A PhD scholarship in Deakin University is available to initiate and conduct research on the topic ‘Effects of electronic bikes (ebikes) on physical activity and cardiometabolic health in at-risk populations’. The proposed PhD will examine the potential of an e-bike intervention to promote physical activity and improve cardio-metabolic health in an-risk population.
Physical activity has been termed the ‘best buy in public health’. The Chief Medical Officer for England described physical activity as a ‘wonder drug’ and the most undervalued intervention to improve population health. Physical inactivity remains a global pandemic, and effective, cost-effective and equitable approaches for promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary lifestyles remain elusive. Research studies point to a number of key barriers to participation in physical activity, including lack of time, and lack of enjoyable exercise opportunities. Active transport (e.g. cycling to work) is an intervention that is ripe for health-promoting interventions, because it is a form of physical activity that can be embedded into existing daily routines without creating new time commitments.
Electronic bicycles (e-bike) may be particularly effective at reducing these barriers to active transport use, because they give users greater control over their levels of exertion and increase feelings of exercise ‘self-efficacy’, at the same time as providing a significant extension of the active transport radius (from 5km out to 15km). E-bikes may also make cycling more practical and more enjoyable for those who are currently discouraged by lack of fitness, physical restrictions such as disability, and high body weight; however the potential for promoting physical activity and improving cardio-metabolic health in an-risk population has yet to be determined.
Applications close 5pm, Wednesday 31 October 2018.
This scholarship is available over 3 years.
To be eligible you must:
For more information about this scholarship, please contact Professor Ralph Maddison or Dr Shariful Islam.
Professor Ralph Maddison
Professor in Physical Activity and Disease Prevention
Email Ralph Maddison
+61 3 924 46218
Dr Shariful Islam
Senior Research Fellow
Email Shariful Islam
+61 3 924 68393