Dr Manuela Besomi Molina
Research Fellow
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Researcher biography
Dr. Manuela Besomi is a Research Fellow within the NHMRC Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury & Health and the Sports Injury Rehabilitation and Prevention for Health (SIRPH) Research Unit at The University of Queensland. She also holds an honorary position in the Physiotherapy Department at Universidad del Desarrollo (Chile), where she leads a clinical team focused on running injury management and prevention research.
Manuela obtained her master's degree in Clinical Epidemiology from Universidad de La Frontera, Chile, in 2016, followed by a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Sciences at The University of Queensland in 2021. As a passionate physiotherapist and early career researcher, she brings expertise in epidemiology, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, and sports science, particularly in the context of running.
Her research spans fundamental and applied areas, ranging from leveraging innovative technologies to investigate tissue mechanics to enhancing care management through telehealth and implementation research. Manuela is the Project Coordinator of an NIH-funded research project examining the bio-psycho-social mechanisms underlying low back pain flares. She is also the Research Coordinator for the Consensus for Experimental Design in Electromyography (CEDE) project, supported by the International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology (ISEK). In recognition of her contributions, she was honoured with the 2022 Carlo J. DeLuca Award.
Beyond her research endeavours, Manuela is dedicated to translating knowledge into practice and actively engages with the community. She is a speaker and collaborator at The Running Clinic and a co-founder of the SeRUN® project (@serun.chile), both initiatives aimed at bridging the gap between research and clinical practice. She is passionate about promoting STEM for young girls—having collaborated in the evaluation of a nationwide program to boost girls' engagement in STEM, BRInC. Currently, she is part of the research team and mentor for the 2024 BRInC version. More information about BRInC can be found at https://www.canberra.edu.au/about-uc/faculties/health/brinc.
Dr. Besomi remains committed to advancing knowledge and making a positive impact in the fields of physiotherapy, rehabilitation sciences, and sports science.
Journal Articles
Besomi, Manuela, Devecchi, Valter, Falla, Deborah, McGill, Kevin, Kiernan, Matthew C., Merletti, Roberto, van Dieën, Jaap H., Tucker, Kylie, Clancy, Edward A., Søgaard, Karen, Hug, François, Carson, Richard G., Perreault, Eric, Gandevia, Simon, Besier, Thor, Rothwell, John C., Enoka, Roger M., Holobar, Aleš, Disselhorst-Klug, Catherine, Wrigley, Tim, Lowery, Madeleine, Farina, Dario and Hodges, Paul W. (2024). Consensus for experimental design in electromyography (CEDE) project: Checklist for reporting and critically appraising studies using EMG (CEDE-Check). Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 76 102874, 102874. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2024.102874
Klyne, David M., Hilliard, Brendan A., Harris, Michele Y., Amin, Mamta, Hall, Michelle, Besomi, Manuela, Mustafa, Sanam, Farrell, Scott F., Rawashdeh, Oliver, Han, Felicity Y., Hodges, Paul W., Frara, Nagat and Barbe, Mary F. (2024). Poor sleep versus exercise: A duel to decide whether pain resolves or persists after injury. Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health, 35 100714, 100714. doi: 10.1016/j.bbih.2023.100714
Nieto-Jiménez, Claudio, Espinoza-Salinas, A., Valenzuela Pérez, Diego, Sánchez, Raimundo and Besomi, Manuela (2023). Carga de entrenamiento y variabilidad de la frecuencia cardiaca en una exposición aguda a la hipoxia hipobárica: Estudio de caso. SPORT TK-Revista EuroAmericana de Ciencias del Deporte, 8-8. doi: 10.6018/sportk.597591
