SPORTS GIANT PRESENTS GLOBAL AWARD TO WORCESTER LECTURER FOR INJURY PREVENTION RESEARCH
Friday, August 10, 2007 A University of Worcester Sports Science lecturer has won a prestigious global biomechanics research award from sports giants Nike.
Sports Science Lecturer, Liane Azevedo’s research into the biomechanics of runners prone to Achilles injuries, was awarded first place (and $25,000 of prize money) at the Bi-annual World Biomechanics Symposium, held in Taiwan in China.
Ms Azevedo, a former Brazilian triathlete, carried out a five year study of athletes prone to this particular injury as part of her ongoing PhD study.
Using hi-tech 3D video motion analysis, muscle electrodes and force plates, Ms Azevedo monitored 56 recreational runners of similar fitness standards, comparing the running actions of those who presented Achilles Tendinopathy injury to injury free runners.
Examining the range of forces impacting upon joints and muscles, her ongoing analysis focuses on injury prone runners and their muscle activity. Currently her research suggests that injured runners have less nerve impulses operating between the brain and key muscle groups. This in-turn means that muscles and response times work slightly slower, creating more chance of impact injuries upon the feet, muscles and joints, when running.
It is the first time that research has established a link between muscle activity and injury in runners.Ms Azevedo said she was delighted to receive what is one of the most prestigious biomechanics research awards in the world. “I’ve received great support from the University of Worcester in my PhD and to now have my research work recognised by the top researchers and academics in the biomechanics field is truly fantastic,” she said.
Malcolm Armstrong, Head of Sport and Exercise Science at University of Worcester, said; “We’re all extremely delighted that Liane’s hard work and research has been recognised globally. It’s a fantastic achievement which has truly put biomechanics research work at the University of Worcester on the world class stage.”
Ms Azevedo said her future research could possibly focus on investigating links between muscle activity and other running injuries, and whether different types of footwear and midsole materials could be used to help prevent specific individual injuries.
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Press Office Contact:
01905 855 141
press@worc.ac.uk
Sports Science Lecturer, Liane Azevedo’s research into the biomechanics of runners prone to Achilles injuries, was awarded first place (and $25,000 of prize money) at the Bi-annual World Biomechanics Symposium, held in Taiwan in China.Ms Azevedo, a former Brazilian triathlete, carried out a five year study of athletes prone to this particular injury as part of her ongoing PhD study.
Using hi-tech 3D video motion analysis, muscle electrodes and force plates, Ms Azevedo monitored 56 recreational runners of similar fitness standards, comparing the running actions of those who presented Achilles Tendinopathy injury to injury free runners.
Examining the range of forces impacting upon joints and muscles, her ongoing analysis focuses on injury prone runners and their muscle activity. Currently her research suggests that injured runners have less nerve impulses operating between the brain and key muscle groups. This in-turn means that muscles and response times work slightly slower, creating more chance of impact injuries upon the feet, muscles and joints, when running.
It is the first time that research has established a link between muscle activity and injury in runners.Ms Azevedo said she was delighted to receive what is one of the most prestigious biomechanics research awards in the world. “I’ve received great support from the University of Worcester in my PhD and to now have my research work recognised by the top researchers and academics in the biomechanics field is truly fantastic,” she said.
Malcolm Armstrong, Head of Sport and Exercise Science at University of Worcester, said; “We’re all extremely delighted that Liane’s hard work and research has been recognised globally. It’s a fantastic achievement which has truly put biomechanics research work at the University of Worcester on the world class stage.”
Ms Azevedo said her future research could possibly focus on investigating links between muscle activity and other running injuries, and whether different types of footwear and midsole materials could be used to help prevent specific individual injuries.
[Back to List]
Press Office Contact:
01905 855 141
press@worc.ac.uk