Musculoskeletal health research group

Our research

The group aims to understand the muscular response to ageing, injury and exercise. These responses are investigated in amateur and professional athletes as well as the general population. The group has expertise in injury epidemiology and the quantification of muscle form and function.

Our partners

  • Carnegie School of Sport: The group benefits from expertise in movement analysis and biomechanics at the school of sport
  • The Sports Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ): The group conducts research related to barefoot activities and running injuries with colleagues based at Auckland University of Technology
  • The International Rock Climbing Research Association (IRCRA): The group has a member (Gareth Jones) of this association who is world leading in the field of rock climbing research
  • The Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University: The group collaborates with Professor Jamie Mc Phee in understanding muscle form and function

Our team

Core research team:

  • Ashley Jones: Muscle injury in male professional footballers
  • Lawrence Mayhew: Neuromuscular risk factors for injury in women’s football
  • Gareth Jones: Risk factors for injury in rock climbing
  • Richard Partner: Shoulder function in professional rugby players
  • Helen Llewellyn: Exercise in the management of low back pain
  • Jason Hynd: Cycling biomechanics (in particular the role of saddle position)

Other PhD Students:

  • Ian O’Sullivan: The impact of training consistency on changes in running economy and performance
  • Isobel Thornley: Muscle form and function across the adult lifespan
  • Ian Entwistle: The musculoskeletal health of retired rugby players
  • Hannah Wilson: The effect of kinesiology tape on mediating pain and muscular responses to muscle damage

Affiliate members:

  • James Milligan: Head of subject therapeutic and rehabilitation sciences. Interested in clinician and pain education
  • Kate Thompson: Pain education
  • Professor Mark Johnson: Professor of Pain and Analgesia. Director of the Centre for Pain Research