Tier, Louise, Salomoni, Sauro E., Hug, François, Besomi, Manuela and Hodges, Paul W. (2023). Adaptability of the load sharing between the longissimus and components of the multifidus muscle during isometric trunk extension in healthy individuals. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 123 (9), 1879-1893. doi: 10.1007/s00421-023-05193-5
Nieto-Jiménez, Claudio, Sánchez, Raimundo, Besomi, Manuela and Naranjo-Orellana, Jose (2023). Un año de seguimiento con frecuencia cardiaca variabilidad de la en trail runners. Revista Internacional de Medicina y Ciencias de la Actividad Fisica y del Deporte, 23 (89), 446-457. doi: 10.15366/rimcafd2023.89.031
Coltman, Celeste E., Barzan, Martina, Besomi, Manuela, Brackley, Victoria, Bousie, Jaquelin A., Choisne, Julie, Diamond, Laura E., Dick, Taylor J.M., D’Souza, Nicole, Fien, Samantha, Fong Yan, Alycia, Gho, Sheridan A., Giraldo-Pedroza, Alexandra, Hutchinson, Laura A., Hutchison, Laura V., Kean, Crystal O., Kirk, Maddison M., Lewis, Amy, Maharaj, Jayishini N., Maher, Nina, Mann, Kerry J., Martin, Suzanne, Mickle, Karen J., Nasseri, Azadeh, Oon, Isobel H., Purdie, Rory, Quinlan, Shayan L., Radcliffe, Ceridwen R., Snodgrass, Suzanne J. ... Hall, Michelle (2023). The Biomechanics Research and Innovation Challenge: Development, Implementation, Uptake, and Reflections on the Inaugural Program. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 40 (2), 1-11. doi: 10.1123/jab.2023-0056
Nieto-Jimenez, Claudio, Espinoza-Salinas, A., Perez, Diego Valenzuela, Sanchez, Raimundo and Besomi, Manuela (2023). Training load and heart rate variability in acute exposure to hypobaric hypoxia: A case study. Sport Tk-Revista Euroamericana De Ciencias Del Deporte, 12 ARTN 597591.
Martinez-Valdes, Eduardo, Enoka, Roger M., Holobar, Aleš, McGill, Kevin, Farina, Dario, Besomi, Manuela, Hug, François, Falla, Deborah, Carson, Richard G., Clancy, Edward A., Disselhorst-Klug, Catherine, van Dieën, Jaap H., Tucker, Kylie, Gandevia, Simon, Lowery, Madeleine, Søgaard, Karen, Besier, Thor, Merletti, Roberto, Kiernan, Matthew C., Rothwell, John C., Perreault, Eric and Hodges, Paul W. (2022). Consensus for experimental design in electromyography (CEDE) project: Single motor unit matrix. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 68 102726, 102726. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2022.102726
Cruz-Montecinos, Carlos, Besomi, Manuela, Acevedo-Valenzuela, Nicolás, Cares-Marambio, Kevin, Bustamante, Alejandro, Guzmán-González, Benjamín, Tapia-Malebrán, Claudio, Sanzana-Cuche, Rodolfo, Calatayud, Joaquín and Méndez-Rebolledo, Guillermo (2022). Soleus muscle and Achilles tendon compressive stiffness is related to knee and ankle positioning. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 66 102698, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2022.102698
Esculier, Jean-Francois, Besomi, Manuela, Silva, Danilo de Oliveira, Passigli, Samuele, Rathleff, Michael Skovdal, Van Middelkoop, Marienke, Barton, Christian, Callaghan, Michael J., Harkey, Matthew S., Hoens, Alison M., Krowchuk, Natasha M., Teoli, Anthony, Vicenzino, Bill, Willy, Richard W. and Hunt, Michael A. (2022). Do the general public and health care professionals think that running is bad for the knees? A cross-sectional international multilanguage online survey. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 10 (9), 1-10. doi: 10.1177/23259671221124141
Michell, Antonio, Besomi, Manuela, Seron, Pamela, Voigt, Matias, Cubillos, Rodrigo, Parada-Hernández, Felipe, Urrejola, Oscar, Ferreira-Pacheco, Thaiana Barbosa, de Oliveira-Silva, Danilo, Aily, Jéssica Bianca, Moreno-Collazos, Jorge Enrique, Pinzón-Ríos, Iván Darío, Aguirre-Aguirre, Clara Liliana, Hinman, Rana S, Bennell, Kim L and Russell, Trevor G (2022). Implementation of physiotherapy telerehabilitation before and post Covid-19 outbreak: A comparative narrative between South American countries and Australia. Salud Publica de Mexico, 64 (Supplement 1), S31-S39. doi: 10.21149/13160
