Melanie Bussey, Academic staff, School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Otago, New Zealand

melanie_bussey_2011 Associate Professor
BPE(New Brunswick) MSc (New Brunswick) PhD (Otago)
Tel +64 3 479 8981
Email melanie.bussey@otago.ac.nz
ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5746-3861
ResearchGate
Twitter @bussey_melanie
Google Scholar

Background

Melanie is an Associate Professor in Biomechanics and Director of the Motion Analysis Research Lab in the School. She is originally from the East Coast of Canada, where she studied Kinesiology and Athletic Therapy at the University of New Brunswick (BPE and MSc) before transplanting to New Zealand in pursuit of her PhD in Clinical Biomechanics. Recently she was appointed as an Adjunct Professor to the School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Canada.

Melanie’s work has been funded by the Health Research Council of New Zealand, Otago Medical Research Foundation, Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust, University of Otago, Sport Science New Zealand and the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada.

Teaching

Research

Melanie’s research interests are focused on Sports Biomechanics, particularly the impact of musculoskeletal pain and injury on neuromuscular function. The long term goal of this work is to improve athlete re-conditioning for return-to-sport while reducing the risk of recurrent injury.

Postgraduate Students

Jim Webb (PhD): Associate Professor Melanie Bussey, Associate Professor Stephanie Woodley
Corry Perrett (PhD): Dr Peter Lamb, Associate Professor Melanie Bussey
Janelle Romanchuk (PhD): Associate Professor Melanie Bussey, Dr Peter Lamb, Dr Cam Ross
William White (MSc): Associate Professor Melanie Bussey
Jayden Pinfold (MPhEd): Associate Professor Melanie Bussey, Professor John Sullivan
Eamon Riley (BSc Hons): Associate Professor Melanie Bussey

Completed Students

Daniela Aldabe (PhD Clinical Biomechanics)
Divya Adhia (PhD Clinical Biomechanics)
Marcelo Peduzzi de Castro (PhD – Deferred)
James Kennedy (MPhEd Clinical Biomechanics)
Joanne Trezise (MPhEd Sports Biomechanics – Professor Roger Bartlett Co-Supervisor)
Rhys Thorp (MPhEd Sports Biomechanics – Co-Supervisor)
Yu Tanabe (Tsukuba University Japan – Co-supervisor)

Melanie is currently seeking highly motivated graduate students who have an interest in one of the following topics: Mechanics and control of the pelvis (focus on pelvic floor and hamstring muscles) or Sports related concussion (impact mechanisms and neck muscle control/function). Please consult the University of Otago scholarships webpage to check eligibility for international and domestic student scholarships.

Visit the University of Otago scholarships webpage

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Publications

Aldabe, D., Lawrenson, P., Sullivan, S. J., Hyland, G., Bussey, M. D., Hammer, N., Bryant, K., & Woodley, S. (2022). Management of women with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain: An international Delphi study. New Zealand Journal of Physiotherapy, 50(3, Suppl.), (pp. S2). doi: 10.15619/NZJP/50.3.07

Bussey, M. D., Pinfold, J., Romanchuk, J., & Salmon, D. (2022). Anticipatory head control mechanisms in response to impact perturbations: An investigation of club rugby players with and without a history of concussion injury. Physical Therapy in Sport. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2022.11.002

Bussey, M. D., Davidson, P., Salmon, D., Romanchuk, J., Tong, D., & Sole, G. (2022). Influence of the frame of reference on head acceleration events recorded by instrumented mouthguards in community rugby players. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, 8(4), e001365. doi: 10.1136/bmjsem-2022-001365

Perrett, C., Bussey, M., & Lamb, P. (2022). Technique changes across maximal and submaximal intensities in fast bowlers: Implications for estimating workload. ISBS Proceedings Archive, 40(1), 135. Retrieved from https://commons.nmu.edu/isbs/vol40/iss1/1

Perrett, C., Bussey, M., & Lamb, P. (2022). External workload intensity in cricket fast bowlers across maximal and submaximal intensities: Modifying PlayerLoad and IMU location. Journal of Sports Sciences, 40(5), 527-533. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2021.2003570

Bartlett, R., & Bussey, M. (2012). Sports biomechanics: Reducing injury risk and improving performance (2nd ed.). Abingdon, UK: Routledge, 341p.

