Learning Agreement

Candidates will be expected to demonstrate:

the creation and interpretation of new knowledge, through original research or other advanced scholarship, of a quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of the discipline, and merit publication;

a systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of an academic discipline or area of professional practice;

the general ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline, and to adjust the project design in the light of unforeseen problems;

a detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry. [from FHEQ Descriptor for qualifications at Doctoral level] Learning Agreement

Approach to research:

The postgraduate and supervisor(s) will work in a partnership with the principal purpose being to enable the postgraduate to study for a PhD by carrying out research investigating the mechanisms involved with skeletal muscle post activation potentiation, how it is affected in an acute and chronic context, and the practical implications with respect to performance and training. The supervisors will provide guidance and support to enable the postgraduate to become an independent academic researcher and expert in the field.

General roles of postgraduate researcher and supervisor(s):

The postgraduate and supervisors will work within the rules and framework laid down in the University regulations. The postgraduate will endeavour to familiarise herself with the literature and issues associated with the research field, as well as the principals of good research practice. She will work conscientiously and diligently towards attainment of the qualification. In order to contribute to the academic community the postgraduate will aim to present and publish her findings at academic conference meetings and in peer-reviewed journals. The postgraduate will formulate a realistic program of research activities, which will be monitored by the supervisors through regular meetings. The postgraduate will be required to attend seminars and activities provided by the University (the identification of appropriate sessions will be done through consultation with the supervisors). The supervisors will provide guidance and constructive criticism in order to focus and challenge the postgraduate. The supervisors will provide/arrange instruction in appropriate research techniques where required. A personal tutor has been allocated to the postgraduate in order to provide assistance with any personal needs or problems.

Topic specific roles:

The main topic of research will be post activation potentiation (PAP) of human skeletal muscle. Muscle twitch force output has been seen to increase in size and rate as a result of previous activation; this is termed post activation potentiation. This phenomenon can be invoked via electrical stimulation or maximal voluntary contractions. Many previous studied which have utilised this mechanism to affect training and/or performance, have not substantiated the existence of (PAP) and to what degree it has been elicited. This work intends to systematically examine the effects of manipulating both electrical and voluntary methods on PAP, the effects of prior training/muscle activity and the possible changes/benefits in performance due to the utilisation of this mechanism. The work will; investigate how physiological variables such as tendon stiffness and muscle fibre type affect this phenomenon, explore the relationship between twitch potentiation and dynamic performance and examine the effects of potentiation on firing frequency during sustained sub maximal contractions. This work will be carried out in the first instance at whole body level, but may later be examined on single fibre preparations (see below). As the work will involve testing on humans ethical approval will be sought through the University ethics committee prior to the commencement of testing. As part of this appropriate risk assessments will be carried out. An end point in the research will be determined by successful completion of the PhD.

Research support:

Appropriate equipment e.g. (force plate, isokinetic dynamometer, electromyography kit, ultrasound system and electrical muscle stimulator) is available through the human performance laboratory in the directorate of sport. Risk assessments for the use of this equipment have already been carried out, copies of which are available from the laboratory. Learning Agreement More specialised kit for looking a single muscle fibres will be required, which will need to be obtained through collaboration with other universities (possibly through existing contacts at Kings College London KCL).

Research training:

Specific training:

Training will be given by the supervisors on the specific equipment involved with the various experiments, this will require training in the recording of various muscle signals (to include EMG analysis, H reflex, V wave), associated software, electrical muscle stimulation, and use of ultrasound to determine tendon mechanical properties. For the single muscle fibres experiments, specific training will take place when collaborative research begins.

General training:

General training will be provided by the supervisors as and when needed. This may involve use of equipment in the laboratory and the use of computer software for data analysis.

Consultation and reviews:

There will be regular (i.e. at least weekly) informal meetings between the primary supervisor and postgraduate. A formal meeting will be held monthly at which both supervisors will be present in order to discuss progress. The postgraduate will provide a progress report at the beginning of each meeting and keep a record of what has been discussed in her research journal. Additional contact will be made between the postgraduate and supervisors by telephone and email as and when necessary. Any feedback requested from the supervisors by the postgraduate will be provided, if it is deemed to be required. The postgraduate will prepare and present suitable documents for the annual review process and interim report. The supervisors will organise the examination of the final thesis and choose potential external examiners for the postgraduate. Both supervisors and the postgraduate will work towards the production of papers for relevant conferences and publication in peer reviewed journals.

Approach to collaborating organisation (if applicable):

Collaboration may take place with other universities on single fibre work. The interest of both parties will be met to ensure mutual benefit; this may be in the form of research results being published jointly.

Research Ethics Any research involving human subjects or animals must conform with the University's policy and procedures on 'Integrity and Self-Regulation in Research' [http://www.rgc.salford.ac.uk/7__Ethics.shtml]. It must be discussed with supervisors in advance, and approval obtained from the University Research Governance and Ethics Sub-Committee before any data collection or fieldwork commences.

Intellectual Property Rights Intellectual Property created by a registered student of the University is subject to the existing University regulations governing Intellectual Property Rights if created by the student when working on a project connected with his/her course of study or research or created by utilisation of University resources.

This Learning Agreement is made on (date) Learning Agreement between the above named Postgraduate Researcher and the University of Salford

Signed by the Supervisor(s) for and Signed by the Postgraduate Researcher on behalf of the University of Salford