Gallina, Alessio, Disselhorst-Klug, Catherine, Farina, Dario, Merletti, Roberto, Besomi, Manuela, Holobar, Aleš, Enoka, Roger M., Hug, François, Falla, Deborah, Søgaard, Karen, McGill, Kevin, Clancy, Edward A., Carson, Richard G., van Dieën, Jaap H., Gandevia, Simon, Lowery, Madeleine, Besier, Thor, Kiernan, Matthew C., Rothwell, John C., Tucker, Kylie and Hodges, Paul W. (2022). Consensus for experimental design in electromyography (CEDE) project: High-density surface electromyography matrix. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 64 102656, 102656. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2022.102656
Bunster, Josefina, Martínez, María Jesús, Mauri-Stecca, Manuel V., Leppe, Jaime, Nelson, Evan O., Heiderscheit, Bryan and Besomi, Manuela (2022). Cross-cultural adaptation and evaluation of the psychometric properties of the University of Wisconsin Running Injury and Recovery Index questionnaire in Spanish (UWRI-S). Physical Therapy in Sport, 55, 289-295. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2022.05.007
Besomi, Manuela, Salomoni, Sauro E., Cruz‐Montecinos, Carlos, Stecco, Carla, Vicenzino, Bill and Hodges, Paul W. (2022). Distinct displacement of the superficial and deep fascial layers of the iliotibial band during a weight shift task in runners: an exploratory study. Journal of Anatomy, 240 (3), 579-588. doi: 10.1111/joa.13575
Viljoen, Carel, Janse van Rensburg, Dina C. (Christa), van Mechelen, Willem, Verhagen, Evert, Silva, Bruno, Scheer, Volker, Besomi, Manuela, Gajardo-Burgos, Ruben, Matos, Sergio, Schoeman, Marlene, Jansen van Rensburg, Audrey, van Dyk, Nicol, Scheepers, Susan and Botha, Tanita (2022). Trail running injury risk factors: a living systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 56 (10) bjsports-2021-104858, bjsports-2021. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2021-104858
Egerton, Thorlene, Lawford, Belinda J., Campbell, Penny K., Plinsinga, Melanie L., Spiers, Libby, Mackenzie, David A., Graham, Bridget, Mills, Kathryn, Eyles, Jillian, Knox, Gabrielle, Metcalf, Ben, Maclachlan, Liam, Besomi, Manuela, Dickson, Chris, Abraham, Charles, Vicenzino, Bill, Hodges, Paul W., Hunter, David J. and Bennell, Kim L. (2021). Expert-moderated peer-to-peer online support group for people with knee osteoarthritis: a mixed methods randomized controlled pilot and feasibility study. JMIR Formative Research, 6 (1) e32627, 1-18. doi: 10.2196/32627
Besomi, Manuela, Salomoni, Sauro E., Hug, François, Tier, Louise, Vicenzino, Bill and Hodges, Paul W. (2021). Exploration of shear wave elastography measures of the iliotibial band during different tasks in pain-free runners. Physical Therapy in Sport, 50, 121-129. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2021.04.006
McManus, Lara, Lowery, Madeleine, Merletti, Roberto, Søgaard, Karen, Besomi, Manuela, Clancy, Edward A., van Dieën, Jaap H., Hug, François, Wrigley, Tim, Besier, Thor, Carson, Richard G., Disselhorst-Klug, Catherine, Enoka, Roger M., Falla, Deborah, Farina, Dario, Gandevia, Simon, Holobar, Aleš, Kiernan, Matthew C., McGill, Kevin, Perreault, Eric, Rothwell, John C, Tucker, Kylie and Hodges, Paul W. (2021). Consensus for experimental design in electromyography (CEDE) project: terminology matrix. Journal of Electromyography & Kinesiology, 59 102565, 102565. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2021.102565
Gajardo-Burgos, Rubén, Monrroy-Uarac, Manuel, Barría-Pailaquilén, René Mauricio, Norambuena-Noches, Yessenia, van Rensburg, Dina Christa Janse, Bascour-Sandoval, Claudio and Besomi, Manuela (2021). Frequency of injury and illness in the final 4 weeks before a trail running competition. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (10) 5431, 5431. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18105431
