Description
Prevention and management strategies of exercise-induced gastrointestinal syndrome- this set of PhD research projects aims to explore pathophysiological mechanisms, advancements in assessment methodologies, and strategies to prevent/ameliorate the detrimental performance and/or health implications of exercise stress on the gastrointestinal tract. Areas of focus include: gastrointestinal epithelial integrity, gastrointestinal functional responses, systemic bacterial endotoxin and inflammatory profiles, gut microbiota microorganism composition and bacterial metabolic activity, and associated gastrointestinal symptoms.
Project stream 1: Focuses on exploring the impact of exercise-associated mechanical strain on gastrointestinal integrity and functional responses, and symptomology.
Project stream 2: Focuses on exploring the impact of short-term nutrition supplementation (e.g., prebiotics, polyphenols, and/or dietary fibres/resistant starches) on exercise-associated gastrointestinal disturbances and symptomology.
Project stream 3: Focuses on exploring the impact of internal and external cooling strategies on exercise-associated gastrointestinal disturbances and symptomology in response to exertional-heat stress.
Background literature:
Costa, R.J.S., Gill, S.K., Snipe, R.M.J., Gaskell, S.K., Russo, I., Burke, L.M., (2022). Assessment of exercise-associated gastrointestinal perturbations in research and practical settings: Methodological concerns and recommendations for better practice. Int.J.Sport.Nutr.Exerc.Metab. 32(5): 387-418.
Henningsen, K., Mika, A.S., Alcock, R., Gaskell, S.K., Parr, A., Rauch, C., Russo, I., Snipe, R.M.J., Costa, R.J.S. (2023). The increase in core body temperature in response to exertional-heat stress can predict exercise-induced gastrointestinal syndrome. Temp. 10.1080/23328940.2023.2213625
Costa, R.J.S., Gaskell, S.K., McCubbin, A.J., Snipe, R.M.J (2020). Exertional-heat stress associated gastrointestinal perturbations- management strategies for athletes preparing for and competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Temp., 7(1):58-88.
Costa, R.J.S., Snipe, R.M.J., Kitic, C., Gibson, P., (2017). Systematic review: Exercise-induced gastrointestinal syndrome- Implication for health and disease. Alim.Therap.Pharmacol., 46(3):246-265.
Essential criteria:
Minimum entry requirements can be found here: https://www.monash.edu/admissions/entry-requirements/minimum
Keywords
Exertional stress, exertional-heat stress, thermoregulation, nutrition, hydration, bacterial endotoxin, gastroitnestinal transit, and inflammation.
School
School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health / Hudson Institute of Medical Research » Nutrition, Dietetics & Food
Available options
PhD/Doctorate
Time commitment
Full-time
Top-up scholarship funding available
No
Physical location
BASE facility, Notting Hill