Sports Kinesiology Injury Prevention and Performance

Successful sport outcomes depend on the ability of the human body to move effectively and efficiently. Using the scientific study of movement, we can investigate new methods for optimising human motion and work to reduce the risks of injury and improve sports performance of athletes of all ages and abilities.

Our research group expertise

Lower limb injury biomechanics

Monitoring sport-specific movement and load to understand injury risk factors and to help develop physical preparation technique programmes.

Running biomechanics

Identification, development, and optimisation of musculoskeletal movement protocols to reduce injury risk and improve performance in runners and cyclists.

Sport injury risk profiling

Functional movement screening, concussion risk assessment and evaluation of asymmetries in athletes force/torque production are among the ways we profile injury risk for individuals and sporting populations.

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.

Our activities and students

Research activity

ACC SportSmart – Nutrition, Youth and Technique literature reviews

Collaboration with ACC to further develop the SportSmart injury prevention education programme, providing guidelines to help everyone get the most out of sport and stay injury free.

Team members: Professor Patria Hume, Dr Hannah Wyatt, Associate Professor Chris Whatman, Anja Zoellner, Professor Simon Walters, Dr Craig Harrison, Natalie Hardaker, Professor Elaine Rush, Professor Jacqueline Alderson, Dr Stacy Sims

The digital runner

To use established sport science knowledge, in conjunction with the latest technological advances in wearables and data science to enhance the prediction and prevention of running-related injuries.

Team members: Dr Kelly Sheerin, Dr Hannah Wyatt, Professor Patria Hume, Professor Thor Besier, Dr Sarah-Kate Millar

Blue Fairy App: injury prevention good movement practice

Collaboration with ACC and Conical Ltd. to develop an augmented reality app ‘The Blue Fairy’ to promote and harness injury prevention good movement practice for children.

Team members: Professor Patria Hume, Dr Hannah Wyatt, Associate Professor Chris Whatman, Associate Professor Simon Walters, Sharon Kearney, Natalie Hardaker, Dr Craig Harrison

The effect of lateral forefoot wedging on walking and running gait in healthy adults

To establish how lateral wedging in orthoses is used clinically by Podiatrists, and how lateral wedging effect foot and ankle function during walking and running.

Team members: Aaron Jackson (AUT podiatry), Associate Professor Matt Carroll (AUT podiatry), Dr Kelly Sheerin, Professor Duncan Reid

Surf Life Saving New Zealand: lower-limb injury prevention

Collaboration with Surf Life Saving New Zealand to investigate the influence of IRB modifications to lower limb kinematics and loading in lab and on water.

Team members: Professor Patria Hume, Dr Hannah Wyatt, Stephen Reay, Michael Grobelny, Adam Jenkinson (AUT design team), Valance Smith (Te Ara Poutama), Ross Merritt and Surf Life Saving New Zealand

The impact of minimalist footwear on musculoskeletal health

The aim is to investigate the role of minimalist footwear activity on musculoskeletal health in children and adults.

Team members: Maisie Squibb (Institute of Technology Carlow), Dr Peter Francis (Institute of Technology Carlow), Dr Kelly Sheerin

Measuring motor skills and musculoskeletal development in infants

The aim of this study is to quantify the development in infant biomechanics during an infant’s first year of walking experience.

Team members: Ricardo Florez (The University of Auckland), Associate Professor Justin Fernandez (The University of Auckland), Professor Patria Hume, Dr Kelly Sheerin, Dr Hannah Wyatt

Does a menstrual cycle phased rehabilitation programme improve strength recovery and self- reported functional outcomes after ACL reconstruction?

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of menstrual cycled rehabilitation programmes following ACL reconstruction in female athletes

Team Members: Emma O’Loughlin, Professor Duncan Reid, Dr Stacy Sims and Dr Mark Fulcher (The University of Auckland)

Brain injury assessment tool (BIST)

Team members: Professor Alice Theadom, Professor Patria Hume, Professor Richard Siegert, Dr Susan Mahon, Renata Bastos Gottgtroy, Natalie Hardaker.

Applied mechanics and performance in cycling

Team members: Dr Rodrigo Bini and Professor Patria Hume

A concussion management strategy: community rugby In New Zealand

The aim of this project is to implement and evaluate a concussion management pathway in New Zealand community rugby.

Team members: Dr Danielle Salmon, Associate Professor Chris Whatman, Dr Simon Walters

Functional gait differences in surgical approaches for hi joint arthroplasty

The aim of this study to compare functional and patient reported outcome measures across three different surgical approaches for total hip arthroplasty.

Team members: Professor Thor Besier, Professor Rocco Pitto, Dr Tim Godwin, Dr Pablo Ortega-Auriol, Dr Kelly Sheerin, Dr Hannah Wyatt

Our students

Research group leader

Kelly Sheerin