Biomechanics of the human spine measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Statistics show that 80% of the population suffer back pain at some time. However, because the spine is very complex our understanding of its mechanics and the causes of back pain are still limited. This project will investigate the anatomy and activity of the spinal muscles and the behaviour of the intervertebral disc in living subjects using innovative Magnetic Resonance Imaging techniques. Significant outcomes will be ....Biomechanics of the human spine measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Statistics show that 80% of the population suffer back pain at some time. However, because the spine is very complex our understanding of its mechanics and the causes of back pain are still limited. This project will investigate the anatomy and activity of the spinal muscles and the behaviour of the intervertebral disc in living subjects using innovative Magnetic Resonance Imaging techniques. Significant outcomes will be new definitive descriptions of the detailed anatomy of the spine and its mechanisms. This will enhance the accuracy and detail of models under development for predicting spinal function following disease, injury or surgical procedures.Read moreRead less
Understanding Tendon Response to Sport and Exercise: Implications for Optimising Training, Injury Prevention and Accelerated Rehabilitation. This research will use frontier technologies to establish the effect of physical activity on tendon adaptation and injury. It will address National Research Priorities and lead to contemporary evidence-based physical activity practices to optimise health and fitness, prevent injury, and expedite rehabilitation after injury. Given the significant national in ....Understanding Tendon Response to Sport and Exercise: Implications for Optimising Training, Injury Prevention and Accelerated Rehabilitation. This research will use frontier technologies to establish the effect of physical activity on tendon adaptation and injury. It will address National Research Priorities and lead to contemporary evidence-based physical activity practices to optimise health and fitness, prevent injury, and expedite rehabilitation after injury. Given the significant national investment in sport, the rise in obesity, and the immense cost of sedentary behaviour and sport-related injuries, this research will have applications for enhancing physical activity recommendations that maintain health for all Australians. It will enhance Australia's leading position in international sport and sport science research and have beneficial applications for occupational health.Read moreRead less
The role of muscle and tendon mechanics in human muscle damage. This project aims to examine what sort of forceful stretch is required to cause exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD) in humans and how muscles adapt to limit future damage. Specifically, the project aims to examine how the elastic properties of tendons might reduce muscle damage by buffering stretch in muscle fibres. Using cutting-edge ultrasound imaging technology, human muscle strain in different regions of muscle will be examine ....The role of muscle and tendon mechanics in human muscle damage. This project aims to examine what sort of forceful stretch is required to cause exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD) in humans and how muscles adapt to limit future damage. Specifically, the project aims to examine how the elastic properties of tendons might reduce muscle damage by buffering stretch in muscle fibres. Using cutting-edge ultrasound imaging technology, human muscle strain in different regions of muscle will be examined to quantify the temporal relationship between muscle power absorption and EIMD. The importance of muscle and tendon mechanical properties in buffering the muscle from potential damage will be gauged. This could be a critical mechanism for preventing EIMD in exercising humans.Read moreRead less
The grand challenge of predicting human movement energetics. This Project aims to advance our understanding of how the neuromuscular system uses energy during movement by exploring the interplay of different factors that influence movement energetics. The Project will explore different levels of organisation; from how muscle fibres consume energy to how those fibres interact and are subsequently controlled within a complex neuromuscular system. Expected outcomes of this Project will be an improv ....The grand challenge of predicting human movement energetics. This Project aims to advance our understanding of how the neuromuscular system uses energy during movement by exploring the interplay of different factors that influence movement energetics. The Project will explore different levels of organisation; from how muscle fibres consume energy to how those fibres interact and are subsequently controlled within a complex neuromuscular system. Expected outcomes of this Project will be an improved capacity to predict energy expenditure of the vast array of movements that humans perform. This will enable accurate monitoring of human energy expenditure and will provide benefits for individualised exercise prescription, enhancing work productivity or designing devices to augment human performance.Read moreRead less