The use of psychological strategies in endurance performance
Supervisors: Dr Carla Meijen and Professor Sam Marcora
Description
Applications are invited for a PhD Scholarship/Graduate Teaching Assistantship examining the use of psychological strategies in endurance performance.
Only limited research has focused on the use of psychological skills strategies in endurance performance. The aim of this project is to review the psychological determinants of endurance performance and to examine the effectiveness of a psychological skills intervention on improving endurance performance.
What will the work include
Initial work will focus on a systematic literature review of the psychological determinants of endurance performance. Further studies will examine the effectiveness of various psychological strategies on performance. Using an interdisciplinary approach, we are aiming to measure both psychological and physiological responses to psychological skills interventions.
Requirements
• A good first degree (1st or 2:1) and/or Master’s degree (at Merit or Distinction) in Psychology or Sports Science, or another related discipline
• An advanced knowledge and understanding of one or more of the above disciplines
• A strong interest in sport psychology
• A strong grasp of research methods
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
Funding Details
The Centre for Sports Studies is offering one Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA). Students engaged as Graduate Teaching Assistants hold a unique position in the University; they are both registered students in receipt of a scholarship award and employees of the University.
The GTA will cover tuition fees at the Home/EU rate plus a combined maintenance grant and salary, equivalent to the maintenance grant offered by the UK Research Councils (£13,590 in 2011-12).
The GTA will be offered for one year in the first instance, renewable for a maximum of three years subject to satisfactory academic performance.
How to apply
Please apply for this PhD scholarship (GTA) via our website. Please ensure your application includes a 250-500 word plan outlining your ideas on this research topic and its title.
Applicants should also send a CV and covering letter to:
Nicola Johnson
Centre for Sports Studies
University of Kent at Medway
Medway Building
Chatham Maritime
Chatham
Kent ME4 4AG.
A hard copy of these can be sent by mail or a scanned copy can be sent to N.S.Johnson@kent.ac.uk
The deadline for applications is Friday 1 June 2012.
For further enquiries about this project please contact the Sports Studies’ office by email: sportsstudies@kent.ac.uk or telephone 01634 888858 or Dr Carla Meijen by email: C.Meijen@kent.ac.uk or telephone 01634 888816.
