Dr Kim Hébert-Losier

Senior Lecturer, Te Huataki Waiora School of Health

Qualifications: BSc Physiotherapy (Hons), PT, PhD

About Kim

Senior Academic lead for Te Huataki Waiora School of Health (Tauranga Campus) and lead biomechanics researcher at the University of Waikato Adams Centre for High Performance.

I have led and managed the biomechanics laboratory at the University of Adams Centre for High Performance since 2016, which is equipped with an 8-camera Qualisys 3D Motion Capture System, Delsys wireless EMG and IMU system, 2 Kistler Force Plates, Plantar Pressure Mat, 15-m of Optojump, Gymaware linear position transducers, radar guns, timing light (to name a few)!

I capture (biomechanics) where it matters...and love to run. I am the developer of the Calf Raise app to monitor strength-endurance of the calf muscles, an expert Qualisys user, leader of the New Zealand National Biomechanics Day Consortium, and speaker for The Running Clinic.

I am currently accepting PhD/MSc inquiries from candidates interested in running research, footwear studies, barefootedness, calf raises and Achilles tendons, ACL and jump-landing mechanics, and screening for risk of injuries in sport.

I am seeking for a PhD candidate with background in Computer Science and/or Engineering with Python and/or Matlab skills for a project on the automation of clinical scores from 2D video recordings.

I am seeking for a PhD/MSc candidate with background in Artificial Intelligence and large data sets interested in outcomes from total hip and knee replacements.

Papers Taught

Research Supervised

Current supervisions include:

Primary supervisor

Hanzlíková, Ivana (PhD) An investigation of the Landing Error Scoring System and clinically assessable sport-related injury risk factors

Sella, Francesco (PhD) Maximising physical performance in female rugby sevens

Chavarro, Christian (PhD) Injury prevention in Rugby Union

Feandez, Ma. Roxanne (PhD)  Scientific investigation of the Calf Raise Test to inform use of a smartphone application in clinical practice and research

Fife, Andrew (PhD) Footwear selection in runners

Ngawhika, Te Manawa (MSc) Establishing normative values of calf function in Rugby Union athletes

Second supervisor

Oladi Ghadikolaei, Sana (PhD) Investtigating the efficacy of a rule-of-thumb to improve landing from falls

Completed supervisions include:

Finlayson, Steven (MSc, honors, 2020) Effect of running shoes on physiology, performance, and biomechanics. Primary supervisor, University of Waikato.

van der Merwe, Carla (PhD, 2020) Proof-of-concept of a 16-week foot muscle specific intervention program on non-contact anterior cruciate ligament and lateral ankle sprain injury risk. Advisory role, Massey University, College of Health.

Schofield, Mike (PhD, 2020) Understanding which biomechanical and neuromuscular variables are important in improving discus, shotput and hammer throwing performance. Second supervisor, Auckland University of Technology, Sport and Recreation.

Wardell, George (MSc, honors, 2019) Effects of a weighted club warm-up on golfing performance and biomechanics. Primary supervisor, University of Waikato

Ananth, Akshatha (directed study, 2018) Landing Error Scoring System: Does knowledge help? Primary supervisor, University of Waikato

Murray, Lauralee (MSc, honors, 2018)  The effects of running a 12-km race on neuromuscular performance measures and the reliability of these measures. Primary supervisor, University of Waikato

Lussiana, Thibault (PhD, honors, 2016)  Êtes-vous un coureur terrien ou aérien. International supervisor, Université de Bourgogne Franche-Comté

Research Interests

I am an applied biomechanics (clinical and sport) senior lecturer and researcher who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy from the University of Montreal, Canada. I worked in musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy practice before completing my PhD at the University of Otago studying calf muscle activity and fatigue at the School of Physiotherapy. I began working in High Performance Sports at the Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre as a Postdoctoral Researcher in Biomechanics, Injury, and Injury Prevention where I developed expertise in human movement science using 3D motion analysis, electromyography, isokinetic, and force plates, which was followed by working in the United States of America at the Nebraska Athletics Performance Laboratory and at the National Sports Institute of Malaysia as a Senior Sports Biomechanics Officer.

I joined the University of Waikato in August 2016 as a Senior Lecturer and lead biomechanics researcher at the Adams Centre for High Performance in Tauranga. As a founding member of the Adams Centre, I played a key role in setting up the centre and its research activities. My research is inter-disciplinary in nature and conducted in close collaboration with practitioners in health and sport. My current research focuses on calf muscle function and the Achilles tendon, anterior cruciate ligament injuries, screening and preventing injuries in sport, human performance enhancement, and running-related research.

I have led and contributed to a range of national and international research teams. I am uniquely positioned to add value within such teams given my clinical experience and vast international postdoctoral training in biomechanics and sports. I have developed the Calf Raise app for clinicians and scientists, I am a recognised speaker for The Running Clinic, and I work closely with the team at Qualisys AB for any research-related ventures.

Keywords

Elite Athletes; Exercise; Health; Sport Science; Sports

Biomechanics; Human Movement; Muscle Activity; Injury Prevention; Footwear; Physiotherapy; Running

Contact Details