Sharon Dixon

Dr Dixon is an expert in biomechanics with a specialisation, inter alia, in the mechanics of the foot and ankle in running. Her expertise is not solely academic, as she has represented her country as a distance runner in both cross country and road races.

Education

1993-1996 Loughborough University, Ph.D. ‘The influence of heel lift devices on the loading of the Achilles tendon in running’

1986-1989 Loughborough University, B.Sc. (Hons) Degree: Mathematics, Physical Education and Sports Science (2:1)

Professional History

Jan 1999 - date Senior Lecturer, Biomechanics, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX1 2LU. Responsible for the organisation and running of research projects in areas of sport and exercise biomechanics, for the delivery of undergraduate taught modules in sport and exercise science, and for the supervision of post-graduate research students.

May - Nov 1998 Research Fellow, Human Performance Laboratory, University of Calgary, Canada

1997 - Apr 1998 Research Associate in Sports Biomechanics, University of Nottingham, England

1993 - 1996 Full-time Ph.D. in Sports Biomechanics, Loughborough University,England

1992 - 1993 Part-time Research Assistant and Part-time M.Phil.,Loughborough University, England

1990 - 1992 Assistant Engineer, British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Ltd., Hatfield, Herts.

1989 - 1990 Exercise Physiologist, British Olympic Medical Centre,Harrow, Middlesex

Research Interests
  • Understanding of lower extremity overuse injury mechanisms
  • The influence of footwear, shoe insert and surface manipulations on lower extremity biomechanics
  • Application of pressure data to understanding human movement
Recent Publications (2008 - 2012)

Lilley K, Stiles V, Dixon SJ (2012). The influence of motion control shoes on the running gait of mature and young females. Gait and Posture accepted August 2012.

Moore, I., Jones, A.M. and Dixon, S.J. (2012). Mechanisms for improved running economy in beginner runners. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, accepted April 2012.

Nunns, M., Stiles, V.H. and Dixon, S.J. (2012). The influence of standard issue Royal Marine Recruit footwear on risk factors for third metatarsal stress fracture. Footwear Science 4, 59-70.

Lilley K, Stiles V, Dixon SJ (2011). A biomechanical comparison of the running gait of mature and young females. Gait and Posture 33, 496-500.

Stiles VH, Guisasola IN, James IT, Dixon SJ (2011). Biomechanical response to changes in natural turf during running and turning. Journal of Applied Biomechanics 27, 54-63.

Guisasola, I., James, I., Stiles, V., Dixon, S. (2010) Dynamic behaviour of soils used for natural turf sports surfaces. Sports Engineering 12,111-122.

Guisasola, I., James, I., Llewellyn, C., Stiles, V., Dixon, S. (2010). Quasi-static mechanical behaviour of soils used for natural turf sports surfaces and stud force prediction. Sports Engineering 12, 99-109.

Fleming, P., Young, C., Dixon, S., Carre, M. (2010). Athlete and coach perceptions of technology needs for evaluating running performance. Sports Engineering, 13(1), 1-18.

Low, D.C., Dixon, S.J. (2010). Footscan pressure insoles: accuracy and reliability of force and pressure measurements in running. Gait Posture, 32(4), 664-666.

Dixon, S.J., Hinman, R.S., Creaby, M.W., Kemp, G., Crossley, K.M. (2010). Knee joint stiffness during walking in knee osteoarthritis. Arthritis Care and Research, 62(1), 38-44.

Wood, L.E., Dixon, S.J., Grant, C., Armstrong, N. (2008). Age and gender differences in isokinetic elbow flexion and extension torque development in children. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 29, 466-470.

Creaby, M.W., Dixon, S.J. (2008). External frontal plane loads may be associated with tibial stress fracture. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 40(9), 1669-1674

Dixon, S.J., James, I.T., Low, D. (2008). Influence of footwear and soil density on loading within the shoe and soil surface during running. Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology, 222(P1), 1-10.

Dixon, S.J., McNally, K. (2008). Influence of orthotic devices prescribed using pressure data on lower extremity kinematics and pressures beneath the shoe during running. Clin Biomech 23(5), 593-600.

Dixon, S.J. (2008). Use of pressure insoles to compare in-shoe loading for modern running shoes. Ergonomics, 51(10), 1503-1514.