Overview
Julian is an applied physiologist and Director of the Rugby Knowledge Exchange. He has a BSc in Biochemistry and a MSc and PhD in Exercise Physiology. Before arriving in Bangor, he spent 8 years working as a physiologist and sport scientist within various sport performance pathways and professional sports (football, rugby union and hockey).
Keywords: Physiology, Sport Injury, Concussion, Rugby
Additional Contact Information
Position: Senior Lecturer.
Email: j.owen@bangor.ac.uk
Telephone: (01248) 38 2197
Twitter: @julianowenPhD
Location: George Building, Normal Site
Qualifications
- PhD: Exercise Physiology
2015 - MSc: Exercise Physiology
Liverpool John Moores University, 2008 - Professional: PGCE
Manchester Metropolitan University, 2006 - BSc: Applied Biochemistry
Liverpool John Moores University, 1995
Teaching and Supervision
Julian supervises research projects for both undergraduate and postgraduate students and teaches applied physiology in the context of physical preparation of athletes and applied practice.
- Advanced Strength & Conditioning (Level 6 BSc)
- Research Project (Level 6 BSc & Level 7 MSc)
- Dissertation (Level 6 BSc & Level 7 MSc)
- The Sport & Exercise Science Practitioner (Level 7 MSc)
Current Research Supervision
Eloise Kirby (PhD, 2023 to present) - Welsh Injury Surveillance in Girls' Youth Rugby (WISGYR Project). Funding: World Rugby.
Steffi Studt (PhD, 2023 to present) - Head Sense: Prevention of sport-related brain trauma in community youth rugby union. Funding: Academy for Health Equity, Prevention and Wellbeing.
Dr Tom Chandy (Masters by Research, 2021 to present) - Injury surveillance in female youth rugby union: A pilot study in the community sport setting. Funding: British Association of Sport & Exercise Medicine (BASEM).
George Lowe (PhD, 2021 to present) - Enhancing talent systems in rugby union. Funding: ESF Knowledge Exchange Scholarship Scheme (KESS II) with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).
Jack Bickley (PhD, 2021 to present) - Development of elite performance in rowing. Funding: Bangor University and Welsh Rowing.
Marco Martin (PhD, 2020 to present) - Efficacy of triaxial accelerometry in soccer. Supported by MAPEI Sports Institute.
Ersagun Kepir (PhD 2019 to present) - Muscle arcitecture, activity and strength related to lower leg injury. Funding: Turkish Education Ministry.
Previous research students
Seren Evans (PhD, Completed 2023) - From surveillance to prediction: a multifactorial approach to injury risk in Senior Academy Rugby Union. Funding: Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlathol and Bangor University.
Gokhan Yagiz (PhD, Completed 2023) - Muscle architecture of vastus lateralis and bicep femoris long head: implications for injury. Funding: Turkish Education Ministry.
Jessica Hughes (Masters by Research, Completed 2021) - Psychological and physical determinants of regional age-grade rugby players. Funding: ESF Knowledge Exchange Scholarship Scheme (KESS II) with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU).
Davide Mondin (Masters by Research, Completed 2021) - Athlete monitoring in rugby union: inter- and intra-week associations of training markers with load during an entire Rugby Union Season. Funding: ESF Knowledge Exchange Scholarship Scheme (KESS II) with the Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC).
Claire Griffith-McGeever (PhD, completed 2020) - Factors In Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: Chemosensitivity and Perception of Effort Before and After Loading of Respiratory and Locomotor Systems. Funding: Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlathol.
Research Interests
Julian's primary research focus is sport injury epidemiology. This research includes understanding the causes of sport injury, quantifying injury risk and developing strategies to reduce injury in sport. He has a particular interest in sport-related brain injury (concussion), and from a public health perspective, the prevention of injury in community sport settings.
