Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work

Research Opportunities

  • A research degree in the Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work allows you to develop your skills and contribute to internationally recognised health and sports research, supported by skilled staff and a vibrant research student community. Learn more about our research degrees and how to apply or look at the funding opportunities below

    Details of funding opportunities will be advertised on this page when they become available, or look at research opportunities across the whole university.

  • Oxford Brookes University,

    Faculty of Health and Life Sciences,

    Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work,

    Sport & Coaching Sciences

     

    Masters (MSc) by Research one year, full-time self-funded programme

     

    Eligibility:                     Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in UK/EU.

    Academic Fees:          £4,500.00 (self-funded by applicant)

    Bench Fees:                £1,000.00 (self-funded by applicant)

    Closing Date:              3rd November 2020, 12 noon

    Interview Date(s):       11th November 2020

    Start date:                   January 2021 or September 2021

     

    Project Title: The influence of hydroxy gas on asthma symptoms and inflammation. 

     

    Director of Studies and main supervisor: Dr Peter Wright

    2nd supervisor: Dr Roger Ramsbottom

     

    Eligibility: Applicants require a good Honours degree (2.1 or equivalent) in Sports Science, or a related scientific subject. Home UK, EU only are eligible to apply for January 2021. Full time study would be preferred, but a part time option could be accommodated. A 10% discount will be available for OBU alumni.

     

    Project Description:

     

    This project aims to examine whether hydroxy gas inhalation has positive effects on asthma symptoms and associated inflammation as well as general wellbeing. Asthma bronchiale has an underlying inflammatory component which is linked to the severity of associated symptoms. Since the 2007 discovery that molecular hydrogen (H2) has selective antioxidant properties, multiple studies have shown that H2 has beneficial effects in diverse animal models and human disease. Besides the strong anti-inflammatory properties, hydrogen is also known as an anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic agent, which appears to help protect against oxidative stress and cell death. There are some promising study results in the treatment of COPD and COVID patients with hydroxy gas. However, studies into asthma have been limited to animal studies.

     

    The findings of this study will guide future studies on the efficacy of hydroxy gas consumption in the treatment of asthma symptoms and general anti-inflammatory effects that could be applied in a variety of health conditions.

     

    The project will be based at Oxford Brookes University (Headington Campus) with SEPARG - the Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity Research Group, which is linked to the Sport & Coaching Sciences team. We undertake research focusing on improving performance as well as health and other aspects of sports https://www.brookes.ac.uk/shssw/sport-and-coaching-sciences/research/sport--exercise-and-physical-activity-research-group/

     

    NB Please note that this is a self-funded research project, and the academic fees and bench fees must be paid for by the successful applicant. This project is only available to applicants eligible for Home / EU fees in January 2021.

     

    For further information on the project please e-mail: Dr Peter Wright:  pwright@brookes.ac.uk

     

    How to apply:

    Email the Research Administrator alangford@brookes.ac.uk for an application pack. Completed application forms should be returned to hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk by the deadline.


    Oxford Brookes University,

    Faculty of Health and Life Sciences,

    Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work,

    Sport & Coaching Sciences

     

    Masters (MSc) by Research one year, full-time self-funded programme

     

    Eligibility:                     Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in UK/EU.

    Academic Fees:          £4,500.00 (self-funded by applicant)

    Bench Fees:                £1,000.00 (self-funded by applicant)

    Closing Date:              3rd November 2020, 12 noon

    Interview Date(s):       11th November 2020

    Start date:                   January 2021 or September 2021

     

    Project Title: The influence of hydroxy gas on eczema symptoms and wellbeing. 

     

    Director of Studies and main supervisor: Dr Peter Wright

    2nd supervisor: Dr Roger Ramsbottom

     

    Eligibility: Applicants require a good Honours degree (2.1 or equivalent) in Sports Science, or a related scientific subject. Home UK, EU only are eligible to apply for January 2021. Full time study would be preferred, but a part time option could be accommodated. A 10% discount will be available for OBU alumni.

     

    Project Description:

     

    This project aims to examine whether hydroxy gas inhalation has positive effects on eczema symptoms and general wellbeing. Eczema is an autoimmune disease similar to asthma bronchiale that has an underlying inflammatory component. The conventional treatment includes the application of corticosteroids. However, it is a condition that generally is difficult to treat. Since the 2007 discovery that molecular hydrogen (H2) has selective antioxidant properties, multiple studies have shown that H2 has beneficial effects in diverse animal models and human disease. Besides the strong anti-inflammatory properties, hydrogen is also known as an anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic agent, which appears to help protect against oxidative stress and cell death. There is some anecdotal evidence that suggests that hydroxy gas is an effective treatment of eczema.

     

    The findings of this study will guide future studies on the efficacy of hydroxy gas consumption in the treatment of eczema symptoms and has the potential to help many people with eczema and other autoimmune conditions.

     

    The project will be based at Oxford Brookes University (Headington Campus) with SEPARG - the Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity Research Group, which is linked to the Sport & Coaching Sciences team. We undertake research focusing on improving performance as well as health and other aspects of sports https://www.brookes.ac.uk/shssw/sport-and-coaching-sciences/research/sport--exercise-and-physical-activity-research-group/

     

    NB Please note that this is a self-funded research project, and the academic fees and bench fees must be paid for by the successful applicant. This project is only available to applicants eligible for Home / EU fees in January 2021.

     

    For further information on the project please e-mail: Dr Peter Wright:  pwright@brookes.ac.uk

     

    How to apply:

    Email the Research Administrator alangford@brookes.ac.uk for an application pack. Completed application forms should be returned to hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk by the deadline.


