Dr Marianne J.R. Gittoes

The overall purpose of my research is to extend knowledge of the lower limb mechanical demands incurred in dynamic and potentially injurious sport and exercise impacts using advanced biomechanical approaches. My early research was centred on developing and applying innovative computer models of the human body. More recently, the theoretical understanding gained from my simulation modelling research been used to address applied perspectives in gymnastics and running, and to explore stress mechanisms for injury prediction.

List of Selected Publications

Book Chapters

Gittoes, M.J.R. (2014). Chapter 6: A biomechanical modelling approach to understanding the physical demands of impact landings. In R. Neil, S. Hanton, S. Fleming & K. Wilson (Eds.) The Research Process in Sport, Exercise, and Health: Case Studies of Active Researchers. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. London & New York. 

Refereed Journal Papers

​Diss, C.E., Gittoes, M.J.R., Tong, R. & Kerwin, D.G. (2015). Stance limb kinetics of older male athletes' endurance running performance. Sports Biomechanics, 14 (3), 300-309.

Wdowski, M.M.  & Gittoes, M.J.R. (2013). Kinematic strategy adaptations in sprint acceleration with and without the constraint of holding a field hockey stick. Sport Biomechanics, 12 (2), 143-153.

Gittoes, M.J.R., Irwin, G.I., & Kerwin, D.G. (2013). Kinematic landing strategy transference in backward rotating gymnastic dismounts. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 29, 253-260.

Gittoes, M.J.R. (2012). Author's response to comments on ''Soft-tissue contributions to impact forces simulated using a four-segment wobbling mass model of forefoot-heel landings". Human Movement Science, 31 (3), 746-747.

Exell, T.A., Gittoes, M.J.R., Irwin, G. & Kerwin, D.G. (2012). Considerations of force plate transitions on centre of pressure calculation for maximal velocity sprint running. Sports Biomechanics, 11 (4), 532-541.

Gittoes, M.J.R. & Irwin, G. (2012). Biomechanical approaches to understanding the potentially injurious demands of gymnastic-style impact landings. Sports, Medicine, Arthroscopy, Rehabilitation, Therapy & Technology, 4 (4). http://www.smarttjournal.com/content/4/1/4.

Exell, T.A., Irwin, G., Gittoes, M.J.R. & Kerwin, D.G. (2012). Gait Asymmetry: composite scores for mechanical analyses of sprint running. Journal of Biomechanics, 45 (6), 1108-1111.

Exell, T.A., Irwin, G., Gittoes, M.J.R. & Kerwin, D.G. (2012). Implications of intra-limb variability on asymmetry analyses. Journal of Sports Sciences, 30 (4), 403-409.

Gittoes, M.J.R., Irwin, G., Mullineaux, D. & Kerwin, D.G. (2011). Whole-body and multi-joint kinematic control strategy variability during backward rotating dismounts from beam. Journal of Sports Sciences, 29 (10), 1051-1058.

Manning, M.M., Irwin, G., Gittoes, M.J.R. & Kerwin, D.G. (2011). Influence of longswing technique on the kinematics and key release parameters of the straddle Tkachev on uneven bars. Sports Biomechanics, 10(3), 161-173.

Gittoes, M.J.R. & Wilson, C. (2010). Intra-limb joint coordination patterns of the lower extremity in maximal velocity phase sprint running. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 26 (2), 188-195.

Gittoes, M.J.R. & Kerwin, D.G. (2009). Interactive effects of mass proportions and coupling properties on external loading in simulated forefoot impact landings. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 25 (3), 238-246.

Gittoes, M.J.R., Bezodis, I.N. & Wilson, C. (2009). An image-based approach to obtaining anthropometric measurements for inertia modelling. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 25 (3), 265-270.

Gittoes, M.J.R. & Kerwin, D.G. (2006). Component inertia modeling of segmental wobbling and rigid masses. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 22, 148-154.

Gittoes, M.J.R., Brewin, M.A. & Kerwin, D.G. (2006). Soft tissue contributions to impact forces using a four-segment wobbling mass model of forefoot-heel landings. Human Movement Science, 25, 775-787.

