Overview
Background
Dr. Manuela Besomi is a Research Fellow within the Centre for Innovation in Pain and Health Research (CIPHeR) in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at The University of Queensland. She also holds an honorary position in the Physiotherapy Department at Universidad del Desarrollo (Chile), where she leads a clinical team focused on running injury management and prevention research. Manuela obtained her master's degree in Clinical Epidemiology from Universidad de La Frontera, Chile, in 2016, followed by a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Sciences at The University of Queensland in 2021. As a passionate physiotherapist and early career researcher, she brings expertise in epidemiology, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, and sports science, particularly in the context of running. Her research spans fundamental and applied areas, from leveraging innovative technologies to investigate tissue mechanics to enhancing care management through implementation research.
Manuela is currently the Project Coordinator of an NIH-funded research project, the largest human project at UQ across 8 universities and 5 hospitals in 3 countries, examining the bio-psycho-social mechanisms underlying low back pain flares. She is also the Research Coordinator for the Consensus for Experimental Design in Electromyography (CEDE) project, supported and endorsed by the International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology (ISEK). In recognition of her contributions, she was honoured with the prestigious 2022 Carlo J. DeLuca Award.
Beyond her research endeavours, Manuela is dedicated to translating knowledge into practice and actively engages with the community. She is a speaker and collaborator at The Running Clinic and a co-founder of the SeRUN® project (@serun.chile), both initiatives aimed at bridging the gap between research and clinical practice. She is passionate about promoting STEM for young girls—having collaborated in the evaluation of a nationwide program to boost girls' engagement in STEM, BRInC. Currently, she is part of the research team and mentor for the 2024 BRInC version. More information about BRInC can be found at https://www.canberra.edu.au/about-uc/faculties/health/brinc.
Dr. Besomi remains committed to advancing knowledge and making a positive impact in the fields of physiotherapy, rehabilitation and sports science.
Availability
- Dr Manuela Besomi Molina is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Universidad del Desarrollo
- Masters (Coursework) of Clinical Epidemiology, Universidad de la Frontera
- Doctor of Philosophy of Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Behavioural self-regulation in physical activity and health
Research on how individuals regulate physical activity behaviours over time, with a focus on behavioural instability, decision-making, and adaptation. Integrates behavioural science frameworks (COM-B, TDF) with real-world data to understand how people initiate, maintain, and modify activity in response to changing conditions, including injury, pain, and life demands.
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Running-related injury prevention and management
Investigates mechanisms, risk factors, and self-management strategies for running-related injuries across recreational to elite populations. Combines biomechanics, behavioural science, and epidemiology to inform prevention and rehabilitation approaches that support sustained participation and reduce injury burden.
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Translation and implementation of behaviour change research
Focuses on translating behavioural and systems-based research into practical tools for clinicians, coaches, and public health practitioners. Involves co-design with stakeholders to ensure feasibility, usability, and impact in real-world settings, including community and health system implementation.
Works
Search Professor Manuela Besomi Molina’s works on UQ eSpace
2026
Journal Article
The reported characteristics of child and adolescent participants in research on non-traumatic anterior knee pain: a scoping review
Zillmann, Christopher J., Collins, Natalie J., Vicenzino, Bill, Jansz, James J., Besomi, Manuela, Vuvan, Viana, Franettovich Smith, Melinda M., Rayner, Nicole and Smith, Michelle D. (2026). The reported characteristics of child and adolescent participants in research on non-traumatic anterior knee pain: a scoping review. Physical Therapy in Sport, 78 101896, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2026.101896
2026
Other Outputs
Anonymised dataset and analysis code for limb symmetry index and injury risk in professional female soccer players
Besomi Molina, Manuela (2026). Anonymised dataset and analysis code for limb symmetry index and injury risk in professional female soccer players. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/c984537
2025
Journal Article
Psychological Profile of Trail Runners Associated With Running-Related Injuries: A Prospective Study
