Limiting sedentary behaviour and increasing physical activity to managing long-term conditions

The PhD will investigate sedentary behaviour and physical activity in the management of long-term conditions. This may include studying one of the following conditions:

  • Frailty
  • Sarcopenia
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Breast cancer
  • Rare genetic metabolic disease (i.e. Lysosomal storage disorders)

This research will enhance understanding of the effects of sedentary behaviour and physical activity in the chosen long-term, leading to evaluation of a behaviour change intervention. The findings could inform clinical care guidelines to optimise management of the condition. The PhD objectives would align with the following:

1. Systematically reviewing the effectiveness of sedentary behaviour and/or physical activity interventions for managing the long-term condition.

2. Evaluating associations of sedentary behaviour and physical activity with disease biomarkers and outcomes using cohort datasets.

3. Develop and evaluate intervention approaches, including technology (wearables), to support management of the long-term condition.

 

This project would be well suited to students with a background in sport, health and exercise sciences, physiotherapy, public health, healthcare, biomedical sciences, life sciences or related areas. An MSc qualification is essential.

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)

Daniel Bailey - Dr Daniel Bailey is a Reader in Sedentary Behaviour and Health in the Department of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences. He is Director of Research for the Department having previously been Director of the Centre for Physical Activity in Health and Disease. Dr Bailey's research investigates the relationship between sedentary behaviour and chronic health conditions, with a particular focus on non-communicable disease. This research includes the epidemiology of sedentary behaviour and associations with non-communicable disease risk, controlled laboratory studies examining the acute effects of breaking up prolonged sitting on cardiometabolic biomarkers, and the development and evaluation of interventions to reduce sedentary behaviour and increase physical activity in a range of population groups and long-term conditions including Type 2 diabetes, office workers, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Fabry disease and frailty. Dr Bailey has been awarded multiple research grants from funding bodies and industry partners to support his research and has published many research articles in his field of research. He has delivered multiple conference presentations and invited talks across the UK and Europe and was Technical Advisor for the Qatar National Physical Activity Guidelines 2nd edition, 2021. Dr Bailey is Chair of the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES) Physical Activity for Health Division and was Chair of the CASES 2024 Conference Planning Group. Dr Bailey was also a member of the scientific global leadership committee for the 8th International Society for Physical Activity and Health (ISPAH) Congress. Dr Bailey has a wealth of experience teaching physical activity, sedentary behaviour and health topics at undergraduate and postgraduate level and uses innovative teaching approaches in his practice including research-informed teaching, bleneded and authentic learning, and flipped classrooms.