Overview
Background
I am an Honorary Associate Professor within the School of Human Movement & Nutrition Sciences. My primary area of research is focused on enhancing our understanding of the complex function of the human foot. Despite the importance of our feet in our daily lives, we know little about this complex anatomical structure. I am driven to understand how the foot has evolved, to perform such a diverse array of locomotor tasks with relative effectiveness and efficiency. Specifically, I study how the brain and spinal cord control foot function, and the role of elastic connective tissues in providing structural support and energy conservation. I am fascinated by the intricate interaction of the many small bones within the foot, and how variations in structure may influence the physcial performance of the foot. Beyond fundamental science, my research has broad application across a range of areas. My research program has both direct industry connections (e.g. Australian Sports Commission and Asics Oceania) and potential applications in different areas of health (e.g. chronic musculoskeletal conditions - osteoarthritis), rehabilitation, and robotic/prosthetic design.
Availability
- Dr Luke Kelly is:
- Not available for supervision
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Podiatry, Queensland University of Technology
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Biomechanics of the Foot and Lower Limb
Exploring the complex function of the human foot in the context of human performance and musculoskeletal health
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Cricket Biomechanics
- Biomechanics consultant to Cricket Australia - Member of The International Cricket Council Panel of Human Movement Experts
Works
Search Professor Luke Kelly’s works on UQ eSpace
2021
Journal Article
Neuromechanical adaptations of foot function to changes in surface stiffness during hopping
Birch, Jonathon V., Kelly, Luke A., Cresswell, Andrew G., Dixon, Sharon J. and Farris, Dominic J. (2021). Neuromechanical adaptations of foot function to changes in surface stiffness during hopping. Journal of Applied Physiology, 130 (4) japplphysiol.00401.2020, 1196-1204. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00401.2020
2021
Other Outputs
Muscle-tendon dynamics of the flexor digitorum brevis
Smith, Ross and Kelly, Luke (2021). Muscle-tendon dynamics of the flexor digitorum brevis. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/f3819a6
2020
Journal Article
Foot structure and lower limb function in individuals with midfoot osteoarthritis: a systematic review
Lithgow, Merridy J., Munteanu, Shannon E., Buldt, Andrew K., Arnold, John B., Kelly, Luke A. and Menz, Hylton B. (2020). Foot structure and lower limb function in individuals with midfoot osteoarthritis: a systematic review. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 28 (12), 1514-1524. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2020.08.012
2020
Journal Article
Regulation of foot and ankle quasi-stiffness during human hopping across a range of frequencies
Kessler, Sarah E., Lichtwark, Glen A., Welte, Lauren K.M., Rainbow, Michael J. and Kelly, Luke A. (2020). Regulation of foot and ankle quasi-stiffness during human hopping across a range of frequencies. Journal of Biomechanics, 108 109853, 109853. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.109853
2020
Journal Article
Foot stiffening during the push-off phase of human walking is linked to active muscle contraction, and not the windlass mechanism
Farris, Dominic James, Birch, Jonathon and Kelly, Luke (2020). Foot stiffening during the push-off phase of human walking is linked to active muscle contraction, and not the windlass mechanism. Journal of The Royal Society Interface, 17 (168) 20200208, 1-8. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2020.0208
2020
Journal Article
Fine-wire recordings of flexor hallucis brevis motor units up to maximal voluntary contraction reveal a flexible, non-rigid mechanism for force control
Aeles, Jeroen, Kelly, Luke A., Yoshitake, Yasuhide and Cresswell, Andrew G. (2020). Fine-wire recordings of flexor hallucis brevis motor units up to maximal voluntary contraction reveal a flexible, non-rigid mechanism for force control. Journal of Neurophysiology, 123 (5) jn.00023.2020, 1766-1774. doi: 10.1152/jn.00023.2020
2020
Journal Article
The reliability of foot and ankle bone and joint kinematics measured with biplanar videoradiography and manual scientific rotoscoping
Maharaj, Jayishni N., Kessler, Sarah, Rainbow, Michael J., D’Andrea, Susan E., Konow, Nicolai, Kelly, Luke A. and Lichtwark, Glen A. (2020). The reliability of foot and ankle bone and joint kinematics measured with biplanar videoradiography and manual scientific rotoscoping. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 8 106, 106. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00106
2020
Journal Article
Development and validation of statistical shape models of the primary functional bone segments of the foot
Grant, Tamara M., Diamond, Laura E., Pizzolato, Claudio, Killen, Bryce A., Devaprakash, Daniel, Kelly, Luke, Maharaj, Jayishni N. and Saxby, David J. (2020). Development and validation of statistical shape models of the primary functional bone segments of the foot. PeerJ, 8 (2) e8397, 1-19. doi: 10.7717/peerj.8397
2020
Other Outputs
Repeated 3D foot scans
Schuster, Robert, Kelly, Luke and Cresswell, Andrew (2020). Repeated 3D foot scans. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.14264/793e7e8
2019
Journal Article
Intrinsic foot muscles contribute to elastic energy storage and return in the human foot
