Advancing the science and guidelines on physical activity and health for disabled people (MILTONK_U26FMH)
Key Details
- Application Deadline
- 31 March 2026 (midnight UK time)
- Location
- UEA
- Funding type
- Competition funded project (Home applicants only)
- Start date
- 1 October 2026
- Mode of study
- Full-time
- Programme type
- PhD
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Project description
Primary supervisor - Dr Karen Milton
Disabled people, who represent 16% of the global population, are twice as likely as non-disabled people to be physically inactive, placing them at increased risk of ill-health and exacerbating health inequalities. National governments and public health agencies have begun to release physical activity guidelines for disabled people. However, existing evidence on the health effects of physical activity for disabled people is limited, meaning scientists often rely on the extrapolation of evidence from other (non-disabled) population groups to inform such guidelines. In addition, the approach taken to develop physical activity guidelines for disabled people has been highly variable in terms of the process, the types of disabilities included in the evidence reviews, and the types and strength of evidence considered sufficient to inform guidelines.
The PhD will include a mix of research methods. First and foremost, it will involve quantitative analysis of a large epidemiological dataset to explore prevalence and patterns in physical activity, as well as the association between physical activity and health outcomes in disabled people. This will be complemented by other study types such as a review and/or Delphi study. Appropriate training will be provided depending on the needs and interests of the successful candidate.
The PhD will be supervised by Dr Karen Milton and Dr Andrew Atkin, who are leading physical activity and health researchers at UEA. They have collaborated on many research projects on physical activity and sedentary behaviour, spanning prevalence, determinants, measurement and surveillance, and health outcomes, particularly in the disabled population.
The studentship is open to applicants with first degrees or Masters in social, health or sport sciences. Preference will be given to applicants who are qualified to Masters level.
To discuss this opportunity, contact Dr Karen Milton at k.milton@uea.ac.uk
Entry requirements
The minimum entry requirement is 2:1. The studentship is open to applicants with first degrees or Masters in the social, health or sport sciences. Preference will be given to applicants who are qualified to Master’s level.
Funding
This project is fully funded for 3 years. Funding includes tuition fees, an annual tax-free maintenance allowance and a research training support budget.
References
i)
Carty C, van der Ploeg HP, Biddle SJH, Bull F, Willumsen J, Lee L, Kamenov K, Milton K. The first global physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines for people living with disability. Journal of Physical Activity and Health. 2021;18:86-93. DOI:10.1123/jpah.2020-0629.
ii)
Carr S, Atkin AJ, Jones AP, Milton K. The association of chronic conditions and disability with self-reported physical activity in adults. Preventive Medicine. 2023;177:107754. DOI:10.1016/j.ypmed.2023.107754.
iii)
Carr S, Atkin AJ, Milton K. Physical activity type and duration in disabled and non-disabled adults. Disability and Health Journal. 2025;18(3):101786. DOI:10.1016/j.dhjo.2025.101786.
iv)
Milton K, Hanson CL, Pearsons A, Chou R, Stamatakis E. A narrative review of global and national physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines development processes – The GUidelines Standards (GUS) project. Preventive Medicine. 2024;183:107959.
v)
Milton K, Pearsons A, Hanson CL, Chou R, Stamatakis E. An international consensus statement on the methodological standards for physical activity and sedentary behaviour guidelines development. Journal of Physical Activity and Health. 2025;22(12):1519-1526. DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2025-0175.