Refereed Journal Abstracts

Wyatt, H.E., Gittoes, M.J.R. & Irwin, G. (2016). Short-term ageing effects on biomechanical indicators for injury screening in young female gymnasts. Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise 47 (7), 1227-1430.

Gittoes, M.J.R., Brewin, M.A. & Kerwin, D.G. (2005). Contribution of modelling soft tissue properties in simulations of dynamic movements. Journal of Sport Sciences, 23, 1152.

Gittoes, M.J.R., Kerwin, D.G. & Brewin, M.A. (2005). Wobbling and rigid mass coupling in human impact landings. Journal of Sports Sciences, 23, 104-105.

Recent Conference Proceedings (since 2012)

I have published over 30 conference proceedings including:

Wyatt, H.E., Gittoes, M.J.R. & Irwin, G. (2015). Influence of Short-Term Growth on Mechanical Risk Indicators in Female Gymnasts. In Colloud, F., Domalain, M. & Monnet, T. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 33rd International Conference on Biomechanics in Sports. Poitiers, France.

Diss, C.E., Gittoes, M.J.R., Tong, R.J. & Kerwin, D.G. (2015). Age based lower body joint analysis of male endurance running performance. In Colloud, F., Domalain, M. & Monnet, T. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 33rd International Conference on Biomechanics in Sports. Poitiers, France.

Manning, M., Irwin, G., Kerwin, D.G. & Gittoes, M.J.R. (2015). Biomechanics of technique selection in women's artistic gymnastics: From theory to practice. In Colloud, F., Domalain, M. & Monnet, T. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 33rd International Conference on Biomechanics in Sports. Poitiers, France.

Gittoes, M.J.R. & Moore, I.S. (2015). Trial stabilisation of gait biomechanics with shoe familiarisation in trained distance runners. In Colloud, F., Domalain, M. & Monnet, T. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 33rd International Conference on Biomechanics in Sports. Poitiers, France.

Gittoes, M.J.R. & Kerwin, D.G. (2014). Intra-limb joint configuration contributions to knee joint loading in a simulated landing task. In Sato, K., Sands, W.A. & Mizuguchi, S. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 32nd International Conference on Biomechanics in Sports. Johnson City, TN, USA.

Wdowski, M.M., Gittoes, M.J.R., Irwin, G. & Nokes, L. (2013). Short-term kinematic adaptation to unanticipated sprint running conditions in field sport. In Proceedings of the 18th International Conference of the European College of Sport Science. INEFC, Barcelona, Spain, 551.

Gittoes, M.J.R., Bezodis, I.N. & Exell, T.A. (2013). Stance limb kinematic variability in maximum velocity phase sprint running. In Proceedings of the 18th International Conference of the European College of Sport Science. INEFC, Barcelona, Spain, 552.

Diss, C.E., Gittoes, M.J.R., Tong, R.J. & Kerwin, D.G. (2013). Stance limb kinetics of older male endurance running performance. In Proceedings of the 18th International Conference of the European College of Sport Science. Barcelona, Spain, 306.

Wdowski, M.M., Gittoes, M.J.R., Irwin, G. & Nokes, L. (2012). Performance outcome adaptation in field sport sprinting. In Proceedings of the International Convention on Science, Education & Medicine in Sport, Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre, Glasgow, supplemented pages.

Wdowski, M., Gittoes, M.J.R., Irwin, G. & Nokes, L. (2012). Short-term biomechanical adaptation in a maximum velocity field sport sprinting protocol: Pilot Investigation. In Proceedings of the 30th International Conference on Biomechanics in Sports. Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, 190-194.

I primarily deliver and lead biomechanics modules at undergraduate and postgraduate level and supervise Undergraduate, MSc and PhD students within biomechanics. Beyond biomechanics, I contribute to Research Methods delivery within the school and also at an institutional level, through the Postgraduate Research Student training programme. 

