Musculoskeletal Analysis of Activities for Healthy Ageing in the Knee.

PGR-P-500

Key facts

Type of research degree: PhD
Application deadline: Ongoing deadline
Project start date: Wednesday 1 October 2025
Country eligibility: International (open to all nationalities, including the UK)
Funding: Non-funded
Supervisors: Professor Todd Stewart
Schools: School of Mechanical Engineering

<h2 class="heading hide-accessible">Summary</h2>

Broadening participation in sport and increasing activity with ageing is a challenge as the range of motion of our joints and power output reduces, often along with an increase in BMI. With weight gain/age, certain activities may lead to joint pain and a reduction in activity level, joint degradation and greater risk of other illnesses such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Detailed biomechanical motion analysis from the Faculty of Biological Sciences will be combined with expertise in tribological performance analysis from the Faculty of Engineering, to allow full analysis of the individual during a selection of activities. Through biomechanical motion analysis (Leeds University) of age matched volunteers and musculoskeletal experts (Medicine, NHS) the research will investigate how an activity may be optimized for healthy ageing through modifications in biomechanics that may lead to reductions in adverse movements and loads that may damage joints. Specifically the influence of biomechanics on surface shear stresses are of interest as these directly influence the degradation of the joint surfaces. The challenge is to determine to what extent ageing influences the way we complete an activity to prevent potential harm to the articulating surfaces. Current activities being analyzed presently for the hip include gardening, ascending/descending stairs, golf and walking on slopes. Hence, there is scope to repeat this analysis for the knee, however, this is a much more biomechanically challenging joint. Data collected will also be used to study how joint loads and motions change with ageing to aid in research towards novel cartilage tissue engineering joint therapies.

<h2 class="heading hide-accessible">Full description</h2>

‘Discovery Medicine across the Lifecourse’ is a national research priority area of the BBSCR that is focused on understanding how the ageing process influences musculoskeletal function. The overall goal is to improve the maintenance of health through better understanding; encouraging activity, through research, leads to prolonged independent living. Joint replacement has been an extremely successful example of a procedure that prolongs activity of the 70+ age group with severe joint disease, allowing people to restore an active lifestyle. This does, however, generally prohibit some activities that are perceived to have negative effects on prostheses durability due to the restricted range of motion most implants provide. For those whom are younger or whom have less severe conditions, or in future to replace/prevent the need for joint replacement, cartilage tissue engineering has been proposed as a potential solution to this problem, restoring a more normal joint structure that allows an active lifestyle including sport. However, pre-clinical testing of these devices is in its infancy. Additionally there are very few biomechanical studies of activities as a function of age/ability for which to develop mechanical conditions that could be used to facilitate simulation of cartilage substitution therapies for the population they are intended for. Thus the healthy ageing aspect of this project has a focus towards the analysis of activity with ageing to understand age related changes to biomechanics and to develop mechanical inputs for pre-clinical testing of novel tissue engineered therapies aimed at active persons. Research Hypothesis: Analysis of musculoskeletal function during a specific activity can be used to determine whether the activity may be harmful for the healthy ageing of the individuals’ knee joints. The biomechanics/movement laboratories in the Faculty of Biological Sciences (Straus) and experience in assessment of the tribological performance of implant bearing materials from Mechanical Engineering (Stewart) offer the ideal environment to study the knee motion during activities and to subsequently understand the risks and benefits for individuals as they age. If you are interested in studying the influence of activity on the biomechanics of knee joints as you age please contact Todd Stewart T.D.Stewart@leeds.ac.uk.The aim of this research is to analyse the shear and joint reaction forces taking place between the surfaces of the knee under varying activities and to use these results as a means to recommend activities that may be more suited to preventing knee degradation as people age. Objectives: • Background research: Barriers and benefits to exercise in ageing populations, movement analysis, biomechanics. • Literature Survey of popular activities to focus biomechanics analysis. • Ethical review / recruitment • Experimental Validation of methodologies used using a mechanical surrogate/ desktop model / matlab model. • Visual 3D, Optical motion tracking training • Development of a Virtual knee joint motion path model within Visual 3D. • Biomechanics/ motion tracking analysis of age matched volunteers using FBS gait lab. • Anybody Multibody dynamics training • Joint reaction force analysis using Anybody multibody dynamics of movement and force plate data. • Outcomes - age related changes in biomechanics analysis of data from motion and force. • Reporting/Publications (minimum 2 papers) – Biomechanics (Motions of knee vs activity/age, Forces in knee vs activity/age), Implications to reduce shear on bearing surfaces. In the University research would take place in Mechanical Engineering and Sports Sciences where there are state of the art research facilities for mechanics/instrumentation/ simulation and gait analysis respectively. Clinical research support will be provided via the Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Center based at Chapel Allerton Hospital, a dedicated Musculoskeletal center of excellence in the NHS. Support will come from the Leeds Biomedical Research Center <a href="http://leedsbrc.nihr.ac.uk/">http://leedsbrc.nihr.ac.uk/</a> and from the Faculty of Biological Sciences. The earliest start date for this project is 1 October 2020.

