Dr Bernard Liew

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Email
bl19622@essex.ac.uk -
Telephone
+44 (0) 1206 873522
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Location
ESA.3.14, Colchester Campus
Profile
Biography
I am a physiotherapist and biomechanist, with clinical and research interest at the intersection of rehabilitation, movement science, and machine learning. My research vision focuses on prolonging the longevity of healthy and pain-free movements. My primary research expertise is in clinical biomechanics to study movement quality, performance and health. I heavily rely on tools such as machine learning, statistics, and wearable sensors in my research. I am passionate about understanding the causal mechanisms of recovery in musculoskeletal pain disorders (e.g. low back pain) using machine learning and statistics, to help develop better treatments. In addition, I am also interested in developing field-based measurement systems, using wearable sensors and machine learning, that enables clinicians and coaches to easily quantify movement patterns, that would otherwise be possible only in a laboratory. I am interested in supervising students in the following areas of : low back pain, osteoarthritis, lower limb pain, joint replacement, biomechanics, motor control, pain neurophysiology, psychological factors of pain, machine/deep learning, markerless motion capture, wearable sensors. Feel free to contact me to express your interest.
Qualifications
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PhD Curtin University, (2017)
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BSc (Physiotherapy) First Class Honours Curtin University, (2011)
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Diploma (Physiotherapy) Nanyang Polytechnic, (2009)
Appointments
Vlog
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Senior Lecturer (Biomechanics), School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, Vlog (1/10/2023 - present)
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Lecturer (Biomechanics), School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, Vlog (20/5/2019 - 30/9/2023)
Other academic
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Research fellow, University of Birmingham (14/10/2017 - 19/5/2019)
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Session tutor and research assistant, Curtin University (1/1/2015 - 1/7/2017)
Research and professional activities
Research interests
Low back pain, Osteoarthritis, Musculoskeletal pain, Joint replacement, Biomechanics, Motor control, Pain neurophysiology, Psychological factors of pain, Artificial Intelligence, Machine/deep learning, Markerless motion capture, Wearable sensors.
Teaching and supervision
Current teaching responsibilities
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Professional Skills and Development 1 (SE101)
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Sport and Exercise Psychology (SE104)
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Professional Skills 2 (SE201)
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Applied Movement Science (SE206)
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Research Methods in Sport and Exercise (SE230)
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Research Project (SE309)
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Research Project (SE318)
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Further Research Methods in Sport, Exercise and Health (SE738)
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Research Project (SE740)
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Neuromechanical basis of strength and conditioning (SE788)
Current supervision
Publications
Publications (4)
Gertheiss, J., Rugamer, D., Liew, X. and Greven, S., Functional Data Analysis: An Introduction and Recent Developments