Gajardo-Burgos, Rubén, Sánchez, Raimundo, Besomi, Manuela, Viljoen, Carel, Janse van Rensburg, Dina C. and Bascour-Sandoval, Claudio (2025). Psychological Profile of Trail Runners Associated With Running-Related Injuries: A Prospective Study. Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach 19417381251397950, 1-10. doi: 10.1177/19417381251397950
2025
Journal Article
Methodological influences on tensor fascia latae EMG during dynamic tasks: electrode- and normalisation-dependent variability
Besomi, Manuela, van den Hoorn, Wolbert, Vicenzino, Bill and Hodges, Paul W. (2025). Methodological influences on tensor fascia latae EMG during dynamic tasks: electrode- and normalisation-dependent variability. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 85 103079, 1-13. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103079
2025
Journal Article
Assessment of common electrode placement methods for surface electromyography recordings of the triceps surae muscles
De Vlieger, Daan, Bosman, Liese, Swinnen, Eva, Besomi, Manuela and Aeles, Jeroen (2025). Assessment of common electrode placement methods for surface electromyography recordings of the triceps surae muscles. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 85 103080, 103080. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2025.103080
2025
Journal Article
Further evaluation of the behavioural inhibition system and behavioural activation system (BIS-BAS) model of pain in athletes
Rickerby, N. C., Jensen, M. P., Hodges, P. W., Besomi, M., Cundiff, J. M. and Day, M. A. (2025). Further evaluation of the behavioural inhibition system and behavioural activation system (BIS-BAS) model of pain in athletes. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 1-16. doi: 10.1080/1612197x.2025.2584551
2025
Journal Article
Exploring lumbar spine posture and movement in sitting: a comparison between laboratory and real-world measures
Alshehri, Mansour Abdullah, Riddick, Ryan, Besomi, Manuela, van den Hoorn, Wolbert, Klyne, David M. and Hodges, Paul W. (2025). Exploring lumbar spine posture and movement in sitting: a comparison between laboratory and real-world measures. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14 (21) 7518, 1-17. doi: 10.3390/jcm14217518
2025
Journal Article
Associations between training load, heart rate variability, perceptual fatigue, sleep, and injury in endurance athletes during a 12-week training mesocycle
Sanchez, Raimundo, Nieto, Claudio, Leppe, Jaime, Gabbett, Tim and Besomi, Manuela (2025). Associations between training load, heart rate variability, perceptual fatigue, sleep, and injury in endurance athletes during a 12-week training mesocycle. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 20 (5), 1918-1928. doi: 10.1177/17479541251335613
2025
Journal Article
A mixed-methods exploration into the experiences of high school girls participating in a 100-day biomechanics-based mentoring program
Kean, Crystal O., Besomi, Manuela, Barzan, Martina, Diamond, Laura E., Dick, Taylor J.M., Hall, Michelle, Maharaj, Jayishini N., Mickle, Karen J. and Coltman, Celeste E. (2025). A mixed-methods exploration into the experiences of high school girls participating in a 100-day biomechanics-based mentoring program. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 41 (6), 499-510. doi: 10.1123/jab.2024-0320
2025
Journal Article
Epidemiology and associated injury risk factors in figure skating: a systematic review
Schmidt, Natasha T., Janse van Rensburg, Dina C., Schoeman, Marlene, Besomi, Manuela, van Rensburg, Audrey Jansen, Garnett, Dan, Scheepers, Susan and Viljoen, Carel (2025). Epidemiology and associated injury risk factors in figure skating: a systematic review. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 28 (7), 563-576. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2025.01.012
2025
Journal Article
Exploring contextual factors for management and prevention of running-related injuries: runners and experts’ perspectives
Besomi, Manuela, Roa-Alcaino, Sonia, Lombardi, Ángela, Vélez-Rivera, Rocío, Leppe Zamora, Jaime and Bolling, Caroline (2025). Exploring contextual factors for management and prevention of running-related injuries: runners and experts’ perspectives. BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine, 11 (2) e002413, 1-10. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2024-002413
2025
Journal Article
Non‐homogeneous distribution of inhibitory inputs among motor units in response to nociceptive stimulation at moderate contraction intensity
Hug, François, Dernoncourt, François, Avrillon, Simon, Thorstensen, Jacob, Besomi, Manuela, van den Hoorn, Wolbert and Tucker, Kylie (2025). Non‐homogeneous distribution of inhibitory inputs among motor units in response to nociceptive stimulation at moderate contraction intensity. The Journal of Physiology, 603 (11), 3445-3461. doi: 10.1113/jp288504
2025
Journal Article
How fractal complexity distorts distance and elevation gain in trail and mountain running: the case for course measurement standardization
Sanchez, Raimundo, Egli, Pascal E., Jornet, Kilian, Duggan, Michael and Besomi, Manuela (2025). How fractal complexity distorts distance and elevation gain in trail and mountain running: the case for course measurement standardization. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part P: Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology. doi: 10.1177/17543371251341660
