Kirsty Waldock

Kirsty completed her BSc (Hons) undergraduate degree in Applied Sport Science for Coaching in 2014 at the University of St. Mark and St John. She was then awarded a scholarship that allowed her to continue her academic studies at the university and completed her MA degree in Professional Studies in 2015. In January 2016, Kirsty was awarded a PhD studentship at the University of Brighton and is examining the effects of heat alleviating strategies in the elderly population.

Email address: k.waldock@brighton.ac.uk

Qualification: PhD

Timeframe: Three years full-time

Kirsty-Waldock

Thesis title

Heatwaves in the elderly and the impact of acute and chronic heat-alleviating strategies on health

My research

I have a passion for environmental physiology research. My undergraduate project tested the validity and reliability of several different core temperature measurements within different extreme environments whilst participants completed steady state cycling exercise. I built upon my research skills during my Masters and my final research project examined the point of uncompensable heat loss during marching exercise in a hot humid condition whilst participants wore military clothing.

I am now applying my research skills and knowledge to find heat alleviating strategies for the elderly population. My first project as part of my PhD is to produce a user-friendly guide for assessing the risk of developing a heat illness based on activities of daily living and environmental temperature. Subsequent studies will test the sensitivity of the guide with the aim of reducing the risk of gaining heat illness through applying practical interventions.

Funder

University of Brighton studentship

Supervisors

Dr Neil Maxwell (lead supervisor)

Associate Professor Peter Watt

Dr Mark Hayes