Altai, Z., Hayford, CF., Phillips, A., Moran, J., Zhai, X. and Liew, BXW., (2024). Lower limb joint Loading during high-impact activities: implication for bone health
Altai, Z., Phillips, ATM., Moran, J., Zhai, X., Mei, Q. and Liew, BXW., (2024). From Exercise to Strain: Rapid and Accurate Prediction of Femoral Neck Loading
Rügamer, D., Liew, BXW., Altai, Z. and Stöcker, A., (2024). A Functional Extension of Semi-Structured Networks
Journal articles (85)
Williams, MD., Liew, B., Castro, F., Davy, G. and Moran, J., (2025). . Journal of Motor Learning and Development. 13 (1), 146-165
Asquini, G., Devecchi, V., Viscuso, D., Bucci, R., Michelotti, A., Liew, BXW. and Falla, D., (2025). An exploratory data-driven approach to classify subgroups of patients with temporomandibular disorders based on pain mechanisms. The Journal of Pain. 26, 104721-104721
Brogan, SP., Evans, DW., Howe, L., McManus, C., Mei, Q. and Liew, BXW., (2025). The relationship between fear of movement and ankle biomechanical strategies in a 180° change of direction task. Gait & Posture. 118, 39-44
Evans, D., Liew, B., Andersen, J. and Mose, S., (2025). . Pain
Kirby, E., MacMillan, A., Brinkley, A., X W Liew, B. and Bateman, A., (2025). Evaluating musculoskeletal imaging communication interventions using behavioural science: a scoping review using the COM-B model. BMJ Open. 15 (4), e085807-e085807
Liew, BXW., Rugamer, D., Neal, BS., Birn-Jeffery, A., Mei, Q., Roberts, H. and Cortes, N., (2025). Feasibility of human ethomic biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of hip osteoarthritis. Journal of Biomechanics. 186, 112724-112724
Anarte‐Lazo, E., Liew, BXW., Devecchi, V., Bernal‐Utrera, C., Rodriguez‐Blanco, C. and Falla, D., (2024). Network analyses reveal the interaction between physical features, fear of movement and neck pain and disability in people with acute and chronic whiplash‐associated disorders. European Journal of Pain. 28 (2), 322-334
Van Bogaert, W., Liew, BXW., Fernández-de-las-Peñas, C., Valera-Calero, JA., Varol, U., Coppieters, I., Kregel, J., Nijs, J., Meeus, M., Cagnie, B., Danneels, L. and Malfliet, A., (2024). Exploring Interactions Between Sex, Pain Characteristics, Disability, and Quality of Life in People With Chronic Spinal Pain: A Structural Equation Model. The Journal of Pain. 25 (3), 791-804
Liew, BXW., Rügamer, D. and Birn-Jeffery, AV., (2024). . Gait and Posture. 108, 189-194
Liew, BXW., Pfisterer, F., Rügamer, D. and Zhai, X., (2024). . Journal of Biomechanics. 165, 111998-111998
Pedrero-Martin, Y., Falla, D., Rodriguez-Brazzarola, P., Torrontegui-Duarte, M., Fernandez-Sanchez, M., Jerez-Aragones, JM., Bernard, L. and Luque-Suarez, A., (2024). Prognostic Factors of Perceived Disability and Perceived Recovery After Whiplash. The Clinical Journal of Pain. 40 (3), 165-173
Liew, BXW. and Darlow, B., (2024). . Frontiers in Medicine. 11, 1327791-
Liew, BXW., Zhu, X., Zhai, X., McErlain-Naylor, SA. and McManus, C., (2024). . Journal of Biomechanics. 165, 112025-112025
Liew, B., Crisafulli, O. and Evans, DW., (2024). . Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 6, 1381020-
Evans, DW., Wong, ITY., Leung, HK., Yang, H. and Liew, BXW., (2024). Quantifying lumbar mobility using a single tri-axial accelerometer. Heliyon. 10 (11), e32544-e32544
Evans, DW., Mear, E., Neal, BS., Waterworth, S. and Liew, BXW., (2024). . Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. 73, 103150-103150
Gertheiss, J., Rügamer, D., Liew, BXW. and Greven, S., (2024). Functional Data Analysis: An Introduction and Recent Developments. Biometrical Journal. 66 (7), e202300363-
Altai, Z., Hayford, CF., Phillips, A., Moran, J., Zhai, X. and Liew, BXW., (2024). . JBMR Plus. 8 (11), ziae119-
Leong, K., Tohid, MM., Liew, BXW., Toh, SH., Zainuddin, MA., Fadzully, F., Feng, BG., Bin Abu Bakar, MA. and Loo, BKG., (2024). Evaluation of Exercise Program for Overweight and Obese Pediatric Participants in a Single Tertiary Center in Singapore. Pediatric Exercise Science, 1-9
