Lead researcher: James Gavin
Faculty: Faculty of Management
Cluster, centre, institute: Centre for Event and Sport Research, Bournemouth University (BU)
URA position title: Neuromuscular Physiology Research Assistantship: Can electrostimulation for
deep-vein thrombosis improve neuromuscular function in the healthy?
Relevant disciplines: BSc (Hons) Clinical Exercise Science; BSc (Hons) Nutrition; BSc (Hons)
Physiotherapy; BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy; BSc (Hons) Sports Psychology and Coaching
Sciences; BSc (Hons) Sport Development & Coaching Sciences
Description of the position: The purpose of this preliminary study is to investigate the effects of a
novel electrostimulation device (GekoTM) on lower-leg neuromuscular function in healthy
individuals, and to identify whether leg position influences electrostimulation.
Orthopaedic surgery increases deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) risk, due to bed-rest immobilisation
reducing blood circulation. Existing counter-measures (i.e., compression stockings, mechanised
pumps) are limited by bulk and discomfort, yet non-invasive electrostimulation can improve lowerleg circulation (Tucker et al. 2010). However, the impact of electrostimulation on neuromuscular
function and proprioception remains unclear.
Healthy volunteers (male and female, 18-60 years) will be recruited from Bournemouth to undergo
two, separate 90 min laboratory testing sessions. Visit one will involve participant consent and
experimental familiarisation; visit two will involve muscle activity measurement during 60 min of
Geko electrostimulation. Lower-leg strength, muscle activity and proprioception will be assessed
before, and immediately after electrostimulation.
The student will assist the principal investigator (PI) in all phases of the study, including: planning,
recruitment, data collection and analysis, and dissemination. Total data collection will involve ~50
hours, during which the assistant will work cooperatively with the PI to record data and monitor
participants. The large data-sets collected will present excellent opportunities for contribution to
conference presentations and publications.
Explain how this position will enhance and enrich the student's undergraduate experience and
how it relates to the relevant courses/disciplines and/or future career of the student: Patients
undergoing major orthopaedic surgery run high risk of muscle inactivity, and therefore DVT. Noninvasive electrostimulation can improve limb circulation, but how it influences neuromuscular
function is unclear. This study in healthy individuals i) relates to numerous health-related courses at
BU, ii) is student-centred, offering responsibility (i.e., participant scheduling) and hands-on
experience (i.e., dynamometry calibration), and iii) is expected to progress on to a larger, primary
project in orthopaedic patients.
Transferable skills (including client-care, maintaining records, using specialist software) will be
gained in all project phases, alongside technical skill training in: anthropometry (the PI is ISAK
Accredited in skin-fold measurement), electromyography (EMG), isokinetic dynamometry and
electrostimulation use. The student will benefit from receiving regular cross-faculty support from an
early-career (PI; Faculty of Management) and a senior (Co-investigator; Faculty of Health and Social
Sciences) researcher; providing insight into the practices and processes of two departments.
Alongside day-to-day laboratory testing and project management, invaluable opportunity will arise
for external engagement and dissemination, as the study is supported by the Geko manufacturer
(Firstkind Ltd). The student will be invited to communicate the study findings via: the Festival of
Learning (2016), a conference presentation, technical report and/or journal publication
(International Journal of Sports Medicine).
How will the position be supervised and mentored: As my first large-scale study at BU I will be very
involved in all aspects of the research. As an experienced Co-investigator will be involved in project
planning and management, they will also help in mentoring the assistant on a weekly basis. I will
train the assistant on how to use specialist equipment (see above) to i) acquire, and ii) analyse
neuromuscular data in the laboratory. For quality assurance it will be important for the student to
learn about reliability, accuracy and data entry methods above those taught at undergraduate level.
Having recently completed a PhD and a research position, I am in a novel position to provide the
student with in-depth technical supervision, laboratory good-practice and awareness of current
research and employment opportunities. The assistant will also benefit from receiving cross-faculty
mentorship, particularly invitation to research cluster meetings, workshops (i.e., NHS Ethics) and
training events across two, research-active faculties.
Upon completion of the project, the student will be encouraged to submit an abstract to the BU
SURE Annual Conference (March 2016). Future opportunity may also arise in the primary, clinical
project examining: the impact of electrostimulation on lower-leg neuromuscular function in patients
recovering from orthopaedic surgery.
List of duties and responsibilities of the position: The undergraduate student will assist in all phases
of this study, from refining the research design to communicating the findings. Laboratory testing
responsibilities are likely to include: pilot testing, equipment preparation (e.g., assisting to secure
the electrostimulation device), participant monitoring (including providing verbal instruction), and
collecting and saving data (Cybex isokinetic dynamometry for neuromuscular strength, EMG for
neuromuscular activity and a balance test for proprioception [sensory awareness]).
After initial training, they may also take anthropometric measurements (height, weight and skin-fold
measures) from participants. They will perform quality assurance checks on all experimental
equipment used (i.e., calibration, accuracy and reliability). Other duties may include: maintaining
records (Informed Consent, Pre-test Medical Questionnaire), personal time-management, data entry
using advanced software (i.e., Microsoft Excel, SPSS Statistics and Matlab) and participant debriefing.
After the project the student will be encouraged to submit an abstract to the SURE Conference
(March 2016) or the Festival of Learning (July 2016). For these events they will be educated in
outreach and public engagement, as well Muscle Physiology and Exercise Medicine.
List the position qualifications including any special requirements (be specific): 1. Final year
undergraduate student 2. Enthusiasm for research in Exercise and Applied Health Sciences 3.
Quantitative research experience 4. A proactive and independent work ethic 5. Capable of working
flexibly i) to fulfil varying duties, and ii) with different individuals 6. Able to commit to a 6 week, fulltime research position (from June 2015 onwards)