Professor Nachiappan Chockalingam

Professor of Clinical Biomechanics

Current responsibilities include: 

• Director, Biomechanics Facility

• Scheme Leader, Clinical Biomechanics Scheme (of PG awards)

After completing my Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering degree at Annamalai University, India and I received my MSc in Biomedical Engineering Science at the University of Dundee.

My doctoral thesis at Staffordshire University was on gait and posture analysis of scoliotic subjects. After a short training period at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, I joined Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), Chennai (Madras) as a Research Fellow where I established a gait analysis facility. I continued at CLRI as a Scientist in Footwear Biomechanics before joining Staffordshire University.

As Professor of Clinical Biomechanics at the Faculty of Health, I direct the Movement Analysis Laboratory and lead the biomechanics team. I am also an Affiliate Professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta.

I am a Chartered Engineer, a Chartered Scientist and a member of various professional organisations. I was elected to and served as a member of the Engineering Group Board at the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine and has been elected as the Secretary of Footwear Biomechanics Group; a technical group of the International Society of Biomechanics.

BEng., MSc, PhD, CEng, CSci.

HPC Registered Clinical Scientist

1. Member of the Institute for Physics and Engineering in Medicine.

2. Member of International Society of Biomechanics.

3. Member of the British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle society (British Orthopaedic Association).

4. Member of Institution of Engineers (India).

5. Member of Indian Society of Biomechanics.

6. Member of Footwear Biomechanics Group (International Society of Biomechanics).

7. Reviewer:  Journal of Biomechanics, Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise, IEEE Journal on Imaging, Clinical Biomechanics, BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, Medical Science Monitor, Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing, Medical Physics, ARC, HTD Program, Journal of American Podiatric Medical Association, International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, British Journal of Sports Medicine, Publishers: John Weily & Sons,Leverhulme Trust, Research Grants Council of Hong Kong,Research In Sports Medicine: An International Journal,Australasian Physical & Engineering Sciences in Medicine, Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, Sports Biomechanics, Medical Engineering and Physics, The Foot, Footwear science, BMC Journal of Foot and Ankle Research.

8. Associate Editor, Footwear Science

9. Research Editor, Scoliosis

10. Treasurer, Footwear Biomechanics Group (International Society of Biomechanics)

11. International Advisory Board: The Foot 

My research and academic interests span the general area of biomechanics and gait analysis with special interests in scoliosis, foot and footwear biomechanics.

I am currently involved with several commercially funded projects which include projects from West Midlands based small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs).

The infrastructure supporting this i-health (Medilink West Midlands) funded test facility comprises of a fully equipped laboratory to study the performance of human movement. The biomechanics laboratory is based at Staffordshire University (Brindley Building, Leek Road Campus, Stoke on Trent) and comprises technology that can be used to support both Industry and the NHS in a variety of ways that can be used for product development, proof of concept testing, safety testing, ergonomics and studying human device interfaces. This laboratory is supported by a staff of internationally renowned researchers and nationally recognised clinicians.

Current activities in the laboratory include:

• Protocol development for human movement research. (These protocols can be used to underpin  product development and evaluation, e.g. footwear research).

• Falls assessment and identifying predictors for falls.

• Methods to reliably map the user needs in elderly and disabled population. (These protocols  are essential for product development, product enhancement, market research, etc.).

• Foot/ footwear research (lower limb biomechanics):

• Therapeutic Footwear (footwear modifications/ orthotic intervention)

• Sports Footwear (Cycling boots, Skating boots – design and development aspects)

• Design and development of Heelless technology (Research on HEELLESS footwear has recieved funding from the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme under grant agreement no. 222468)

• Sports Biomechanics - related research (Rehabilitation – Sports equipment, Various)
  

• Medical Technology
  

I have played a major role in the development and delivery of internationally recognised research in the areas of human performance measurement with a focus on foot and footwear biomechanics, injury prevention, lower limb musculo-skeletal conditions and aetiopathology of scoliosis. I currently have several multi and inter disciplinary collaborations with leading researchers  and industry here in the UK, the EU and beyond.

In the past few years the biomechanics team here at Staffordshire University have made a substantial contribution to evidence-based practice in the areas of lower limb musculo skeletal conditions.

Whist we will continue to focus on partnerships across the EU, the research within the team will focus on (1) evidence based practice (2) innovative design and technology for both athletic and prescription footwear and (3) effective lower limb orthotic intervention.

Take a look on Sport and Exercise YouTube Channel for latest research interviews.

Here’s a selection of peer- reviewed publications and presentations since 2009.  

 
Peer Reviewed Journal Publications:

1. Bev Bowring and Nachiappan Chockalingam (2009) A Clinical Guideline for the Conservative Management of Tibialis Posterior Tendon Dysfunction. The Foot, 19(4): 211-217.

2. Kate Carter and Nachiappan Chockalingam (2009) An assessment of strapping techniques commonly used for pronated foot deformities. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association 99(5):391-8.

3. Emma Cowley, TL Chevalier and N Chockalingam (2009) Effect of heel height on temporal parameters of gait: a review. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association 99(6):512-8.

4. Bev Durrant and Nachiappan Chockalingam (2009) Functional Hallux Limitus- A review. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association. 99(3): 236-243.

5. Alfred Gatt and Nachiappan Chockalingam (2009) Clinical Assessment of Ankle Joint Dorsiflexion: A Review of Measurement Techniques. in press. The Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association.

6. R Sloss, N Chockalingam, E Yule, DN Dunning, AD Pandyan (2009) Foot orthoses and Dental appliances – Is there a relationship? The Foot. 19(3):145-148.

7. Thierry Larose Chevalier, Helen Hodgins, Nachiappan Chockalingam (2010) Plantar Pressure measurements using an In-Shoe system and a Pressure Platform: A comparison. Gait and Posture. 31(3):397-399.

8. Helen Branthwaite and Nachiappan Chockalingam (2009) The role of Footwear in rehabilitation: A review. The Internet Journal of Rehabilitation. 1(1): ISSN:2155-6741.

9. Helen Branthwaite and Nachiappan Chockalingam (2009) What influences someone when purchasing new trainers?. Footwear Science, 1(02), pp. 71 - 72. DOI: 10.1080/19424280903347991.

10. Bev Bowring and N Chockalingam (2010) Conservative treatment of tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction—A review. The Foot. 20(1):18-26.

11. Subodh Srivastava, N Chockalingam, Tarek El Fakhri (2010) Radiographic Measurements of Hallux Angles: A Review of current techniques. The Foot. 20(1):27-31.

12. Bev Durrant, Nachiappan Chockalingam and Farina Hashmi(2010) Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction - A Review, in press Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association.

13. Larose Chevalier, T. and Chockalingam, N. (2010) Foot Orthoses: A Review Focusing on Kinematics, In press. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association.

14. Healy A, Dunning D N, Chockalingam N (2010) Materials used for Footwear Orthoses: A Review, Footwear Science.  2(2):93-110

15. Negrini S, Minozzi S, Bettany-Saltikov J, Zaina F, Chockalingam N, Grivas TB, Kotwicki T, Maruyama T, Romano M, Vasiliadis ES (2010) Braces for idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents. Spine. 35(13)1285-93.

16. Srivastava S, Chockalingam N, El Fakhri T (2010) Radiographic Angles in Hallus Valugus: Comparison between Manual and Computer Assisted Methods. J Foot and Ankle Surgery. PMID 20833569

17. Negrini, S., Minozzi, S., Bettany-Saltikov, J., Zaina, F., Chockalingam, N., Grivas, T. B., Kotwicki, T., Maruyama, T., Romano, M., Vasiliadis, E. S.  (2010), Cochrane Review: Braces for idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents. Evidence-Based Child Health: A Cochrane Review Journal, 5: 709–751. doi: 10.1002/ebch.543

18. Welsh BJ, Redmond AC, Chockalingam N, Keenan AM (2010) A case series study to explore the efficacy of foot orthoisis in treating first metatarsoplalangeal joint pain. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 3:17 doi:10.1186/1757-1146-3-17

19. Alfred Gatt and Nachiappan Chockalingam (2010) Assessment of Ankle Joint Dorsiflexion: An Overview. in press. Revista Internacional de Ciencias Podologicas.

