Mahbi Razavi
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Email
sr23233@essex.ac.uk -
Location
ESA.3.31, Colchester Campus
Profile
- Gait Analysis
- Body Centre of Mass and Balance
- Circadian Rythm, Time of the day, Dynamic Stability and Biomechanics of Walking
Biography
Mahbi Razavi is a PhD candidate at the University of Essex. She earned a BSc in Physics from Islamic Azad University and an MSc in Physical Education and Sport Biomechanics from Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, graduating with distinction. Among her notable achievements is her contribution to a peer-reviewed publication in the International Journal of Applied Exercise Physiology. She further advanced her expertise with an MSc in Exercise Science, Health, and Epidemiology from Hamad Bin Khalifa University. In addition to her academic pursuits, Mahbi works as an AL/GLA at the University of Essex, where she has lectured on the Essex pathway in biomechanics and served as a research assistant. She is currently engaged in a PhD project focused on gait modeling with an emphasis on center of mass (CoM) measurement. Through these roles, she continues to bridge the principles of physics with sports science, advancing our understanding of human movement. Moreover, she has translated two influential books into Farsi, thereby extending the reach of advanced biomechanical knowledge to Persian-speaking audiences.
Qualifications
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BSc (Hon) Physics Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran (2008)
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M.Sc. Physical Education and Sport Biomechanics Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran (2018)
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M.Sc. Student Exercise Science, Health and epidemiology (ESHE) College of Health and Life Science, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha – Qatar (2022)
Research and professional activities
Thesis
A health movement model: Application of body center of mass
Analyzing how people walk helps detect movement problems such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) or issues related to aging. However, defining exactly what "healthy" walking looks like is tedious due to our body's complexity. I've developed a simple physics-based model to measure balance and movement during walking. Using fewer markers and simpler methods, my model enables clinicians to quickly recognize movement problems, facilitating early diagnosis and improving treatment outcomes.
Supervisor: Aleksandra (Ola) birn-jeffery , Matthew Taylor , Jackie Wong Siaw Tze
Research interests
The Effect of Hypoxia on Energy Expenditure and Substrate Utilization Following High-Intensity Interval Training (Msc Dissertation)
The study evaluated HIIT's effects on energy expenditure and substrate utilization during recovery under three conditions: heavy normoxia (NORMH), absolute workload hypoxia (HYPO), and matched relative normoxia (NORMS). It found that EPOC was highest in NORMS and fat oxidation was elevated in both HYPO and NORMS compared to NORMH. These results suggest that hypoxia indirectly boosts exercise intensity, enhancing fat oxidation during recovery.
What Prognostic Indicators andTreatment Mechanisms Exist forEfficacious Treatments in PeopleWith Patellofemoral Pain? ASecondary Meta-regressionWith an Updated Search
34 RCTs (n=1526) on patellofemoral pain with prolonged symptom duration, older age, and higher mass as key prognostic factors were included. For knee-targeted exercise, low baseline knee extensor strength was critical; for hip-and-knee exercise, higher hip abduction torque was significant. Mechanistic findings linked increased knee extensor torque with pain and greater hip abduction/external rotation strength with improved outcomes, underscoring the role of muscle strength in therapy.
The Morning-Evening Variation of Dynamic Balance under Dual Cognitive Task in Morning-Type Elderly Women (Published in Farsi)
This study evaluated whether morning-evening variations affect dynamic balance in morning-type elderly women, specifically under dual cognitive task conditions. Twelve women aged 65–80 performed the Timed Up and Go test under both dual and mono cognitive tasks over three separate sessions. While dual cognitive tasks significantly impaired dynamic balance compared to normal gait, the time of day had no effect on performance.
The effect of 8 weeks deep-aquatic exercises on static balance and lower body strength among elderly men
We examined the impact of an 8-week deep aquatic exercise on lower body strength and balance in 30 elderly men over 65. The experimental group completed 60-minute sessions three times a week, while the control group did not exercise, with assessments made using a Hand-Held Dynamometer and a Biodex Balance System. Results revealed significant improvements in both muscle strength and balance for the experimental group, the efficacy of deep aquatic exercises for the elderly.
Evaluation of dynamic stability and kinematic parameters in walking of the nurses working in day and night shifts
The study compared gait parameters, dynamic stability, and joint kinematics in nurses working day versus night shifts. It involved 31 female nurses (16 night, 15 day) using a Qualysis motion analysis system. No significant differences were found in spatiotemporal gait, dynamic stability, or joint range of motion between the groups. The results suggest that night shift work does not increase the risk of falling among nurses.