Two-year Postdoctoral Position, University of Calgary
A fully funded Postdoctoral position is available within the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary under the supervision of Pr Guillaume MILLET and the co-supervision of Pr Nicole Culos-Reed. The successful applicant will become part of a unique training and research environment within the multidisciplinary Human Performance Laboratory.
Stipend is $50,000 / year for 2 years funded by the Canadian Cancer Society Research Institute. There are no citizenship restrictions.
The candidate should have a strong background in exercise physiology, particularly neuromuscular function analysis. Clinical experience is highly valued. Previous experience with one or more of the following techniques is desirable: transcranial magnetic stimulation, electrical stimulation, surface electromyography. Being a CSEP-CEP is an asset.
Anticipated start date: September 1st, 2016.
PROJECT SUMMARY
We will be investigating objective and subjective causes of cancer-related fatigue. Specifically, the neuromuscular system and sleep will be studied, in conjunction with more traditional self-report measures of fatigue, since these are two potentially important contributors to this persistent and long-lasting symptom. The second part of this project will evaluate the use of different exercise training programs on neuromuscular function and subjective feelings of fatigue.
Previous research into cancer-related fatigue has focused primarily on self-reported feelings of fatigue from questionnaires. It is known that cancer-related fatigue affects most cancer survivors during treatment and can continue to impact quality of life years after treatment completion. To date, the role of the neuromuscular system and sleep quantity and quality are poorly understood in regards to cancer-related fatigue.
Part I will investigate the relationship between objective and subjective measures of fatigue, one of the most prevalent and debilitating symptoms experienced by cancer survivors. Self-reported fatigue and quality of life measures, sleep quantity and quality and neuromuscular function, will be assessed before, during and after a cycling test. Cycling is a whole-body dynamic exercise and is a common rehabilitation activity for cancer survivors.
In Part II, an exercise intervention designed to specifically counteract individual deficiencies identified in Part I will be implemented. Survivors will perform an exercise program tailored to objective measures of fatigue from their individual evaluations before starting training. The effect of the exercise training program will be assessed for impact on both subjective and objective indices of fatigue, with particular interest in the potential effect on objective indices of neuromuscular function.
Findings from this study will generate new knowledge and provide clinicians with a deeper understanding of the patient fatigue, in particular its central component. This is important because the lack of understanding of objective causes of fatigue lead clinician to not treat adequately this debilitating symptom.
Contact:
Guillaume MILLET
Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Canada
T: +1.403.561.8879