20. Burn H, Branthwaite H and Chockalingam N (2010) Do foot orthoses replicate the static Longitudinal Arch Angle during midstance in walking? in press. The Foot.

21. Robert L. Ashford, Clive E. Neal-Sturgess, Peter White and Nachiappan Chockalingam (2011) A Fundamental Study on the Aerodynamics of Four Middle and Long Distance Running Shoes. in press. International Journal of Sports Science and Engineering.

22. Healy A, Moran K, Dickson J, Hurley C, Smeaton A, O’Connor NE, Kelly P, Haahr M & Chockalingam N (2011) Analysis of the 5 iron golf swing when hitting for maximum distance. in press Journal of Sports Sciences. 

Peer Reviewed Published Abstracts:

23. Robert L. Ashford, Navid Shamshiri, Nachiappan Chockalingam, Peter White, Helen Branthwaite (2009) A pilot study on the aerodynamics of a middle/long distance running shoe: Implications for variation in swing patterns during the running gait cycle. Footwear Science, 1(S1), pp. - - -. DOI: 10.1080/19424280902977079.

24. Roozbeh Naemi, Ana Pilar Alonso, N Chockalingam, Thierry Larose Chevalier (2009) Effects of Walkway inclusion in Pressure Platform Assessment. Footwear Science, 1(S1), pp. - - -. DOI: 10.1080/19424280902977087.

25. L Hewitt, S Wilgress, E Jennings, N Chockalingam, A Pandyan (2009) The effect of heel height on static and dynamic balance. Footwear Science, 1(S1), pp. - - -. DOI: 10.1080/19424280902977178.

26. Lynne Hazell, Nachiappan Chockalingam (2009) A Preliminary Study into the Effect of Running Shoes on Stride Length. Footwear Science, 1(S1), pp. - - -. DOI: 10.1080/19424280902977186.

Cochrane Reviews:

27. Romano M, Minozzi S, Bettany-Saltikov J, Zaina F, Chockalingam N, Weiss HR, Maier-Hennes A, Negrini S (2009). Exercises for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (Protocol). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD007837. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007837.

28. Negrini S, Minozzi S, Bettany-Saltikov J, Zaina F, Chockalingam N, Grivas TB, Kotwicki T, Maruyama T, Romano M, Vasiliadis ES (2010). Braces for idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD006850. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006850.pub2.  

Invited Keynote Presentations:

29. Nachiappan Chockalingam (2010) Hidden aspects of gait in idiopathic scoliosis. Presented to the 9th annual meeting of Clinical Movement Analysis Society (CMAS), Dundee, Scotland.

Other Publications:

30. Healy A., Dunning, D., Naemi, R. and Chockalingam, N. (2010). An investigation into the prescription procedures and material choice involved in the provision of bespoke foot orthoses for diabetic patients. Podiatry Now, 13(9):26-29.

International Conference Presentations: 

31. L Hewitt, S Wilgress, E Jennings, N Chockalingam, A Pandyan (2009) The effect of heel height on static and dynamic balance. Paper presented to 9th Biennial Footwear Biomechanics Symposium, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

32. Lynne Hazell, Nachiappan Chockalingam (2009) A Preliminary Study into the Effect of Running Shoes on Stride Length. Paper presented to 9th Biennial Footwear Biomechanics Symposium, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

33. Robert L. Ashford, Navid Shamshiri, Nachiappan Chockalingam, Peter White, Helen Branthwaite (2009) A pilot study on the aerodynamics of a middle/long distance running shoe: Implications for variation in swing patterns during the running gait cycle. Paper presented to 9th Biennial Footwear Biomechanics Symposium, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

