Biomechanics, Motor Control and Sports Medicine

Our research in Biomechanics, Motor Control and Sports Medicine investigates important questions relevant to the fields of Biomechanics, Motor Control, Neuromechanics, Virtual and Augmented Reality, Visual Perception, Motor Learning, and Skill Acquisition, with the aims of improving human performance, reducing injuries or improving human health.

Biomechanics involves the use of the mechanical principles of physics and engineering to study human motion and the mechanical properties of biological tissues. Applications include, among others, the study of movement in sporting situations (sports biomechanics), in work environments (occupational biomechanics), in rehabilitation settings (clinical biomechanics) and where there are interactions between the nervous system and mechanical properties of the body (neuromechanics).

Motor Control seeks to understand how movements of the human body are controlled and executed, and how motor skills develop through the lifespan and are acquired through practice. The field employs approaches from neuroscience to cognitive science to examine skill acquisition, coordination and control in healthy people, but also how these processes are affected by factors such as injury, disability, disease, disuse and fatigue. 

Biomechanics and Motor Control share core fundamentals with complementary disciplines, including Human Neuroscience and Engineering, and have important applications in sport, industry and health. Accordingly, our researchers have strong and successful research links within The University of Queensland (e.g. Queensland Brain Institute; the NHMRC CCRE for Spinal Pain and Health; Speech Pathology; Physiotherapy, Engineering) and with other external partners (eg. Australian Institute of Sports, Cricket Australia, ASICS, Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Boeing Australia and Australia’s Minerals Industry).

Sports medicine is concerned with the prevention and treatment of injuries and disorders that are related to participation in sports. Our researchers have built successful research collaborations within the University of Queensland, notably in the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology and the Centre for Advanced Imaging, on research projects using Magnetic Resonance Imaging to enhance diagnostic tools in sport participants and athletes.