Staff Profile

I completed my degree in Osteopathy at Osteobio (France) in 2015 before completing a MSc in Sport and Clinical Biomechanics at Liverpool John Moores University in 2016 (UK).

From there, I have undertaken a PhD in 2017 at Liverpool John Moores University supervised by Dr Thomas O'Brien and Prof Constantinos Maganaris, and investing the balance recovery of older participants when they are exposed to a gait perturbation, its mechanisms, and the potential effects of different type of interventions (i.e. balance recovery training, nutritional supplements).

I am now working at Newcastle University as a research assistant at the Translational and Clinical Research Institute where I will be working on the applications of wearable technology to monitor the effect of medication adherence on the gait of patients with Parkinson's Disease.

My research interests relate to the understanding of the mechanisms of falls and balance recovery in older adults, and on developing and implementing evidence-based interventions aiming at diminishing the risk of falling.

I have previously been a sessional lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University, with teaching experiences in Research Methods and Biomechanics modules.

• Debelle H, Maganaris CN, O'Brien TD. Role of Knee and Ankle Extensors’ Muscle-Tendon Properties in Dynamic Balance Recovery from a Simulated Slip. Sensors 2022, 22(9), 3483.
• Debelle H, Maganaris C, O'Brien T. Balance improvements following repeated forward falling slips in young and older adults mainly rely on controlling the step length. Gait & Posture 2021, 90(Supplement 1), 42-43.
• Debelle H, Maganaris CN, O'Brien TD. Biomechanical Mechanisms of Improved Balance Recovery to Repeated Backward Slips Simulated by Treadmill Belt Accelerations in Young and Older Adults. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living 2021, 3, 708929.
• Wilke J, Debelle H, Tenberg S, Dilley A, Maganaris C. Ankle Motion Is Associated With Soft Tissue Displacement in the Dorsal Thigh: An in vivo Investigation Suggesting Myofascial Force Transmission Across the Knee Joint. Frontiers in Physiology 2020, 11, 180.
• Debelle H, Maganaris C, O'Brien T. Controlling the ground reaction force angle characterises better recovery following a single forward falling slip in young and older adults. Gait & Posture 2020, 81(Supplement 1), 77-78.
• Harkness-Armstrong C, Debelle HA, Maganaris CN, Walton R, Wright DM, Bass A, Baltzopoulos V, O'Brien TD. Effective Mechanical Advantage About the Ankle Joint and the Effect of Achilles Tendon Curvature During Toe-Walking. Frontiers in Physiology 2020, 11, 407.
• Debelle H, Harkness-Armstrong C, Hadwin K, Maganaris CN, O'Brien TD. Recovery From a Forward Falling Slip: Measurement of Dynamic Stability and Strength Requirements Using a Split-Belt Instrumented Treadmill. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living 2020, 2, 82.
• Debelle H, Harkness-Armstrong C, Hadwin K, Maganaris C, O'Brien T. Controlling the external moment arm at the knee allows better recovery after multiple slipping perturbations during gait. Gait & Posture 2019, 73(Supplement 1), 97-98.
• Harkness-Armstrong C, Debelle H, Maganaris CN, Walton R, Wright D, Bass A, Baltzopoulos V, O'Brien TD. Measuring the effective mechanical advantage of the plantarflexors during heel-toe walking and voluntary toe-walking: A comparison of two methods. Gait & Posture 2019, 73(Supplement 1), 129-130.