Dr Adrienne Hunt
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Qualifications:
Positions held:
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Biography
Dr. Hunt's background in physiotherapy led to a keen interest in lower limb biomechanics and of the foot in particular. Fundamental to human ambulation are the naked foot as a complex and intriguing machine, and the shoe. Despite community perceptions and the marketing of shoes, surprisingly little is known about the impact of shoes on function. Indeed many of the past and current beliefs about specific types and features of shoes are incorrect. Dr Hunt's work first with Richard Smith and later with the current Footwear Research Team has established models of multi-segment foot function and its control and has provided the basis for the development of a new design for shoes with expected short and long term health benefits.Dr Hunt is experienced as an author and as a reviewer for 10 international journals including the Journal of Biomechanics. She has authored 23 peer reviewed journal papers, 30 international conference presentations, 1 book and 4 book chapters. Based on the publications of the work of a PhD student under her supervision she received the 2005 Novel Award and the 2008 American Podiatric Medicine Association research award.Up to the end of 2007 Dr Hunt's competitive research funding exceeded $1,350,000.00 This was obtained primarily through collaborations.
Teaching and Service Responsibilities
Student Supervision:
- Caleb Wegener, The University of Sydney - Degree and date of completion: PhD, March 2012 Working title: Foot-down not ground-up: moving from splint to natural models for children's shoe design
- Brian Angus Chard, The University of Sydney - Degree and date of completion: MAppSc, March 2012 Working title: Effect of flexible footwear and improved foot strength on knee kinematics and reducing related knee pathology in adolescents. A prospective randomised controlled study
- Paul Lundren, Karolinska Institiute - Degree and date of completion: PhD, 2011 Working title: Dynamic patterns of motion of the joints of the foot
Research Opportunities
Selected Publications
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Wegener C, Hunt A, Vanwanseele B, Burns J & Smith R. (2011). Effect of children's shoes on gait: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research, 4 (3):1-13.
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O’Meara D, Vanwanseele B, Hunt A and Smith R. (2010) The reliability and validity of a three-camera foot image system for obtaining foot anthropometrics. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, Aug;26 (3):349-56.
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O’Reilly T, Hunt A, Thomas B, Harris L and Burns J. (2009). Effects of Ankle-Foot Orthoses for Children with Hemiplegia on Weight-Bearing and Functional Ability. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 21:225–234.
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Mahony K., Hunt A., Daley D., Sims S. & Adams R. (2009). Inter-Tester Reliability and Precision of Manual Muscle Testing and Hand-Held Dynamometry in Lower Limb Muscles of Children with Spina Bifida. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, Volume 29, 1:44-59.
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Wong L., Hunt A., Burns J & Crosbie J. (2008) Influence of foot type on center of pressure excursion during barefoot walking. Journal of the American Podiatric Medicine Association. J. American Podiatric Medical Assoc (JAPMA), 98(2):112-117.
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Burns J., Crosbie, J., Hunt, A. & Ouvrier, R. (2006) A randomised controlled trial of foot orthoses for painful pes cavus. Journal of the American Podiatric Medicine Association, 96, 3: 205-211.
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Hunt A., Dwyer G., Higgs J. & Adams R. (2005) Acquiring professional skills through a problem-based course in a subject-based curriculum. Focus on Health Professional Education: A Mulitidisciplinary Journal, 7, 3: 15-33.
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Burns J., Crosbie, J., Hunt, A. & Ouvrier, R. (2005). The effect of pes cavus on foot pain and plantar pressure. Novel Award clinical paper, Clinical Biomechanics, 20: 877-882.
Selected Grants
- Smith RM, Hunt AE, Vanwanseele BM, O’Meara D. (2008-2012) Australian Research Council Linkage Grant (LP0883915): $837,800. Working title: Foot-down not ground-up: moving from splint to natural models for children's shoe design.
- Penkala, S., Harris, L.M., Naughton, G. & Hunt, A. (2007) Podiatry Education and Research Grant ($41,000)
- Crosbie, Kilbreath, Davis, Refshauge, Maher, Middleton, Hunt & Latimer (2006) National Health and Medical Research Foundation Equipment Grant ($32,850)
- Smith R, Hunt A, Harris L., Naughton G. (2004) Australian Research Council Linkage Project ($934,351)
- Burns J., Crosbie J., Ouvrier R. & Hunt A. (2004) Prescription Foot Orthotic Laboratory Association ($12,516)