Current PhD Supervision

• Ph.D. Student: H. Fisher. An Interdisciplinary Stress-Based Examination of Injury Occurrence and Response in Competitive Sport. Supervisory Team: Gittoes, M.J.R. (Director of Studies), Evans, L. & Mullen, R. (Research Innovation Award Studentship) 

Completed MPhil/PhD Supervision

• Ph.D. Student: H. Wyatt. Age-Related Biomechanical Indicators of Overuse Injuries in Female Gymnasts. Supervisory Team: Gittoes, M.J.R. (Director of Studies) & Irwin, G. (2016)

• Ph.D. Student: M. Manning. Biomechanical Factors Influencing the Performance of the Tkachev on Uneven Bars. Supervisory Team: Irwin, G. (Director of Studies), Kerwin, D.G. & Gittoes, M.J.R. (2015)

• Ph.D. Student: M. Wdowski. Short-term Biomechanical Adaptation in Field Sport Sprinting. Supervisory Team: Gittoes, M.J.R. (Director of Studies), Irwin, G. & Kerwin, D.G. (2014)

• Ph.D. Student: C. Diss. Age-Based Biomechanics of Male Running Gait. Supervisory Team: Gittoes, M.J.R. (Director of Studies), Kerwin, D.G. & Tong, R.J. (2011)

• Ph.D. Student: T. Exell. Lower-Limb Biomechanical Asymmetry in Maximal Velocity Sprint Running (Ph.D.). Supervisory Team: Kerwin, D.G. (Director of Studies), Irwin, G. & Gittoes, M.J.R. (2011)

• M.Phil. Student: M. Samuels. Biomechanics of Technique Development in Men's Artistic Gymnastics. Supervisory Team: Irwin, G. (Director of Studies), Kerwin, D.G. & Gittoes, M.J.R. (2010)

Qualifications

Ph.D. in Biomechanics, University of Bath
B.Sc. (Hons) Physical Education & Sport Science, First Class, Loughborough University
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) 

Awards

International Society of Biomechanics in Sport  New Investigator's Award
British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences SportsPages Biomechanics Student Award

 Since joining the School, I have provided scholarly contributions and sport science support to field-specific (sport and exercise biomechanics) and wider bodies. The primary focus of these contributions has been centred on research-knowledge transfer to wider contexts.  

Scientific Committee Member

I have been an invited scientific member for the following external associations:

• International Society of Biomechanics in Sport
• International Congress on Sports Science Research and Technology Support
• British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences
• European Society of Biomechanics  

Invited Journal Reviewer

I am an invited peer reviewer for the following international journals:

• Clinical Biomechanics
• Gait and Posture
• Human Movement Science
• Institution of Mechanical Engineers
• Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• Journal of Human Kinetics
• Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology
• Journal of Sport Sciences
• Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise
• Medical Engineering and Physics
• Sports Biomechanics 

Membership of Professional Bodies

I have been a member of the following scholarly associations:

• International Society of Biomechanics in Sport
• Biomechanics Interest Group (British Association of Sport & Exercise Sciences)
• British Association of Sport & Exercise Sciences 

Research Enterprise Consultancy

I have provided biomechanical consultancy and expert advice for numerous external bodies including:

• Foot Strike Analysis
• Welsh Rugby Football Union. Biomechanics of Line-Out Throwing and Scrummaging
• Gerflor Flooring Company®. Elastic Properties of Indoor Training Surfaces
• Gloucester Rugby Football Union. Biomechanical Support to First Team Hookers
• Cardiff School of Medicine. Golf Swing Mechanics in Knee Replacement Adults
• Triathlon Plus (On-line)
• Runner's World
• Triathlete's World
• Men's Health (On-line)
• Coaches Info.com (On-line) 

External Examination/Reviews

• External Moderator: M.Phil. /Ph.D. Student: A Spence, School of Human Sciences, St Mary's University College, University of Surrey. The Biomechanics and Physiology of Monitoring Endurance Running Performance. Supervisors: Dr S. Patterson, Dr N. Bezodis (St Mary's University College) (2014)

• External Panellist: Equality Charter Unit's review committee for Athena-SWAN submissions (2016)