Sarah Ward.
Physiotherapist- Grafton Lab
Sarah completed a Bachelor of Physiotherapy in 2010 at the University of Otago. In 2012 she went on to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Exercise Rehabilitation, before getting a scholarship to complete her PhD in Physiotherapy. Sarah’s PhD focused on understanding why patients have persisting quadriceps weakness after knee surgery, with a particular focus on the role of the brain and the link to movement patterns after Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction. As well as her work here at the Lab, Sarah also lectures and supervises students in the Master of Physiotherapy Practice program, at the University of Auckland just down the road on the Newmarket Campus.
As a lecturer, Sarah teaches musculoskeletal physiotherapy in the graduate entry Masters programme for physiotherapy, along with some special topics including the role of physiotherapists in managing RED-S and high performance sport considerations. Sarah’s research background is in biomechanics and movement neuroscience, using 3-dimensional motion capture and novel wearable sensor technology to explore movement patterns in and out of the research lab. She is currently focused on developing predictive models for patient outcomes after Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction using biomechanics information, muscle strength and clinical tests, to gain information that will eventually enable us to optimise rehabilitation outcomes for these patients. Sarah currently supervises a PhD student who is researching biomechanics associated with ACL injury risk across maturation stages in adolescents.
Sarah has worked as a musculoskeletal physiotherapist in NZ, Australia, and the UK. She has a clinical and research interest in lower limb function and how this function (or dysfunction) can impact performance in sport or everyday living. Clinically, Sarah has a specific interest in managing lower limb injuries with a specific focus on knee injuries. She enjoys treating a wide variety of clients including triathletes, runners, cyclists, and rowers across all levels of competition. Although her background is grounded in biomechanics, Sarah likes to take a holistic approach to managing patients, considering the multiple dimensions that can contribute to injury presentations. Sessions with Sarah will generally involve a balance of “hands-on” techniques coupled with a strong focus on exercise rehabilitation and education to help facilitate the rehabilitation from an injury
Outside of the lab Sarah is a keen triathlete and has represented New Zealand at age-group world champs. Sarah is also an avid trail runner and enjoys exploring NZ (and abroad when possible!) on foot or on her bike.
Check out some of Sarah’s research work here: