Research on high heels sparks global discussion
From New York to Oman, journalists the world over are talking about the latest publication from our Centre for Musculoskeletal Research that investigates the effects of wearing high heeled shoes on gait. The study found that long-term high heel use may compromise muscle efficiency in walking. Further to that, long term use of high heeled shoes were also found to potentially increase the risk of strain injuries amongst wearers.
PubMed: Long-term use of high heeled shoes alters the neuromechanics of human walking (Abstract)
New York Times: A scientific look at the danger of high heels
New Zealand Herald: High heels ruin the way you walk: study
Daily Mail (UK): How wearing high heels regularly can ruin the way you walk - even after you take them off
Graduate blends study of music with medicine
Professional flutist, educator, and now Doctor of Musical Arts graduate, Karen Lonsdale has recently undertaken a joint research project with the Queensland Conservatorium and School of Phsyiotherapy and Exercise Science.
Her research focuses on "Understanding contributing factors and optimizing prevention and management of flute playing-related musculoskeletal disorders." Central to this research are two components: a large survey providing insight into how practice, education, lifestyle, and background impact on the prevalence of pain; and an electromyography study assessing upper body muscle responses during playing. Karen's research reveals that through a better understanding of the physical characteristics of playing and applying principles from ergonomics, performing arts medicine, physiotherapy and exercise science to practice, technique and positioning, flute players can better prevent and manage playing-related musculoskeletal disorders.
Karen has presented her research at conferences such as the Performing Arts Medicine Association Symposium (USA), Australian Society for Performing Arts Healthcare Conference, National Flute Association Convention (USA) and the Australian Flute Festival.
Physiotherapy graduates win big at Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards
Physiotherapy graduates, Brad Beer and Justin Mistry have put the knowledge they attained throughout their study at Griffith to good use, winning big at the 2011 Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards. Their practice, Back in Motion, received the award in the Trades, Professions and Services category.
The School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science congratulates Brad and Justin on their success.
Exercise Science and Physiotherapy teaching staff take top honours
Teaching staff from the School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science were recently honoured with several awards for their efforts throughout the year.
Dr Liisa Laakso and Ms Maria Constantinou were recipients of the Dean's Certificate of Commendation, while Dr Ben Weeks and Dr Greg Reddan received Learning and Teaching citations.
Dr Reddan was also awarded the University Excellence in Teaching Award for Work-Integrated Learning (WIL).
SUNS partnership creates exciting opportunity for Honours graduates
The Gold Coast SUNS Football Club and Griffith University have partnered together to offer the Exercise Science Research Scholarship to reward a high-achieving graduate of the Bachelor of Exercise Science with Honours, or equivalent. The recipient will have demonstrated excellence in their academic studies as well as a strong commitment to, and passion for, sport through non-playing and/or playing involvement. This position will begin in January, 2012 (negotiable) and run for a duration of three years. Selection for this scholarship will be determined on the basis of the student’s:
- Grade Point Average (GPA) calculated over the final two years of their undergraduate program;
- A one page curriculum vitae (CV); and
- Interview performance.
Short-listed applicants will be required to attend an interview and must ensure their availability to attend.
For more information, please visit the Scholarships website.
PhD graduate receives regional award
Andrew Hirschhorn, a PhD graduate from the School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, has received an Asia Western Pacific regional award for an outstanding abstract and presentation from the recent World Confederation of Physical Therapists conference which was recently held in Amsterdam.
Andrew was one of only two award recipients from the region. Judgement was based on a combination of abstract and presentation quality.
Chloe goes from strength to strength
Griffith student and cancer survivor, Chloe Bassett, has received a scholarship from cancer support charity Redkite.
Redkite Dare to Dream scholarships are for 16 to 24 year olds who have been diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. Chloe was 13 when she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer.
Now aged 19, Chloe will use her scholarship to pursue a career in physiotherapy specialising in rehabilitation. More...
Health and safety in the workplace
Physiotherapist and exercise physiologist James Fletcher has put his degrees from Griffith University to good use by setting up a business that provides preventative health and safety activities for the workplace.
Mr Fletcher created Safe and Healthy Solutions to meet a growing trend within workplaces that is seeing employers show responsibility to employees by promoting a healthy lifestyle.
