Associate Professor Robert Crowther
- School of Science and Technology
Email: Rcrowth2@une.edu.au
Biography
Specialist in motor control/learning, biomechanics, strength and conditioning, and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. My research interests revolve around dynamics systems theory and application of constraints led approach to movement variability in both sports and clinical settings, lower limb injury and rehabilitation (ligament, tendon and muscle loading, failure and adaptation), as well as sporting performance and human-computer interactions (PoseAI and virtual reality).
Qualifications
2012 — Graduate Certificate of Education (Tertiary Teaching) — James Cook University
2005-2008 — Doctor of Philosophy — James Cook University
2004-2005 — Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science with Honours — James Cook University
2000-2003 — Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science — James Cook University
Teaching Areas
Biomechanics and Musculoskeletal rehabilitation
Primary Research Area/s
Motor control/learning; Biomechanics; Strength and conditioning; Musculoskeletal rehabilitationResearch Interests
2020: Crowther, R.G. & Eston, R. ($108,000). Training load analysis for Basketball South Australia high performance players 2020-2022. Basketball South Australia.
2016: Raynor, A., Ire, F., Crowther, R.G. ($133,415). Increasing activity levels and quality of life for those in an aged care environment through exercise – effectiveness and feasibility. Industry Collaboration Scheme, Edith Cowan University, MercyCare, Arche Health and University of Southern Queensland.
2016: Raynor, A., Ire, F., Crowther, R.G. ($8,000). Establishing a multi-centre collaboration for developing motor learning and control principles evidence and best practice in musculoskeletal rehabilitation clinics. Edith Cowan University Collaboration Enhancement Scheme, Edith Cowan University.
2014: Fernando, M., Crowther, R.G., Sangla, K., Lazzarini, P., Cunningham, M., Golledge, J. ($19,869). Plantar pressure and gait characteristics of Type 2 diabetes/ plantar ulcer/non-ulcer patients. Correlations of ulceration to histopathological and haematological findings. Health Practitioner Research Grant Scheme, Queensland Health.
2013: Crowther, R.G. ($24,000). Hamstring stretches before and after knee replacement surgery. Orthopaedic Research Institute of Queensland.
Research Supervision Experience
Winter, Lachlan. (2024 – current – FT). Doctor of Philosophy. The application of virtual reality and haptic feedback in baseball batting skill development. School of Exercise and Nutrition Science, Deakin University. Co-supervisor.
Li, Yi. (2021 – current – FT). Doctor of Philosophy. Fatigue evaluation in XR interaction. Immersive Analytics Lab Human-Centred Computing (HCC), Faculty of Information Technology, Monash University. Co-supervisor.
Winter, Lachlan. (2021 – 2023 - PT). Master of Research. The practicality of non-linear dynamic calculations for the analysis of cycling performance. UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance, University of South Australia. Principal supervisor.
Palmer, B. (2020 – 2023 - FT). Master of Research. The use of load monitoring in elite youth athletes. UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance, University of South Australia. Principal supervisor.
Hall, K. (2020 – 2022 - FT). Master of Research. Inertia flywheel resistance and its applications for post-activation performance enhancement. UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance, University of South Australia. Principal supervisor.
Jenner, B. (2020 – 2022 - FT). Master of Research. Reliability of lower limb strength assessment and the running vertical jump test in female team sport athletes. UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance, University of South Australia. Principal supervisor.
Wheare, M. (2019 – 2021 - FT). Master of Research. Reliability and validity of the Polhmeus Liberty system for upper body joint angular kinematics of elite golfers. UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance, University of South Australia. Principal supervisor.
Barratt, G. (2019 – 2021 - FT). Master of Research. Foot-stretcher height, rowing performance and lower limb anthropometric ratios in a single scull and on a Concept2 rowing ergometer. UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance, University of South Australia. Principal supervisor.
Fernando, M. (2011- 2017). Doctor of Philosophy. The gait features and plantar pressure of people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and plantar foot ulcers. School of Medicine/School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine & Rehabilitation Sciences, James Cook University. Co-supervisor.
Honours
Paduch, A. (2023-current). The impact of hamstring muscle length during isometric strengthening exercise on adaptations to muscle structure and function. School of Behavioural and Health Sciences. Australian Catholic University. Co-supervisor.
Lee, R. (2021-2022). What gaps exist in biomechanics and motor control research in Paralympic sports? A scoping review focused on performance and injury risk. UniSA Allied Health & Human Performance. University of South Australia. Principal supervisor.