Moran, J., Liew, B., Ramirez-Campillo, R., Granacher, U., Negra, Y. and Chaabene, H., (2023). . Journal of Sport and Health Science. 12 (2), 236-245
Liew, BXW., Hartvigsen, J., Scutari, M. and Kongsted, A., (2023). . Journal of Clinical Epidemiology. 153, 55-77
Gevers-Montoro, C., Liew, BXW., Deldar, Z., Conesa-Buendia, FM., Ortega-De Mues, A., Falla, D. and Khatibi, A., (2023). A network analysis on biopsychosocial factors and pain-related outcomes assessed during a COVID-19 lockdown. Scientific Reports. 13 (1), 4399-
Micklewright, D., Liew, BXW. and Kennett, S., (2023). Redirected Attention and Impaired Recognition Memory during Exhaustive Cycling Has Implications for Information Processing Models of Effort-Regulation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 20 (10), 5905-5905
Zhu, X., Boukhennoufa, I., Liew, B., Gao, C., Yu, W., McDonald-Maier, KD. and Zhai, X., (2023). . Bioengineering. 10 (6), 653-653
Tissot, L-PM., Evans, DW., Kirby, E. and Liew, BXW., (2023). Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia may underestimate task-specific fear of movement in people with and without low back pain. PAIN Reports. 8 (4), e1081-e1081
Liew, BXW., Rügamer, D., Mei, Q., Altai, Z., Zhu, X., Zhai, X. and Cortes, N., (2023). Smooth and accurate predictions of joint contact force time-series in gait using over parameterised deep neural networks. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. 11, 1208711-
Altai, Z., Boukhennoufa, I., Zhai, X., Phillips, A., Moran, J. and Liew, BXW., (2023). Performance of multiple neural networks in predicting lower limb joint moments using wearable sensors. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. 11, 1215770-
Black, C., Mallows, A., Waterworth, S., Freeman, P., Hope, E. and Liew, BXW., (2023). . PLoS One. 18 (4), e0284754-e0284754
Kirby, E., MacMillan, A., Liew, BXW., Brinkley, A. and Bateman, A., (2023). . BMJ Open. 13 (11), e072150-e072150
Liew, BXW., Kovacs, FM., Rügamer, D. and Royuela, A., (2023). . Journal of Clinical Medicine. 12 (19), 6232-6232
Liew, BXW., Kovacs, FM., Rügamer, D. and Royuela, A., (2022). . European Spine Journal. 31 (8), 2082-2091
Liew, BXW., Feller, JA. and Webster, KE., (2022). . PLoS One. 17 (3), e0266029-e0266029
Liew, BXW., Ford, JJ., Briganti, G. and Hahne, AJ., (2022). . PLoS One. 17 (2), e0263574-e0263574
Alalawi, A., Evans, DW., Liew, B., Peolsson, A., Heneghan, N., Rushton, A., Peterson, G., Barbero, M. and Falla, D., (2022). . Journal of Clinical Medicine. 11 (3), 555-555
Boukhennoufa, I., Altai, Z., Zhai, X., Utti, V., McDonald-Maier, KD. and Liew, B., (2022). . Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. 10, 877347-
Pethick, J., Clark, NC. and Liew, B., (2022). . Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. 66, 102696-102696
Liew, BXW., Valera-Calero, JA., Varol, U., Nijs, J., Arendt-Nielsen, L., Plaza-Manzano, G. and Fernández-de-Las-Peñas, C., (2022). . Biomedicines. 10 (5), 1188-1188
Fernández-de-las-Peñas, C., Liew, BXW., Herrero-Montes, M., del-Valle-Loarte, P., Rodríguez-Rosado, R., Ferrer-Pargada, D., Neblett, R. and Paras-Bravo, P., (2022). . Pathogens. 11 (11), 1336-1336
Devecchi, V., Alalawi, A., Liew, B. and Falla, D., (2022). . Scientific Reports. 12 (1), 11304-
Liew, BXW., Syrett, J., Freeman, P. and Evans, DW., (2022). . PLoS One. 17 (10), e0276983-e0276983
Syrett, J., Evans, DW. and Liew, BXW., (2022). . Applied Sciences. 13 (1), 220-220
Fernández-de-Las-Peñas, C., Rodríguez-Jiménez, J., Palacios-Ceña, M., de-la-Llave-Rincón, AI., Fuensalida-Novo, S., Florencio, LL., Ambite-Quesada, S., Ortega-Santiago, R., Arias-Buría, JL., Liew, BXW., Hernández-Barrera, V. and Cigarán-Méndez, M., (2022). . International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19 (15), 9273-9273
Liew, BXW., Palacios-Ceña, M., Scutari, M., Fuensalida-Novo, S., Guerrero-Peral, A., Ordás-Bandera, C., Pareja, JA. and Fernández-de-Las-Peñas, C., (2022). . The Journal of Pain. 24 (3), 426-436