    Oxford Brookes University,

    Faculty of Health and Life Sciences,

    Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work,

    Sport & Coaching Sciences

     

    Masters (MSc) by Research one year, full-time self-funded programme

     

    Eligibility:                     Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in UK/EU

    Academic Fees:          £4,500.00 (self-funded by applicant)

    Bench Fees:                £1,000.00 (self-funded by applicant)

    Closing Date:              3rd November 2020, 12 noon

    Interview Date(s):       11th November 2020

    Start date:                   January 2021 or September 2021

     

    Project Title: The influence of hydroxy gas on endurance performance related parameters and exercise recovery. 

     

    Director of Studies and main supervisor: Dr Roger Ramsbottom

    2nd supervisor: Dr Peter Wright

     

    Eligibility: Applicants require a good Honours degree (2.1 or equivalent) in Sports Science, or a closely related scientific subject. Home UK, EU only are eligible to apply for January 2021. Full time study would be preferred, but a part time option could be accommodated. A 10% discount will be available for OBU alumni.

     

    Project Description:

     

    This project aims to examine whether a combination of hydrogen and oxygen, also known has ‘hydroxy gas’, has a positive effect on endurance performance and recovery from exercise. Hydrogen (H), with atomic number 1, is the lightest element in the periodic table and the most abundant chemical substance in the universe. Since the 2007 discovery that molecular hydrogen (H2) has selective antioxidant properties, multiple studies have shown that H2 has beneficial effects in diverse animal models and human disease. There are a number of studies which suggest hydrogen enriched water and hydroxy gas might have performance enhancing effects. However, the exact mechanisms are still unclear. In addition to the strong anti-inflammatory properties, hydrogen is also known as an anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic agent, which appears to help protect against oxidative stress and cell death. Studies in the sports science and/or sports medicine context using hydroxy gas are still sparse and require further investigation using more rigorous methods.

     

    Findings from this work will guide future studies on the efficacy of hydroxy gas inhalation in the context of human performance and recovery as well as indicate the potential to be translated into occupational and health settings.

     

    The project will be based at Oxford Brookes University (Headington Campus) with SEPARG - the Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity Research Group, which is linked to the Sport & Coaching Sciences team. We undertake research focusing on improving performance as well as health and other aspects of sports https://www.brookes.ac.uk/shssw/sport-and-coaching-sciences/research/sport--exercise-and-physical-activity-research-group/

     

    NB Please note that this is a self-funded research project, and the academic fees and bench fees must be paid for by the successful applicant. This project is only available to applicants eligible for Home / EU fees in January 2021.

     

    For further information on the project please e-mail: Dr Roger Ramsbottom:  rramsbottom@brookes.ac.uk

     

    How to apply: Email the Research Administrator alangford@brookes.ac.uk for an application pack. Completed application forms should be returned to hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk by the deadline.


    Oxford Brookes University,

    Faculty of Health and Life Sciences,

    Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work,

    Sport & Coaching Sciences

    Masters (MSc) by Research one year, full-time self-funded programme
     

    Eligibility:                     Home UK/EU applicants who must be permanently resident in the UK/EU

    Academic Fees:          £4,500.00 (self-funded by applicant)

    Bench Fees:                £1,000.00 (self-funded by applicant)

    Closing Date:              3rd November 2020, 12 noon

    Interview Date(s):       11th November 2020

    Start date:                   January 2021 or September 2021

     

    Project Title: The influence of hydroxy gas on exercise induced muscle damage and associated inflammation. 

     

    Director of Studies and main supervisor: Dr John Jakeman

    2nd supervisor: Dr Peter Wright

     

    Eligibility: Applicants require a good Honours degree (2.1 or equivalent) in Sports Science, or a related scientific subject. Home UK, EU only are eligible to apply for January 2021. Full time study would be preferred, but a part time option could be accommodated. A 10% discount will be available for OBU alumni.

     

    Project Description:

     

    This project aims to examine whether exercise induced muscle damage symptoms and associated inflammation can be reduced through the inhalation of a Hydrogen-Oxygen combination known as hydroxy gas.  Oxidative stress in the cell results from the robust oxidising potential of excess reactive oxygen species (ROS). Acute oxidative stress may result from various conditions, such as vigorous exercise, inflammation, injury, etc. Since the 2007 discovery that molecular hydrogen (H2) has selective antioxidant properties, multiple studies have shown that H2 has beneficial effects in diverse animal models and human disease. Besides the strong anti-inflammatory properties, hydrogen is also known as an anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic agent, which appears to help protect against oxidative stress and cell death. However, studies in sports science and/or sports medicine context are still sparse and require investigation with more rigorous methods.

     

    The findings of this study will guide future studies on the efficacy of hydroxy gas consumption in the context of cell protection and anti-inflammation that could be used either as a recovery strategy in sports or the treatment of inflammatory related symptoms in a variety of health conditions.

     

    The project will be based at Oxford Brookes University (Headington Campus) with SEPARG - the Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity Research Group, which is linked to the Sport & Coaching Sciences team. We undertake research focusing on improving performance as well as health and other aspects of sports https://www.brookes.ac.uk/shssw/sport-and-coaching-sciences/research/sport--exercise-and-physical-activity-research-group/

     

    NB Please note that this is a self-funded research project, and the academic fees and bench fees must be paid for by the successful applicant. This project is only available to applicants eligible for Home / EU fees in January 2021.

     

    For further information on the project please e-mail: Dr John Jakeman:  jjakeman@brookes.ac.uk

     

    How to apply: Email the Research Administrator alangford@brookes.ac.uk for an application pack. Completed application forms should be returned to hlsapplications@brookes.ac.uk by the deadline.