mechanistic understanding of respiratory muscle function with ageing and guide the development of interventions to preserve respiratory health in older populations.

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for the above PhD topic please follow the steps below:

  1. Contact the supervisor by email or phone to discuss your interest and find out if you would be suitable. Supervisor details can be found on this topic page. The supervisor will guide you in developing the topic-specific research proposal, which will form part of your application.
  2. Click on the 'Apply here' button on this page and you will be taken to the relevant PhD course page, where you can apply using an online application.
  3. Complete the online application indicating your selected supervisor and include the research proposal for the topic you have selected.

Good luck!

This is a self funded topic

Brunel offers a number of funding options to research students that help cover the cost of their tuition fees, contribute to living expenses or both. See more information here.

The UK Government is also offering Doctoral Student Loans for eligible students, and there is some funding available through the Research Councils.

Many of our international students benefit from funding provided by their governments or employers. Brunel alumni enjoy tuition fee discounts of 15%.

Meet the Supervisor(s)

Lee Romer - Dr Lee Romer is a Reader in Human and Applied Physiology at Brunel University of London. His research examines how respiratory system function influences exercise tolerance and fatigue in health and disease. Following undergraduate and postgraduate studies at Brunel, Dr Romer worked as a physiologist at the British Olympic Medical Centre before undertaking doctoral research at the University of Birmingham. He subsequently completed post-doctoral research at the John Rankin Laboratory of Pulmonary Medicine, University of Wisconsin–Madison, USA, before returning to Brunel in 2004. He has been a Reader since 2009 and served as Head of Department (formerly Division) of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences from 2014 to 2018. Dr Romer has authored more than 100 journal articles, reviews and book chapters, including invited reviews and chapters associated with the American College of Sports Medicine, American Physiological Society, American Thoracic Society and International Olympic Committee Medical Commission. He is currently Senior Editor of Experimental Physiology and has held editorial positions with several other international journals. He is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and The Physiological Society and an Honorary Fellow of the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences. His work has attracted more than 9,000 citations, with a Google Scholar h-index of 47. His work has extended beyond the university through engagement with elite sport, professional organisations and professional education. He has subsequently provided physiological consultancy and advice to UK Sport, ParalympicsGB and the English Institute of Sport, including work to develop physiological services for GB governing bodies. He has also contributed to professional standards in the sport and exercise sector through technical evaluation and occupational-standard development with SkillsActive. He has contributed to professional education through invited teaching and specialist courses in respiratory and exercise physiology, including as faculty for the annual Cambridge–UCLA Symposium on Clinical Exercise Testing and Interpretation. He has also undertaken advisory work for professional organisations, including the European Lung Foundation, and contributed to professional resources on physical activity and respiratory disease.