"Most employees spend a great deal of their life at work, and employers need to move to a proactive approach to employee health by providing health checks, education and preventative solutions for injuries in the workplace. This health/work balance is a trend that is only going to grow,” he said. More...
Success at Surf lifesaving Championships
PES academics Greg Reddan and Jane Grayson competed at the Australian Masters Surf Lifesaving Championships at Kurrawa in March in very difficult conditions. Greg managed to win the 60-64 tube race and was a member of Southport’s winning 170 years surf teams. He also finished second in the 1km beach run and the board rescue. Unfortunately he failed to get through the break on the ski in his favourite event, the Iron Man. Jane suffered a similar fate in the dangerous and unstable surf conditions when competing for Mooloolaba in the swim events.
Forensic Biomechanics
Professor Peter Milburn, head of the School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, has been appointed to the editorial board of the new Journal of Forensic Biomechanics.
The journal will publish research, case studies and review articles relevant to the application of biomechanical knowledge and principles in civil and criminal law.
Forensic biomechanics draws together experts in disciplines such as human movement and biomedical engineering to provide evidence for legal cases around sports injuries, motor vehicle or workplace accidents. Professor Milburn’s expertise includes the biomechanical analysis of musculoskeletal stress with a strong focus on applied research in injury prevention and rehabilitation. More...
Griffith forms partnership with the Oceania Athletics Association
The Gold Coast’s reputation as a high-performance sporting precinct has been reconfirmed with the announcement by the Oceania Athletics Association (OAA) and the International Association and Athletics Federation (IAAF) that the OAA will base their operations in the city.
One of the attractions for relocating to the Gold Coast is the linkage with Griffith University. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed with the OAA which will create many opportunities for both the athletes and our students, says Professor Peter Milburn, Head of the School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science.
Cara gets her hands on an African adventure
Griffith graduate Cara Maher is making a difference by volunteering her professional expertise as the new head of physiotherapy at the International Hospital in Kampala, Uganda.
Since graduating with a Master of Physiotherapy, Cara has spent the past five years working around Australia, serving communities in Queensland and the Northern Territory. Most recently she’s gained critical international experience at the Regina General Hospital in Canada.
The 29-year-old is now looking forward to assisting in a region that desperately requires skilled health professionals.
Titans show their inner strength
Rugby league talent from the Jetstar Gold Coast Titans have been putting their bodies on the line for science. The rugby players have been having their bone, muscle and fat mass analysed using high-tech equipment in the Bone Densitometry Research Laboratory.
The research, supervised by Associate Professor Belinda Beck is looking at the relationship between body composition and injuries in professional players. “Muscle to bone ratio for example is important because if muscles are not adequately splinting the bones then athletes may be more susceptible to injury.”
Dr Beck said there is some debate about whether elite level players are genetically advantaged with a naturally big build, strong bones and strong muscles. “An alternative theory is that these players have developed big muscles through training and the mechanical load on the bone in turn develops stronger bones.” More...
PhD student receives leadership award
Ravin Lal, who has relocated from Fiji under an AusAID Leadership scholarship study the effect of exercise interventions on breast cancer treatment under the direction of Professor Lewis Adams, Dr Peter Mills and Dr Tracey Jason, has recently received another award from ausAID: the Greg Urwin award for leadership development.
Out of 5 awards that were available, Ravin obtained the award allocated to the South-Pacific area of the Asia-Pacific region. A stipend for the scholarship will cover all costs associated with placement, travel, allowances and living expenses for further studies and research following his PhD.
This award was competitively sought after by approximately 300-400 people. Ravin will be presented at the Pacific Islands Forum ceremony chaired by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd from 4 - 7 August in Cairns this year.
Making tracks for the Gold Coast Airport Marathon
The race is on, with several Griffith Staff and students signing on early for this year's Gold Coast Airport Marathon on Sunday, July 5th.
Liisa Laakso, a senior lecturer in the school of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science will lace up her running shoes to participate in the 5km walk.
Being well aware of the importance of exercise as a means of preventing and managing chronic disease, Liisa is looking forward to the active morning- physically and socially. More...
