Education

1993-1996 Loughborough University, Ph.D. ‘The influence of heel lift devices on the loading of the Achilles tendon in running’
1986-1989 Loughborough University, B.Sc. (Hons) Degree: Mathematics,Physical Education and Sports Science (2:1)

Professional History

Jan 1999 - date Lecturer, Sports Biomechanics, University of Exeter,Exeter, EX1 2LU. Responsible for the organisation and running of research projects in areas of sport and exercise biomechanics, for the delivery of undergraduate taught modules in sport and exercise science, and for the supervision of post-graduate research students.

May - Nov 1998 Research Fellow, Human Performance Laboratory, University of Calgary, Canada
1997 - Apr 1998 Research Associate in Sports Biomechanics, University of Nottingham, England
1993 - 1996 Full-time Ph.D. in Sports Biomechanics, Loughborough University,England
1992 - 1993 Part-time Research Assistant and Part-time M.Phil.,Loughborough University, England
1990 - 1992 Assistant Engineer, British Aerospace (Commercial Aircraft) Ltd., Hatfield, Herts.
1989 - 1990 Exercise Physiologist, British Olympic Medical Centre,Harrow, Middlesex

Research Interests

• investigation of the influence of shoes, shock-absorbing insoles,and orthotic devices on loading of the human body during running,
• the influence of playing surfaces on loading and performance,
• the prediction of foot movement using pressure distribution measurement.

Recent Conference Presentations

Dixon, S.J., Collop, A.C., Singleton, T.M. and Batt, M.E. (1998). The biomechanical and mechanical performance of Sureflex sports surface material.International Society of Engineering in Sports Conference, Sheffield, UK.

Dixon, S.J. and Kerwin, D.G. (1999). Heel lift influence on Achilles tendon loading. 4^th Symposium on Footwear Biomechanics. Canmore,Canada.

Dixon, S.J., Batt M.E. and Collop, A.C. (1999). The importance of running surface on the comparison of sports shoe cushioning. BASES Annual Conference, Leeds, UK.

Dixon, S.J., Brace, C., Bilzon, E. and Windle, C.M. (1999). Effects of shock-absorbing insoles on heel loading during running in military boots.Lower Limb Injury Conference, Colchester, UK.

Dixon, S.J., Collop, A.C. and Batt, M.E. (2000). Impact-absorbing characteristics of tennis playing surfaces. International Tennis Federation: Science and Technology in Tennis, London.

Recent Publications in Refereed Scientific Journals

Dixon, S.J. and Kerwin, D.G. (1998). The influence of heel lift manipulation on Achilles tendon forces in running. Journal of Applied Biomechanics14(4),374-389.

Dixon, S.J. and Kerwin, D.G. (1999). The influence of heel lift manipulation on sagittal plane joint angles in running. Journal of Applied Biomechanics.15(2)

Dixon, S.J., Batt M.E. and Collop A.C. (1999). Artificial playing surfaces: A review of medical, engineering and biomechanical aspects. International Journal of Sports Medicine 20, 209-218.

Windle, C.M., Gregory, S.M. and Dixon, 5.1. (1999). The shock attenuation characteristics of four different insoles when worn with a military boot during running and marching. Gait and Posture 9, 31-37.

Dixon, S.J., Collop, A.C. and Batt, M.E. (2000). The influence of surface shock absorption on ground reaction forces and kinematics in running. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32, 1919-1926.

Other Interests

My main interest is distance running. I have represented England at cross-country and Great Britain at road running. I am also a past member of the England Under 21 soccer squad. I ran the London Marathon in 2001. In addition, I enjoy hiking, camping and travelling.