2024
Journal Article
A 100-day mentoring program leads to positive shifts in girls’ perceptions and attitudes towards biomechanics and related STEM disciplines
Dick, Taylor J.M., Besomi, Manuela, Coltman, Celeste E., Diamond, Laura E., Hall, Michelle, Maharaj, Jayishni, Kean, Crystal O., Barzan, Martina and Mickle, Karen J. (2024). A 100-day mentoring program leads to positive shifts in girls’ perceptions and attitudes towards biomechanics and related STEM disciplines. Journal of Biomechanics, 173 112244, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2024.112244
2024
Conference Publication
Assessing the impact of digital elevation model resolution on elevation gain estimations in trail running
Sanchez, Raimundo, Egli, Pascal, Besomi, Manuela and Truffello, Ricardo (2024). Assessing the impact of digital elevation model resolution on elevation gain estimations in trail running. International Conference on Electrical, Computer, and Energy Technologies, ICECET 2024, Sydney, Australia, 25-27 July 2024. Piscataway, NJ, United States: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. doi: 10.1109/icecet61485.2024.10698606
2024
Journal Article
An Online Evidence-Based Education Resource Is Useful and Can Change People’s Perceptions About Running and Knee Health
Besomi, Manuela, Hunt, Michael A., de Oliveira Silva, Danilo, Passigli, Samuele, Rathleff, Michael Skovdal, van Middelkoop, Marienke, Barton, Christian, Callaghan, Michael J., Harkey, Matthew S., Hoens, Alison M., Krowchuk, Natasha M., Teoli, Anthony, Vicenzino, Bill, Willy, Richard W. and Esculier, Jean-Francois (2024). An Online Evidence-Based Education Resource Is Useful and Can Change People’s Perceptions About Running and Knee Health. JOSPT Open, 2 (3), 246-255. doi: 10.2519/josptopen.2024.0149
2024
Journal Article
An evaluation of the behavioural inhibition system and behavioural activation system (BIS-BAS) model of pain in athletes
Rickerby, Nicole C., Hodges, Paul W., Jensen, Mark P., Besomi, Manuela and Day, Melissa A. (2024). An evaluation of the behavioural inhibition system and behavioural activation system (BIS-BAS) model of pain in athletes. Journal of Sports Sciences, 42 (10), 930-937. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2024.2370154
2024
Journal Article
Avoiding the edge before it is too late: when is pain a sign of injury in athletes?
Rickerby, Nicole C., Hodges, Paul W., Besomi, Manuela, Hutchinson, Mark R. and Day, Melissa A. (2024). Avoiding the edge before it is too late: when is pain a sign of injury in athletes?. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 34 (5), 401-403. doi: 10.1097/jsm.0000000000001237
2024
Journal Article
Consensus for experimental design in electromyography (CEDE) project: Checklist for reporting and critically appraising studies using EMG (CEDE-Check)
Besomi, Manuela, Devecchi, Valter, Falla, Deborah, McGill, Kevin, Kiernan, Matthew C., Merletti, Roberto, van Dieën, Jaap H., Tucker, Kylie, Clancy, Edward A., Søgaard, Karen, Hug, François, Carson, Richard G., Perreault, Eric, Gandevia, Simon, Besier, Thor, Rothwell, John C., Enoka, Roger M., Holobar, Aleš, Disselhorst-Klug, Catherine, Wrigley, Tim, Lowery, Madeleine, Farina, Dario and Hodges, Paul W. (2024). Consensus for experimental design in electromyography (CEDE) project: Checklist for reporting and critically appraising studies using EMG (CEDE-Check). Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 76 102874, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2024.102874
2024
Journal Article
Consensus for experimental design in electromyography (CEDE) project: application of EMG to estimate muscle force
Dick, Taylor J. M., Tucker, Kylie, Hug, François, Besomi, Manuela, van Dieën, Jaap H., Enoka, Roger M., Besier, Thor, Carson, Richard G., Clancy, Edward A., Disselhorst-Klug, Catherine, Falla, Deborah, Farina, Dario, Gandevia, Simon, Holobar, Aleš, Kiernan, Matthew C., Lowery, Madeleine, McGill, Kevin, Merletti, Roberto, Perreault, Eric, Rothwell, John C., Søgaard, Karen, Wrigley, Tim and Hodges, Paul W. (2024). Consensus for experimental design in electromyography (CEDE) project: application of EMG to estimate muscle force. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 79 102910, 102910. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2024.102910
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Manuela Besomi Molina is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Injury prevention in female athletes: Understanding and preventing injury risk factors unique to females
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Natalie Collins, Associate Professor Michelle Smith, Dr Melinda Smith
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Doctor Philosophy
Disentangling the relationship between sleep, stress and pain.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Hodges, Professor Simon Smith, Dr Raimundo Sanchez, Associate Professor David Klyne
Media
Enquiries
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