Biomechanics
The field of biomechanics applies principles of mechanics to study the structure and function of biological systems. The basis of biomechanical analysis is the determination of how forces generated within the body, or how forces applied to the body, influence the way that we move. Researchers in the School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science may perform detailed investigations that describe how we move (kinematics), or identify the causes of body movement (kinetics) to enhance our understanding of issues concerning health and exercise.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a health care profession concerned with maximising mobility and quality of life using clinical reasoning to select and apply the appropriate treatment for a particular problem. Physiotherapists are concerned with restoring and optimising a person is physical function and are a key part of health care in Australia.
Researchers within the School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science are involved in a wide variety of research areas. These include research projects related to musculoskeletal, sports, cardiopulmonary as well as neurological physiotherapy. Specific areas of research also include the role of electrophysical agents in physiotherapy, physiotherapy education, ergonomics, and prevention and management of illness and disability. The results of our research are integrated into the teaching curriculum of our exercise science and physiotherapy programs. The integration of research into clinical teaching supports our philosophy of research-based learning and enhances students' knowledge of evidence-based practice. The research conducted within the School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science assists in advancing knowledge within these related disciplines of health care practice as well as provides benefits for the broader community.
Musculoskeletal Physiology
Physiology is the study of the integrated functioning of tissues and organs and musculoskeletal physiology is concerned with physiology of bones and muscles. Bones form the skeleton which is the physical framework that contains the tissues and organs of the body. Skeletal muscles are attached to bones and generate mechanical power that is transmitted through the skeleton to produce movement. Musculoskeletal physiology is therefore central to Exercise Science.
Musculoskeletal physiology research in the School of Exercise Science and Physiotherapy covers a broad range of areas and techniques. For example, our research includes: investigations that use thermodynamic principles to study the conversion of energy from foodstuffs into mechanical power in muscle fibres; use of state-of-the-art imaging techniques to study factors that affect bone growth in children, healing of broken bones and changes in bone structure and strength with increasing age; and research in which the physiology underlying high performance power and endurance sports, and how to improve performance, is investigated.
Cardiopulmonary Physiology
Cardiopulmonary physiology is the study of the heart, circulation, lungs and the physiological processes associated with these organ systems. In the School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, researchers examine these organ systems during acute and chronic bouts of exercise. Fundamental to the cardiopulmonary research conducted in the School is the examination of oxygen transport, particularly to key organ systems such as skeletal muscle essential for the production of movement.
Neuroscience
Neuroscience is the general study of the brain, spinal cord, and the vast network of nerves that course throughout the body. The field of Neuroscience represents a merger of scientific disciplines such as neurophysiology, anatomy, and molecular biology. In the School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science particular emphasis is placed on understanding the role that sensory and motor pathways have on the production of human movement, and the interactions between the nervous system and the mechanical properties of the body.
Biochemistry
Biochemistry is the exploration of the chemical processes which take place in living cells, tissues and organs in response to their internal and external environment. The focus of Biochemistry teaching and research in the School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science is on how living systems adapt to stress such as exercise or a low oxygen challenge and how mild stress caused by exercise intervention can be used to counteract some types of disease.
Researchers in the School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science investigate the changes in biochemical markers in Multiple Sclerosis patients in response to exercise or on the biochemical adaptations associated with the effects of exercise on the immune system and level of oxidative stress as well as the effect of intermittent low oxygen challenge on the production of red blood cells and the genetic fingerprint of cardio- and neuro- protection at low oxygen levels.
Sports Coaching
The field of sports coaching applies principles from the exercise science sub-disciplines to enhance the performance of individuals and teams in sporting scenarios. Education, exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor learning, sports nutrition, sport psychology and athlete management provide important elements for research. Emphasis in the School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science is placed on the development of skills required for high performance coaching using a multidisciplinary approach