Current externally funded research projects include:
- Establishing injury risk in girls community youth rugby - Welsh Injury Surveillance in Girls Youth Rugby (WISGYR) project funded by World Rugby
- Prevention of sport-related brain injury in community rugby union - Head Sense project funded by the Academy for Health Equity, Prevention and Wellbeing (AHEPW)
- Mechanisms of exercise intolerance following sport-related brain injury - funded by Bangor University
- Effects of a season of rugby on brain function and brain chemistry / Pitch-side detection of concussion in Rugby Union - Tackling Rugby Union's Headache project in collaboration with Head Diagnostics and funded by Research Wales Innovation Fund (RWIF)
- Hamstring injury risk and prevention in team sports - Funded by the Turkish Education Ministry
Julian is also the Director of the Rugby Knowledge Exchange who's mission is to deliver real-world solutions to rugby, through cutting edge research and impact. A key objective of the group is to contribute to player welfare and safety within the game.
In addition he also contributes to research in the following areas:
- Talent and long-term athlete development (LTAD) - Funded by the WRU and KESS 2 and GB Rowing/Welsh Rowing
- Athlete monitoring and assessment - with Rygbi Gogledd Cymru (RGC) in collaboration with the WRU and Mapei Sport, Italy
Editorial Duties
Julian is currently a member of the Editorial Board for the International Journal of Strength and Conditioning, and a Review Editor for Frontiers in Sport and Active Living within the injury prevention and rehabilitation section. He also regularly reviews for journals including International Journal of Sport Medicine, European Journal of Sport Sciences, Journal of Sport Sciences, Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport and International Journal of Spport Physiology and Performance.
Postgraduate Project Opportunities
Publications
2024
- PublishedA mild concussion from amateur sports might not cause cognitive decline – but repeated injuries can
Owen, J. & Mullins, P., 11 Sept 2024, The Conversation.
Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article - PublishedArtificial Intelligence for Sport Injury Prediction
Owen, R., Owen, J. & Evans, S., 2 Sept 2024, Artificial Intelligence in Sports, Movement and Health. Dindorf, C., Bartaguiz, E., Gassmann, F. & Fröhlich, M. (eds.). 1 ed. Springer, p. 69-79
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review - PublishedExploring factors influencing success within the WRU developmental pathway: A multidisciplinary, longitudinal approach.
Lowe, G., Evans, S., Gottwald, V., Jones, E. & Owen, J., 2 Jul 2024.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review - PublishedHamstring Muscle Stiffness in Athletes with and without Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction History: A Retrospective Study
Kepir, E., Demiral, F., Akaras, E., Paksoy, A. E., Aktas, B. S., Cankaya, B. Y., Oztop, B., Yagiz, G. & Owen, J., 26 Jul 2024, In: Journal of Clinical Medicine. 13, 15, 4370.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedHead Sense: Concussion knowledge and attitude in U18 international female rugby union players
Studt, S., Mullins, P. & Owen, J., 8 Jul 2024.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review - PublishedNon-contact lower limb injuries in Rugby Union: a two-year pattern recognition analysis of injury risk factors
Evans, S., Owen, R., Whittaker, G., Davis, O. E., Jones, E., Hardy, J. & Owen, J., 8 Jul 2024.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review - PublishedThe prevalence, mechanism, and reporting behaviours of breast injury in international under-18 women’s rugby union players
Kirby, E., Jones, M., Evans, S., Gottwald, V. & Owen, J., 8 Jul 2024.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review - PublishedWhy women’s rugby needs its own injury prevention strategy
Owen, J. & Kirby, E., 28 Mar 2024, The Conversation.
Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article - Published‘One size fits all’ – or should it? An individualised approach to enhancing talent development environments
Lowe, G., Gottwald, V., Roberts, R., Hardy, J. & Owen, J., 19 Jul 2024.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review - Published“Looking back at it, it was definitely a concussion”, A Female Perspective of Head Injury in Community Rugby Union
Kirby, E. & Owen, J., 26 Jun 2024.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review
2023
- PublishedDifferential effects of repeated inspiratory and limb muscle loading on effort perception in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and healthy males
Griffith-McGeever, C. L., Owen, J., Earing, C., McKeon, D. & Kubis, H.-P., Jun 2023, In: Psychological Reports. 11, 11, 18 p., e15732.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedInjury surveillance in female youth rugby union: A pilot study in the community sport setting
Chandy, T., Evans, S., Gottwald, V. & Owen, J., 16 May 2023.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Abstract › peer-review - PublishedNoncontact injury distribution and relationship with preseason training load and non-modifiable risk factors in Rugby Union players across multiple seasons
Evans, S., Whittaker, G., Davis, O. E., Jones, E., Hardy, J. & Owen, J., Jul 2023, In: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 37, 7, p. 1456-1462 7 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedRugby Players Exhibit Stiffer Biceps Femoris, Lower Biceps Femoris Fascicle Length to Knee Extensors, and Knee Flexors to Extensors Muscle Volume Ratios Than Active Controls
Yagiz, G., Shida, N., Kuruma, H., Furuta, M., Morimoto, K., Yamada, M., Uchiyama, T., Kubis, H.-P. & Owen, J., Sept 2023, In: International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. 18, 9, p. 1030-1037
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedRugby World Cup: why hamstring injuries are so prevalent in the sport
Yagiz, G. & Owen, J., 5 Sept 2023, The Conversation.
Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article - PublishedRugby injuries: how pre-season training can help players avoid the sidelines
Evans, S. & Owen, J., 9 Mar 2023, The Conversation.
Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article
2022
- PublishedAlterations in biceps femoris long head fascicle length, eccentric hamstring strength qualities and single-leg hop distance throughout the ninety minutes of TSAFT90 simulated football match
Yagiz, G., Williams, K., Owen, J. & Kubis, H.-P., 9 Dec 2022, In: PLoS ONE. 17, 12, p. e0278222 22 p., e0278222.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedMatch and training injury risk in semi-professional rugby union: a four-year study
Evans, S., Davis, O. E., Jones, E. S., Hardy, J. & Owen, J., 3 May 2022, In: Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 25, 5, p. 379-384
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedPre-competitive anxiety and autonomic responses in professional U-20 futsal players: Effect of the competition phase and game location
Paludo, A.-C., Woodman, T., Owen, J., Rabelo, F. N., Bernacikovà, M. & Simões, A. C., 1 Oct 2022, In: Physiology and Behavior. 254, 113903.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedPsychosocial and Physiological Factors Affecting Selection to Regional Age-Grade Rugby Union Squads: A Machine Learning Approach
Owen, J., Owen, R., Hughes, J., Leach, J., Anderson, D. & Jones, E., 28 Feb 2022, In: MDPI Sports. 10, 3, 20 p., 35.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedPsychosocial and Physiological Factors Affecting Selection to Regional Age-Grade Rugby Union Squads: A Machine Learning Approach
Owen, J., Owen, R., Hughes, J., Leach, J., Anderson, D. & Jones, E., 11 Jul 2022.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review - PublishedThe Effects of Resistance Training on Architecture and Volume of the Upper Extremity Muscles: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials and Meta-Analyses
Yagiz, G., Akaras, E., Kubis, H.-P. & Owen, J. A., 2 Feb 2022, In: Applied Sciences. 12, 3, 21 p., 1593.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2021
- PublishedAn exploratory study to investigate the association between age, physical activity, femoral trochlear cartilage thickness and biomarkers of tissue metabolism in adult males
Roberts, H., Griffith-Mcgeever, C., Owen, J., Angell, L., Moore, J. & Thom, J., Jul 2021, In: European Journal of Applied Physiology. 121, 7, p. 1871-1880 10 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedHeterogeneous effects of eccentric training and nordic hamstring exercise on the biceps femoris fascicle length based on ultrasound assessment and extrapolation methods: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials with meta-analyses
Yagiz, G., Akaras, E., Kubis, H.-P. & Owen, J. A., 9 Nov 2021, In: PLoS ONE. 16, 11, 23 p., e0259821.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedPower-load relationship of bench press, ballistic bench press, and prone bench pull in Italian international canoeists and kayakers
Fortunati, M., Gemelli, T., Puci, M., Drid, P., Owen, J., Bianco, A., D’Antona, G. & Rama, S., 10 Oct 2021.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review - PublishedThe impact of menstrual-cycle phase on basal and exercise-induced hormones, mood, anxiety and exercise performance in physically-active women
Paludo, A.-C., Cook, C., Owen, J., Woodman, T., Irwin, J. & Crewther, B., Mar 2021, In: Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness. 61, 3, p. 461-467
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2019
- PublishedAn act of balance: interaction of central and peripheral chemosensitivity with inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors in obstructive sleep apnoea
Earing, C., Owen, J., Griffith-Mcgeever, C., McKeon, D., Engeli, S., Moore, J. & Kubis, H.-P., Aug 2019, In: Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology. 266, p. 73-81
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedHydration marker diagnostic accuracy to identify mild intracellular and extracellular dehydration
Owen, J. A., Fortes, M. B., Ur Rahman, S., Jibani, M., Walsh, N. P. & Oliver, S. J., Nov 2019, In: International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. 29, 6, p. 604-611 23 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2018
- PublishedDeterminants of apnoea –hypopnoea-index (AHI) levels in newly diagnosed obstructive sleep apnoea patients
Owen, J., Earing, C., Griffith-Mcgeever, C., McKeon, D., Engeli, S., Moore, J. & Kubis, H.-P., Sept 2018.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review - PublishedValidity and reliability of a non-invasive test to assess Quadriceps and Hamstrings strength in athletes.
Mondin, D., Owen, J., Negro, M. & D'antona, G., 29 Nov 2018, In: Frontiers in Physiology. 9, 7 p., 1702.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2017
- PublishedPsycho-physiological responses of mountain bike riders during anaerobic and aerobic testing
Paludo, A.-C., Cook, C., Owen, J., Woodman, T., Owen, S. & Crewther, B., Jun 2017, In: Journal of Science and Cycling. 6, 1, p. 18-25
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2015
- PublishedResponse to the Letter to the Editor by Aaron Spital, “Is This Elderly Patient Dehydrated? Diagnostic Accuracy of Hydration Assessment Using Physical Signs, Urine, and Saliva Markers”
Fortes, M., Owen, J., Oliver, S. & Walsh, N. P., 1 Aug 2015, In: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. 16, 8, p. 708
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2014
- PublishedIs This Elderly Patient Dehydrated? Diagnostic Accuracy of Hydration Assessment Using Physical Signs, Urine, and Saliva Markers
Fortes, M. B., Owen, J. A., Raymond-Barker, P., Bishop, C., Elghenzai, S., Oliver, S. J. & Walsh, N. P., 22 Oct 2014, In: Journal of the American Medical Directors Association. 16, 3, p. 221-228
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2013
- PublishedEndurance performance in a temperate environment after mild hypertonic and isotonic hypohydration
Owen, J., 1 Feb 2013, p. S7.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review - PublishedThe utility of hydration markers to identify mild hypertonic and isotonic hypohydration
Owen, J., 1 Feb 2013, p. S7.
Research output: Contribution to conference › Poster › peer-review
2012
- PublishedInfluence of fluid intake on soccer performance in a temperate environment
Owen, J. A., Kehoe, S. J. & Oliver, S. J., 5 Sept 2012, In: Journal of Sports Sciences. 31, 1
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review - PublishedIs Whole-Body Hydration an Important Consideration in Dry Eye?
Walsh, N., Fortes, M., Raymond-Barker, P., Bishop, C., Owen, J., Tye, E., Esmaeelpour, M., Purslow, C. & Elghenzai, S., 25 Sept 2012, In: Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science. 53, 10, p. 6622-6627 6 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Activities
2024
- Research Designs in Muscle Architecture Research
20 Jul 2024
Links:
Activity: Invited talk (Speaker) - Welsh Rugby Union: Game Changers Conference
Invited to attend the inaugural conference of the WRU Women and Girls in Rugby Union Game Changers Conference.
26 Apr 2024
Activity: Participation in Academic conference (Participant) - Women's U18 Six Nations Rugby Player Welfare Project
Female Rugby Player Welfare Project
29 Mar 2024 – 6 Apr 2024
Links:
Activity: Participation in Academic workshop, seminar, course (Organiser) - Developing successful rugby union performance pathways in Wales
Presentation to the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) on how research from the School of Psychology and Sport Science at Bangor University can help develop rugby performance pathway for both males and females in Wales.
1 Feb 2024
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker) - Their Game, Their Safety: Preventing Injury and Improving Player Welfare in Football
31 Jan 2024
Links:
Activity: Oral presentation (Speaker)
2023
- Injury surveillance in female youth rugby union: A pilot study in the community sport setting
BASEM Research Bursary Prize Presentation.
