Muscle strength, physical activity and the progression of multiple long-term conditions across diverse populations: trajectories, mechanisms
Project Title:Muscle strength, physical activity and the progression of multiple long-term conditions across diverse populations: trajectories, mechanisms and health inequalities
Supervisors:
Dr Carlos Celis, School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health, University of Glasgow
Dr Frederick Ho, School of Health & Wellbeing, University of Glasgow
Prof Phyo Myint, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen
Summary:
Multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs) are one of the greatest challenges facing healthcare systems worldwide, yet little is known about the role of muscle strength and physical activity in the progression of MLTCs across diverse populations. This interdisciplinary PhD project will investigate whether low muscle strength represents a shared and modifiable pathway linking physical inactivity to the development and progression of MLTCs. Using large-scale longitudinal datasets from the Scottish Health Survey, UK Biobank, China Kadoorie Biobank and the Mexico City Prospective Study, the student will examine how physical activity and muscle strength influence MLTC trajectories, hospitalisation and mortality. The project will also explore how socioeconomic inequalities and population context shape these relationships across high- and middle-income settings. The student will gain advanced training in epidemiology, causal inference, MLTC research and global health while working within a multidisciplinary supervisory team spanning physical activity epidemiology, muscle physiology and multimorbidity research.