34. Roozbeh Naemi, Ana Pilar Alonso, N Chockalingam, Thierry Larose Chevalier (2009) Effects of Walkway inclusion in Pressure Platform Assessment . Paper presented to 9th Biennial Footwear Biomechanics Symposium, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

35. Asra Ahmad, Anand Pandyan, Nachiappan Chockalingam (2009) Effect of Strapping on Achilles Tendon function during Gait. Paper presented to XXII Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, Cape Town, South Africa

36. Sally Pembery, David N Dunning, N Chockalingam (2009) An investigation into the effects of experimentally induced plantar insensitivity and limitation of joint mobility on pressures under the foot during normal walking. Paper presented to XXII Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, Cape Town, South Africa

37. Thierry Larose Chevalier, N Chockalingam (2009) Path of Centre of Pressure in normal population: Asymmetries and Ratios. Paper presented to XXII Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, Cape Town, South Africa

38. Gregory Sporton, Robert Ashford, Nachiappan Chockalingam (2009) Image-based technologies as support in training dancers. Presented at the 19th Annual Meeting of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science. The Hague, The Netherlands.

39. Subodh Srivatsava, Nachiappan Chockalingam, Tarek El-Fakhri (2009) Manual and computer assisted measurements of Hallux Valgus Angles: A comparative study. Presented to the Meeting of the British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, London.

40. Robert Ashford, Gregory Sporton, Nachiappan Chockalingam (2010) Plantar Pressure assessment during various ballet movements: A pilot study. Presented to the 20th FIP World Congress of Podiatry, Amsterdam. 2010

41. Robert L. Ashford, Navid Shamshiri, Nachiappan Chockalingam, Peter White  (2010) A preliminary study of the aerodynamics of a medium/long distance running shoe. Presented to the 20th FIP World Congress of Podiatry, Amsterdam. 2010

42. Beverly Durrant, N Chockalingam, F Hashmi (2010) Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction – a presentation reviewing this debilitating condition. Presented to the 20th FIP World Congress of Podiatry, Amsterdam. 2010

43. S.Negrini , S.Minozzi , J.Bettany-Saltikov, F.Zaina, N.Chockalingam PhD4, T.B. Grivas T, Kotwicki , T.Maruyama, M Romano, E. S. Vasiliadis, Braces for idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents: a cochrane review. Presented at the Britspine meeting in Liverpool, UK, 28-30th April 2010 

44. Helen Branthwaite, Nachiappan Chockalingam, Anand Pandyan (2010) Function of the Triceps Surae Muscle Group in Low and High Arched Feet. Paper presented to the 6th World Congress on Biomechanics, Singapore. 

45. Heidi Burn, Helen Branthwaite, Nachiappan Chockalingam, Thierry Larose Chevalier,Roozbeh Naemi (2010) Do Functional Foot Orthoses Replicate Longitudinal Arch Angle during Mid-stance? Paper presented to the 6th World Congress on Biomechanics, Singapore.

46. Thierry Larose Chevalier, Nachiappan Chockalingam(2010) Foot Orthoses: Variability in Clinical Performances. Paper presented to the 6th World Congress on Biomechanics, Singapore.

47. Stephanie Anastasi, Sanjay Attwala, Nachiappan Chockalingam, Anand Pandyan (2010) A Protocol to Identify People with a Higher Risk of Falling before a First Episode Fall: A Pilot Study. Paper presented to the 6th World Congress on Biomechanics, Singapore.

48. S.Negrini , S.Minozzi , J.Bettany-Saltikov, F.Zaina, N.Chockalingam PhD4, T.B. Grivas T, Kotwicki , T.Maruyama, M Romano, E. S. Vasiliadis, Braces for idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents: a cochrane review. Presented at North American Spine Society meeting in Orlando (USA), 5-8th October 2010. 