<h2 class="heading">How to apply</h2>

Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website</a>. Please state clearly in the Planned Course of Study that you are applying for PHD Mechanical Engineering FT, in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is Musculoskeletal Analysis of Activities for Healthy Ageing in the Knee as well as <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/staff/165/dr-todd-stewart">Dr. Todd D Stewart</a> as your proposed supervisor and in the finance section, please state clearly the funding that you are applying for, if you are self-funding or externally sponsored. If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below). As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability. Applications will be considered on an ongoing basis. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the supervisors for an informal discussion before making a formal application. We also advise that you apply at the earliest opportunity as the application and selection process may close early, should we receive a sufficient number of applications or that a suitable candidate is appointed. Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application by the closing date of Monday 6 January 2025 if applying for the China Scholarship Council-University of Leeds Scholarship, Monday 3 February 2025 if applying for Leeds Doctoral Scholarship or Tuesday 1 April 2025 for Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarship. If you are applying with external sponsorship or you are funding your own study, please ensure you provide your supporting documents at the point you submit your application: <ul> <li>Full Transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date</li> <li>Personal Statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> </ul>

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">Entry requirements</h2>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

<h2 class="heading heading--sm">English language requirements</h2>

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<h2 class="heading">Funding on offer</h2>

Self-Funded or externally sponsored students are welcome to apply. UK – The <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/138-leeds-doctoral-scholarship-2025-faculty-of-engineering-and-physical-sciences#:~:text=Key%20facts&text=One%20Leeds%20Doctoral%20Scholarship%20is,rata%20for%20part%2Dtime%20study.">Leeds Doctoral Scholarship</a> (closing date: Monday 3 February 2025) and <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/234-leeds-opportunity-research-scholarship-2022">Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarship</a> (closing date: Tuesday 1 April 2025) are available to UK applicants. <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/60-alumni-bursary">Alumni Bursary</a> is available to graduates of the University of Leeds. Non-UK – The <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/48-china-scholarship-council-university-of-leeds-scholarships-2021">China Scholarship Council - University of Leeds Scholarship</a> is available to nationals of China (closing date: Monday 6 January 2025). The <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/73-leeds-marshall-scholarship">Leeds Marshall Scholarship</a> is available to support US citizens. <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/60-alumni-bursary">Alumni Bursary</a> is available to graduates of the University of Leeds. Important: Please note that that the award does not cover the costs associated with moving to the UK. All such costs (<a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/international-visas-immigration/doc/applying-student-visa">visa, Immigration Health Surcharge</a>, flights etc) would have to be met by yourself, or you will need to find an alternative funding source. Please refer to the <a href="https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/">UKCISA</a> website for information regarding Fee Status for Non-UK Nationals.

<h2 class="heading">Contact details</h2>

For further information about your application, please contact PGR Admissions by email to <a href="mailto:phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk">phd@engineering.leeds.ac.u</a><a href="mailto:phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk ">k </a> For further information about this project, please contact Dr. Todd D Stewart by email to <a href="mailto:T.D.Stewart@leeds.ac.uk">T.D.Stewart@leeds.ac.uk</a>.

<h3 class="heading heading--sm">Linked research areas</h3>