Liew, BXW., de-la-Llave-Rincón, AI., Scutari, M., Arias-Buría, JL., Cook, CE., Cleland, J. and Fernández-de-Las-Peñas, C., (2022). . Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Journal. 102 (4), pzac015-
Moran, J., Ramirez-Campillo, R., Liew, B., Chaabene, H., Behm, DG., García-Hermoso, A., Izquierdo, M. and Granacher, U., (2021). . Sports Medicine. 51 (1), 65-79
Liew, BXW., Sullivan, L., Morris, S. and Netto, K., (2021). Lower-limb stiffness mediates speed but not turning angle during unplanned side-step cutting. Journal of Biomechanics. 115, 110132-110132
Liew, BXW., Peolsson, A., Falla, D., Cleland, JA., Scutari, M., Kierkegaard, M. and Dedering, A., (2021). . European Journal of Pain. 25 (5), 1162-1172
Hegyi, A., Csala, D., Kovács, B., Péter, A., Liew, BXW., Yue, Y., Finni, T., Tihanyi, J. and Cronin, NJ., (2021). Superimposing hip extension on knee flexion evokes higher activation in biceps femoris than knee flexion alone. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. 58, 102541-102541
Sanderson, A., Wang, SF., Elgueta‐Cancino, E., Martinez‐Valdes, E., Sanchis‐Sanchez, E., Liew, B. and Falla, D., (2021). . European Journal of Pain. 25 (8), 1668-1701
Liew, B., Lee, HY., Rügamer, D., De Nunzio, AM., Heneghan, NR., Falla, D. and Evans, DW., (2021). . Scientific Reports. 11 (1), 6944-
Liew, BXW., Rügamer, D., Zhai, X., Wang, Y., Morris, S. and Netto, K., (2021). . Journal of Biomechanics. 129, 110820-110820
Falla, D., Devecchi, V., Jiménez-Grande, D., Rügamer, D. and Liew, BXW., (2021). . Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. 61, 102599-102599
Liew, BXW., Ford, JJ., Scutari, M. and Hahne, AJ., (2021). . PLoS One. 16 (10), e0258515-e0258515
Liew, BXW., Rugamer, D., Duffy, K., Taylor, MJD. and Jackson, J., (2021). . PLoS One. 16 (11), e0259817-e0259817
Moran, J., Ramirez-Campillo, R., Liew, B., Chaabene, H., Behm, D., García-Hermoso, A., Izquierdo, M. and Granacher, U., (2021). . Sports Medicine. 51 (2), 225-242
Pedrero-Martin, Y., Falla, D., Martinez-Calderon, J., Liew, BXW., Scutari, M. and Luque-Suarez, A., (2021). . European Spine Journal. 30 (6), 1689-1698
Liew, BXW., de-la-Llave-Rincón, AI., Arias-Buría, JL., Ortega-Santiago, R. and Fernández-de-las-Peñas, C., (2021). Understanding the Psychophysiological Mechanisms Related to Widespread Pressure Pain Hyperalgesia Underpinning Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Network Analysis Approach. Pain Medicine. 22 (11), 2708-2717
Liew, BXW., Rugamer, D., Stocker, A. and De Nunzio, AM., (2020). . Gait and Posture. 76, 146-150
Liew, BXW., Peolsson, A., Scutari, M., Löfgren, H., Wibault, J., Dedering, Å., Öberg, B., Zsigmond, P. and Falla, D., (2020). . European Journal of Pain. 24 (5), 909-920
Liew, BXW., Sullivan, L., Morris, S. and Netto, K., (2020). . Journal of Biomechanics. 106, 109839-109839
Liew, BXW., De Nunzio, AM., Srivastava, S. and Falla, D., (2020). . Scientific Reports. 10 (1), 17831-
Liew, BXW., Peolsson, A., Rugamer, D., Wibault, J., Löfgren, H., Dedering, A., Zsigmond, P. and Falla, D., (2020). . Scientific Reports. 10 (1), 16782-
Liew, BXW., Rugamer, D., De Nunzio, AM. and Falla, D., (2020). . European Spine Journal. 29 (8), 1845-1859
Liew, BXW., Abichandani, D. and De Nunzio, AM., (2020). . Gait and Posture. 79, 65-70
Liew, BXW., Rugamer, D., Abichandani, D. and De Nunzio, AM., (2020). . Gait and Posture. 80, 90-95
Liew, BXW., Morris, S. and Netto, K., (2020). . Journal of Biomechanics. 109, 109949-109949
Rosewilliam, S., Indramohan, V., Breakwell, R., Liew, BXW. and Skelton, J., (2019). . BMC Medical Education. 19 (1), 347-
Murillo, C., Martinez-Valdes, E., Heneghan, NR., Liew, B., Rushton, A., Sanderson, A. and Falla, D., (2019). . Scientific Reports. 9 (1), 15938-
Liew, BXW., Morris, S. and Netto, K., (2019). Defining gait patterns using Parallel Factor 2 (PARAFAC2): A new analysis of previously published data. Journal of Biomechanics. 90, 133-137