6 Oct 2023
Activity: Invited talk (Speaker) - Member of a sport science steering group for GB beach sprint rowing
Providing physiology input on the GB Rowing panel to develop applied practice for beach sprint rowing after acceptance as a Commonwealth Games sport.
1 Sep 2023 →
Activity: Consultancy (Consultant) - Welsh Injury Surveillance in Girls Youth Rugby Engagement Film
As part of the World Rugby funded research project examining injury risk, staff at the School of Psychology and Sport Science engaged with some 300 female rugby players across the nine Welsh Rugby Union female hubs in north Wales and commissioned a bilingual film to capture the spirit of female youth rugby in the region. The follow-on project resulting from this collaboration will be the World Rugby funded Welsh Injury Surveillance in Girls Youth Rugby project (WISGYR).
1 Jul 2023 – 30 Sep 2024
Links:
Activity: Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition (Contributor) - Frontiers in Sports and Active Living (Journal)
Review Editor within Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation:
The Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation section of Frontiers in Sports and Active Living publishes high quality experimental, applied, clinical, and translational (i.e. knowledge translation) research across the fields of sports medicine, rehabilitation, sports science, strength and conditioning, and with a multidisciplinary approach including but not limited to physiological, biological, biomechanical, lifestyle (e.g. nutrition, sleep), psychological and societal aspects. The areas covered in this section inform contemporary scientific and practical knowledge of injury prevention and rehabilitation aimed at keeping individuals active and involved in sports.
29 Jun 2023
Activity: Editorial activity (Editorial board member) - External Examiner
External examiner for the School of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Brighton.
2 Apr 2023 – 1 Jun 2027
Activity: Consultancy (Consultant)
2022
- BU-IIA Funded Project: Life’s a beach: Anthropometric and psychological profiles of the World’s best Beach Sprint Rowers to determine future talent identification and selection protocols
Anthropometric and psychological profiles of the World’s best Beach Sprint Rowers to determine future talent identification and selection protocols - research carried out by BU at 2022 World Coastal Rowing Championships.
Rees et al.’s (2017) review of current knowledge on the development of the World’s best sporting talent, recommends practitioners adopt anthropometric profiling for talent selection protocols and psychological profiling for talent development purposes. Of note, Hardy et al. (2017) state anthropometric and psychological profiles are almost certainly sport specific. This also builds on Gottwald et al. 2022 work with Weightlifting Wales (KESS II funded).
Project outcomes will be fourfold: (1) inform the development of talent selection and development protocols within British Rowing and globally; (2) contribute to research excellence via two high calibre REF returnable manuscripts and contribution to an impact case study (REF 2028); (3) strengthen industry partnerships via fostering relationships with Welsh, British, and World Rowing; and (4) enhance the student experience by providing skill development and employability opportunities for BU students. (1)Aligned with BU’s economic, social and civic impact, data will be used to inform talent identification, selection, and development protocols. Beach sprint rowing remains in its infancy and researchers and practitioners are yet to determine the optimal anthropometric and psychological profile for successful performance at the highest level of this sport. Having this unique data set will allow us to have genuine impact and raise the profile of the sport by enhancing the calibre of athletes competing within it. Similarly, data will contribute to enhanced inclusivity in rowing. Where traditionally, rowing has relied upon selection protocols biased towards ‘tall and talented’, the different physical demands of beach sprints will likely suit a smaller stature retaining a broader range of athletes within the sport. However, this shift is unlikely to happen without the proposed data to support it. (2)Aligned with research excellence, this work will contribute to a likely 4* rated REF impact case study (ICS) surrounding talent identification and development, continuing the School’s successful track record of this type of activity (1 x 3.5* and 1 x 4* REF 2020 ICS). It is well aligned with other talent related projects culminating within the current REF 2028 period, so would contribute to create some critical mass in this area (e.g., work with Weightlifting Wales / UK Sport Pathway to Podium / ECB). As testament to the potential calibre of this applied project, it has been supported in principle by the Welsh Institute of Performance Sciences; a three-way partnership between Sport Wales, Wales’ leading academic sport scientists, and relevant industry partners to support multi-disciplinary, world-leading, applied science projects that enhance the performance of Welsh athletes and businesses. The project will aim to culminate in one strong REF returnable output investigating the anthropometric and psychological determinants of expertise in beach sprinting; based largely on this being the first dataset of its kind and the unique nature of the elite sample. Data will also contribute to a second talent transfer oriented dataset (funded by Welsh Rowing) investigating differences in anthropometric and psychological profiles of beach sprinters transferring from traditional flat-water backgrounds to coastal rowing (the most common pathway rowers currently progress to elite levels within the sport). This will likely be another strong output due to talent transfer being a relatively novel aspect of the talent literature and the cutting-edge analytic techniques (i.e., pattern recognition analysis) we will utilise. Outputs produced by all the authors were entered in REF 2021 and were of at least 3* quality. (3)Our involvement in this event will support the primary research team to strengthen existing research collaborations with Welsh Rowing whilst developing new collaborations with British Rowing and the World federation, increasing the scale and scope of our research partnerships. This is consistent with the BU research strategy to increase visibility and impact of its world-leading research by fostering relationships with industry partners. We anticipate that this will help set the scene for future impact related work; one initiative World Rowing have already shown a keen interest in is the development of a new contemporary GPS-based timing system for the sport, which would have global impact and potential enterprise opportunities.
Funding awarded through the Bangor University Innovation and Impact Award (Research Wales Innovation Funding). Value = £8,783
4 May 2022 – 30 Apr 2023
Activity: Other (Contributor) - BU-IIA Funded Project: Tackling Rugby Union’s Headache: Validity of a handheld medical device for the rapid assessment and evaluation of mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI).
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) or ‘concussion’ affects 42 million people globally per year, with evidence emerging of an increased risk associated with history of repeated mTBI in the development of neurodegenerative disease. Therefore, accurate diagnosis is a priority, particularly in populations who are at a higher risk of acute and repeated mTBI, such as those participating in high-risk sports like Rugby Union. In practice, diagnosis is complex and relies on subjective clinical evaluation. Advances in brain imaging may provide a solution for misdiagnosis but has time and cost related barriers when rapid or repeated head injury assessment is required. Therefore, the primary aim of this study will be to evaluate the utility of an innovative handheld device that provides a rapid assessment of mTBI via changes in ocular micro-tremor (OMT). The study will assess the validity of the device in the Rugby Union setting to diagnose (i) acute pitch-side mTBI, (ii) mTBI 48-hours following a suspected injury when symptoms can be more pronounced and assess (iii) the long-term effects of a competitive Rugby Union season on brain function using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and assess potential correlates of brain imaging and OMT.
If successful, this proof of concept study will likely be expanded to an International research project possibly within the URC European professional league. It is linked to ongoing research within HBS regarding concussions, particularly related to sports injuries.
Involvement of Welsh Rugby Union Medical and Player Welfare Department, Rygbi Gogledd Cymru, Head Diagnostics Ltd,
Funding awarded through the Bangor University Innovation and Impact Award (Research Wales Innovation Funding). Value = £33,133
4 May 2022 – 30 Apr 2023
Activity: Other (Contributor)
2021
- International Journal of Strength and Conditioning (Journal)
Editorial Board Member
1 Sep 2021 – 1 Sep 2023
Links:
Activity: Editorial activity (Editorial board member) - Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol (External organisation)
Chair of the National Panel for Sport.
1 May 2021 – 1 Apr 2022
Activity: Membership of board (Chair) - HEFCW and Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol - Digital learning materials project
Developing units of digital learning for the subject area of sport including sport coaching and health and wellbeing.
1 Feb 2021 – 1 Oct 2021
Activity: Consultancy (Consultant)
2019
- Squash Wales (External organisation)
Independent board member with strategic responsibility for athletic performance.
1 Aug 2019 – 6 Apr 2021
Activity: Membership of board (Director)
2016
- Perceptual response to respiratory loading in health and obstructive sleep apnoea.
7 Oct 2016
Activity: Invited talk (Speaker) - Every breath you don’t take: Respiratory control and awareness in obstructive sleep apnoea.
