Obesity and Risk of Overheating during Physical Activity in the Heat

Summary

This project provides a post-graduate research opportunity to work on a project assessing the independent role of body fat on thermoregulatory capacity. 

Supervisor(s)

Associate Professor Ollie Jay, Associate Professor Corinne Caillaud

Research Location

Exercise, Health and Performance Research Group

Program Type

Masters/PHD

Synopsis

A post-graduate student (PhD or Masters) is sought to work on a project that will examine potential impairments in thermoregulatory control on obese individuals and the subsequent risk of developing heat-related health problems during physical activity in the heat. This ultimate aim of this work is to develop potential interventions that simultaneously encourage physical activity in a sedentary population while minimizing the risk of overheating. This work will potentially form part of a larger project re-evaluating public health guidance issued during hot weather. The project will be conducted in association with collaborators at the University of Sydney, and possibly the United States and/or Canada. The candidate's research will involve laboratory-based data collection using simulated thermal environments in the state-of-the-art climatic chamber situated at Cumberland campus.

Additional Information

This opportunity is open for application to highly motivated students looking to complete a post-graduate degree, with an interest and passion for exercise physiology. Professional conduct, personal organization, communication, written skill, a good basic knowledge of physiology and punctuality will be important.
Funding in the form of a scholarship may be available.

The successful applicant(s) will be based both at The Cumberland Campus under the supervision of Dr. Ollie Jay and A/Prof. Corinne Caillaud.

Keywords

thermoregulation, heat stress, sweating, hydration, adiposity, physical activity

Opportunity ID

The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is: 1906

Other opportunities with Associate Professor Ollie Jay

• Reducing the Risk of Heat-related Morbidity and Mortality during Extreme Heat Events
• Human heat acclimation for sporting events in different environments
• Body temperature regulation during pregnancy
• Are children at an elevated risk of overheating during exercise in the summer?
• Heat wave survival strategies for the elderly
• Preventing Heat Exhaustion in Professional Tennis (able-bodied and wheelchair)
• Cooling interventions for Multiple Sclerosis Patients in the Heat

Other opportunities with Associate Professor Corinne Caillaud

• Passenger health, well-being and performance after long-haul flight: Influence of physical fitness
• I-engage: A multicomponent intervention using human-centred technology to enhance knowledge and skills in self-monitoring physical activity and food choices in adolescents