Besomi, Manuela, Nava, Guilherme Thomaz de Aquino, van den Hoorn, Wolbert, Hug, François, Vicenzino, Bill and Hodges, Paul W. (2021). Influence of transducer orientation on shear wave velocity measurements of the iliotibial band. Journal of Biomechanics, 120 110346, 110346. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110346
Tier, Louise, Salomoni, Sauro E., Hug, François, Besomi, Manuela and Hodges, Paul W. (2021). Shear modulus of multifidus and longissimus muscles measured using shear wave elastography correlates with muscle activity, but depends on image quality. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 56 102505, 102505. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2020.102505
Besomi, Manuela, Hodges, Paul W., Clancy, Edward A., Van Dieën, Jaap, Hug, François, Lowery, Madeleine, Merletti, Roberto, Søgaard, Karen, Wrigley, Tim, Besier, Thor, Carson, Richard G., Disselhorst-Klug, Catherine, Enoka, Roger M., Falla, Deborah, Farina, Dario, Gandevia, Simon, Holobar, Aleš, Kiernan, Matthew C., McGill, Kevin, Perreault, Eric, Rothwell, John C. and Tucker, Kylie (2020). Consensus for experimental design in electromyography (CEDE) project: amplitude normalization matrix. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 53 102438, 102438. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2020.102438
Bunster, J., Mauri-Stecca, M.V., Leppe, J. and Besomi, M. (2020). Propiedades psicométricas de los cuestionarios de funcionalidad en población deportista con patologías musculoesqueléticas de la extremidad inferior: una revisión sistemática. Fisioterapia, 42 (4), 185-202. doi: 10.1016/j.ft.2020.02.002
Maclachlan, Liam Robert, Mills, Kathryn, Lawford, Belinda, Egerton, Thorlene, Setchell, Jenny, Hall, Leanne M., Plinsinga, Melanie, Besomi, Manuela, Teo, Samantha, Eyles, Jillian P., Mellor, Rebecca, Hodges, Paul W., Hunter, David J., Vicenzino, Bill and Bennell, Kim L. (2020). Design, effectiveness and implementation of peer-to-peer online support groups for people with chronic musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22 (4) e15822, e15822. doi: 10.2196/15822
Besomi, Manuela, Maclachlan, Liam, Mellor, Rebecca, Vicenzino, Bill and Hodges, Paul W. (2020). Tensor fascia latae muscle structure and activation in individuals with lower limb musculoskeletal conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Medicine, 50 (5), 965-985. doi: 10.1007/s40279-019-01251-1
Plinsinga, Melanie Louise, Besomi, Manuela, Maclachlan, Liam, Melo, Luciano, Robbins, Sarah, Lawford, Belinda J, Teo, Pek Ling, Mills, Kathryn, Setchell, Jenny, Egerton, Thorlene, Eyles, Jillian, Hall, Leanne, Mellor, Rebecca, Hunter, David J, Hodges, Paul, Vicenzino, Bill and Bennell, Kim (2019). Exploring the characteristics and preferences for online support groups: mixed method study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21 (12) e15987, e15987. doi: 10.2196/15987
Besomi, Manuela, Hodges, Paul W., Van Dieën, Jaap, Carson, Richard G., Clancy, Edward A., Disselhorst-Klug, Catherine, Holobar, Aleš, Hug, François, Kiernan, Matthew C., Lowery, Madeleine, McGill, Kevin, Merletti, Roberto, Perreault, Eric, Søgaard, Karen, Tucker, Kylie, Besier, Thor, Enoka, Roger, Falla, Deborah, Farina, Dario, Gandevia, Simon, Rothwell, John C., Vicenzino, Bill and Wrigley, Tim (2019). Consensus for experimental design in electromyography (CEDE) project: electrode selection matrix. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 48, 128-144. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2019.07.008
Besomi, Manuela, Leppe, Jaime, Mauri-Stecca, Manuel Vicente, Hooper, Troy L. and Sizer, Phillip S. (2019). Training volume and previous injury as associated factors for running-related injuries by race distance: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, 14 (3), 549-559. doi: 10.14198/jhse.2019.143.06
Leppe, Jaime and Besomi, Manuela (2018). Recent versus old previous injury and its association with running-related injuries during competition by SeRUN® running profiles: a cross-sectional study. Sports Medicine - Open, 4 (1) 49, 49. doi: 10.1186/s40798-018-0164-x