16 Sep 2016
Activity: Invited talk (Speaker)
Projects
-
Welsh Injury Surveillance in Girls Youth Rugby (WISGYR)
01/06/2023 – 30/06/2026 (Active)
Description
Research project including a three-year injury audit to determine injury risk in female youth community rugby.
Links:
-
KESS IIPhD upgrade with WRU (Rugby Gogledd Cymru)- BUK2E066
01/09/2021 – 17/02/2024 (Finished)
Description
Enhancing Talent Systems in Rugby Union
-
KESS II MRes with WRU- BUK2206
01/11/2019 – 31/03/2024 (Finished)
Description
Developing Rugby Talent in North Wales: Psychological and physical determinants of regional age-grade rugby players.
-
KESS II MRes with RGC- BUK2154
27/06/2018 – 01/08/2022 (Finished)
Description
Athlete monitoring in rugby union: inter- and intra-week associations of training load with musculoskeletal screening tests during an entire Rugby Union Season.
Other Grants and Projects
Grants
Owen, J.A. Stakeholder engagement with female youth rugby in North Wales for WISGYR Project. Bangor University Community Engagement Fund, June 2023
Owen, J.A. Evans, S.L. Gottwald, V. WISGYR – Welsh Injury Surveillance in Girls' Youth Rugby. World Rugby December 2022.
Owen, J.A. Mullins, P.G. Head Sense: Prevention of sport-related brain trauma in the North Wales education sector. Applied Learning for Preventative Health Academy (ALPHAcademy), December 2022.
Owen, J.A. Mullins, P.G. Davis, O-E. Dardis, R. van Zuydam, D. Tackling Rugby Union’s Headache: Validity of a handheld medical device for the rapid assessment and evaluation of mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI). Bangor University Impact and Innovation Award. August 2022.
Gottwald, V. Owen, J.A. Fella, D. Hardy, J. Life’s a beach: Anthropometric and psychological profiles of the World’s best Beach Sprint Rowers to determine future talent identification and selection protocols. Bangor University Impact and Innovation Award. August 2022.
Owen, J.A. Gottwald, V., Jones, E.S. Enhancing talent systems in rugby union. ESF Knowledge Exchange Scholarship Scheme (KESS II) Masters by Research Grant. April 2021.
Martin, R., Gottwald, V., Owen, J.A. The role of puberty in the relationship between relative age effects and sports injury. British Association of Sport & Exercise Medicine (BASEM). April 2021
Owen, J.A. and Jones, E.S. Psychological and physiological determinants of regional age-grade rugby players. ESF Knowledge Exchange Scholarship Scheme (KESS II) Masters by Research Grant. November 2019.
Owen, J.A., Hardy, J.T., Mellalieu, S. Injury Risk in in Pre-Professional and Semi-Professional Regional Rugby Union. Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol PhD Studentship. July 2018.
Owen, J.A., Jones, E.S. and Hardy, J.T. Markers of athlete readiness in rugby union. ESF Knowledge Exchange Scholarship Scheme (KESS II) Masters by Research Grant. April 2018.
Blanchfield, A.W., Owen, J.A., and Griffiths, G. Development of a mindful-exercise training framework. ESRC Impact Acceleration Account. March 2016.
Earing, C.M.N., McKeon, D., Owen, J.A. and Kubis, H.P. Purchase of a pneumotachometer for research within the field of respiratory physiology in health and obstructive sleep apnoea. BCUHB Small grant scheme. February 2016
Owen, J.A., Moore, J.P., and Kubis, H.P.Pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnoea. Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol PhD studentship. April 2015.
Owen, J.A. Conference and travel grant. European Hydration Institute. October 2012.
Owen, J.A., Walsh, N.P., and Oliver, S.J. Hypertonic and isotonic dehydration: effects on hydration marker utility and human performance. European Hydration Institute: Graduate research grant for the study of Human Hydration. January 2012.
Projects
North Wales Rugby Research Project. June 2018 to present.
Inspiratory effort perception and interoception to breathlessness in health and obstructive sleep apnoea. October 2015 to May 2020.
Methods of dehydration assessment and effects on subjective discomfort, well-being and exercise performance. October 2010 to September 2015.