Authored Book - Research

Aldabe, D., Lawrenson, P., Sullivan, S. J., Hyland, G., Bussey, M., Hammer, N., Bryant, K., & Woodley, S. (2022). Management of women with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain: An international Delphi study. Physiotherapy, 115, 66-84. doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2021.09.002

Journal - Research Article

Aldabe, D., Milosavljevic, S., & Bussey, M. D. (2020). A multivariate model for predicting PPGP considering postural adjustment parameters. Musculoskeletal Science & Practice, 48, 102153. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2020.102153

Journal - Research Article

Bussey, M. D., Aldabe, D., Shemmell, J., & Jowett, T. (2020). Anticipatory postural control differs between low back pain and pelvic girdle pain patients in the absence of visual feedback. Human Movement Science, 69, 102529. doi: 10.1016/j.humov.2019.102529

Journal - Research Article

Perrett, C., Lamb, P., & Bussey, M. (2020). Does external workload accurately predict lower-back injuries in cricket fast bowlers? A systematic review. Physical Therapy in Sport, 41, 71-79. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2019.11.007

Journal - Research Article

Bussey, M. D., McLean, M., Pinfold, J., Anderson, N., Kiely, R., Romanchuk, J., & Salmon, D. (2019). History of concussion is associated with higher head acceleration and reduced cervical muscle activity during simulated rugby tackle: An exploratory study. Physical Therapy in Sport, 37, 105-112. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2019.03.012

Journal - Research Article

Castro, M. P., Stebbings, S. M., Milosavljevic, S., Pedersen, S. J., & Bussey, M. D. (2019). Assessing the construct validity of clinical tests to identify sacroiliac joint inflammation in patients with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis. International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases, 22, 1521-1528. doi: 10.1111/1756-185X.13606

Journal - Research Article

Milner, S. C., Gray, A., & Bussey, M. (2019). A retrospective study investigating injury incidence and factors associated with injury among belly dancers. Journal of Dance Medicine & Science, 23(1), 26-33. doi: 10.12678/1089-313X.23.1.26

Journal - Research Article

Bussey, M. D., Aldabe, D., Adhia, D., & Mani, R. (2018). Reliability of surface electromyography activity of gluteal and hamstring muscles during sub-maximal and maximal voluntary isometric contractions. Musculoskeletal Science & Practice, 34, 103-107. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2017.09.004

Journal - Research Article

Bussey, M. D., de Castro, M. P., Aldabe, D., & Shemmell, J. (2018). Sex differences in anticipatory postural adjustments during rapid single leg lift. Human Movement Science, 57, 417-425. doi: 10.1016/j.humov.2017.10.003

Journal - Research Article

Adhia, D. B., Mani, R., Milosavljevic, S., Tumilty, S., & Bussey, M. D. (2016). Does repeated palpation-digitization of pelvic landmarks for measurement of innominate motion introduce a systematic variation? A psychometric investigation. Manual Therapy, 21, 282-286. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2015.09.009

Journal - Research Article

Adhia, D. B., Milosavljevic, S., Tumilty, S., & Bussey, M. D. (2016). Innominate movement patterns, rotation trends and range of motion in individuals with low back pain of sacroiliac joint origin. Manual Therapy, 21, 100-108. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2015.06.004

Journal - Research Article

Adhia, D. B., Tumilty, S., Mani, R., Milosavljevic, S., & Bussey, M. D. (2016). Can hip abduction and external rotation discriminate sacroiliac joint pain? Manual Therapy, 21, 191-197. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2015.08.002

Journal - Research Article

Adhia, D. B., Tumilty, S., Mani, R., Milosavljevic, S., & Bussey, M. D. (2016). Innominate segment deformation during passive hip abduction and external rotation. Manual Therapy, 26, 235-237. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2016.06.004

Journal - Research Article

Aldabe, D., Castro, M. P., Milosavljevic, S., & Bussey, M. D. (2016). Concurrent validity and reliability of using ground reaction force and center of pressure parameters in the determination of leg movement initiation during single leg lift. Gait & Posture, 49, 346-352. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2016.07.181

Journal - Research Article

Bussey, M. D., Kennedy, J. E., & Kennedy, G. (2016). Gluteus medius coactivation response in field hockey players with and without low back pain. Physical Therapy in Sport, 17, 24-29. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2015.03.002

Journal - Research Article

Castro, M. P., Stebbings, S. M., Milosavljevic, S., & Bussey, M. D. (2016). Construct validity of clinical spinal mobility tests in ankylosing spondylitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Rheumatology, 35(7), 1777-1787. doi: 10.1007/s10067-015-3056-1

Journal - Research Article

Bussey, M. D. (2015). Mechanics of pelvic girdle stability and self-bracing in SIJ-related pelvic girdle pain: A review. Physical Therapy Reviews, 20(3), 168-177. doi: 10.1179/1743288X15Y.0000000010

Journal - Research Article

Bussey, M. D., & Milosavljevic, S. (2015). Asymmetric pelvic bracing and altered kinematics in patients with posterior pelvic pain who present with postural muscle delay. Clinical Biomechanics, 30(1), 71-77. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2014.11.002

Journal - Research Article

Castro, M. P., Stebbings, S. M., Milosavljevic, S., & Bussey, M. D. (2015). Criterion-concurrent validity of spinal mobility tests in ankylosing spondylitis: A systematic review of the literature. Journal of Rheumatology, 42(2), 243-251. doi: 10.3899/jrheum.140901

