I am an epidemiologist with a particular interest in injury prevention, injury data systems and safety promotion as they apply to the context of sports injury. I also contribut to the broager field of epidemiology, through the theoretical and methodilogic
I am a biomechanical engineer researching the effects of mechanical loads on the human body, both at physiological and injurious loading levels. This research leads to both fundamental data on tissue properties and the physiological response, and also to
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Exercise Programs For Preventing Knee Injuries
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,160,491.00
Summary
The promotion of physical activity, either through organised sport or active recreation, is a key public health strategy in this country. However, there is a risk of injury during this participation and efforts need to be undertaken to reduce this risk so that spor is safe for all. Sports injury prevention efforts to date in Australia have been severely hampered by a lack of evidence supporting currently advocated countermeasures. This concern has been recognised by both the NHMRC and the Common ....The promotion of physical activity, either through organised sport or active recreation, is a key public health strategy in this country. However, there is a risk of injury during this participation and efforts need to be undertaken to reduce this risk so that spor is safe for all. Sports injury prevention efforts to date in Australia have been severely hampered by a lack of evidence supporting currently advocated countermeasures. This concern has been recognised by both the NHMRC and the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing. It is imperative that we formally evaluate the effectiveness of sports injury countermeasures in the context of broad community level participation in sport, in contrast to previous research focussed on professional sport, and begin to deliver the preventive measures to the community. Australian football is a popular sport throughout Australia and it is associated with more medically-treated injuries than any other sport. Knee injuries are particularly common and can have severe consequences. One of the most commonly recommended knee injury prevention strategies is a well-designed exercise training program. Despite their potential to significantly reduce injury rates, the effectiveness of exercise training programs to prevent knee injuries in football, and indeed in most other sports, has not previously been assessed but has been identified as a priority research area by the NHMRC. This project will determine the effectiveness of exercise training programs for preventing knee injuries in community-level football players by monitoring injury rates, player behaviours and player attitudes before and after the training programs are implemented.Read moreRead less
Neuroimaging After Traumatic Brain Injury: What Best Relates To Outcome?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$402,287.00
Summary
Brain injury often results in physical difficulties plus cognitive and behavioural problems. Computerised tomography (CT) is the most used form of scanning used after brain injury but does not reveal as much as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Electrovestibulography (EvestG) also offers great potential to reveal brain-related information related to injury and depression. This study aims to assess and compare CT, MRI and EvestG to establish the extent to which each can help in predicting outcome ....Brain injury often results in physical difficulties plus cognitive and behavioural problems. Computerised tomography (CT) is the most used form of scanning used after brain injury but does not reveal as much as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Electrovestibulography (EvestG) also offers great potential to reveal brain-related information related to injury and depression. This study aims to assess and compare CT, MRI and EvestG to establish the extent to which each can help in predicting outcome in people who have had a brain injury.Read moreRead less
A Randomised Controlled Falls Prevention Trial Of Long Distance Glasses In Elderly Multifocal Wearers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$493,000.00
Summary
Each year, one-third to a half of people over 65 years old will fall at least once. The consequences of falls are immense in terms of suffering, loss of independence, fear of future falls, carer burden, mortality, residential care admissions and other health care resource usage. Clearly, effective and affordable falls prevention strategies are needed to address this major health care problem. Over 50% of people over 65 years old use bi-, tri- or multi-focal glasses. The lower part of these glass ....Each year, one-third to a half of people over 65 years old will fall at least once. The consequences of falls are immense in terms of suffering, loss of independence, fear of future falls, carer burden, mortality, residential care admissions and other health care resource usage. Clearly, effective and affordable falls prevention strategies are needed to address this major health care problem. Over 50% of people over 65 years old use bi-, tri- or multi-focal glasses. The lower part of these glasses are useful for reading and seeing at close range only and there is now evidence that the use of these glasses is associated with an increased risk of falls due to the blurring of vision when looking through the lower lenses at ground level obstacles. This is particularly relevant in unfamiliar outdoor situations. This study will determine whether providing plain distance glasses (with extensive counselling and recommendations for use in standing and walking activities) will prevent falls and their consequences over a one year period in older persons who wear bi-, tri- or multi-focal glasses. Pilot studies suggest that most elderly bi-, tri-, or multi-focal wearers at risk for falls are willing to purchase and use a second pair of glasses if the benefit of new plain distance glasses for their vision is demonstrated. We expect that the results of the study will be incorporated into all relevant areas of clinical practice and public health strategies.Read moreRead less
The Relationship Between Fatigue, Sleepiness And Crash Risk While Driving
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,070.00
Summary
Driver fatigue is a major road safety problem that is currently managed by encouraging drivers to take breaks when they feel tired. Unfortunately we dont know whether drivers really are able to detect when they are too tired to drive safely or, if they can make this judgement, whether and what motivates them to stop driving. This research will look at driver awareness of fatigue effects and what indicators and motivators can be used to encourage them to respond to signs of impaired driving.
