Dr. Marcus Dunn BSc. MSc. PhD.

Dr Marcus Dunn is a research fellow at the Centre for Sports Engineering Research. His research focuses on the development of measurement systems (software and hardware) for biomechanical and performance analysis in representative settings. 

Prior to joining CSER, Marcus graduated from the University of Portsmouth with a first-class, BSc (hons) degree in Sport Science, where he was awarded the John Wiley and Sons Ltd. prize for 'Best Final Year Project'. Marcus then completed an MSc in Sport and Exercise Science at Sheffield Hallam University, specialising in sports biomechanics. Marcus went on to complete his PhD at Sheffield Hallam University in 2014. Marcus’ PhD was sponsored by the International Tennis Federation and developed a markerless, single camera system, capable of measuring player step and movement parameters in situ. The system allows the characterisation of player-surface interaction during match-play tennis. The system was used at the ATP World Tour Finals in London, with camera calibration and pattern recognition techniques further developed for other applications. 

Marcus developed non-invasive, biomechanical and performance analysis systems for the Sheffield Hallam University City Athletics Stadium project. Delivered in partnership with the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, the project delivered a state-of-the-art, elite sport technology demonstrator hub, for use by athletes, coaches and the public. The project was referenced in the Inspired by 2012: The legacy from the Olympic and Paralympic Games - a joint UK Government and Mayor of London report. In a clinical application of this work, Marcus developed a non-invasive, single camera gait analysis system for Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. The co-designed system allows clinicians to objectively assess the walking pattern of patients (e.g. neurological and/or vestibular disorders). The system was used alongside current practice and represents no additional burden to patients. 

Marcus has also worked extensively with commercial companies and international sports governing bodies to accurately assess electronic officiating systems. Using high-speed photogrammetry and camera calibration techniques, Marcus has worked with FIFA (via Labosport UK) to assess Goal-Line Technology systems used by the Premier League (UK), Erdivise (Dutch Football League), Ligue 1 (French Football League), the 2014 FIFA World Cup (Brazil) and the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup (Japan). Marcus has also worked with FIVB (via Labosport UK) to assess electronic officiating systems used in the 2016 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championships (Switzerland) and 2016 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour (Brazil). Most recently, Marcus has worked with FIFA (via Labosport UK) to assess the accuracy of video assistant referee (VAR) offside lines, which are projected into broadcast television images (Germany).

Marcus currently works with a variety partners, toward the application of biomechanical and performance analysis techniques in more representative settings. Current research projects include: non-invasive gait analysis (Vinco Sport, New Balance); non-invasive trampolining performance analysis (National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine); low-cost, three-dimensional measurement technologies in healthcare (Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Sheffield Physiotherapy); understanding injury risk related to wearable technologies in football (FIFA) and assessing participation within parkrun (Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre).

Areas of interest:

• Sports engineering
• Image and video-based performance analysis systems
• Camera calibration
• Sports biomechanics
• Gait analysis
• Programming (.NET / Matlab)

MSc Sports Engineering:

• Measurement Techniques in Sports Engineering and Biomechanics
• Innovation and Enterprise in Sports Engineering

Research centre:

• Centre for Sports Engineering Research (CSER)

Research theme groups:  

• CSER Applied Computing
• CSER Biomechanics

Current research projects: 

• Effects of running retraining on mechanics associated with lower-limb injury risk. Imaging technology to quantify return to sport following ACL reconstruction. 
• Non-invasive measurement of athletic step frequency using uncalibrated video. 
• Low-cost, three-dimensional measurement technologies in healthcare. Low-cost and non-invasive gait analysis for healthcare. Video-based player position tracking for tennis.  

Collaborators and sponsors: 

• International Tennis Federation 
• Fédération Internationale de Football Association  
• Catapult 
• New Balance Sheffield Physiotherapy  
• National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine 
• Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC)

A list of publications is available from the institutional repository, SHURA

Current supervised PhD students: 

• de' Andrea, F. The effect of hybrid turf on player movement in football
• Oudshoorn, B. Y. Influence of stud design on laceration injury risk in field sports.  
• Rowley, L. J. The effect of step strategy on the clearance of the first hurdle.

Dr Marcus Dunn is a research fellow at the Centre for Sports Engineering Research. His research focuses on the development of measurement systems (software and hardware) for biomechanical and performance analysis in representative settings. Marcus has worked with international sports governing bodies, commercial companies and healthcare specialists, to develop bespoke measurement solutions, for use in more representative settings. In addition to his research, Marcus leads the MSc Sports Engineering module ‘Measurement Techniques in Sports Engineering and Biomechanics’ and supervises several PhD students.  

The Centre for Sports Engineering Research (CSER) is led by Dr David James. It is the world's largest academic group in sports engineering and an internationally renowned centre of excellence for research and knowledge transfer. The centre's work is based on four research disciplines; applied computing, biomechanics, design engineering, and skill acquisition. In each area, researchers develop fundamental knowledge and deliver applied solutions to enhance athletic performance, reduce injury and promote physical activity. 

CSER works in partnership with many sport, health and commercial organisations. We are immensely proud of our work with Team GB Olympic, and Paralympic athletes, and we enjoy research partnerships with global organisations such as the International Tennis Federation, FIFA, and Adidas.

Areas of expertise:

• Sports engineering
• Goal-line technology
• Camera calibration 
• Biomechanics
• Gait analysis

Notable media coverage:

• BBC Radio Sheffield, UK
• KPMG Early Edition, Newstalk ZB, Auckland NZ.