Overview
Background
Dr Michelle Smith is a Associate Professor in Physiotherapy and a titled Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist. She is Co-director of the International Ankle Consortium, Co-director of the Sports Injury Rehabilitation and Prevention for Health (SIRPH) research unit and Program Director for the Masters of Sports Physiotherapy degree at UQ.
The overarching theme of Michelle's research is lower limb joint health. Her research focuses on the prevention and management of lower limb joint injuries and pathologies across the lifespanto enable unrestricted participation in sport, physical activity and work. There are three key areas of her research:
- To improve understanding of ankle injuries and osteoarthritis across the lifespan: Ankle sprains are the most common injury seen in emergency departments and are a primary cause of ankle osteoarthritis, which in light of its post-traumatic nature, often affects young adults. To optimise outcomes and participation for people with ankle pathologies, my research characterises impairments and participation restrictions in the continuum from ankle injury to osteoarthritis and establishes the efficacy of interventions to manage these conditions.
- To understand the effectiveness and implementation of injury prevention strategies: While neuromuscular exercise program and taping/bracing have been shown to decrease injury risk, translation of research into practice is limited. My research investigates the implementation of injury prevention initiatives in adolescent athletes and involves stakeholders to better understand barriers and facilitators.
- To evaluate the implementation of lower limb osteoarthritis interventions: Exercise and education for hip and knee osteoarthritis have been shown to improve quality of life and functional outcomes. My research investigates the implementation of such programs in public hospitals and private physiotherapy practices on patient outcomes and service delivery.
Michelle has presented her research and delivered keynote and invited presentations at national and international multi-disciplinary conferences. She teaches across the undergraduate and postgraduate physiotherapy curriculum in the areas of musculoskeletal health and sports injuries. She has been recognised for her high teaching quality and impact at both School and Faculty levels through receipt of Teaching Excellence Awards. She is the Chair of the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences External Engagement Committee, Deputy Chair of the Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy Group of the Austrailan Physiotherapy Association, and Chair of the Queensland Sports and Exercise Physiotherapy Group. She is a member of the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) Foot and Ankle Working Group, International Foot and Ankle Osteoarthritis Consortium, and Australian Foot and Ankle Research Network.
Availability
- Associate Professor Michelle Smith is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Physical Education, University of Manitoba
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy, University of Manitoba
- Masters (Coursework) of Sports Physiotherapy, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy of Physiotherapy, The University of Queensland
- Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Ankle osteoarthritis
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Ankle sprains and fractures
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Injury prevention and optimising sport participation
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Lower limb osteoarthritis
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Injuries in adolescent athletes
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Sports physiotherapy
Works
Search Professor Michelle Smith’s works on UQ eSpace
2010
Conference Publication
What makes a great footballer? Trade-offs between athleticism and skill in human performance
Wilson, R. S. and Smith, M. D. (2010). What makes a great footballer? Trade-offs between athleticism and skill in human performance. Annual Meeting of the Society-for-Integrative-and-Comparative-Biology, Seattle Wa, Jan 03-07, 2010. CARY: OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC.
2010
Journal Article
Systematic review: Abdominal or pelvic floor muscle training
Sapsford, R, Hodges, P and Smith, M (2010). Systematic review: Abdominal or pelvic floor muscle training. Neurourology and Urodynamics, 29 (5), 800-801. doi: 10.1002/nau.20861
2010
Journal Article
Balance is impaired in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Smith, Michelle D., Chang, Angela T., Seale, Helen E., Walsh, James R. and Hodges, Paul W. (2010). Balance is impaired in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Gait and Posture, 31 (4), 456-460. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2010.01.022
2010
Conference Publication
What is the relationship between physical capacity, skill and performance among football players?
Smith, M., Wilson, R. and Russell, T. (2010). What is the relationship between physical capacity, skill and performance among football players?. 2009 Australia Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport, Seventh National Physical Activity Conference, Sixth National Sports Injury Prevention Conference, Be Active '09, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 14-17 October 2009. Chatswood, NSW Australia: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2009.10.091
2010
Conference Publication
Prevalence of hallux abducto valgus in the general population: a systematic review
Nix, S., Smith, M. and Vicenzino, B. (2010). Prevalence of hallux abducto valgus in the general population: a systematic review. 2009 Australia Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport, Seventh National Physical Activity Conference, Sixth National Sports Injury Prevention Conference, Be Active '09, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 14-17 October 2009. Chatswood, NSW Australia: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2009.10.217
2009
Journal Article
Do incontinence, breathing difficulties, and gastrointestinal symptoms increase the risk of future back pain?
Smith, M. D., Russell, A. and Hodges, P. W. (2009). Do incontinence, breathing difficulties, and gastrointestinal symptoms increase the risk of future back pain?. The Journal of Pain, 10 (8), 876-886. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2009.03.003
2008
Journal Article
How common is back pain in women with gastrointestinal problems?
