Qualifications
- BSc (University of Portsmouth)
- MSc
- PhD
Summary
Natalie Vanicek is a Professor of Clinical Biomechanics and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). She is Associate Editor in Sports Medicine and Biomechanics for the Journal of Sports Sciences and Associate Member of the British Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Amputee Rehabilitation (BACPAR).
Natalie moved to the University of Hull from Canada in 2004 and also spent time working at the University of Sydney. She is passionate about her research in clinical gait analysis and musculoskeletal biomechanics. Natalie’s work is aimed at reducing falls, improving function and attenuating musculoskeletal decline through exercise among individuals with limited mobility. Much of her focus has been on people with a lower limb amputation, and improving their mobility with specialised community exercise programmes and prosthetic prescription.
Journal Article
Self-aligning prosthetic device for older patients with vascular-related amputations: protocol for a randomised feasibility study (the STEPFORWARD study)
Mitchell, N., Coleman, E., Watson, J., Bell, K., McDaid, C., Barnett, C., …Vanicek, N. (2019). Self-aligning prosthetic device for older patients with vascular-related amputations: protocol for a randomised feasibility study (the STEPFORWARD study). BMJ open, 9(9), e032924. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032924
Association between somatosensory, visual and vestibular contributions to postural control, reactive balance capacity and healthy ageing in older women
Alcock, L., O’Brien, T. D., & Vanicek, N. (2018). Association between somatosensory, visual and vestibular contributions to postural control, reactive balance capacity and healthy ageing in older women. Health care for women international, 39(12), 1366-1380. https://doi.org/10.1080/07399332.2018.1499106
Research interests
Using biomechanical tools of analysis, Natalie investigates movement patterns in individuals with altered lower limb mechanics as a result of ageing, disease and trauma. To date, her research has focused primarily on working with vascular-related lower limb amputees, people with intermittent claudication caused by peripheral arterial disease, and individuals with osteoporosis.
Natalie collaborates with colleagues from a variety of disciplines such as physiotherapists, vascular consultants, medical engineers and psychologists. This research has attracted external funding from the National Institute for Health Research, Circulation Foundation, British Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Amputee Rehabilitation (BACPAR), BUPA Foundation and Osteoporosis Research in East Yorkshire.
Project
Funder
Grant
Started
Status
Project
Patient acceptability to a novel prosthetic device: A randomised feasibility study in older patients with vascular-related amputations and multimorbidities
Funder
NIHR National Institute for Health Research
Grant
£59,560.00
Started
1 April 2018
Status
Complete
Project
Maximising musculoskeletal function for falls prevention in lower-limb amputees
Funder
British Assoc of Chartered Physiotherapists in Amputee Rehabilitation (BACPAR)
Grant
£3,250.00
Started
1 May 2015
Status
Complete
Postgraduate supervision
Prof Vanicek welcomes MSc/PhD applications in the areas of:
1) clinical gait analysis
2) falls prevention
3) evaluation of community exercise for people with limited mobility
Completed PhD students include:
1) Cleveland Barnett (PhD, 2011)
2) Lisa Alcock (PhD, 2013)
3) Stephanie King (PhD, 2015)
4) Amartya Ganguly (PhD, 2015)
5) Marnee McKay (PhD, 2017)
6) Ali Dostanpor (PhD, 2019)