Journal - Research Article

Castro, M. P., Stebbings, S. M., Milosavljevic, S., & Bussey, M. D. (2015). Role of physical evaluation in the early identification of axial spondyloarthritis: A research proposal. Clinical Medicine Insights: Arthritis & Musculoskeletal Disorders, 8, 59-64. doi: 10.4137/CMAMD.S28347

Journal - Research Article

Bussey, M. D., & Milosavljevic, S. (2013). Can innominate motion be used to identify persons with ankylosing spondylitis? A pilot study. Manual Therapy, 18(2), 118-123. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2012.07.010

Journal - Research Article

Adhia, D. B., Bussey, M. D., Mani, R., Jayakaran, P., Aldabe, D., & Milosavljevic, S. (2012). Inter-tester reliability of non-invasive technique for measurement of innominate motion. Manual Therapy, 17(1), 71-76. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2011.09.005

Journal - Research Article

Adhia, D. B., Bussey, M. D., Ribeiro, D. C., Tumilty, S., & Milosavljevic, S. (2012). Validity and reliability of palpation-digitization for non-invasive kinematic measurement: A systematic review. Manual Therapy, 18(1), 26-34. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2012.06.004

Journal - Research Article

Aldabe, D., Milosavljevic, S., & Bussey, M. D. (2012). Is pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain associated with altered kinematic, kinetic and motor control of the pelvis? A systematic review. European Spine Journal, 21(9), 1777-1787. doi: 10.1007/s00586-012-2401-1

Journal - Research Article

Aldabe, D., Ribeiro, D. C., Milosavljevic, S., & Bussey, M. D. (2012). Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain and its relationship with relaxin levels during pregnancy: A systematic review. European Spine Journal, 21(9), 1769-1776. doi: 10.1007/s00586-012-2162-x

Journal - Research Article

Trezise, J., Bartlett, R., & Bussey, M. (2011). Coordination variability changes with fatigue in sprinters. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 6(3), 357-363. doi: 10.1260/1747-9541.6.3.357

Journal - Research Article

Bussey, M. D. (2010). Does the demand for asymmetric functional lower body postures in lateral sports relate to structural asymmetry of the pelvis. Journal of Science & Medicine in Sport, 13(3), 360-364. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2009.02.010

Journal - Research Article

Bussey, M. D., Bell, M. L., & Milosavljevic, S. (2009). The influence of hip abduction and external rotation on sacroiliac motion. Manual Therapy, 14(5), 520-525. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2008.08.009

Journal - Research Article

Bussey, M. D., Milosavljevic, S., & Bell, M. L. (2009). Sex differences in the pattern of innominate motion during passive hip abduction and external rotation. Manual Therapy, 14(5), 514-519. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2008.09.004

Journal - Research Article

Bartlett, R., Bussey, M., & Flyger, N. (2006). Movement variability cannot be determined reliably from no-marker conditions. Journal of Biomechanics, 39, 3076-3079. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2005.10.020

Journal - Research Article

Bussey, M. D., Yanai, T., & Milburn, P. (2004). A non-invasive technique for assessing innominate bone motion. Clinical Biomechanics, 19, 85-90.

Journal - Research Article

Pool-Goudzwaard, A., Beales, D., & Bussey, M. (2020). Introduction to the special issue on pelvic pain. Musculoskeletal Science & Practice, 48, 102168. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2020.102168

Journal - Research Other

Bussey, M. D., Aldabe, D., Ribeiro, D. C., Madil, S., Woodley, S., & Hammer, N. (2019). Is pelvic floor dysfunction associated with development of transient low back pain during prolonged standing? A protocol. Clinical Medicine Insights: Women's Health, 12. doi: 10.1177/1179562X19849603

Journal - Research Other

Bussey, M., Aldabe, D., & Jones, L. M. (2019). Reorganization of postural stability after tram flap breast reconstruction surgery: A longitudinal case report. Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy, 43(3), 136-143. doi: 10.1097/jwh.0000000000000134

Journal - Research Other

Bussey, M. D., Milosavljevic, S., & Adhia, D. (2012). [Response to letter to the editor: Innominate 3D motion modeling: Biomechanically interesting, but clinically irrelevant]. Manual Therapy, 17(5), e13. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2012.04.004

Journal - Research Other

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Perrett, C., Bussey, M., & Lamb, P. (2020). Movement variability in the spinal kinematics of fast bowlers. ISBS Proceedings Archive, 38(1), (pp. 284-287). [Full Paper]

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Bussey, M., & Yanai, T. (2002). Testing the reliability and validity of sacroiliac joint rotations measured with a magnetic tracking device. Proceedings CD of IV World Congress of Biomechanics. Calgary, Canada: Omnipress. [Full Paper]

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper