Our sports biomechanics research focuses on enhancing athletic performance and reducing sports injury risk through understanding the mechanics of athlete movements. Through this research, we aim to develop safer and more efficient training methods and equipment to support athletes and promote broader participation in sports, fostering a healthier and more active society. Our research spans a wide range of sports and is strongly supported by collaborations with the Australian Institute of Sport and local/national sporting organisations.

Key Research Areas

Lower Limb Coordination

Utilising the lower limb's kinetic chain is a crucial strategy in preventing injury and optimising biomechanical efficiency. The kinetic chain refers to the interconnected series of joints, muscles, and bones involved in a particular movement. By understanding the relationships between each link in the chain, we aim to improve coordination and transfer of forces through the lower limbs and mitigate the risk of injury, particularly in dynamic activities involving running, jumping, or changing direction.

We have a particular interest in this space in foot and ankle energetics. Most biomechanical modelling, both at the joint and muscle level, has treated the foot as a rigid segment. Here at UC, we are interested in developing a more comprehensive model of the human foot that allows us to understand the role of the foot in human movement and its interaction with other lower limb joints.

Breast Biomechanics

Excessive breast motion from an incorrectly fitting or unsupportive bra is a known barrier to women's participation in physical activity and exercise. Given the known benefits of regular participation in activity, it is essential for women, irrespective of breast size, to engage in physical activity for their health. Unfortunately, our research shows that participation in physical activity declines as breast size increases. Furthermore, insufficient breast support from an incorrect fitting bra is a barrier to women's participation in physical activity. Our breast health research focuses on better understanding the mechanisms associated with breast size, shape, and location in relation to women's movement ability. Our research informs improvements to bra design, bra fit, and breast support for women across the breast size spectrum.

Return to Sport Postpartum

The growth in women's sport globally and the push for greater inclusivity now allows women to extend their sporting careers, accommodating career interruptions related to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum recovery. As such, an increasing number of women are now choosing to return to sport postpartum, but there is limited evidence to guide their safe return to sport. We contributed to the first return-to-rugby postpartum guidelines commissioned by World Rugby. We are investigating a range of return-to-sport research questions for postpartum women, particularly as they relate to pelvic health and breastfeeding.

Equipment Design

Protective equipment is used in sport as an injury prevention strategy. Protective equipment in historically male-dominated sports, including contact and combat sports, has often been designed for male users and therefore is often either not fit for purpose or doesn’t exist for female users. Not only can this impact performance, but it may increase injury risk. Our work explores the human/equipment interaction, with a particular focus on achieving biomechanical system fit. We aim to establish evidence-based guidelines for new and emerging protective equipment and evaluate the efficacy of existing protective equipment for end users.

The motor control and skill acquisition sub-theme examines how humans learn, control, and master complex movements. It is comprised of two research streams:

1. Understanding the control and coordination of human movement
2. Understanding the acquisition of perceptual-motor skills

We are particularly interested in studying experts across domains (such as sport, arts, and occupational) to understand the attributes that make them special, and test practice methods that can support anyone to accelerate their journey to expertise. Practically, these methods can support enhancing or changing technique, training anticipation and decision-making, and the retention and transfer of skills from practice to performance contexts. To do this, we focus on exploring the following key areas that are known to influence the speed of learning:

• Instruction and feedback processes
• Practice task design
• Practice session structure
• Practice session distribution

We have a particular emphasis on examining motor control and skill acquisition through an ecological lens. That is, we place an emphasis on understanding how the environment, task, and equipment interact with the capabilities of individuals to shape learning and performance.