PhD Studentship: Refining Methods of Assessing and Developing Force Production Characteristics of the Lower Limbs using Portable Force Assessment Technologies

University of Salford

Qualification Type: PhD

Location: Salford

Funding amount: £20,780

Hours: Full Time

Placed On: 7th October 2025

Closes: 31st October 2025

Studentship partners: University of Salford & The Academic Department of Military Rehabilitation

Supervisors: Academic: Prof Paul Comfort (lead), Dr Christopher Bramah, Dr Nicholas Ripley; Industrial: Dr Peter Ladlow

Funding package: Full tuition fee waiver; Stipend of £20,780 per annum (3.5 years); All bench fees and consumables covered

Key dates: Application deadline: 31 October 2025, 17:00; Interviews: 19 November 2025, University of Salford; Registration: January 2026

Project Description

This PhD complements two ongoing projects funded by the Academic Department of Military Rehabilitation and the University of Salford, focusing on technology-informed rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries in military personnel.

Force plates are widely used for multi-joint assessments, with standardized methods such as the isometric mid-thigh pull and countermovement jump. However, standardized single-joint assessment protocols are lacking, and no direct comparisons of different methods have been made to establish validity, reliability, or the influence of joint angles and cueing on force-time data.

Currently, return-to-sport or duty criteria often emphasize peak force measures. Yet many injuries occur in contexts requiring rapid as well as maximal force production, making assessment of rate of force development critical. This research will address this gap by refining assessment protocols and applying findings to rehabilitation, potentially via randomized controlled trials.

The project will: Establish robust testing protocols for the plantar flexors, knee flexors and extensors, and hip extensors; Explore associations between single-joint force-time characteristics and established late-stage rehabilitation (LSR) or military fitness tests, identifying potential redundancies; Conduct an intervention study comparing adaptations to different exercise stimuli, targeting both maximal and rapid force production.

Outcomes will inform rehabilitation practices at the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC) and across UK military regiments, embedding new knowledge into the practice of exercise rehabilitation instructors and physiotherapists.

Aims & Objectives

Identify the most appropriate methods for assessing maximal and rapid force production of key lower-limb muscle groups; Examine associations between single-joint assessments and tests used in the Soldier Conditioning Review, Role Fitness Test, and military LSR; Compare training methodologies in healthy individuals to determine the most effective approach for enhancing force production, with direct implications for rehabilitation.

Candidate Requirements

Essential: Bachelor’s degree (minimum 2:1) in physiotherapy, sports science, or related field; Full UK driving licence as you will be required to travel to various different sites throughout the studentship on a regular basis.

Desirable: MSc in relevant field; Experience with force plates and/or strain gauges; Experience in systematic reviews, empirical research, and use of statistical analysis software; Accredited certification in sports science and/or strength and conditioning.

Funding Eligibility

Available only to students with UK settled status, as per EPSRC eligibility rules (see: UKRI EPSRC guidance); Applicants must be UK nationals able to meet security requirements for access to military establishments.

Application Process

Applicants should submit: CV; Supporting statement of interest; A 5-page research proposal (introduction, concise literature review, proposed studies, excluding references). Submission: Email to m.watts@salford.ac.uk. Enquiries: Contact Prof Paul Comfort at P.Comfort@salford.ac.uk. Note: The successful candidate will also need to complete the University of Salford’s formal research application process: Applying for research studies.