Loughborough University is offering a fully funded PhD studentship titled “Comfort, Fit and Function: The Role of Sports Apparel and Equipment in Female Para-athlete Performance,” starting in October 2025 or January 2026. This three-year, full-time doctoral research project is based in Loughborough and seeks to address critical gaps in sports apparel and equipment design specifically tailored for female para-athletes.
Despite the importance of sports apparel and equipment for performance, female para-athletes frequently encounter challenges including limited clothing options, inadequate fit, and discomfort that negatively affect their sporting experience and performance. This research aims to identify and analyze the unique requirements of female para-athletes, employing biomechanical and mechanical principles to guide the development of apparel and equipment that enhance comfort, reduce physical strain, and support mobility during training and competition.
The PhD project is part of the Para Sport: ParaFit 2032 research cluster at Loughborough University, which fosters multidisciplinary collaboration aimed at optimizing performance and health among para-athletes.
Supervision will be led by Dr. Aimee Mears, with secondary supervision from Dr. Matthew Maley and Professor Vicky Tolfrey.
Interested applicants should apply online before the deadline of 29 May 2025. Further details regarding entry requirements, project specifics, and application processes are available on the Loughborough University website.
For additional information, visit the page: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research-degrees/phd-opportunities/comfort-fit-function/
