Research interests
Dr Saunders completed her PhD in neuromuscular and biomechanical characteristics of the female landing pattern in netball. Her research interests include:
- understanding eccentric lower limb neuromuscular control and loading for the purpose of understanding and preventing sporting injuries and improving functional outcomes in pathological populations.
- translating evidence based research into practice in the wider community.
- women in sport and exercise
Affiliations
Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA)
International Society of Biomechanics (ISB)
Teaching interests
Bridging the gap between knowledge and practice in clinical exercise physiology
Musculoskeletal rehabilitation
Clinical exercise
Biomechanics and Anatomy
Units taught
Unit Chair HSE711 Pre Clinical Practice 1
Unit Chair HSE711 Pre Clinical Practice 2
Unit Chair HSE706 Research in Clinical Exercise Physiology
Academic clinician in Clinical Exercise Learning Centre
Knowledge areas
Clinical Exercise Physiology
Biomechanics
Anatomy
Women in Sport
Conferences
Fox A, Bonacci J, McLean S, Spittle M & Saunders N (2015). ‘The relationship between performance on a single-leg squat and leap landing task: Moving towards a netball-specific ACL injury risk screening method.’ Paper presented at the XXV Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, 12th – 16th July, Glasgow, Scotland.
Fox A, Bonacci J, McLean S, Spittle M & Saunders N (2015). ‘Assessing the effectiveness of field-based ACL injury risk screening methods in identifying high-risk landing patterns during a sport-specific task.’ Paper presented at the XXV Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, 12th – 16th July, Glasgow, Scotland.
Fox A, Bonacci J, McLean S, Spittle M & Saunders N (2015). ‘The influence of muscular activation profiles on lower limb biomechanics during a sport-specific task.’ Paper presented at the 33rd International Conference on Biomechanics in Sports, 29th June– 3rd July, Poitiers, France.
Fox A, Bonacci J, McLean S, Spittle M & Saunders N (2015). ‘Detecting biomechanical adaptations in sport-specific landing patterns using field-based ACL injury risk screening methods.’ Paper presented at the 2015 Australian Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport, 21st – 24th October, Sanctuary Cove, Queensland, Australia.
Saunders N, Fox A & Bonacci J (2015). ‘Examining the association between unilateral versus bilateral drop vertical jump landings and a sport-specific task.’ Paper presented at the 2015 Australian Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport, 21st – 24th October, Sanctuary Cove, Queensland, Australia.
Research groups
Centre for Sport Research
Awards
2005 Awarded an International Society of Biomechanics Congress travel
grant to travel to, and present at the ISB 05 Congress in Cleveland, Ohio
Publications
No publications found
Funded Projects at Deakin
Industry and Other Funding
What does it take to be an elite athlete in Athletics ? (Sprint)
A/Prof Natalie Saunders, Miss Kirstie Jodie Turner
Athletics Australia
- 2024: $6,250
- 2023: $15,000
- 2022: $10,000
- 2021: $8,346
What does it take to be an elite athlete in Athletics ? (Endurance)
A/Prof Natalie Saunders, Ms Tarryn Elvish
Athletics Australia
- 2024: $6,250
- 2023: $15,000
- 2022: $10,000
- 2021: $10,000
Exploring the scope to inform feasibility of a clinic based Patellofemoral pain (PFP) intervention to improve clinical outcomes.
Dr Jason Bonacci, Miss Natalie Mazzella, A/Prof Natalie Saunders
The Trustee for TM Cole Trust
- 2022: $6,214
Supervisions
Aaron Samuel Fox
Thesis entitled: Neuromechanics of the Lower Limb: Implications for ACL Injury Prevention
Doctor of Philosophy (Nutrition & Exercise) (Low Cost), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences
Simon John Moule
Thesis entitled: The role of an external focus of attention on lower limb landing postures Examination of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) through smartphone technology.
Master of Applied Science (Nutrition & Exercise) (High Cost), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences
Danielle Anne Trowell
Thesis entitled: Biomechanics and Adaptations of Strength Training Exercises in Distance Runners
Doctor of Philosophy (Nutrition & Exercise) (High Cost), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences