Dr Neal Smith
Reader in Biomechanics
About
Neal’s current research direction examines the biomechanics of non-linear motion in sports. Neal’s other research interests involve the biomechanics of racket sports, and the analysis of kicking actions. Neal lectures on both the undergraduate programme, and the postgraduate masters programme, in addition to supervising postgraduate research students. He is also active in providing sports science support work to athletes from a variety of different sports, including Elite Divers and Cricket bowlers.
Education
1993 BSc. (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science. Liverpool John Moores University
1994 MSc Ergonomics. Loughborough University.
1999 Ph.D. Sport Biomechanics ‘Biomechanical analysis of non-linear motion in soccer’. University of Southampton.
Current Teaching
For the current academic year, I will be responsible for the following modules:
- Sports Injury and Prevention (SPL214)
- Biomechanical Techniques (SPL302)
- MSc Ergonomics in sport and exercise
Neal teaches on Introduction to Sports Biomechanics (SPL112), Anatomy and Kinesiology and MSc Tissue Mechanics.
Administration
Neal is the Field Leader for Sport and Exercise Biomechanics and Research Methods.
External Examining
- Teesside University – BSc and MSc courses
- Portsmouth University – BSc and MSc courses
Research Interests
Neal’s has research interests in the following areas:
- Non-linear movement analysis
- Biomechanics of soccer and racket sports
- Footwear design and Ergonomics
Research Supervision
- Neal currently supervises 2 PhD Candidates
Membership
- British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences
Key Publications
- Smith, N., Dyson, R., and Hale, T. (2001) Effects of sole configuration on ground reaction forces measured on natural turf during soccer-specific actions. In: Science and Football IV (Eds W.Spinks and T.Reilly). F&N Spon. London.
- Bardsley, S., Smith, N., and Dyson, R. (2001) Effect of ice and heat application upon relative reported acute anterior shinsplint pain and jogging heel impact force. In : Proceedings of International Society of Biomechanics XVIII Congress. Eds R. Muller, H. Gerber, A. Stacoff. Interrepro AG, Munchenstein, Switzerland.p 118.
- Westwood, E., Smith, N., and Dyson, R. (2001) Comparison of the influence of three types of military boot insole upon the force and loading rates experienced in drop jump landing. In: Proceedings of International Society for Biomechanics in Sport.
- Worsfold, P. , Smith, N., Dyson, R. (2002). Foot movement patterns during the golf swing. Conference presentation to the World Scientific Congress of Golf, St Andrews, 2002
- Smith, N., Dyson, R., and Hale, T. (2002) The effects of sole configuration on ground reaction force measured on natural turf during soccer specific actions; In Spinks, W. (ed.), Science and football IV , London, Routledge, 2002, p.44-49
- Brice, P., Smith, N. and Dyson, R. (2004) Frequency of curvilinear motion during competitive soccer play. Communication to the Fourth World Congress of Science and Football V . In: Journal of Sports Sciences. 22 (6). p504.
- Smith, N., Dyson, R. and Janaway, L. (2004) GRF measures when running and jogging in soccer boots and soccer training shoes on a natural turf surface. Sports Engineering. 7. 159-167
- Worsfold, P., Smith, N. & Dyson, R. (2006) Force generation at the golf shoe sole to grass turf interface occurring with alternative spike designs. In: Proceedings of International Society for Biomechanics in Sport XIX Congress. Ed. H, Schwameder, G. Strutzenburger, V. Fastenbauer, S.Lindinger, E.Muller. Salzburg
- McMorris, T., Swain, J., Lauder, M.A., Smith, N. and Kelly, J. (2006) Warm-up prior to undertaking a psychomotor task: does it aid performance? Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness. 46; 328-34
- Smith, N., Dyson, R., Hale, T. and Janaway, L. (2006) Contributions of the inside and outside leg to maintenance of curvilinear motion on a natural turf surface. Gait and Posture. 24. 453-458
- Worsfold, P., Smith, N. & Dyson, R. (2007) Modern golf shoe traction properties on grass. Journal of Turfgrass and sports surface science. 82. 19-30
- Brice, P., Smith, N. & Dyson, R. (2007) Movements patterns of body segments during curved running in soccer players. In: VIth World Congress on Science and Football. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. 6 (10). 45
- Worsfold, P., Smith, N., Dyson, R. (2008). Weight Transfer Time Moderation by Golf Handicap. Science and Golf V. Proceedings of the World Congress of Golf. Ed. Crews, D and Lutz, R. pp7
- Brice P., Smith, N., Dyson, R., (2008). Curved running in soccer: Kinematic differences between the inside and outside limbs. Proceedings of International Society for Biomechanics in Sports. p624-627
- Shorter, K., Smith, N., Dyson, R. (2008). Kinetic and kinematic changes associated with altering heel height during cricket medium-fast cricket bowling. Proceedings of International Society for Biomechanics in Sports. p. 279.
- Worsfold, P., Smith, N.A., Dyson, R.J. (2008). Low handicap golfers generate more torque at the shoe-natural grass interface when using a driver. Journal of Sport Science and Medicine, 7, 408 -414
- Worsfold, P., Smith, N.A., and Dyson, R. (2007) A comparison of golf shoe designs highlights greater ground reaction forces with shorter irons. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 6, 484- 489
- Smith, N., Alderson, J.A., Sweeney, M. and Elliott, B. (2008) Power flow through the swinging limb during an instep kick in soccer. In: Proceedings of International Society for Biomechanics in Sports. p 541
Research Output
Articles
Augustus, S. N., Hudson, P. E. and Smith, N. A. (2024) Multiplanar lumbar, pelvis and kick leg sequencing during soccer instep kicking from different approach angles. Journal of Biomechanics, 163. pp. 1-8. ISSN 0021-9290 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2023.111920
Kakavand, M. and Smith, N. A. (2022) The Effect of Non-prescription Orthotics on Walking Gait in Participants with Excessive Pronation. International Journal of Sports Studies for Health, 5 (2). ISSN 2588-5782 10.5812/intjssh-131801
Augustus, S., Hudson, P. E. and Smith, N. A. (2022) Defining movement strategies in soccer instep kicking using the relationship between pelvis and kick leg rotations. Sports biomechanics, 39 (1). pp. 1-12. ISSN 1752-6116 10.1080/14763141.2022.2106297
Austin, K., Lauder, M. A. and Smith, N. A. (2022) Coach perceptions of FA youth heading guidance: an online survey. Science and Medicine in Football. pp. 235-241. ISSN 2473-3938 10.1080/24733938.2022.2106379
Whittle, C., Jobson, S. A. and Smith, N. A. (2022) Validity of Calculating Continuous Relative Phase during Cycling from Measures Taken with Skin-Mounted Electro-Goniometers. Sensors, 22 (12). ISSN 1424-8220 10.3390/s22124371
Augustus, S., Hudson, P. E., Harvey, N. and Smith, N. A. (2021) Whole-body energy transfer strategies during football instep kicking: implications for training practices. Sports biomechanics. pp. 1-16. ISSN 1752-6116 10.1080/14763141.2021.1951827
Austin, K., Lee, B. J., Flood, T. R., Toombs, J., Borisova, M., Lauder, M. A., Heslegrave, A., Zetterberg, H. and Smith, N. A. (2021) Serum neurofilament light concentration does not increase following exposure to low velocity football heading. Science and Medicine in Football, 5 (3). pp. 188-194. ISSN 2473-4446 10.1080/24733938.2020.1853210
Augustus, S., Hudson, P. E. and Smith, N. A. (2021) The effect of approach velocity on pelvis and kick leg angular momentum conversion strategies during football instep kicking. Journal of Sports Sciences. pp. 1-10. ISSN 0264-0414 10.1080/02640414.2021.1929008
Light, N., Johnson, A., Williams, S., Smith, N. A., Hale, B. J. and Thorborg, K. (2021) Injuries in youth football and the relationship to player maturation: an analysis of time-loss injuries during four seasons in an English elite male football academy. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 31. pp. 1324-1335. ISSN 0905-7188 10.1111/sms.13933
Foster, A., Hudson, P. E. and Smith, N. A. (2020) Quasi-stiffness of the knee joint is influenced by walking on a destabilising terrain. The Knee, 27 (6). pp. 1889-1898. ISSN 0968-0160 10.1016/j.knee.2020.09.019
Augustus, S., Amca, A., Hudson, P. E. and Smith, N. A. (2020) Choice of low-pass filter influences practical interpretation of ball kicking motions: the effect of a time-frequency filter method. Sports Biomechanics. pp. 1-18. ISSN 1476-3141 10.1080/14763141.2020.1805507
Augustus, S., Amca, A., Hudson, P. E. and Smith, N. A. (2020) Improved accuracy of biomechanical motion data obtained during impacts using a time-frequency low-pass filter. Journal of Biomechanics, 101 (109639). pp. 1-5. ISSN 1873-2380 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.109639
Whittle, C., Smith, N. A. and Jobson, S. A. (2018) Validity of PowerTap P1 Pedals during Laboratory-Based Cycling Time Trial Performance. Sports, 6 (3). p. 92. ISSN 2075-4663 10.3390/sports6030092
Light, N., Smith, N. A., Delahunt, E. and Thorborg, K. (2018) Hip and groin injury management in English youth football: A survey of 64 professional academies. Science and Medicine in Football, 2 (2). pp. 133-140. ISSN 2473-3938 10.1080/24733938.2018.1441536
Mundy, P., Lauder, M. A., Smith, N. A. and Lake, J. P. (2017) The effects of barbell load on countermovement vertical jump power and net impulse. Journal of Sports Sciences, 35 (18). pp. 1781-1787. ISSN 0264-0414 10.1080/02640414.2016.1236208
Augustus, S., Mundy, P. and Smith, N. A. (2017) Support leg action can contribute to maximal instep soccer kick performance: an intervention study. Journal of Sports Sciences, 35 (1). pp. 89-98. ISSN 0264-0414 10.1080/02640414.2016.1156728
Mundy, P. D., Lake, J. P., Carden, P. J. C., Smith, N. A. and Lauder, M. A. (2016) Agreement between the force platform method and the combined method measurements of power output during the loaded countermovement jump. Sports Biomechanics, 15 (1). pp. 23-35. ISSN 1476-3141 10.1080/14763141.2015.1123761
Lake, J. P., Lauder, M. A., Smith, N. A. and Shorter, K. A. (2012) A comparison of ballistic and non-ballistic lower-body resistance exercise and the methods used to identify their positive lifting phases. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 28 (4). pp. 431-437. ISSN 1065-8483 22085898
Lake, J. P., Lauder, M. A. and Smith, N. A. (2012) Barbell kinematics should not be used to estimate barbell and body system centre of mass power in the back squat. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 26 (5). pp. 1302-1307. ISSN 1533-4287 10.1519/JSC.0b013e31822e7b48
Lake, J. P., Lauder, M. A. and Smith, N. A. (2011) Does side dominance affect the symmetry of barbell end kinematics during lower-body resistance exercise? Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 25 (3). pp. 872-878. ISSN 1064-8011 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181cc2397