Smith, Michelle, Russell, Anne and Hodges, Paul (2008). How common is back pain in women with gastrointestinal problems?. Clinical Journal of Pain, 24 (3), 199-203. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0b013e31815d3601
2008
Journal Article
Is there a relationship between parity, pregnancy, back pain and incontinence?
Smith, Michelle D., Russell, Anne and Hodges, Paul W. (2008). Is there a relationship between parity, pregnancy, back pain and incontinence?. International Urogynecology Journal, 19 (2), 205-211. doi: 10.1007/s00192-007-0421-x
2008
Journal Article
Is balance different in women with and without stress urinary incontinence?
Smith, Michelle D., Coppieters, Michel W. and Hodges, Paul W. (2008). Is balance different in women with and without stress urinary incontinence?. Neurourology and Urodynamics, 27 (1), 71-78. doi: 10.1002/nau.20476
2008
Journal Article
Re: Smith MD, Coppieters MW, Hodges PW. 2007. Postural response of the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles in women with and without incontinence. Neurourol Urodynam 26 : 377-85 - Reply
Smith, Michelle (2008). Re: Smith MD, Coppieters MW, Hodges PW. 2007. Postural response of the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles in women with and without incontinence. Neurourol Urodynam 26 : 377-85 - Reply. Neurourology and Urodynamics, 27 (1), 99-99. doi: 10.1002/nau.20499
2008
Journal Article
Manual therapy in ankle management
O'Leary, K., Smith, M. and Vicenzino, B. (2008). Manual therapy in ankle management. Sports Physio (1), 21-23.
2007
Journal Article
Postural activity of the pelvic floor muscles is delayed during rapid arm movements in women with stress urinary incontinence
Smith, M. D., Coppieters, M. W. and Hodges, P. W. (2007). Postural activity of the pelvic floor muscles is delayed during rapid arm movements in women with stress urinary incontinence. International Urogynecology Journal, 18 (8), 901-911. doi: 10.1007/s00192-006-0259-7
2007
Other Outputs
Competing demands on the trunk muscles : effects, consequences and mechanisms
Smith, Michelle (2007). Competing demands on the trunk muscles : effects, consequences and mechanisms. PhD Thesis, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/158619
2007
Journal Article
Postural response of the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles in women with and without incontinence
Smith, M. D., Coppieters, M. W. and Hodges, P. W. (2007). Postural response of the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles in women with and without incontinence. Neurourology and Urodynamics, 26 (3), 377-385. doi: 10.1002/nau.20336
2007
Journal Article
Netball knee
Smith, M., Vicenzino, G. T. and Emmerton, L. M. (2007). Netball knee. Australian Pharmacist, 26 (6), 462-464.
2006
Journal Article
Disorders of breathing and continence have a stronger association with back pain than obesity and physical activity
Smith, Michelle D., Russell, Anne and Hodges, Paul W. (2006). Disorders of breathing and continence have a stronger association with back pain than obesity and physical activity. Australian Journal of Physiotherapy, 52 (1), 11-16. doi: 10.1016/S0004-9514(06)70057-5
2005
Journal Article
Effect of experimentally induced low back pain on postural sway with breathing
Smith, Michelle, Coppieters, Michel W. and Hodges, Paul W. (2005). Effect of experimentally induced low back pain on postural sway with breathing. Experimental Brain Research, 166 (1), 109-117. doi: 10.1007/s00221-005-2352-4
2004
Journal Article
Use of anti-pronation taping to assess suitability of orthotic prescription: Case report
Smith, Michelle, Brooker, Susi, Vicenzino, Bill and McPoil, Thomas (2004). Use of anti-pronation taping to assess suitability of orthotic prescription: Case report. Australian Journal of Physiotherapy, 50 (2), 111-113. doi: 10.1016/S0004-9514(14)60103-3
2003
Journal Article
Hypoalgesia induced by elbow manipulation in lateral epicondylalgia does not exhibit tolerance
Paungmali, A., Vicenzino, B. and Smith, M. (2003). Hypoalgesia induced by elbow manipulation in lateral epicondylalgia does not exhibit tolerance. Journal of Pain, 4 (8), 448-454. doi: 10.1067/S1526-5900(03)00731-4
2002
Conference Publication
Diagnostic taping as a predictor of the outcome of orthotic therapy: A single subject design
Smith, M., Brooker, S., McPoil, T. and Vicenzino, B.G.T. (2002). Diagnostic taping as a predictor of the outcome of orthotic therapy: A single subject design. Sports Medicine Australia 2002 Queensland State Conference, Coolum, Queensland, 22-24 March, 2002. Brisbane: Sports Medicine Australia (Queensland).
Funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Michelle Smith is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Improving management, optimising return to sport and preventing re-injury after ankle sprains and fractures
Ankle sprains are often perceived to be minor injuries, but unfortunately a high proportion of people who sprain or fracture their ankle go onto experience recurrent injury and chronic ankle instability. There is a need for improved understanding and implementation of ankle sprain management, return to sport criteria and uptake of injury prevention strategies.
Options for PhD projects in this area include:
- Improving patient outcomes after ankle sprains and fractures
- Determining optimal outcome measures for acute lateral ankle sprain injuries and chronic ankle instability
- Establishing return to sport criteria for lateral ankle sprain injuries
- Understanding and addressing barriers to the use of taping and bracing in preventing ankle injuries
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Improving management of ankle osteoarthritis
Unlike hip and knee OA, there are a lack of clinical guidelines to inform the management of ankle osteoarthritis. Few studies have investigated the effect of different treatments for ankle osteoarthritis, and the diverse use of outcomes in ankle osteoarthritis literature makes synthesis of information challenging. There is a need for agreement on core outcome measures to be used in ankle osteoarthritis research and high-quality clinical treatment trials to enable the development of clinical practice guidelines.
Options for PhD projects in this area include:
- Developing a core outcome measurement set for ankle osteoarthritis research
- Determining the effectiveness of treatments in managing symptoms and improving function in people with ankle osteoarthritis
- Determining the effect of exercise interventions on improving impairments, pain and function in ankle osteoarthritis
- Early detection and management of ankle osteoarthritis
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Improving implementation of injury prevention approaches in sport
Many sports have developed injury prevention programs to try to decrease injury rates and optimise sport participation. There is strong evidence for the efficacy of neuromuscular training program on preventing a range of acute lower limb injuries. However, the implementation of injury prevention initiatives is challenging.
Options for PhD projects in this area include:
- Evaluating muscle function and barriers and facilitators to strength training in adolescent female athletes
- Evaluating the effectiveness of neuromuscular injury prevention programs in improving injury risk factors and preventing injury in sport
- Improving the implementation of neuromuscular injury prevention programs in sport
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Managing repetitive use injuries in adolescent athletes
Adolescents have high rates of sport participation with many playing multiple sports at school and in the community. Apophyseal growth plate conditions, such as Osgood-Schlatter disease, Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome and Sever’s disease, occur in active adolescents but little is known about how best to manage them.
Options for PhD projects in this area include:
- Characterising the presentation of Osgood-Schlatter’s disease, Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndromes and/or Sever’s disease in active adolescents
- Differentiating between pain sources in adolescent athletes that present with anterior knee pain
- Improving management of Osgood-Schlatter’s disease, Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndromes and/or Sever’s disease in active adolescents
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
The use of standing work stations in relation to low back pain and other musculoskeletal conditions in office workers
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Moving towards the development of criteria to clear patients to return to sport from the most prevalent lower extremity tendinopathies
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bill Vicenzino, Dr Viana Vuvan
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Master Philosophy
Understanding impairments and management of growth-related injuries in adolescent athletes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Natalie Collins, Professor Bill Vicenzino
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Doctor Philosophy
Wearable Sensor Informed Activity Workloads and Quantified Return to Play Following Upper Limb Injury in Elite Female Waterpolo
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bill Vicenzino, Dr Nathalia Costa, Dr Raimundo Sanchez
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Doctor Philosophy
Towards better understanding of pelvic organ support in women who engage in recreational exercise: The effects of heavy lifting on the female pelvic floor
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Hodges, Associate Professor Emma Beckman, Dr Marie-Pierre Cyr
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the relationship between the pelvic floor and the hip
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Marie-Pierre Cyr, Professor Paul Hodges
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Doctor Philosophy
Targeted effective treatments for adolescent kneecap pain: ACTIVE KNEECAPs!
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bill Vicenzino, Associate Professor Natalie Collins
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Development of a core domain set for ankle osteoarthritis: An international consensus
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bill Vicenzino
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the clinical presentation of tibialis posterior tendinopathy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Hodges, Professor Bill Vicenzino
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Biomechanical and muscular characteristics of the lower limb in lateral ankle sprain injuries and chronic ankle instability
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bill Vicenzino
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the Physical and Psychological Impairments and Associated Disability Characterising Individuals with Ankle symptoms and Osteoarthritis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bill Vicenzino
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Foot Pain and Function in Adults with Hallux Valgus
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bill Vicenzino
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
New insight into the function of pelvic floor muscles in women in relation to organ support
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Hodges
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Patient education best practice; enhancing physiotherapy students' self-efficacy and skills.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Trevor Russell, Associate Professor Allison Mandrusiak
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Michelle Smith directly for media enquiries about:
- ankle sprains
- injury prevention
- osteoarthritis
- sports injuries
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