Walker-Roberts, A. (2019). A pilot study to compare the effect of varying levels of experience in exercise physiology has on visual fixations and verbal cues during the weighted back squat. School of Health Sciences. University of South Australia. Principal supervisor.
Donaldson, C. (2019). Effect of plantar pressure emphasis on lower limb kinematics and kinetics during the weighted back squat. School of Health Sciences. University of South Australia. Principal supervisor.
Reppucci, E. (2019). Impact of peripheral neuropathy on lower limb muscle strength. School of Health Sciences. University of South Australia. Principal supervisor.
Woolley, T. (2013). The effect of spatial manipulation on goalkeeper’s anticipation of a penalty shot in soccer. Institute of Sport & Exercise Science, James Cook University. Principal supervisor.
Connor, J. (2013). Anticipatory skills of the stepping manoeuvre. Institute of Sport & Exercise Science, James Cook University. Principal supervisor.
Newman, R. (2012). The effects of multi-task balance training on community-dwelling older adults. Institute of Sport & Exercise Science, James Cook University. Principal supervisor.
Morken, C. (2011). Biomechanical considerations in Hula-Hooping, Nintendo Wii Hula-Hooping and traditional core exercises. Institute of Sport & Exercise Science, James Cook University. Principal supervisor.
Mulcahy, R. (2011). Effect of plyometric exercise training on developing female netball players. Institute of Sport & Exercise Science, James Cook University. Principal supervisor.
Brownsberger, J. (2011). The effects of mental fatigue on the perception of effort. Institute of Sport & Exercise Science, James Cook University. Co-supervisor.
Hodkinson, J. (2011). Identification of a method to establish cervical spine stabilisation using three dimensional VICON motion analysis technology & time to stabilisation of the cervical spine when supported by a pillow in side lying. Department of Physiotherapy, James Cook University. Co-supervisor.
Publications
Winter, L., Grimshow, P., Bellenger, C., & Crowther, R.G. (in press). The application of the Lyapunov Exponent to analyse human performance. A systematic review. Journal of Sports Science.
Hall, K.B., Immink, M.A. Martin, D.T., Bennett, H., & Crowther, R.G. (in press). Does-response effect of an inertia flywheel post-activation performance enhancement on countermovement jump performance. Journal of Applied Biomechanics.
Jenner, B., Nottle, C., Walters, J.L., Saunders, S.W., Leicht, A.S., & Crowther, R.G. (in press). The use of dynamometry for lower limb strength assessment in female team sport athletes. A scoping review. Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise.
Li, Y., Crowther, R.G., Smiley, J., Dwyer, T., Tag, B., Irani, P., & Ens, B. (2023). Revisiting consumed endurance: A NICE way to quantify shoulder fatigue in virtual reality. In 29th ACM Symposium on Virtual Reality Software and Technology (VERT 2023), October 9-11, 2023, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Palmer. B.L., Van Der Ploeg, G.E., Bourdon, P.C., & Crowther, R.G. (2023). The reliability and validity of two different inertial measurement units in youth basketball players. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 23(7), 1556-1560.
Winter, L., Bellenger, C., Grimshaw, P., & Crowther, R.G. (2023). Analysis of movement variability in cycling: An exploratory study. Sensors, 23(10), 4972-4987.
Sorby-Admas, A.J., Marian, O.C., Bilechki, I.M., Elms, L.E., Camargo, J., Hall, K., & Crowther, R.G., Leonard, A.V., Turner, R.J., Jones, C.F. (2023). Neurological scoring and gait kinematics to assess functional outcome in an ovine model of ischaemic stroke. Frontiers Neurology, 14:1071794, 1-20.
Palmer, B.L., Van Der Ploeg, G.E., Bourdon, P.C., Butler, S.R., & Crowther, R.G. (2023). Evaluation of athlete monitoring tools across 10 weeks of elite youth basketball training: An Explorative Study. Sports, 11(26).
Jenner, B., Nottle, C., Walters, J.L., Saunders, S.W., Leicht, A.S., & Crowther, R.G. (2023). Reliability of the running vertical jump test in female team sport athletes. Physical Therapy in Sport, 60, 47-53
Clinical Skills and Experience
Musculoskeletal rehabilitation
Memberships
- Exercise and Sports Science Australia
- International Society of Biomechanics in Sport
- Australian and New Zealand Society of Biomechanics
Consultancy Interests
Sport and Exercise Science & Clinical Exercise Physiology
