James Furness

Over the past 5 years I have been a tutor, assistant lecturer and clinical educator in the Doctor of Physiotherapy program at Bond University. I have also recently completed my PhD through the Faculty of Health Sciences & Medicine at Bond.

I have a strong passion for musculoskeletal physiotherapy and the sport of surfing, and therefore my research has encompassed both of these aspects. I am a lead researcher within Water-based Research Unit at Bond University, investigating the musculoskeletal and physiological adaptations in the sport of surfing.

My research has assisted in establishing a national collaboration with Surfing Australia, and an international collaboration with California State University (San Marcos).

As a lead researcher in the water-based research unit, I am passionate about conducting innovative and novel research in the sport of surfing, stand-up paddle boarding and swimming.

Current research projects which Doctor of Physiotherapy students are working on include:

• Establishing normative data for the combined elevation test in high school students
• Musculoskeletal screening techniques for the shoulder and hip in surfing population
• Using Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) to profile Bone Health and Body Composition in a Surfing Population
• Can smart devices and human movement apps be used to measure range of motion in clinical practice.
• A biomechanical analysis of the SUP paddle stroke

I am also a secondary supervisor of two higher degree students:

• Mandy Hannan (Doctor of Philosophy). High Intensity Aerobic and Resistance Interval Training within Australian Cardiac Rehabilitation and Home Environments.
• Wesley Matthews (Master of Science by Research). The validity of tendon matrix change using ultrasound imaging.