BRL Research

Research within the BRL is primarily focused on the biomechanics of injury prevention with a specific interest in six main areas of focussed research excellence, including:

•  Landing Mechanics & Injury Prevention
•  Foot Structure and Function & Footwear Design
•  Biomechanics of Breast Health
•  Innovations in Biomechanics

Landing Mechanics & Injury Prevention

ACL Injury Prevention

Research within the BRL in this area has focussed on exploring mechanisms of non-contact ACL rupture, particularly those ruptures occurring during abrupt single-limb deceleration tasks. Previous BRL studies have investigated methods by which functional ACL deficient individuals are able to perform abrupt deceleration tasks without the need for reconstruction surgery. Results from these studies have then been used as a basis for developing innovative neuromuscular training programs, which we aim to use to minimise the risk of ACL rupture in uninjured athletes. We hypothesise that if athletes can be retrained to recruit appropriate muscles surrounding the knee to assist the ACL to withstand the high shear forces imposed during landing, the likelihood of ACL rupture may be reduced.

Parachuting

At the Australian Military Parachute Training School (PTS) in Nowra, NSW, military personnel are taught the five-point Australian Parachute Landing Fall (PLF) technique. The goal of the PLF is to distribute the landing impact associated with ground contact during parachuting over a large body area, reducing the risk of injury to the paratrooper. However, incorrect PLF performance may lead to catastrophic injury. Therefore, we are investigating current PLF training practices and techniques to ensure that they adequately prepare trainees for actual descents and the conditions that they are likely to encounter in any given tactical situation.

Overuse Knee Injury and Fatigue

Biomechanical factors that may contribute to the high incidence of patellar tendonitis in sports involving repetitive landing movements, such as beach volleyball and basketball, are also of interest within the BRL. In conjunction with Dr Klaus Peikenkamp from the University of Muenster, we have previously investigated the effects of changes in surface structure and fatigue on the muscle activation patterns and the impact forces generated at landing during beach volleyball. We are currently investigating the effects of fatigue on patellar tendon loading during simulated basketball jumping and landing tasks.

Foot Structure and Function & Footwear Design

Preventing Falls in Older People

Falls resulting in injuries, such as fractures, are a significant problem for elderly individuals, particularly elderly women. It has been well established that falls occur due to many intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors, some of which include foot problems and inappropriate footwear. Despite footwear advice to the contrary, older people with foot problems prefer to wear slippers around the home because slipper mould to the shape of their foot and are comfortable. However, slippers often lack structure and when coupled with surfaces seen to be slippery, can become a slip or trip hazard. Therefore, current research, completed under the banner of the NHMRC Partnerships in Older People (POPI) grant is focused on better understanding foot structure and function, footwear design and how these factors affect falls in older people.

Effects of Obesity on Foot Structure and Function

Limited research has investigated the effects of obesity on the musculoskeletal structure of children or the ability of these children to perform activities of daily living. Preliminary BRL studies, involving over 400 Illawarra children, found that obese children were at risk of incurring injury, particularly lower limb injury, when exercising due to their excessive weight and changes in their foot structure caused by the need to bear this additional mass each day. Current research, completed in collaboration with the Childhood Obesity Research Centre (CORe), is therefore examining the association between obesity, lower limb structure and function in prepubescent children, with implications for attempting to prevent lower limb injuries in this population.

Biomechanics of Breast Health

During weight bearing exercise such as running, larger breasted women often experience breast pain which, if severe enough, can discourage them from participating in physical activity or force them to seek breast reduction surgery. To ensure that all women, irrespective of breast size, can exercise in comfort, current research attention in the BRL is focussed on investigating associations between running gait, breast motion and discomfort, and the design features of bras.

Innovations in Biomechanics

Wearable Biofeedback Devices

Unique collaborative research between researchers from the BRL and the Intelligent Polymer Research Institute at the University of Wollongong has lead to patented fabric systems for use in biomonitoring and biofeedback. Together with CSIRO Textile and Fibre Technology, this collaborative research has led to the development of the Intelligent Knee Sleeve, a device that uses these novel fabric sensors as strain gauges to provide realtime audible feedback to users based on their knee motion. The Intelligent Knee Sleeve is currently being trialed as an injury prevention device for athletes and as a rehabilitation device for post-surgical knee replacement patients.

Biomechanics of Prolonged Load Carriage & Backpack Design

During outdoor recreational pursuits loads are often carried in a backpack. Modern backpacks utilise a hip belt and shoulder straps to redistribute the load from the back to the large muscle groups surrounding the hips and legs in an attempt to protect the lower back from injury. However, this load redistribution often results in lower limb overuse injuries, particularly during prolonged load carriage. Research is currently investigating how women respond to carrying, for prolonged periods, medium to heavy loads that are typically encountered during outdoor recreation activities. Results from this research will be used to help identify factors that contribute to potentially crippling overuse lower limb injuries during load carriage, and provide information that is vital to develop guidelines pertaining to load carrying conditions for women to reduce the risk of these injuries.

Ergonomics

The incidence of upper limb injuries sustained by cleaners has reached a disturbing level. Current research is being completed to analyse factors that may contribute to these upper limb injuries. Results of these investigations will be used to develop a risk management plan to reduce these injuries.