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
2021
Journal Article
Exploration of shear wave elastography measures of the iliotibial band during different tasks in pain-free runners
Besomi, Manuela, Salomoni, Sauro E., Hug, François, Tier, Louise, Vicenzino, Bill and Hodges, Paul W. (2021). Exploration of shear wave elastography measures of the iliotibial band during different tasks in pain-free runners. Physical Therapy in Sport, 50, 121-129. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2021.04.006
2021
Other Outputs
Towards the investigation of the tensor fascia lata muscle and iliotibial band function in runners: the relevance of the why and the how
Besomi Molina, Manuela (2021). Towards the investigation of the tensor fascia lata muscle and iliotibial band function in runners: the relevance of the why and the how. PhD Thesis, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/faa2512
2021
Journal Article
Consensus for experimental design in electromyography (CEDE) project: terminology matrix
McManus, Lara, Lowery, Madeleine, Merletti, Roberto, Søgaard, Karen, Besomi, Manuela, Clancy, Edward A., van Dieën, Jaap H., Hug, François, Wrigley, Tim, Besier, Thor, Carson, Richard G., Disselhorst-Klug, Catherine, Enoka, Roger M., Falla, Deborah, Farina, Dario, Gandevia, Simon, Holobar, Aleš, Kiernan, Matthew C., McGill, Kevin, Perreault, Eric, Rothwell, John C, Tucker, Kylie and Hodges, Paul W. (2021). Consensus for experimental design in electromyography (CEDE) project: terminology matrix. Journal of Electromyography & Kinesiology, 59 102565, 102565. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2021.102565
2021
Journal Article
Frequency of injury and illness in the final 4 weeks before a trail running competition
Gajardo-Burgos, Rubén, Monrroy-Uarac, Manuel, Barría-Pailaquilén, René Mauricio, Norambuena-Noches, Yessenia, van Rensburg, Dina Christa Janse, Bascour-Sandoval, Claudio and Besomi, Manuela (2021). Frequency of injury and illness in the final 4 weeks before a trail running competition. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (10) 5431, 5431. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18105431
2021
Journal Article
Influence of transducer orientation on shear wave velocity measurements of the iliotibial band
Besomi, Manuela, Nava, Guilherme Thomaz de Aquino, van den Hoorn, Wolbert, Hug, François, Vicenzino, Bill and Hodges, Paul W. (2021). Influence of transducer orientation on shear wave velocity measurements of the iliotibial band. Journal of Biomechanics, 120 110346, 110346. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110346
2021
Journal Article
Shear modulus of multifidus and longissimus muscles measured using shear wave elastography correlates with muscle activity, but depends on image quality
Tier, Louise, Salomoni, Sauro E., Hug, François, Besomi, Manuela and Hodges, Paul W. (2021). Shear modulus of multifidus and longissimus muscles measured using shear wave elastography correlates with muscle activity, but depends on image quality. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 56 102505, 102505. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2020.102505
2020
Journal Article
Consensus for experimental design in electromyography (CEDE) project: amplitude normalization matrix
Besomi, Manuela, Hodges, Paul W., Clancy, Edward A., Van Dieën, Jaap, Hug, François, Lowery, Madeleine, Merletti, Roberto, Søgaard, Karen, Wrigley, Tim, Besier, Thor, Carson, Richard G., Disselhorst-Klug, Catherine, Enoka, Roger M., Falla, Deborah, Farina, Dario, Gandevia, Simon, Holobar, Aleš, Kiernan, Matthew C., McGill, Kevin, Perreault, Eric, Rothwell, John C. and Tucker, Kylie (2020). Consensus for experimental design in electromyography (CEDE) project: amplitude normalization matrix. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 53 102438, 1-17. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2020.102438
2020
Journal Article
Propiedades psicométricas de los cuestionarios de funcionalidad en población deportista con patologías musculoesqueléticas de la extremidad inferior: una revisión sistemática
Bunster, J., Mauri-Stecca, M.V., Leppe, J. and Besomi, M. (2020). Propiedades psicométricas de los cuestionarios de funcionalidad en población deportista con patologías musculoesqueléticas de la extremidad inferior: una revisión sistemática. Fisioterapia, 42 (4), 185-202. doi: 10.1016/j.ft.2020.02.002
2020
Journal Article
Design, effectiveness and implementation of peer-to-peer online support groups for people with chronic musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review
