Sports Performance, Exercise and Health
Join a vibrant community of researchers exploring sport, exercise, and physical activity—from elite performance to health-enhancing movement for all. Benefit from expert guidance, interdisciplinary collaboration, and access to the Sport and Physical Activity Research Institute (SPARI), a global leader in advancing human movement for individual and societal wellbeing. Postgraduate researchers work alongside specialists in physiology, psychology, biomechanics, and sociocultural studies, gaining valuable experience and professional growth.
Applying for a Research Degree
UWS research strengths include:
- Exercise physiology
- Sport coaching
- Biomechanics
- Psychology of sport and exercise
- Sociocultural perspectives
- Sports performance
Interdisciplinary research topics include:
- Women’s health in sport and activity
- Lifestyle interventions for wellbeing
- Mobile health (mHealth) technologies
Current Research Themes & Areas of Expertise
VIEW OUR STAFF’S RESEARCH INTERESTS HERE
Research conducted under sports performance, exercise and health can be in any area of our expertise including:
Sport Performance and Applied Practice
Research aimed at improving athlete health, fitness, and sports performance.
Representative areas include:
- Approaches to improving sport performance
- Use of technology and innovation in sport
- Understanding behaviour, decision-making, and transitions
- Athlete development and preparation strategies
Physical Activity, Health, and Well-being
Research aimed at how movement, exercise, and sport can promote physical and mental health at all ages, with attention to individual needs, population health, and inclusive practices.
Representative research areas:
- Promoting health and well-being through movement
- Exploring lived experiences in physical activity
- Inclusive and equitable approaches across populations
- Mental health, identity, and cultural aspects of sport
United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Our research activities in sports performance, exercise and health directly map to the following UN SDGs.
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
In the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024, UWS was officially recognised in the top 400 universities worldwide as assessed against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UWS was recognised as the 2nd most impactful university in Scotland, and 16th globally, for 'reducing inequalities' (UN SDG 10).
Recent research publications from current and former PhD students include:
Donnelly, J., Valentin, S., Easton, C., White, A., & Forrest (Née Whyte), L. J. (2025). Perceptions and experiences of the menstrual cycle amongst elite adult and adolescent football players. Science and Medicine in Football, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/24733938.2025.2476485
McGuigan, M., Dello Iacono, A., McRobert, A., Cowan, D., & Unnithan, V. B. (2024). Early player transition in elite youth and first team soccer: The predictive role of sprint distance and high-intensity acceleration and deceleration attributes. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 20(2), 639-649. https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541241303707
Simpson, A., Pilotto, A. M., Brocca, L., Mazzolari, R., Rosier, B. T., Carda-Diéguez, M., Casas-Agustench, P., Bescos, R., Porcelli, S., Mira, A., Easton, C., Henriquez, F. L., & Burleigh, M. (2025). Eight weeks of high-intensity interval training alters the tongue microbiome and impacts nitrate and nitrite levels in previously sedentary men. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 231, 11–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2025.02.006
Entry Requirements
MRes / MPhil / MPhil-PhD
The minimum requirements for an applicant for registration for the degree of MRes or MPhil or for the degree of MRes/MPhil with the intention of transfer to PhD shall be a first or second class honours degree of a university in the United Kingdom, or of an equivalent qualification.
Applicants holding qualifications other than those specified in (above) shall be considered on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the programme of work proposed.
PhD - direct application
Direct registration for the degree of PhD may also be approved, at the discretion of the University if the applicant holds an MRes/MPhil degree of a United Kingdom University, or an MRes/MPhil degree of equivalent standard of a non-UK University, provided that the MRes/MPhil degree is in a subject area which is appropriate to the proposed programme of work.
Exceptionally, direct registration for the degree of PhD may also be approved, at the discretion of the University, even if the applicant is not the holder of an MRes/MPhil degree, but does hold an exceptionally high-quality honours degree or taught master’s degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline, AND has appropriate research experience at postgraduate level which has resulted in significant peer-reviewed publications, and where verifiable evidence of accomplishment is supplied.
English Language Requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The qualifications below must have been gained within two years of the start of your course.
General English language requirements at UWS: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)
For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:
- Overall score of 6.5
- No sub-test less than 6.0
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
SPORTS PERFORMANCE, EXERCISE AND HEALTH – PHD
Qualification: Doctor of Philosophy degree
School: School of Health and Life Sciences
Campus(es): Ayr, Dumfries, Lanarkshire and Dumfries
Start date: October, February, April, or June
Admissions Deadline: September, January, March, or May
Duration: Minimum of 36 months full-time or 72 months part-time
Fees: Tuition Fees for Research Degrees
HOW TO APPLY
Applying for postgraduate research study at UWS has never been simpler. Click the link below to find more information about:
- Postgraduate Research step-by-step guide – everything you need to know to submit a successful application
- Link to our online application system
CONTACT DETAILS
Please direct general enquiries to healthandlifesciences@uws.ac.uk
Last updated: 12/06/2025
Search Research System
PURE is the University's research information management system and provides a single source of research information for UWS. It is used to record and manage research activity with details of research outputs, funding applications, conference contributions, external impact and staff profiles.