Smith, N. A., Lake, J. P. and Lauder, M. A. (2011) Barbell kinematics should not be used to estimate barbell and body system centre of mass power in the back squat. Portuguese Journal of Sport Sciences, 11 (2). pp. 895-898. ISSN 1645-0523
Smith, N. A., Lake, J. P. and Lauder, M. A. (2011) Comparison of ballistic and non-ballistic lower-body resistance exercise performance. Determining the positive lifting phase. Portuguese Journal of Sport Sciences, 11 (2). pp. 899-902. ISSN 1645-0523
Shorter, K. A., Lake, J. P., Smith, N. A. and Lauder, M. A. (2011) Influence of the foot-floor interface on squatting performance. Portuguese Journal of Sport Sciences, 11 (2). pp. 385-388. ISSN 1645-0523
Lake, J. P., Lauder, M. A. and Smith, N. A. (2010) The effect that side dominance has on barbell power symmetry during the hang power clean. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 24 (11). pp. 3180-3185. ISSN 1064-8011 10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181da77ca
Worsfold, P., Smith, N. A. and Dyson, R. J. (2009) Kinetic assessment of golf shoe outer sole design features. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 8 (4). pp. 607-615. ISSN 1303-2968
White, J. L., Scurr, J. C. and Smith, N. A. (2009) The effect of breast support on kinetics during overground running performance. Ergonomics, 52 (4). pp. 492-498. ISSN 0014-0139 10.1080/00140130802707907
Worsfold, P., Smith, N. A. and Dyson, R. J. (2008) Low handicap golfers generate more torque at the shoe-natural grass interface when using a driver. Journal of Sport Science and Medicine, 7 (3). pp. 408-414. ISSN 1303-2968
Worsfold, P., Smith, N. A. and Dyson, R. J. (2007) A comparison of golf shoe designs highlights greater ground reaction forces with shorter irons. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 6 (4). pp. 484-489. ISSN 1303-2968
Smith, N. A., Dyson, R. J., Hale, T. and Janaway, L. (2006) Contributions of the inside and outside leg to maintenance of curvilinear motion on a natural turf surface. Gait & Posture, 24 (4). pp. 453-458. ISSN 0966-6362 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2005.11.007
McMorris, T., Swain, J. P., Lauder, M. A., Smith, N. A. and Kelly, J. S. (2006) Warm-up prior to undertaking a dynamic psychomotor task: Does it aid performance? Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 46 (2). pp. 328-334. ISSN 0022-4707
Worsfold, P., Smith, N. A. and Dyson, R. J. (2006) Modern golf shoe traction properties on grass. Journal of Turfgrass and Sports Surface Science, 82. pp. 19-29. ISSN 1478-548X
Smith, N. A., Dyson, R. J. and Janaway, L. (2004) Ground reaction force measures when running in soccer boots and soccer training shoes on a natural turf surface. Sports Engineering, 7 (3). pp. 159-167. ISSN 1369-7072 10.1007/BF02844054
Book Sections
Smith, N. A. and Shay, R. (2013) Ideal dive technique in high one-handed soccer saves: Top hand versus bottom hand. In: Science and Football VII: The Proceedings of the Seventh World Congress on Science and Football. Science and Football, VII . Routledge. ISBN 9780203131879
Conference or Workshop Items
Shorter, K. A., Lake, J. P., Smith, N. A. and Lauder, M. A. (2011) Comparison of ballistic and non-ballistic lower-body resistance exercise performance. Determining the positive lifting phases. In: International Symposium on Biomechanics in Sports Congress XXIII, 2011, Brussels, Belgium. (Submitted)
Shorter, K. A., Lake, J. P., Smith, N. A. and Lauder, M. A. (2011) Cricket side strain injuries: A description of trunk muscle activity and the potential influence of bowling technique. In: International Symposium on Biomechanics in Sports Congress XXIII, 2011, Brussels, Belgium. (Submitted)
Shorter, K. A., Lake, J. P., Smith, N. A. and Lauder, M. A. (2011) Influence of the foot-floor interface on squatting performance. In: International Symposium on Biomechanics in Sports Congress XXIII, 2011, Brussels, Belgium. (Submitted)
Theses
Smith, N. A. (2000) A biomechanical analysis of non-linear motion in soccer. Doctoral theses, University of Southampton; University of Chichester.