Maclachlan, Liam Robert, Mills, Kathryn, Lawford, Belinda, Egerton, Thorlene, Setchell, Jenny, Hall, Leanne M., Plinsinga, Melanie, Besomi, Manuela, Teo, Samantha, Eyles, Jillian P., Mellor, Rebecca, Hodges, Paul W., Hunter, David J., Vicenzino, Bill and Bennell, Kim L. (2020). Design, effectiveness and implementation of peer-to-peer online support groups for people with chronic musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22 (4) e15822, e15822. doi: 10.2196/15822
2020
Journal Article
Tensor fascia latae muscle structure and activation in individuals with lower limb musculoskeletal conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Besomi, Manuela, Maclachlan, Liam, Mellor, Rebecca, Vicenzino, Bill and Hodges, Paul W. (2020). Tensor fascia latae muscle structure and activation in individuals with lower limb musculoskeletal conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 50 (5), 965-985. doi: 10.1007/s40279-019-01251-1
2019
Journal Article
Exploring the characteristics and preferences for online support groups: mixed method study
Plinsinga, Melanie Louise, Besomi, Manuela, Maclachlan, Liam, Melo, Luciano, Robbins, Sarah, Lawford, Belinda J, Teo, Pek Ling, Mills, Kathryn, Setchell, Jenny, Egerton, Thorlene, Eyles, Jillian, Hall, Leanne, Mellor, Rebecca, Hunter, David J, Hodges, Paul, Vicenzino, Bill and Bennell, Kim (2019). Exploring the characteristics and preferences for online support groups: mixed method study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21 (12) e15987, e15987. doi: 10.2196/15987
2019
Conference Publication
Shear elastic modulus of the iliotibial band differs between postures and tasks in runners
Besomi, M., Salomoni, S., Vicenzino, B. and Hodges, P. (2019). Shear elastic modulus of the iliotibial band differs between postures and tasks in runners. 2019 ASICS SMA Conference, Twin Waters, QLD Australia, 23 - 26 October 2019. Chatswood, NSW Australia: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2019.08.286
2019
Conference Publication
Shear wave elastography of the iliotibial band: Reliability of measures in different anatomical regions and tasks
Besomi, M., Salomoni, S., Vicenzino, B. and Hodges, P. (2019). Shear wave elastography of the iliotibial band: Reliability of measures in different anatomical regions and tasks. 2019 ASICS SMA Conference, Noosa, QLD Australia, 23 – 26 October 2019. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2019.08.078
2019
Journal Article
Consensus for experimental design in electromyography (CEDE) project: electrode selection matrix
Besomi, Manuela, Hodges, Paul W., Van Dieën, Jaap, Carson, Richard G., Clancy, Edward A., Disselhorst-Klug, Catherine, Holobar, Aleš, Hug, François, Kiernan, Matthew C., Lowery, Madeleine, McGill, Kevin, Merletti, Roberto, Perreault, Eric, Søgaard, Karen, Tucker, Kylie, Besier, Thor, Enoka, Roger, Falla, Deborah, Farina, Dario, Gandevia, Simon, Rothwell, John C., Vicenzino, Bill and Wrigley, Tim (2019). Consensus for experimental design in electromyography (CEDE) project: electrode selection matrix. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 48, 128-144. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2019.07.008
2019
Journal Article
Training volume and previous injury as associated factors for running-related injuries by race distance: A cross-sectional study
Besomi, Manuela, Leppe, Jaime, Mauri-Stecca, Manuel Vicente, Hooper, Troy L. and Sizer, Phillip S. (2019). Training volume and previous injury as associated factors for running-related injuries by race distance: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, 14 (3), 549-559. doi: 10.14198/jhse.2019.143.06
2019
Conference Publication
The design, user characteristics and efficacy of online support groups for arthritis and other chronic musculoskeletal disorders: A systematic review
Mills, K. A., Maclachlan, L. R., Lawford, B., Besomi, M., Egerton, T., Eyles, J., Hall, L. M., Melo, L., Mellor, R., Plisinga, M. L., Robbins, S. R., Setchell, J., Hunter, D. J., Vicenzino, B. and Bennell, K. L. (2019). The design, user characteristics and efficacy of online support groups for arthritis and other chronic musculoskeletal disorders: A systematic review. OARSI World Congress on Osteoarthritis - Promoting Clinical and Basic Research in Osteoarthritis, Toronto, Canada, 2-5 May, 2019. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2019.02.488
2018
Journal Article
Recent versus old previous injury and its association with running-related injuries during competition by SeRUN® running profiles: a cross-sectional study
Leppe, Jaime and Besomi, Manuela (2018). Recent versus old previous injury and its association with running-related injuries during competition by SeRUN® running profiles: a cross-sectional study. Sports Medicine - Open, 4 (1) 49, 49. doi: 10.1186/s40798-018-0164-x
2018
Journal Article
SeRUN® study: development of running profiles using a mixed methods analysis
Besomi, Manuela, Leppe, Jaime, Di Silvestre, Maria Cristina and Setchell, Jenny (2018). SeRUN® study: development of running profiles using a mixed methods analysis. PLoS One, 13 (7) e0200389, e0200389. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200389
2017
Conference Publication
Running profiles and their associated behaviors : A proposal for Chilean runners
Besomi, Manuela, Leppe, Jaime, Mauri-Stecca, Manuel Vicente and Sizer, Phillip S. (2017). Running profiles and their associated behaviors : A proposal for Chilean runners. American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) 2017 Annual Meeting, Denver, CO United States, 30 May - 3 June 2017. Philadelphia, PA United States: Wolters Kluwer. doi: 10.1249/01.mss.0000519498.77370.bd
2017
Conference Publication
Running motivations within different populations of Chilean urban runners
Besomi, M., Leppe, J., Martínez, M. J., Enríquez, M. I., Mauri-Stecca, M. V. and Sizer, P. S. (2017). Running motivations within different populations of Chilean urban runners. 18th World Confederation for Physical Therapy, WCPT, Congress, Cape Town, South Africa, July 2017. Abingdon, Oxon United Kingdom: Taylor and Francis. doi: 10.1080/21679169.2017.1381317
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Manuela Besomi Molina is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Why do runners keep going, adapt or stop? Understanding self-regulation for sustainable running participation
This project will investigate how runners respond and adapt to changes in pain, fatigue, recovery, training demands and life circumstances. Building on an existing behavioural systems model of sustainable running participation, the project may use longitudinal monitoring of runners undertaking structured training, alongside behavioural and psychological measures, to identify factors that support effective training adaptation and sustained participation. Findings will inform the development of practical strategies for runners, coaches and clinicians to support healthy and sustainable running.
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From niggles to injury: Understanding how runners make decisions about pain and training
Pain and minor physical complaints are common in runners, but why some runners successfully manage these experiences while others develop persistent problems or stop running remains poorly understood. This project will examine how runners interpret pain and make decisions about continuing, modifying or stopping training. Potential areas include pain-related beliefs, self-regulation, training behaviours and interactions with coaches and health professionals. The project will contribute to new approaches for preventing and managing running-related injuries while supporting continued participation.
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Increasing and sustaining physical activity through sport participation
Sport provides an important opportunity to increase physical activity, but participation can be difficult to initiate and sustain, particularly across injury, pain and major life transitions. This project will investigate the individual, social and environmental factors that influence participation in sport and identify strategies to support people to start, return to and remain engaged in meaningful sport and physical activity. Using behavioural and systems science approaches, the project may involve mapping barriers and enablers to participation, identifying leverage points for change, and co-designing strategies with participants, sporting organisations and other stakeholders.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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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
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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
Understanding Drivers of Symptom Fluctuation and Flares in Low Back Pain
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Paul Hodges, Associate Professor David Klyne
Media
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