BURA Collection:

Assessing the effects of local hyperthermia on muscle function in younger and older adults

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Assessing the effects of local hyperthermia on muscle function in younger and older adults Authors: Denny, Desmond Charles Anthony Abstract: A preparatory process aimed at optimising skeletal muscle function prior to maximal muscular contraction is fundamental and commonly observed during physical exercise. Additionally, certain populations may benefit from such preparation before engaging in activities of daily living. A key strategy used to achieve optimal skeletal muscle function is to increase tissue temperature above resting baseline. Skeletal muscle tissue temperature is usually increased prior to exercise requiring high force or high velocity production through an active warm up, consisting of moderate intensity exercise and dynamic contractions. For some populations, for example those with limited physical capacity such as the frail and elderly, an active warm up is not always possible. Increasing muscle temperature passively before exercise is an emerging field that may be an appropriate strategy to prepare those populations for dynamic contractions that are otherwise limiting factors in daily life. The central aim of this thesis was to investigate the effects of localised passive heating during maximal knee extensor exercise to determine the efficacy of passive heating as an ergogenic aid in younger and older adults. The first experimental study (Chapter 4) investigated the effects of heating across a variety of dynamic contractile speeds and aimed to quantify the inter and intraday reliability of isokinetic and isotonic force measurements in younger healthy adults. The reliability across all isokinetic contractile speeds were measured to be “excellent” in the heated limb (>.9 ICC and Cronbach’s alpha) and displayed low variance (<10% Coefficient of variation). In response to the heating intervention, skeletal muscle temperature was increased to levels associated with active warm ups. Heating increased peak torque by 8% during moderate and by 10 % during fast contractions from 30 min onwards relative to the unchanged control leg. Rate of force production at 50ms and early force production was increased during the slow contraction by 14% and 15% respectively from 30 min in the heated leg whilst the control leg was unchanged. Within the second experimental study (Chapter 5) the findings of chapter 4 were expanded upon and included healthy older adults within a comparable testing protocol. It is shown when comparing passive thigh heating responses between younger and older adults it was revealed that the increases in peak force that were observed in younger adults did not increase significantly in older adults. Older adults did however report increases in early force production that were even more pronounced when compared against improvements in younger adults. Both Chapters 4 and 5 report decreases in perceived exertion and improved perceptions in readiness for exercise in response to the passive thigh heating intervention, but the older adults also rated this effect to be more pronounced. The final experimental study (Chapter 6) sought to further investigate how passive thigh heating may improve muscle function beyond maximal force production considerations by investigating the effect upon fatigue resistance during a maximal effort 30 moderate speed isokinetic knee extension task. Whilst peak torque was increased, reproducing the outcomes of chapter 4 and 5, the heating intervention appeared to have no effect on any fatigue related measure with no change in total work, average torque or peak EMG amplitude. This thesis therefore identifies that localised passive heating has the potential to be an effective ergogenic aid, especially for younger adults, by improving muscle function during maximal contractions. The studies reveal that thigh heating increases peak isokinetic force during moderate and fast contractions and enhances early force production and rate of force development in both younger and older adults during slow contractions. These effects are likely due to direct changes in muscle contractile properties in response to localised increases in tissue temperature, not systemic physiological factors. While older adults did not improve peak force, they did show better early force production, indicating passive heating may enhance neuromuscular function with age and facilitate the completion of tasks of daily living that are modulated more by power than absolute strength. Additionally, participants reported feeling more ready to exercise and experienced less perceived exertion, suggesting passive heating could encourage physical activity, particularly among those reluctant to exercise due to discomfort. Description: This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London

Volenti non fit injuria: Women in boxing and the negotiation of identity and gender

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Volenti non fit injuria: Women in boxing and the negotiation of identity and gender Authors: de Vos, Elaine Abstract: This thesis brings together works produced over a period of six years. It is a qualitative study of women’s boxing in England, centred on the ethnographic study of two mixed-gender boxing gyms in the Midlands region. The original plan for data collection involved 18 months of continuous ethnographic fieldwork, however the unprecedented context of the Covid-19 pandemic opened up new methodological possibilities. 28 online interviews were conducted during lockdown, and a new creative elicitation method was developed using the boxers kit bag and the kit contained as an elicitation tool. Data from the limited observations, online interviews, and subsequent kit bag encounters form the basis of this thesis. The material was analysed using thematic analysis, with methods and findings represented across three papers. The first paper introduces a novel elicitation method which used the contents of boxers’ kit bags to explore embodied practice with female boxers. While data vignettes are included to demonstrate usefulness of this method, the paper primarily highlights how immersive sensory encounters with activity-specific objects can reveal how material items foster belonging and support narrations of transition in and out of character. The second paper is an empirical study examining intersections of material culture and gendered identity in women’s boxing. Focusing on clothing and equipment, it demonstrates how these shape contested feminine identities, influence inclusion, and mediate experiences of resistance and belonging in the gym. The third paper employs a Lefebvrian framework to analyse women’s spatial experiences in boxing. Findings suggest that women’s inclusion is often more symbolic than substantive. Collectively, the thesis makes novel methodological and theoretical contributions to the sociology of sport and beyond. It demonstrates how in many ways, women remain minority interlopers within the culture of boxing, their presence tolerated yet continually negotiated within a landscape still shaped by masculine traditions, hierarchies, and expectations that govern belonging and legitimacy. Description: This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London