Understanding Fear Of Falling And Risk Taking In Older People
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$355,877.00
Summary
Fear of falling is a very significant issue for many older people. Estimates of the prevalence of fear of falling in older community-dwelling people range from 29 to 92% in those who have suffered previous falls, and 12 to 65% in those have not. Fear of falling can lead to restriction and curtailment of activity, reduced quality of life, anxiety, depression and social isolation. To date, all studies addressing fear of falling have simply considered no fear to be good and presence of fear to be b ....Fear of falling is a very significant issue for many older people. Estimates of the prevalence of fear of falling in older community-dwelling people range from 29 to 92% in those who have suffered previous falls, and 12 to 65% in those have not. Fear of falling can lead to restriction and curtailment of activity, reduced quality of life, anxiety, depression and social isolation. To date, all studies addressing fear of falling have simply considered no fear to be good and presence of fear to be bad, and have not attempted to assess whether this fear is rational or irrational in relation to actual balance abilities or physical functioning. In this study, we aim to find out which psychological, physical, health and lifestyle factors distinguish between older people with and without an irrational fear of falling based on their actual physical falling risk. We also wish to understand the role that fear of falling and other psychological factors (anxiety, depression and avoidance) play in causing older people to fall; and to measure how falls can lead to increased fear of falling, anxiety and depression and reduced physical functioning. The complex nature of psychological risk factors of falling and the limited background information on this subject, hampers its integration in falls prevention programs. Although there is growing awareness of this problem among health care providers, additional research is needed about why older people develop a fear of falling in order to fully understand fear of falling and to tailor specific intervention and prevention strategies.Read moreRead less
Preventing Sports Injuries Through Better Targetting Of Effective Interventions And Monitoring Of Safety Practices And Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$756,962.00
Summary
Injuries such as concussion and muscle/joint sprains/strains are a recognised sports medicine issue globally. They are a major barrier towards sustained physical activity participation and a public health concern. Much information about their causes and prevention is yet to be fully disseminated to the community and adopted as standard safety practice. This fellowship will provide a strong evidence-base for sports injury prevention and monitoring, as well as sports safety promotion strategies.
I-Medic (Intelligent Monitoring And Early Diagnosis In Communities)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$307,946.00
Summary
Falls cost $500 million annually and are increasing as our population ages. Dr Brodie has developed i-Medic, Intelligent Monitoring and Early Diagnosis In Communities. He is answering the questions: Why do people fall? How can we predict falls? And how do we prevent falls? His software, which may be incorporated into all future mobile phones, is capable of detecting, predicting and therefore preventing falls. In the event of a fall the software also activates an emergency response.
Improving Adherence With The Use Of Hip Protectors, In Community, Residential Aged Care And Hospital Settings
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$405,250.00
Summary
Hip protectors are plastic shields or foam pads worn over the hip in specially adapted underwear. A number of studies in older people have shown that hip protectors are very effective if worn when a fall occurs and these have been available for the last few years in Australia. Unfortunately it has been difficult for older people to wear the hip protectors reliably and because of limited compliance with their use they have not been fully effective. This study will compare provision of a brochure, ....Hip protectors are plastic shields or foam pads worn over the hip in specially adapted underwear. A number of studies in older people have shown that hip protectors are very effective if worn when a fall occurs and these have been available for the last few years in Australia. Unfortunately it has been difficult for older people to wear the hip protectors reliably and because of limited compliance with their use they have not been fully effective. This study will compare provision of a brochure, with supply of the older person's choice of hip protectors , with or without cost, and with or without contact with a nurse who will assist with use of the hip protector. After six months the level of use of the hip protectors will be checked. The new strategies tested in this study may increase compliance with hip protectors to a level where they will be effective if used at home in the community, in residential aged care facilities, and in hospitals.Read moreRead less