Liew, BXW., Scutari, M., Peolsson, A., Peterson, G., Ludvigsson, ML. and Falla, D., (2019). . Clinical Journal of Pain. 35 (8), 647-655
Liew, BXW., Yue, R., Cescon, C., Barbero, M. and Falla, D., (2019). . Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. 48, 1-8
Keogh, JWL., Cox, A., Anderson, S., Liew, B., Olsen, A., Schram, B. and Furness, J., (2019). . PLoS One. 14 (5), e0215806-e0215806
Chappell, A., Liew, B., Murphy, AT., Gibson, N., Allison, GT., Williams, G. and Morris, SL., (2019). The effect of joint translation constraint on within-participant variability of kinematics and kinetics during running in cerebral palsy. Clinical Biomechanics. 63, 54-62
Liew, BXW., Morrison, A., Hobara, H., Morris, S. and Netto, K., (2018). . PeerJ. 6 (11), e6010-e6010
Masters, A., Netto, K., Brooker, S., Hopper, D. and Liew, B., (2018). Hip Taping Positively Alters Running Kinematics in Asymptomatic Females. International Journal of Sports Medicine. 39 (14), 1068-1074
Liew, BXW., Del Vecchio, A. and Falla, D., (2018). . PLoS One. 13 (11), e0206885-e0206885
Liew, BXW., Drovandi, CC., Clifford, S., Keogh, JWL., Morris, S. and Netto, K., (2018). . PeerJ. 6 (4), e4620-e4620
Liew, BXW., Helwig, NE., Morris, S. and Netto, K., (2018). Influence of proximal trunk borne load on lower limb countermovement joint dynamics. Journal of Biomechanics. 79, 223-226
Liew, BXW., Morris, S., Masters, A. and Netto, K., (2017). A comparison and update of direct kinematic-kinetic models of leg stiffness in human running. Journal of Biomechanics. 64, 253-257
Liew, B., Netto, K. and Morris, S., (2017). Increase in Leg Stiffness Reduces Joint Work During Backpack Carriage Running at Slow Velocities. Journal of Applied Biomechanics. 33 (5), 347-353
Liew, B., Morris, S. and Netto, K., (2016). The Effect of Backpack Carriage on the Biomechanics of Walking: A Systematic Review and Preliminary Meta-Analysis. Journal of Applied Biomechanics. 32 (6), 614-629
Liew, BXW., Morris, S., Keogh, JWL., Appleby, B. and Netto, K., (2016). . BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 17 (1), 1-10
Liew, BXW., Morris, S. and Netto, K., (2016). The effects of load carriage on joint work at different running velocities. Journal of Biomechanics. 49 (14), 3275-3280
Liew, BXW., Morris, S., Robinson, MA. and Netto, K., (2016). Performance of a lateral pelvic cluster technical system in evaluating running kinematics. Journal of Biomechanics. 49 (9), 1989-1993
Liew, BXW., Morris, S. and Netto, K., (2016). Joint power and kinematics coordination in load carriage running: Implications for performance and injury. Gait & Posture. 47, 74-79
Book chapters (1)
Baptista, R., Liew, X., Pizzocaro, S., Zhai, X., Galasso, S., Rugamer, D., Waterkeyn, T., Boukhennoufa, I., Xuqi, Z. and De Nunzio, AM., (2024). Motion Analysis in Neurological Rehabilitation: From the Lab to the Clinic. In: Translational Neurorehabilitation. Editors: Calabrò, RS., . Springer Cham. 121- 163. 978-3-031-63604-2
Conferences (3)
Ruegamer, D., Liew, X., ALTAI, Z. and Almond, S., (2025).
Anarte-Lazo, E., Liew, B., Devecchi, V., Bernal-Utrera, C., Rodriguez-Blanco, C. and Falla, D., (2024). Chronic whiplash-associated headache is mainly associated with neck pain intensity, neck disability and kinesiophobia: results from a network analysis
Zhu, X., Boukhennoufa, I., Liew, B., McDonald-Maier, K. and Zhai, X., (2022).
Grants and funding
2025
NHS Funded PhD Studentship
Vlog Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
2024
Aparito PhD Studentship Match Funded
Aparito Limited
5G4PHealth: Enhanced 5G-Powered Platform for Predictive Preventive Personalized and Participatory Healthcare
Innovate UK (formerly Technology Strategy Board)
2023
MRC/FNR Returning Safely to high-impact activities after JOINT replacements (SafeJOINTs)
Medical Research Council
2021
Computational methods towards monitoring in-vivo hip joint loads during physical exercises (CHOOSE).
Academy of Medical Sciences