Other Conference Presentations:

49. Helen Branthwaite, Nachiappan Chockalingam, Marc Jones (2009) What Influences the Trainer We Purchase? Presented to 7th Staffordshire conference on Clinical Biomechanics. Stoke on Trent, UK.

50. E Jennings, L Hewitt, S Wilgress, N Chockalingam, A Pandyan(2009) Studying the effect of heel height and practice on static and dynamic balance. Presented to 7th Staffordshire conference on Clinical Biomechanics. Stoke on Trent, UK.

51. Sally Pembery, David N Dunning, N Chockalingam (2009) An investigation into the effectiveness of Ice footbaths in inducing neuropathy. Presented to 7th Staffordshire conference on Clinical Biomechanics. Stoke on Trent, UK.

52. Naemi R, N Chockalingam, D N Dunning (2009) A new method of measuring the mechanical properties of a shod foot during locomotion. Presented to 7th Staffordshire conference on Clinical Biomechanics. Stoke on Trent, UK.

53. Robert L. Ashford, Navid Shamshiri, Nachiappan Chockalingam, Peter White, Helen Branthwaite (2009) A preliminary study of the Aerodynamics of a medium/long distance running shoe. Presented to 7th Staffordshire conference on Clinical Biomechanics. Stoke on Trent, UK.

54. S.Negrini , S.Minozzi,  J.Bettany-Saltikov, F.Zaina , N.Chockalingam , T.B. Grivas , T. Kotwicki , T.Maruyama , M Romano , E. S. Vasiliadis (2010) Braces for Idiopathic Scoliosis in Adolescents: A cochrane review. Britspine 2010 – Liverpool

55. Aoife Healy, David Dunning, N Chockalingam, R Naemi (2010) An investigation into the prescription procedures and material choice involved in the provision of bespoke foot orthoses for Diabetic patients. Presented to 8th Staffordshire conference on Clinical Biomechanics. Stoke on Trent, UK.

56. Heidi Burn, H Branthwaite, N Chockalingam (2010) Do functional foot orthoses replicate Longitudinal Arch Angle during mid-stance? Presented to 8th Staffordshire conference on Clinical Biomechanics. Stoke on Trent, UK.

57. Dunning, D., Healy, A., and Chockalingam, N. (2010). Diabetic Footwear: New frontiers in material choice and design. Presented to 8th Staffordshire conference on Clinical Biomechanics, Stoke on Trent, UK.

58. Paul Cook, Aoife Healy, N Chockalingam (2010) Analysis of weight transfer in a cricket stroke: An exploratory study. Presented to 8th Staffordshire conference on Clinical Biomechanics. Stoke on Trent, UK.

59. Odedra S, Wilson S, Taylor S, Pandyan A, Chockalingam N (2010) Does wearing high heeled footwear compromise the structures about the ankle joint. Presented to 8th Staffordshire conference on Clinical Biomechanics. Stoke on Trent, UK.

60. Sharon J Dixon, Kate McNally, Michelle Giles and Nachiappan Chockalingam (2010) Pressure Data for Prescription and Evaluation of Footwear Interventions in Running. Presented to 8th Staffordshire conference on Clinical Biomechanics. Stoke on Trent, UK.

61. *Nachiappan Chockalingam (2011) Lower Limb pathologies and their effect on back pain. Presented to the Birmingham Branch of SOCAP, Birmingham.

62. Healy, A., Dunning, D. and Chockalingam, N. (2011).  Effect on insole materials on plantar pressure. Presented to Clinical Applications of Foot Pressure Measurement User Group Meeting, Sheffield, UK.

63. Aoife Healy, David Dunning, N Chockalingam (2011) Comparison of commonly used insole materials using plantar pressure. Presented to 9th Staffordshire conference on Clinical Biomechanics. Stoke on Trent, UK. 

Undergraduate: Level 2 and 3 Biomechanics for Sport and Exercise Science.
Postgraduate: Various modules within the Clinical Biomechanics Scheme.