Professor Paul Hodges
Professor

Paul Hodges

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 52008

Background

Paul W. Hodges DSc MedDr PhD BPhty(Hons) FAA FACP APAM(Hon) is an National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Leadership Fellow (Level 3), Professor and Director of the Centre for Innovation in Pain and Health Research (CIPHeR) at The University of Queensland (UQ). He is lead chief investigator on an NHMRC Synergy Grant that includes colleagues from the Universities of Queensland, Adelaide and South Australia, and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute. Paul is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, which is a Fellowship of the nation’s most distinguished scientists, elected by their peers for outstanding research that has pushed back the frontiers of knowledge. He is also a Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists, the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Science, and was made an Honoured member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association, their highest honour.

Paul is a recognised world leader in movement control, pain and rehabilitation. His unique comprehensive research approach from molecular biology to brain physiology and human function has led to discoveries that have transformed understanding of why people move differently in pain. His innovative research has also led to discoveries of changes in neuromuscular function across a diverse range of conditions from incontinence to breathing disorders. These observations have been translated into effective treatments that have been tested and implemented internationally.

Paul has received numerous national and international research awards that span basic and clinical science. These include the premier international award for spine research (ISSLS Prize) on five occasions; three times in Basic Science (2006, 2011, 2019) and twice in Clinical Science (2018, 2021). International awards in basic science include the SusanneKlein-Vogelbach Award (2010) and the Delsys Prize for Innovation in Electromyography (2009). National medical research awards include the NHMRC Achievement Award (2011). He has also received national community-based leadership awards including the Young Australian of the Year Award in Science and Technology (1997), Future Summit Australian Leadership Award (2010), and Emerging Leader Award (Next 100 Awards, 2009).

Paul is the Chair of the Terminology Task Force for the International Association for the Study of Pain, Chair of the Consensus for Experimental Design in Electromypgraphy for the International Society for Electrophysiology and Kinesiology and has been the Chair/Co-Chair for several major international conferences. He has led major international consortia to bring together leaders from multiple disciplines to understand pain.

Availability

Professor Paul Hodges is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Biological Sciences Biomechanics Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Clinical sciences Health Sciences Motor control Neurosciences Pain Sports science and exercise

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Karolinska Mediko Kirurgiska Institutet
  • Doctoral Diploma of Science (Advanced), The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Pain

    Matching the right patient to the right treatment at the right time Discrimination between pain mechanisms Rehabilitation of pain

  • Motor control

  • Rehabilitation

  • Continence

  • Low back pain

Research impacts

Paul has four doctorates; one in Physiotherapy (Uni Qld), two in Neuroscience (Karolinska Inst, Uni Qld) and an honorary doctorate in Medicine (Ghent Uni). His work aims to blend these skills to understand the mechanisms underpinning pain and movement, and use that knowledge to develop and refine interventions. His diverse expertise enables him to solve complex problems using a comprehensive multi-scale approach from molecular biology to brain physiology and human function, using innovative experimental methods. His comprehensive research approach has led to discoveries that have transformed understanding of why people move differently in pain. Translation of this work into treatments for people in pain have changed rehabilitation and improved outcomes, particularly for back pain; the world’s leading cause of disability. In addition to his work in pain his unique approach has led to breakthroughs in other areas such as management of continence and breathing disorders.

Search Professor Paul Hodges’s works on UQ eSpace

754 works between 1993 and 2025
All (754) Journal Article (588) Book Chapter (30) Conference Publication (124) Book (4) Other Outputs (7) Edited Outputs (1)

721 - 740 of 754 works

2001

Journal Article

Postural activity of the diaphragm is reduced in humans when respiratory demand increases

Hodges, P. W., Heijnen, I. and Gandevia, S. C. (2001). Postural activity of the diaphragm is reduced in humans when respiratory demand increases. Journal of Physiology, 537 (3), 999-1008. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7793.2001.00999.x

Postural activity of the diaphragm is reduced in humans when respiratory demand increases