Besomi, Manuela, Leppe, Jaime, Di Silvestre, Maria Cristina and Setchell, Jenny (2018). SeRUN® study: development of running profiles using a mixed methods analysis. PLoS One, 13 (7) e0200389, e0200389. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200389
Leppe, Jaime, Besomi M., Manuela, Olsen C., Catalina, Mena I., María Jesús and Roa A., Sonia (2013). Nivel de actividad física según GPAQ en mujeres embarazadas y postparto que asisten a un centro de salud familiar. Revista chilena de obstetricia y ginecología, 78 (6), 425-431. doi: 10.4067/s0717-75262013000600004
Conference Papers
Viljoen, Carel, Mechelen, Willem van, Verhagen, Evert, Silva, Bruno, Scheer, Volker, Besomi, Manuela, Gajardo-Burgos, Rubén, Matos, Sérgio, Schoeman, Marlene, Rensburg, Audrey Jansen van, Dyk, Nicol van, Scheepers, Susan, Botha, Tanita and Rensburg, Christa Janse van (2024). 443 FO23 – Injury risk factors in trail running: latest evidence from a living systematic review. BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2024-ioc.22
Besomi, M., Salomoni, S., Vicenzino, B. and Hodges, P. (2019). Shear wave elastography of the iliotibial band: Reliability of measures in different anatomical regions and tasks. 2019 ASICS SMA Conference, Noosa, QLD Australia, 23 – 26 October 2019. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2019.08.078
Mills, K. A., Maclachlan, L. R., Lawford, B., Besomi, M., Egerton, T., Eyles, J., Hall, L. M., Melo, L., Mellor, R., Plisinga, M. L., Robbins, S. R., Setchell, J., Hunter, D. J., Vicenzino, B. and Bennell, K. L. (2019). The design, user characteristics and efficacy of online support groups for arthritis and other chronic musculoskeletal disorders: A systematic review. OARSI World Congress on Osteoarthritis - Promoting Clinical and Basic Research in Osteoarthritis, Toronto, Canada, 2-5 May, 2019. London, United Kingdom: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2019.02.488
Besomi, M., Leppe, J., Martínez, M. J., Enríquez, M. I., Mauri-Stecca, M. V. and Sizer, P. S. (2017). Running motivations within different populations of Chilean urban runners. 18th World Confederation for Physical Therapy, WCPT, Congress, Cape Town, South Africa, July 2017. Abingdon, Oxon United Kingdom: Taylor and Francis. doi: 10.1080/21679169.2017.1381317
Besomi, Manuela, Leppe, Jaime, Mauri-Stecca, Manuel Vicente and Sizer, Phillip S. (2017). Running profiles and their associated behaviors : A proposal for Chilean runners. Unknown, Unknown, Unknown. Philadelphia, PA, United States: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). doi: 10.1249/01.mss.0000519498.77370.bd
Leppe, J., Aguilar, N., Mena, M.J., Besomi, M. and Roa, S. (2015). Measuring physical activity and sedentary behaviors in pregnancy: a comparison of accelerometry and questionnaires. World Confederation for Physical Therapy Congress 2015, Singapore, 1-4 May 2015. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2015.03.1686
Roa, S., Mena, M.J., Besomi, M. and Leppe, J. (2015). Perception of musculoskeletal health and knowledge about physical activity among pregnant women with low income and low educational level. World Confederation for Physical Therapy Congress 2015, Singapore, 1-4 May 2015. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2015.03.1204
Mena Iturriaga, M.J., Roa Alcaino, S., Besomi Molina, M. and Leppe Zamora, J. (2015). Lumbopelvic pain, urinary incontinence and quality of life in pregnant women in a low income and social risk chilean population. World Confederation for Physical Therapy Congress 2015, Singapore, 1-4 May 2015. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.physio.2015.03.1856
Thesis
Besomi Molina, Manuela (2021). Towards the investigation of the tensor fascia lata muscle and iliotibial band function in runners: the relevance of the why and the how. PhD Thesis, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/faa2512