Gold for the Biomechanics Research Laboratory at UOW

Dec 22, 2004

A group of researchers from the University of Wollongong’s Biomechanics Research Laboratory (in conjunction with CSIRO TFT division) has won a Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievements in Applied Research in Sports Medicine by a Research Team at the NSW Sports Safety 2000 Award Scheme dinner held in Sydney recently.

The award was for the team’s work on a wearable direct biofeedback device called the ‘Intelligent Knee Sleeve’.

Professor Julie Steele, who headed the research team, said that the polymer coated textile-based device provides feedback on body movement and provides information that is invaluable during training and rehabilitation routines.

“The knee sleeve will assist in minimising anterior cruciate ligament injuries – an area of great interest to the Australian Football League (AFL),” she said.

“We were also recently awarded a National Health and Medical Research Council development grant to work towards commercialising the knee sleeve.”

From knees to feet . . .

Biomechanics Research Laboratory PhD student, Annaliese Dowling, has been undertaking research in the development of shoes for children.

Earlier in the year she conducted a study at UOW, calling on children who had wider than average feet and thus had difficulties in finding the appropriate footwear.

“In order for a shoe to fit, it must match the foot shape of the child. If it does not, it may cause discomfort and, in turn, decrease the level of a child’s physical activity,” she said.

Her research into the dimensions of children’s feet has led to the development of prototype sport shoes for children and has been recognised nationally. Ms Dowling and details about her research are being featured on the front and back cover of the 2004 Australian Research Council’s Christmas cards (pictured).

-RP