Kelly, Luke A, Farris, Dominic J, Cresswell, Andrew G and Lichtwark, Glen A (2019). Intrinsic foot muscles contribute to elastic energy storage and return in the human foot. Journal of Applied Physiology, 126 (1), 231-238. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00736.2018
2019
Journal Article
The foot is more than a spring: human foot muscles perform work to adapt to the energetic requirements of locomotion
Riddick, Ryan, Farris, Dominic J. and Kelly, Luke A. (2019). The foot is more than a spring: human foot muscles perform work to adapt to the energetic requirements of locomotion. Journal of The Royal Society Interface, 16 (150) 20180680, 20180680. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2018.0680
2019
Other Outputs
Human foot muscle function during walking and running
Farris, Dominic, Lichtwark, Glen, Kelly, Luke and Cresswell, Andrew (2019). Human foot muscle function during walking and running. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.14264/uql.2019.3
2019
Other Outputs
Motor unit data - FHB recordings
Aeles, Jeroen, Kelly, Luke, Yoshitake, Yasuhide and Cresswell, Andrew (2019). Motor unit data - FHB recordings. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.14264/uql.2019.816
2018
Journal Article
Influence of the windlass mechanism on arch-spring mechanics during dynamic foot arch deformation
Welte, Lauren, Kelly, Luke A., Lichtwark, Glen A. and Rainbow, Michael J. (2018). Influence of the windlass mechanism on arch-spring mechanics during dynamic foot arch deformation. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 15 (145) 20180270, 20180270. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2018.0270
2018
Journal Article
The energetic behaviour of the human foot across a range of running speeds
Kelly, Luke A., Cresswell, Andrew G. and Farris, Dominic J. (2018). The energetic behaviour of the human foot across a range of running speeds. Scientific Reports, 8 (1) 10576, 10576. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-28946-1
2018
Journal Article
The relationship between wearable microtechnology device variables and cricket fast bowling intensity
McNamara, Dean J., Gabbett, Timothy J., Blanch, Peter and Kelly, Luke (2018). The relationship between wearable microtechnology device variables and cricket fast bowling intensity. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 13 (2), 135-139. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2016-0540
2018
Other Outputs
The Active Foot Spring dataset
Kelly, Luke (2018). The Active Foot Spring dataset. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.14264/uql.2018.498
2017
Journal Article
The influence of foot-strike technique on the neuromechanical function of the foot
Kelly, Luke A., Farris, Dominic J., Lichtwark, Glen A. and Cresswell, Andrew G. (2017). The influence of foot-strike technique on the neuromechanical function of the foot. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 50 (1), 98-108. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001420
2017
Journal Article
Beware the hype – springy soles won’t make you run much faster
Lichtwark, Glen, Dominic Farris and Kelly, Luke (2017, 05 05). Beware the hype – springy soles won’t make you run much faster
2016
Journal Article
Shoes alter the spring-like function of the human foot during running
Kelly, Luke, Lichtwark, Glen, Farris, Dominic and Cresswell, Andrew (2016). Shoes alter the spring-like function of the human foot during running. Journal of The Royal Society Interface, 13 (119) 20160174, 1-9. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2016.0174
Funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Luke Kelly is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Does Foot shape matter? Rethinking the mechanical function of the human foot
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the relationship between human foot morphology and function
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Biomechanical investigations of Tibial Pilon Fractures and the impact on the Talar dome.
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
The impact of fatigue on how running performance and economy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Cresswell
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Doctor Philosophy
The principal advisor has reviewed the student's thesis submission and approved it for review. The submission can now be approved for examination or changes can be requested.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Cresswell
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Master Philosophy
Player load of professional netball players
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Cresswell
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Establishing the relationship between foot form and function
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Andrew Cresswell
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
The role of the foot and its muscles during non-steady state locomotion
Principal Advisor
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
The spring in Your Step: The Role of Muscles and Elastic Connective Tissue within the Foot
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Optimising the spring in your step - analysing the neuromechanical response of the human foot to varied surfaces and loads for improved footwear design.
Principal Advisor
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Mechanical structure and function of the iliotibial band and implications for running injury
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
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