New clinic encourages health and physical activity
A new Physiotherapy and Active Health Centre has opened on the Gold Coast campus. The Centre provides an additional venue for physiotherapy and exercise science students to gain valuable clinical experience and also provides a high-quality service for Griffith staff, students and the wider community.
Director Dr Richard Newsham-West said the Centre offers services across the spectrum of musculoskeletal heath – from prevention of injury to the treatment of acute injuries and rehabilitation from injury or surgery.
“The School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science has excellent resources such as the equipment and skills to also conduct strength testing, motion analysis and sports assessment.”
Funding lifts research on falls
Recently announced funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council will expand Griffith research on fall prevention in older people.
Associate Professor Rod Barrett, from the School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, said falls were the major cause of injury in the elderly, often resulting in lengthy and costly hospital stays.
"The high personal and economic cost of falls in the elderly warrants a better understanding of the factors that cause these falls. We know that the elderly are not at greatly increased risk of becoming unbalanced than younger people but they are much less able to recover their balance and avoid a fall and subsequent injury if they become unbalanced," he said.
Physiotherapy graduate pursues academic career
Ben Weeks has come the full circle from being one of the first intake of students into Griffith's double degree in physiotherapy and exercise science ten years ago to lecturing the latest batch of students.
He is also carving out a worthwhile research career - pursuing strategies to improve bone strength and ultimately reduce the risk of osteoporotic fractures in the community.
The ongoing research has already qualified him for his PhD which will be awarded at the Griffith graduations on Friday, December 19 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Ben was a keen and competitive athlete in his school days and a representative at state and national titles. He was always interested in an active career in either sport or health.
He finished off his undergraduate studies at Griffith with an Honours project investigating ultrasound measures of bone strength in young men and women. More...
Research into exercising the immune system
Elite athletes - often perceived as the epitome of health and fitness - may be more susceptible to common illness and are therefore proving useful in helping scientists understand more about the immune system.
Nic West, a PhD candidate at Griffith University, has enlisted elite rowers to help him study the role of salivary proteins that act as a barrier to infectious agents such as respiratory viruses.
Physiotherapy researcher 'lands' new career in hospital!
Dr Leanne Bisset has been awarded the unique position to study as a Research Fellow in the area of physiotherapy.
Dr Bisset's career path will take another turn with her appointment to a full-time research position shared between the University and the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital.
Dr Leanne Bisset's physiotherapy career has taken her from a leprosy rehabilitation clinic in Thailand to preventing and managing injuries in elite athletes at the Sydney Olympics.
Leanne's research focuses on chronic musculoskeletal conditions such as tennis elbow and ankle instability. She will act as a resource and touchpoint for hospital staff teaching research methodology to physiotherapists and other clinical staff, encouraging them to bring forward research questions and then mentoring them in the research process.
Doctor of Musical Arts graduate, Karen Lonsdale
Dr Greg Reddan, Ms Maria Constantinou and Dr Ben Weeks (from left) were recently honoured with Learning and Teaching Citations.
Chloe is studying a Bachelor of Exercise Science (Pre-Physiotherapy).
The founder of Health and Safety solutions, James Fletcher.
Dr Greg Reddan has recently competed at the Australian Masters Surf Lifesaving Championships.
Professor Peter Milburn has recently been appointed to the editorial board of the Journal of Forensic Biomechanics.
President of OAA, Mr Geoff Gardner, Griffith University Provost, Prof Max Standage, and Professor Milburn at the MOU signing.
Alex Favour (Ugandan trained physio) and Cara Maher.
Gold Coast Titans Rugby League player Preston Campbell and Associate Professor Belinda Beck.
PhD student Ravin Lal.
Gold Coast Airport Marathon participants Candice Vivian and Liisa Laakso.
Newly opened Physiotherapy and Active Health Centre director, Dr Richard Newsham-West.
Dr Peter Mills and Associate Professor Rod Barrett test a volunteer's lower limb muscle strength on the new isokinetic dynamometer.
Physiotherapy PhD graduate continues his research into physical activity and bone density.
PhD student Nick West researches the effects of exercise on the immune system.
Physiotherapy researcher Leanne Bisset investigating ankle instability.