Sports Kinesiology Injury Prevention and Performance
The ability of the human body to move effectively and efficiently is key to the outcome in all sports. Integrating biomechanics and functional anatomy, kinesiology allows us to study human motion. We use kinesiology to investigate new methods for optimising human movement to improve performance and reduce the risk of injury in athletes of all ages and abilities.
We connect our undergraduates and postgraduates with industry professionals looking to improve performance and/or human potential through the integration of theory into practice.
Our staff and students work with athletes, coaches, managers and administrators of clubs and schools to help design, develop, deliver and assess sport performance and injury prevention initiatives.
Research expertise includes:
- Lower limb injury biomechanics – Evaluating landing and cutting movements, quantifying lower limb stiffness and monitoring load to understand injury risk factors and to help develop physical preparation and technique programmes.
- Running and cycling mechanics – Identification, development, and optimisation of musculoskeletal movement protocols to improve performance and reduce injury risk in runners and cyclists.
- Sport injury risk profiling – Functional movement screening, concussion risk assessment and evaluation of asymmetries in athletes force/torque production to predict injury risk.
- Rugby Codes Research – Evaluating movement for performance and injury prevention in rugby union and rugby league. Evaluation of health issues in current and retired players - with a focus on brain, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular health.
- Sports kinanthropometry – Identification, development, and optimisation of body composition to aid athletic performance.
- Sport injury epidemiology – Survey design and analysis to identify risk factors and help develop and evaluate injury prevention programmes.
- ACC SportSmart injury prevention, to help reduce the risk of injury to youth athletes to elite athletes.