https://www.muskle.eu/recruitment/
State of the Art
Evidence indicates a decline in healthy behaviours among university students, characterised by increased sedentary time and reduced physical activity, with adverse consequences for physical and mental health. Early-career researchers often report irregular routines and limited institutional support, which contributes to physical deconditioning. Although peers and supervisors may influence health habits through role-modelling, this area remains poorly documented. No study has yet quantified physical deconditioning across the doctoral curriculum or identified the barriers, facilitators, and sociocultural factors shaping doctoral students’ health behaviours.
Hypotheses
Physical deconditioning increases throughout the PhD due to workload and unhealthy behaviours (elevated sedentary time, low activity).
Peers’ and supervisors’ attitudes and role-modelling influence doctoral students’ work-life balance and engagement in health behaviours.
A participatory, co-constructed health-promotion program can improve healthy behaviour and limit deconditioning.
Originality
The project will constitute the first national-scale assessment of physical deconditioning among doctoral students. It will integrate quantitative, qualitative, and objective measures of physical activity and conditioning. It will also examine, for the first time, the influence of peers and supervisors on doctoral students’ health behaviours and will co-develop an intervention adapted to doctoral training.
Methodology and Work Plan
National Survey: Large-scale quantitative assessment of physical activity, sedentary time, and perceived physical condition among doctoral students.
Qualitative Study: Semi-structured interviews and focus groups to identify barriers and facilitators of healthy behaviours, with specific attention to peer and supervisor role-modelling.
Objective Characterization: Cross-sectional comparison between early-stage and late-stage doctoral students, using measures such as activity monitoring,
questionnaires, and fitness tests.
Co-construction of a Health-Support Program: Participatory workshops with doctoral students from the MuSkle project, involving peers and supervisors to develop an intervention promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviour.
Required degree
Master’s degree or equivalent in public health, health psychology, or sport sciences.
Skills/Experience
Previous experience in the analysis of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and/or physical condition—using either objective methods or subjective methods
(questionnaires, qualitative data)—will be an asset for the application. As the doctoral student will need to be in close contact with participants, a good working
level of French is required.
Oral and written skills must meet the standards of academic English used in international research.
Supervisors
Marc Lilot - marc.lilot@chu-lyon.fr
Sophie Schlatter - sophie.schlatter@univ-lyon1.fr
