What are the movement, physiological and nutritional demands on elite female rugby union players during training and competition?

An exciting opportunity has emerged to conduct a PhD working with Liverpool John Moores University, England Rugby and World Rugby. This PhD will likely commence in October 2024 and will build on the track record of LJMU in working with elite rugby.

Background

Studies focussed upon movement and physiological demands of rugby union training and competition are somewhat limited, whilst research on elite female adult players are extremely limited. As such, many of the current training and nutritional guidelines have been adapted from the men’s game rather than built from a sound scientific foundation. We therefore propose to fully investigate the movement, physiological and nutritional demands of elite female players in a 3-year PhD studentship built upon three major work packages.

Work package 1 – Quantification of the training and match load during an intensified competition period (international campaign) compared with the training and match load during training and competition of club rugby.

Work package 2 – Assessment of the hormonal effects on physiological function, and the relative contribution of each hormone in elite rugby players?

Work package 3 – Assessment of the macro and micronutrient requirements of elite rugby players during tournament situations

The successful applicant must have a passion for sport nutrition / exercise physiology, experience of leading or supporting research projects (at BSc and MSc level) and a curiosity and drive for learning. Experience working in rugby or other team sports is desirable. You will be based full-time between Liverpool John Moores University and England Rugby but you will also be expected to travel to various professional rugby clubs throughout England to conduct elements of your research and disseminate your findings.

The candidate must have a BSc and MSc (or working towards) in Sport and Exercise Sciences, Sports Nutrition, Nutrition or a related subject. Experience of supporting elite athletes is highly desirable as is graduate accreditation (or working towards) with a relevant body e.g. the UK Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register, British Association for Sport and Exercise Sciences and/or British Dietetics Association etc.

The Faculty of Science and its three Schools: Biological & Environmental Sciences, Pharmacy & Biomolecular Sciences, and Sports & Exercise Science, have dedicated Diversity and Inclusion (DI) Groups. The individual School Diversity & Inclusion Coordinators and the Faculty Associate Dean for Diversity & Inclusion lead collective action to promote and embed a culture of equality, diversity and inclusivity. All Schools are awarded the Athena SWAN Bronze in recognition of their respective equality initiatives and action plans. Also, Schools have proactive diversity and inclusion groups that are aimed to support staff and students by addressing the inclusivity requirements that are unique to each School, in alignment with the LJMU Diversity & Inclusion policies. Applicants are invited to visit the Faculty of Science https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/about-us/faculties/faculty-of-science and follow the link to each School.