Dr Calum Downie

Calum graduated with a BSciExHM from Victoria University in 2010 and following this, a BAppSci (Hons) in 2014. Research for this degree involved first step biomechanics during balance recovery in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. In 2021 Calum graduated with a PhD in Biomechanics from Victoria University, extending his research into stability in older adults with knee osteoarthritis.

In February 2009, Calum commenced employment with Victoria University as a sessional TAFE teacher. In October 2009, he then became Fitness Coordinator with direct oversight of all Certificate 3, 4 and Diploma Fitness programs. In 2010 Calum was appointed Education Manager Sport, Recreation and Fitness. In 2011, Calum commenced teaching anatomy to exercise science undergraduate students in the College of Sport and Exercise Science. Following seven years of teaching anatomy at this level, Calum became a foundation member of the newly formed First Year College as a Teaching Focussed Academic with coordination duties for two units Research Methods and Mathematics for Statistics in Biomedicine.

Calum's research has centred on stability and balance in older adults, in particular issues around biomechanics of full body posture, muscle activity and the potential for technologies to avoid increased falls risk.

Publications

View Calum's Victoria University Research  Repository (VURR).

Refereed journal articles

• Young, J., Ganderton, C., White, A., Batten, J., Howarth, N., Downie, C., Pearce, A. (2021) The times are they a-changing? Evolving attitudes in Australian exercise science students' attitudes towards sports concussion. The Journal of Sport and Exercise Science
• Levinger, P., Downie, C., Nagano, H., Petersen, A., Hayes, A., Sanders, K. M., Cicuttini, F., Begg, R. (2018) Stepping strategy used to recover balance during an induced fall is associated with impaired function and strength in people with knee osteoarthritis. International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases
• Levinger, P., Begg R., Sanders, K., Nagano, H., Downie, C., Petersen, A., Hayes, A., Cicuttini, F. (2017) The effect of vitamin D status on pain, lower limb strength and knee function during balance recovery in people with knee osteoarthritis: an exploratory study. Archives of Osteoporosis
• Levinger, P., Nagano, H., Downie, C., Hayes, A., Sanders, K., Cicuttini, F., Begg R. (2016). Balance recovery during induced falls is impaired in people with knee osteoarthritis: Implications for falls prevention. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage
• Levinger, P., Nagano, H., Downie, C., Hayes, A., Cicuttini, F., Begg, R. (2016). Biomechanical balance response during induced falls under dual task conditions in people with knee osteoarthritis. Gait and Posture

Conference presentations

• Downie, C. S., Levinger, P., and Begg R. (2021) Increased Falls Risk While Crossing an Obstacle During Balance Recovery in People with Knee Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage
• Downie, C. S. (2019) First Year Students, Block Mode and Research: A Constructivist Approach. Proceedings of The Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education
• Downie, C. S., Klein, R., Sinayah, P. (2019) Using Online Tools to Develop Numerical Competence in Block Mode Teaching. Proceedings of The Australian Conference on Science and Mathematics Education
• Nagano, H., Levinger, P., Downie, C. S., Begg, R. (2015) Comparison of Pelvis and Whole Body Center of Mass During Balance Recovery in Older Adults. Engineering in Medicine and Biology Conference
• Downie, C. S., Nagano, H., Begg, R., Petersen, A., Hayes, A., Sanders, K., Cicuttini, F., and Levinger, P. (2014) Differences in first step recovery from an induced fall in older adults with knee osteoarthritis.  Exercise and Sports Science Australia Conference. Finalist – Aspire Academy Young Investigator Award – Exercise Science & Health.

Professional Memberships

• The Anatomical Society, International Society of Biomechanics