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.
Recent Publications
Chavarro-Nieto, C., Beaven, M., Gill, N., & Hébert-Losier, K. (2021). Neck strength in Rugby Union players: a systematic review of the literature. Physician and Sportsmedicine. doi:10.1080/00913847.2021.1886574
Hanzlíková, I., Athens, J., & Hébert-Losier, K. (2021). Factors influencing the Landing Error Scoring System: Systematic review with meta-analysis. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 24(3), 269-280. doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2020.08.013 Open Access version: https://hdl.handle.net/10289/13892
Teichmann, J., Tan, R., Hébert-Losier, K., Kian, Y. W., Jalal Din, S., Subramaniam, A., . . . Beaven, C. M. (2020). Effectiveness of an unexpected disturbance program in the early stage of rehabilitation in athletes with unilateral knee ligament injury. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 1-6. doi:10.1123/jsr.2019-0265
Hébert-Losier, K., & Murray, L. (2020). Reliability of centre of pressure, plantar pressure, and plantar-flexion isometric strength measures: A systematic review. Gait and Posture, 75, 46-62. doi:10.1016/j.gaitpost.2019.09.027
Keywords
Elite Athletes; Exercise; Health; Sport Science; Sports
Biomechanics; Human Movement; Muscle Activity; Injury Prevention; Footwear; Physiotherapy; Running
Contact Details
Email: [email protected]Phone: +64 7 837 9475