Nutritional Knowledge, Dietary Practices and Immune Health of Gaelic Players

Summary

Nutrition plays a key role in athletic health and performance. Evidence suggests that Gaelic players, are not meeting their nutritional requirements, particularly in relation to energy, carbohydrate and key micronutrients e.g. vitamin D and iron and this may lead to impaired performance and recovery, increased risk of injury and detrimental effects on health (including immune health). Inadequate dietary intakes may be due to a lack of sports nutrition knowledge; poor knowledge has been observed in Gaelic players albeit there is a lack of research in this area using validated assessment tools.

Knowledge in relation to dietary supplements is particularly low. There is thus a clear need to educate players in order to improve their sports nutrition knowledge and ultimately have a better understanding of their nutritional requirements for optimal health and performance.

The aim of this PhD project is to investigate the dietary intake, nutritional knowledge and immune health of Gaelic players using validated methodologies. Dietary intakes will be compared to current dietary reference values and sports nutrition recommendations where relevant. An educational intervention will be conducted focusing on those areas where players demonstrate a lack of knowledge (and where dietary intakes are lacking) with a view to improving nutrition knowledge and subsequently enhancing dietary intake for optimal health and performance.

Important Information: Applications for more than one PhD studentship are welcome, however if you apply for more than one PhD project within Biomedical Sciences, your first application on the system will be deemed your first-choice preference and further applications will be ordered based on the sequential time of submission. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be interviewed only on your first-choice application and ranked accordingly. Those ranked highest will be offered a PhD studentship. In the situation where you are ranked highly and your first-choice project is already allocated to someone who was ranked higher than you, you may be offered your 2nd or 3rd choice project depending on the availability of this project.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Research project completion within taught Masters degree or MRES
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications record appropriate to career stage
• Experience of presentation of research findings

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

Our fully funded PhD scholarships will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).  A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £900 per annum is also available.

These scholarships, funded via the Department for the Economy (DfE) and the Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS), are open to applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.