Unchartered togetherness: Understanding policy reality as experienced by adults with cerebral palsy

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Unchartered togetherness: Understanding policy reality as experienced by adults with cerebral palsy Authors: Cook, Gemma Abstract: Adults with Cerebral Palsy (CP) are obligated to navigate complex policy environments to participate in society on an equal basis to others. Although some research has considered the lived experience of navigating complex single-sector policy environments, such as healthcare, the overall multi-sector policy experience has not been explored. This study aimed to fill this gap, through combining arts-based research and lifeworld-research, and to critique the value of what evolved to be a unique research approach. The study comprised two groups of participants: the ‘co-creators’, three adults with CP and CP community leaders; and the ‘audience’, fifteen adults with CP and / or policy stakeholders. Data collection started with co-creator creative-workshops that resulted in a spoken-word performance, a wall-mural and a poetry-film. Audience involvement followed with an artwork screening, a question-and-answer session with the co-creators, and mini-interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the datasets. The findings inferred that policy had a direct and dramatic impact on the personhood of adults with CP. The co-creator’s policy experiences meant wayfaring through multiple barriers and confusing contradictions in the face of tenacious stigma which required relentless renegotiation of identity. Understanding policy experience proved temporal and involved returning to childhood memories to make sense of adulthood. A strange belonging was felt alongside pride and positivity and sense of purpose to effect progressive change. The audience deepened meaning by identifying and further unpacking concepts around the discordant nature of policy environments, revealed to be multicentric, lacking in leadership, with a suggestion that unintended policy outcomes may be going unseen. Combining arts-based and lifeworld research enabled heuristic learning and knowledge transfer. Framing these with critical realism and human rights definitions, facilitated a systematised investigation into an ambiguous topic, resulting in a contextual kaleidoscope of multiple perspectives and layered meaning that proved suited to researching social worlds. Description: This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University

Development and feasibility evaluation of a sedentary behaviour intervention in individuals with paraplegia

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Development and feasibility evaluation of a sedentary behaviour intervention in individuals with paraplegia Authors: Cooper, Daniel Lee Abstract: Background: Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI), such as paraplegia, are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than non-disabled individuals. Furthermore, these individuals have high levels of sedentary behaviour, which is an independent risk factor for CVD. Reducing and breaking up sedentary behaviour could be a potential intervention focus for individuals with paraplegia. Currently, evidence around the effectiveness of sedentary behaviour interventions in individuals with paraplegia is unclear. Sedentary behaviour interventions have been shown to be effective in non-disabled individuals. However, due to the unique needs of manual wheelchair-users with paraplegia, it is unlikely that interventions designed for non-disabled individuals would be acceptable or effective for this population. Therefore, tailored sedentary behaviour interventions should be developed for individuals with paraplegia. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used throughout this thesis. The initial ‘Development’ phase of the Medical Research Council (MRC) framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions was undertaken via a systematic review to explore the effects of interventions on sedentary behaviour and CVD biomarkers in individuals with paraplegia (Chapter 4), and development of a sedentary behaviour intervention using the Behaviour Change Wheel (Chapter 5). Subsequently, the ‘Feasibility’ phase of the MRC framework was undertaken via a feasibility study to evaluate the acceptability, safety, feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the intervention in individuals with paraplegia (Chapter 6). Results: The systematic review found that interventions specifically targeting sedentary behaviour show promise for improving this outcome and CVD biomarkers. The co-design study identified 29 barriers and facilitators to reducing and breaking up sedentary behaviour, which were then selectively targeted by specific intervention components: a wearable activity tracker, educational booklet, goal setting, motivational support, peer support and activity tools. Evaluation of this intervention found that it was acceptable, safe and feasible. In addition, the intervention showed preliminary efficacy for improving sedentary behaviour, physical activity, some CVD biomarkers and psychosocial health outcomes. Conclusion: This research contributes a novel co-designed, theory-driven sedentary behaviour intervention in individuals with paraplegia. The intervention was acceptable, safe and feasible to deliver, which can inform progression to a future definitive randomised controlled trial. If found to be effective, this research could inform future healthcare policy and public health guidelines in individuals with paraplegia, with a focus on reducing and breaking up sedentary behaviour to improve CVD biomarkers. Description: This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University London