Biomechanics Research Group
The research of the biomechanics group focuses on employing biomechanical principles to understand and improve movement performance in athletes, children, and clinical populations.
Our work comprises both mechanistic and applied aspects: On a basic sciences level, we analyse the structure of muscles and tendons to understand the mechanisms underlying motor performance. For this purpose, we combine motion analysis and isokinetic dynamometry with electromyography and ultrasonography to quantify the mechanical properties of muscles and tendons.
On an applied level, we quantify and analyse the kinematics of movement with the goal of assessing and enhancing performance in individual athletes, sports teams and clinical populations. For this purpose, we assess functional ability in clinical populations (such as stroke patients) and use specialist software to conduct performance analysis of sports teams or individual athletes.
Staff Profiles
- Professor Bill Baltzopoulos
- Dr Thomas Korff
- Dr Nick Linthorne
- Dr Amir Mohagheghi
- Professor Associates: Prof. Ian McDermott and Prof. Ofer Levy
Highlighted Publications
PROF. BILL BALTZOPOULOS
1. Tsaopoulos, D.E., Baltzopoulos, V., Richards, P.J., Maganaris, C.N. (2011). Mechanical correction of dynamometer moment for the effects of segment motion during isometric knee-extension tests. Journal of Applied Physiology, 111 (1), pp. 68-74. DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00821.20102. O'Brien, T.D., Reeves, N.D., Baltzopoulos, V., Jones, D.A., Maganaris, C.N. (2010). Mechanical properties of the patellar tendon in adults and children. Journal of Biomechanics, 43 (6), pp. 1190-1195. DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.11.028
3. O'Brien, T.D., Reeves, N.D., Baltzopoulos, V., Jones, D.A., Maganaris, C.N. (2010). In vivo measurements of muscle specific tension in adults and children. Experimental Physiology, 95 (1), pp. 202-210. DOI: 10.1113/expphysiol.2009.048967
4. Di Giulio, I., Maganaris, C.N., Baltzopoulos, V., Loram, I.D. (2009). The proprioceptive and agonist roles of gastrocnemius, soleus and tibialis anterior muscles in maintaining human upright posture. Journal of Physiology, 587 (10), pp. 2399-2416. DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2009.168690
DR. THOMAS KORFF
1. Korff T., Horne, S., Cullen, S.J., and Blazevich, A.J. (2009). Development of lower limb stiffness and its contribution to maximum vertical jumping power during adolescence. Journal of Experimental Biology 212, 3737-3742.
2. Korff, T., Hunter, E. L., & Martin, J. C. (2009). Muscular and non-muscular contributions to maximum power cycling in children and adults: Implications for developmental motor control. Journal of Experimental Biology 212, 599-603.
3. Waugh, C., Blazevich, A.J., Faith, F. & Korff, T. (in press). Can the Achillies tendon moment arm be predicted from anthropometric measures in pre-pubescent children? Journal of Biomechanics
4. Fath, F., Blazevich, A. J., Waugh, C., Miller, S., & Korff, T. (2010). Direct comparison of in vivo Achilles tendon moment arms obtained from ultrasound and MR scans. Journal of Applied Physiology 109(6), 1644-1652.
DR. NICK LINTHORNE
1. Alcaraz P.E., Palao J.M., Elvira J.L.L. and Linthorne N.P. (2008). Effects of three types of resisted sprint training devices on the kinematics of sprinting at maximum velocity. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 23 (3) 890–897.
2. Linthorne N.P. “Biomechanics of the long jump” Routledge Handbook of Biomechanics and Human Movement Science, Y. Hong and R. Bartlett (Editors), Routledge, London 2008 pp. 340–353. (Book Chapter).
3. Alcaraz P.E., Palao J.M., Elvira J.L.L. and Linthorne N.P. (2011) Effects of a sand running surface on the kinematics of sprinting at maximum velocity. Biology of Sport 28(2), 95-100
4, Linthorne N.P. and Patel D.S. (2011). Optimum projection angle for attaining maximum distance in a soccer punt kick. Journal of Sport Science and Medicine 10(1), 203-214
DR. AMIR MOHAGHEGHI
1. Reeves N.D., Spanjaard M., Mohagheghi A.A., Baltzopoulos V. and Maganaris C.N. (2008). Influence of light handrail use on the biomechanics of stair negotiation in old age. Gait & Posture 28, 327-336.
2. Mohagheghi A. A., Khan T., Meadows T. H., Giannikas K., Baltzopoulos V., Maganaris C. N. (2008). In vivo gastrocnemius muscle fascicle length in children with and without diplegic cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol 50, 44-50.
3. Reeves N.D., Spanjaard M., Mohagheghi A.A., Baltzopoulos V. and Maganaris C.N. (2008). The Demands of Stair Descent Relative to Maximum Capacities in Elderly and Young Adults. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 18, 218-227.