2001

Journal Article

In vivo measurement of the effect of intra-abdominal pressure on the human spine

Hodges, P. W., Cresswell, A. G., Daggfeldt, K. and Thorstensson, A. (2001). In vivo measurement of the effect of intra-abdominal pressure on the human spine. Journal of Biomechanics, 34 (3), 347-353. doi: 10.1016/S0021-9290(00)00206-2

In vivo measurement of the effect of intra-abdominal pressure on the human spine

2001

Journal Article

Changes in motor planning of feedforward postural responses of the trunk muscles in low back pain

Hodges, PW (2001). Changes in motor planning of feedforward postural responses of the trunk muscles in low back pain. Experimental Brain Research, 141 (2), 261-266. doi: 10.1007/s002210100873

Changes in motor planning of feedforward postural responses of the trunk muscles in low back pain

2000

Journal Article

Does strengthening the abdominal muscles prevent low back pain? [7] (multiple letters)

Hodges, P., Jull, G., Helewa, A., Goldsmith, C. H., Lee, P., Smythe, H. A. and Forwell, L. (2000). Does strengthening the abdominal muscles prevent low back pain? [7] (multiple letters). Journal of Rheumatology, 27 (9), 2286-2288.

Does strengthening the abdominal muscles prevent low back pain? [7] (multiple letters)

2000

Journal Article

The role of the motor system in spinal pain: implications for rehabilitation of the athlete following lower back pain

Hodges, Paul W. (2000). The role of the motor system in spinal pain: implications for rehabilitation of the athlete following lower back pain. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 3 (3), 243-253.

The role of the motor system in spinal pain: implications for rehabilitation of the athlete following lower back pain

2000

Journal Article

Pitfalls of intramuscular electromyographic recordings from the human costal diaphragm

Hodges, P. W. and Gandevia, S. C. (2000). Pitfalls of intramuscular electromyographic recordings from the human costal diaphragm. Clinical Neurophysiology, 111 (8), 1420-1424. doi: 10.1016/S1388-2457(00)00341-2

Pitfalls of intramuscular electromyographic recordings from the human costal diaphragm

2000

Journal Article

Changes in intra-abdominal pressure during postural and respiratory activation of the human diaphragm

Hodges, P. W. and Gandevia, S. C. (2000). Changes in intra-abdominal pressure during postural and respiratory activation of the human diaphragm. Journal of Applied Physiology, 89 (3), 967-976.

Changes in intra-abdominal pressure during postural and respiratory activation of the human diaphragm

2000

Journal Article

Activation of the human diaphragm during a repetitive postural task

Hodges, PW and Gandevia, SC (2000). Activation of the human diaphragm during a repetitive postural task. Journal of Physiology-london, 522 (1), 165-175. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-7793.2000.t01-1-00165.xm

Activation of the human diaphragm during a repetitive postural task

2000

Journal Article

The test-retest reliability of the onset of concentric and eccentric vastus medialis obliquus and vastus lateralis activity in a stair stepping task

Cowan, Sallie M., Bennell, Kim L. and Hodges, Paul W. (2000). The test-retest reliability of the onset of concentric and eccentric vastus medialis obliquus and vastus lateralis activity in a stair stepping task. Physical Therapy in Sport, 1 (4), 129-136. doi: 10.1054/ptsp.2000.0036

The test-retest reliability of the onset of concentric and eccentric vastus medialis obliquus and vastus lateralis activity in a stair stepping task

2000

Journal Article

Does strengthening the abdominal muscles prevent low back pain?

Hodges, P. W. and Jull, G. A. (2000). Does strengthening the abdominal muscles prevent low back pain?. Journal of Rheumatology, 27 (9), 2286-2288.

Does strengthening the abdominal muscles prevent low back pain?

