Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Biomechanics

I graduated with BSc (2007) and MSc (2009) degrees in Sport and Exercise Science from the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC). Subsequently, I undertook a funded PhD in Sports Biomechanics (2009-2012) at Cardiff Metropolitan University (formerly UWIC).

My PhD research developed methods of providing integrated kinematic and kinetic feedback for sprinters and evaluated the effectiveness of different feedback interventions.

Following this, I completed a one-year Post Doc with the International Rugby Board and Cardiff Metropolitan University, investigating the use of artificial pitches and their effects on surface and player mechanics.

I joined the University of Bedfordshire as a Biomechanics Lecturer in September 2013. I currently lead the undergraduate Biomechanics units. I am Course Coordinator of our MSc Strength and Conditioning. I supervise a number of postgraduate research students. I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2015) and I hold the role of Chair of the Ethics Committee for the ISPAR Research Institute.

Qualifications

• PhD Sports Biomechanics - Cardiff Metropolitan University
• MSc Sport and Exercise Sciences - UWIC
• BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences - UWIC
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy - University of Bedfordshire

Teaching Expertise

• Biomechanics
• Human Anatomy
• Research Methods

Research profiles

• Research gate: www.researchgate.net/profile/Laura-Charalambous

Research Interests

• Biomechanical feedback
• Focus of attention
• Effects of sedentary behaviour on biomechanics
• Biomechanics of sprint running and sprint starting

Research supervision

PhD Students

• Diana Soares (Due to Complete 2022). “Effects of shoe midsole thickness and hardness on postural stability in older adults”
• Chris Long (Due to Complete 2021). “Kinetic Variables Influencing Stability in Rugby Union”
• Jordanne Hine

Completed PhD Students

• Jack Wells (November 2020). “The correlation and training of specific kinetic variables to golf drive performance”.

Masters by Research Students

• Oliver Lilly
• George Maddams
• Lauren Howard
• Jacob Murphy
• Ross Endersby

External Roles

• Academic reviewer: Journal of Sports Sciences, Sports Biomechanics, Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, Journal of Biomechanics, International Society of Biomechanics in Sport.

Publications

• Charalambous, L. H., Champion, R. B., Smith, L. R., Mitchell, A. C., & Bailey, D. P. (2019). Effects of interrupting sitting with use of a treadmill desk versus prolonged sitting on postural stability. International journal of sports medicine, 40(13), 871-875.
• Wells, J., Mitchell, A., Charalambous, L. and Fletcher, I. (2019). Relationships between highly-skilled golfers’ clubhead velocity and vertical ground reaction force asymmetry during vertical jumps and an isometric mid-thigh pull. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research,10.1519/JSC.0000000000003191. Advance online publication. doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003191
• Wells, J., Charalambous, L., Mitchell, A., Coughlan, D., Brearley, S.L., Hawkes, R., Murray, A., Hillman, R. and Fletcher, I. (2019). Relationships between Challenge Tour Golfers' clubhead velocity and force producing capabilities during a countermovement jump and isometric mid-thigh pull. Journal of Sports Sciences, 37(12), 1381-1386. doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2018.1559972
• Wells, J., Mitchell, A., Charalambous, L. and Fletcher, I. (2018). Relationships between highly skilled golfers' clubhead velocity and force producing capabilities during vertical jumps and an isometric mid-thigh pull. Journal of sports sciences, 36(16), 1847–1851. doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2018.1423611
• Charalambous, L. and Fletcher, I.M. (2017). Biomechanics of Running. In Brewer, J. Running Science, Ivy Press, UK.
• Charalambous, L., Lieres und Wilkau, H.C., Potthast, W. and Irwin, G. (2015). The effects of artificial surface temperature on mechanical properties and player kinematics during landing and acceleration. Journal of Sport and Health Sciences.
• Charalambous, L., Irwin, G., Kerwin, D.G. and Bezodis, I.N. (2012). Joint Kinetics and joint stiffness in the sprint start push-off. Journal of Sports Sciences. 30:1.

Recent Conference Publications

• Wymer, J. and Charalambous, L. (2019). An Analysis of Sticking Region Muscle Activity within the Conventional Deadlift. 5th United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association National Conference, Milton Keynes, UK.
• Long, C.S., Fletcher, I.M., Mitchell, A.C.S. and Charalambous, L. (2019). Stabilisation of elite male rugby union players during a single leg landing task. In The BASES Biomechanics Interest Group Easter Meeting, Programme and Abstracts, University of Huddersfield, April 10.
• Charalambous, L., Gedny, A., Alici, G., Charlett, O., Morari, V., Mitchell, A., Smith, L. and Bailey, D. (2018). The effects of prolonged sitting versus use of a body weight resistance exercise on postural stability. Proceedings of the 36th International Society of Biomechanics in Sport Conference, Auckland, NZ. Vol. 36: 1, article 114.
• Soares, D., Charalambous, L., Rodrigues, P. and Mitchell, A. (2018). Effects of midsole thickness on single leg drop landing ground reaction force and dynamic stability. Proceedings of the 36th International Society of Biomechanics in Sport Conference, Auckland, NZ. Vol. 36: 1, article 122.
• Soares, D., Charalambous, L., Rodrigues, P. and Mitchell, A. (2018). Effects of midsole thickness on single leg drop landing ground reaction force and dynamic stability. BASES Biomechanics Interest Group Easter Meeting, University of Salford, April 04.
• Long, C.S., Dagget, L., Fletcher, I.M., Mitchell, A.C.S. and Charalambous, L. (2018). Effects of inter-positional anthropometric factors on balance and stability in elite male rugby union players. Proceedings of the 2018 British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Conference. Journal of Sports Sciences, 36 (S1), p. 77-78.
• Charalambous, L., Champion, R., Smith, L., McGirl, C. and Bailey, D. (2017). The effects of prolonged sitting versus use of a treadmill desk on postural stability. Proceedings of the 35th International Society of Biomechanics in Sport Conference, Cologne, Germany.

Contact Details

T: +44 (0)1234 493646
E: laura.charalambous@beds.ac.uk