Ashley Williams

I’m currently the Programme Leader for BSc Sport and Exercise Science, and combine my lecturing with biomechanical research and consultancy.

Before joining Abertay, I lectured at Buckinghamshire New University and the University of Hertfordshire and combined this with practising Sports Therapy in amateur rugby.

I completed my PhD in the field of biomechanics focusing on the kinematics of the golf ball during a putt. 

My research interests are whether Omega-3 supplementation can improve joint stability, whether a ‘prehabilitation’ protocol may be able to reduce injury risk, and the impact of fatigue on lower limb kinetics.

I also remain focused on quantifying how different biomechanical factors influence sports performance.

Module Leader for:

Key Concepts in Biomechanics for Sport and Exercise

Advanced Biomechanics and Injury Prevention

Additional teaching contributions include anatomy, exercise for injured athletes and research methods in performance analysis and biomechanics. Currently the Programme Leader for BSc Sport and Exercise Science.

Dr Ashley Richardson's research interests include but are not limited to:

Omega-3 supplementation and joint health/kinematics

Can novel nutritional interventions improve joint kinematics during high-risk activities reducing the risk of injury. I am interested in identifying whether Omega-3 supplementation can improve joint stability. 

Lower limb kinetics/kinematics:

In relation to biomechanical risk factors of lower limb injury. Can athletes at risk be identified before the injury occurs? So a prehabilitation protocol can be implemented reducing the identified risk factor. Additionally, how lower limb kinetics and kinematics change throughout fatigue and interventions to overcome this.

Biomechanical factors related to sports performance:

I have an interest in quantifying how different biomechanical factors influence sports performance. An example of this is how different golf putter parameters influence the initial direction of the ball roll, whereby, the face angle, putter path and impact point all have an influence but to what degree?

Movement variability influencing sport technique:

A recent development within sports biomechanics is the dynamical systems theory, which outlines how variability and patterns of variability affect movement, performance and injury risk.

These interests can be tailored to all levels of research included Masters by research and PhD. If you are interested in discussing potential research ideas please contact me via email at a.richardson@abertay.ac.uk.