2000

Journal Article

Three dimensional preparatory trunk motion precedes asymmetrical upper limb movement

Hodges, P. W., Cresswell, A. G., Daggfeldt, K. and Thorstensson, A. (2000). Three dimensional preparatory trunk motion precedes asymmetrical upper limb movement. Gait & Posture, 11 (2), 92-101. doi: 10.1016/S0966-6362(99)00055-7

Three dimensional preparatory trunk motion precedes asymmetrical upper limb movement

1999

Journal Article

Is there a role for transversus abdominis in lumbo-pelvic stability?

Hodges, PW (1999). Is there a role for transversus abdominis in lumbo-pelvic stability?. Manual Therapy, 4 (2), 74-86. doi: 10.1054/math.1999.0169

Is there a role for transversus abdominis in lumbo-pelvic stability?

1999

Journal Article

Preparatory trunk motion accompanies rapid upper limb movement

Hodges, P. W., Cresswell, A. G. and Thorstensson, A. (1999). Preparatory trunk motion accompanies rapid upper limb movement. Experimental Brain Research, 124 (1), 69-79. doi: 10.1007/s002210050601

Preparatory trunk motion accompanies rapid upper limb movement

1999

Journal Article

Altered trunk muscle recruitment in people with low back pain with upper limb movement at different speeds

Hodges, PW and Richardson, CA (1999). Altered trunk muscle recruitment in people with low back pain with upper limb movement at different speeds. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 80 (9), 1005-1012. doi: 10.1016/S0003-9993(99)90052-7

Altered trunk muscle recruitment in people with low back pain with upper limb movement at different speeds

1999

Book

Therapeutic Exercise for Spinal Segmental Stabilization in Low Back Pain: Scientific Basis and Clinical Approach

Richardson, C. A., Jull, G. A., Hodges, P. W. and Hides, J. A. (1999). Therapeutic Exercise for Spinal Segmental Stabilization in Low Back Pain: Scientific Basis and Clinical Approach. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.

Therapeutic Exercise for Spinal Segmental Stabilization in Low Back Pain: Scientific Basis and Clinical Approach

1999

Journal Article

Transversus abdominis and the superficial abdominal muscles are controlled independently in a postural task

Hodges, PM and Richardson, CA (1999). Transversus abdominis and the superficial abdominal muscles are controlled independently in a postural task. Neuroscience Letters, 265 (2), 91-94. doi: 10.1016/S0304-3940(99)00216-5

Transversus abdominis and the superficial abdominal muscles are controlled independently in a postural task

1998

Journal Article

Editorial — Common goals: do physiotherapists in research share the same goals as clinicians?

Hodges, Paul (1998). Editorial — Common goals: do physiotherapists in research share the same goals as clinicians?. Physiotherapy Research International, 3 (1), v-vi. doi: 10.1002/pri.117

Editorial — Common goals: do physiotherapists in research share the same goals as clinicians?

1998

Journal Article

Electrodes and diaphragm activity (multiple letters) [1]

Hodges, P., Gandevia, S. and Allison, G. T. (1998). Electrodes and diaphragm activity (multiple letters) [1]. Australian Journal of Physiotherapy, 44 (4), 277-280.

Electrodes and diaphragm activity (multiple letters) [1]

1998

Journal Article

Delayed postural contraction of transversus abdominis in low back pain associated with movement of the lower limb

Hodges, P. W. and Richardson, C. A. (1998). Delayed postural contraction of transversus abdominis in low back pain associated with movement of the lower limb. Journal of Spinal Disorders, 11 (1), 46-56. doi: 10.1097/00002517-199802000-00008

Delayed postural contraction of transversus abdominis in low back pain associated with movement of the lower limb

1997

Journal Article

Contractions of specific abdominal muscles in postural tasks are affected by respiratory maneuvers

Hodges, P W, Gandevia, S C and Richardson, C A (1997). Contractions of specific abdominal muscles in postural tasks are affected by respiratory maneuvers. Journal of applied physiology (Bethesda, Md. : 1985), 83 (3), 753-60. doi: 10.1152/jappl.1997.83.3.753

Contractions of specific abdominal muscles in postural tasks are affected by respiratory maneuvers

Current funding

  • 2026 - 2030
    Addressing the critical questions in chronic pain
    NHMRC Investigator Grants
    Open grant
  • 2025 - 2026
    Uncovering the role of sleep in back pain in the real world
    The International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine
    Open grant
  • 2025 - 2028
    A quantum exoGarment for unrivalled measurement of muscle function in sport
    Quantum 2032 Challenge Program
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2028
    Comparative effectiveness of exercise, cognitive behavioural therapy, and their combination for people with chronic musculoskeletal pain and poor sleep
    United States Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs - Chronic Pain Management Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2028
    DISCERN - Disciplinary Integration to Solve the Enigma of Chronic Pain: Evaluating Personalised Care and its Impact with Innovative Clinical Trials and Research in Neurobiology, Psychology and Society
    NHMRC Synergy Grants
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2028
    PRioRTI: PReventing chronic pain after whiplash Road Traffic Injury
    NHMRC MRFF CTA - Clinical Trials Activity
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2028
    The clinical and cost-effectiveness of lumbar fusion surgery for patients with persistent, severe low back pain: FusiOn veRsus bEst coNServative Care (the FORENSIC trial)
    NHMRC-National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Collaborative Research Grants
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    Australia and New Zealand Musculoskeletal (ANZMUSC) Clinical Trials Network (NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence Grant administered by Monash University)
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    What causes low back pain to flare: Has a major opportunity to understand back pain been missed?
    United States National Institutes of Health
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    From understanding the mechanisms to implementing conservative management of musculoskeletal conditions
    NHMRC Investigator Grants
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2026
    ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Joint Biomechanics (ITRP led by Queensland University of Technology)
    Queensland University of Technology
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2024
    Planting the CEDE: Co-designing and co-developing knowledge translation strategies to implement current expert-based rec
    UQ Knowledge Exchange & Translation Fund
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Assessing the impact of targeted multifidus activation, using Reactiv8, on its structure in a model of low back pain
    Mainstay Medical Limited
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Understanding the effects of heavy weightlifting on pelvic organ support in vaginally parous premenopausal women: a cross-sectional study
    Physiotherapy Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Understanding Acute to Chronic Back Pain Pathways and Testing New Solutions
    United States Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs - Chronic Pain Management Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2024
    Structural and neural determinants of stress and strain in human muscle
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Improving delivery of the biopsychosocial approach: enhancing low back pain healthcare practice.
    Arthritis Foundation of Australia
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    The role of neuroimmune response on sensorimotor function in different classes of chronic low back pain
    The International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Targeted pelvic floor muscle training for urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy: A randomised controlled trial with embedded physiological studies
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Translating low back pain research: Identifying potential hidden harms in health messaging
    Arthritis Foundation of Australia
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    "MyBackPain": An innovative consumer focused website for low back pain
    Medibank Private Limited
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    Efficacy of a state-of-the-art pelvic floor muscle training program on urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy: A randomised clinical trial with embedded physiological studies
    Physiotherapy Research Fellowships
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2021
    Musculoskeletal pain and disability: improving outcomes through conservative interventions
    NHMRC Program Grant
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    Physiology and pathophysiology of disorders of the musculoskelatal system
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Muscle function in people with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI)
    Queensland Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Network
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2020
    Centre of Research Excellence in Translation of Research into Improved OUtcomes in Musculoskeletal Pain & Health (CRE TRIUMPH) (NHMRC CRE administered by the University of Melbourne)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Using fine wire electromyography for the assessment of lumbopelvic muscle function of individuals when exercising on the Functional Readaptive Exercise Device (FRED)
    University of Northumbria at Newcastle
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Insight into the motor adaptation to musculoskeletal pain
    RL Cooper Medical Research Foundation Limited
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Quantification of muscle mechanical properties by an innovative shear wave elastographic technique for basic and clinical science.
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2012
    Gait analysis for clinical research
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Urinary continence and incontinence in men: New insight through new technologies
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    A virtual environment for the study of multisensory learning, adaptation and control
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2015
    Musculoskeletal pain, injury and health: improving outcomes through conservative management
    NHMRC Program Grant
    Open grant
  • 2011
    Neuro-navigation for basic and clinical research
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2015
    NHMRC Research Fellowship (SPRF): Physiology and pathophysiology of disorders of the musculoskeletal system
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Priming the brain to learn
    UWA-UQ Bilateral Research Collaboration Award
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    ResTeach 2011 0.2 FTE School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
    UQ ResTeach
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2014
    Why do people keep hurting their back: A longitudinal study of biological, psychological and social predictors
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    Reconsideration of the motor adaptation to pain
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    A 3.0 Tesla MRI system for human cognitive neuroscience research
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2011
    Clinical efficacy and physiological mechanisms of nerve and tendon gliding exercises for carpal tunnel syndrome.
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2008
    State of the art wireless electromyography system for clinical research
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2008
    Reducing knee load and slowing disease progression with conservative interventions in knee osteoarthritis
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2010
    Which exercise for chronic low back pain? (NHMRC Project Grant administered by the University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2011
    An investigation of the differential control of the cervical extensor muscles during active and automatic cervical extension tasks
    Physiotherapy Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2012
    CCRE in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health
    NHMRC Centres of Clinical Research Excellence
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    Dynamic postural stability and falls prediction in older people during walking in real-world environments
    Queensland University of Technology
    Open grant
  • 2007
    State-of-the-art Three Dimensional Movement Analysis System
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007 - 2009
    The contribution of dopamine to regulation of orofacial, limb and trunk control: System or function specific effects?
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2007
    UQ Travel Award - Paul Hodges
    UQ Travel Grants Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2007
    Physiology and Epidemiology of changes in muscle size and activity measured with ultrasound imaging in low back pain
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2009
    Neuromuscular adaptations to training, cross training and passive physical interventions: A neurophysiological approach to understanding human performance and musculoskeletal injury
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Competing demands on the axial muscles: Effects, consequences, compensations and mechanisms
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2009
    Low Back Pain In Nurses: Investigating Causes in order to identify a solution
    Queensland Nursing Council
    Open grant
  • 2006
    NHMRC_Infrastructure Item_Pedar-x/Expert System: Portable in-shoe measuring pedography system
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Pain and trunk muscle control: Effects, mechanisms and consequences
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2010
    PRINCIPAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
    NHMRC Research Fellowship
    Open grant
  • 2005 - 2006
    ESEG_Coordination of competing demands on the trunk muscles: Consequence compensation and mechanism
    UQ External Support Enabling Grant
    Open grant
  • 2005
    NHMRC_Equipment Grant = Ultrasound Imaging for Musculoskeletal Research
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2003
    Electromyography (EMG) Amplifier
    NHMRC Equipment Grant
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2005
    NHMRC Senior Research Fellow
    NHMRC Fellowship Grant
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2005
    Physiological Mechanisms Of Efficacy Of Cervical Flexor Muscle Retraining
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2003
    Task Conflict as a Risk Factor for Musculoskeletal Pain and Injury
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards - DVC(R) Funding
    Open grant
  • 2001
    Postural compensation for respiration: A physiological factor in low back pain
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2005
    NHMRC SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
    NHMRC Fellowship Grant
    Open grant
  • 2001 - 2005
    Physiology and pathophysiology of trunk control mechanisms
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 1995
    Investigations into the neuromotor control of background stabilisation of the trunk during voluntary limb movement
    Physiotherapy Research Foundation
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Paul Hodges is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Professor Paul Hodges directly for media enquiries about:

  • back pain
  • balance control
  • Electromyography
  • motor control
  • Multifidus
  • musculoskeletal pain
  • nociplastic pain
  • Pain
  • rehabilitation
  • Spine control
  • Ultrasound imaging

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