People

Dr Bradley Neal

Lecturer
School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences
Dr Bradley Neal
  • Email

  • Telephone

    +44 (0) 1206 873217

  • Location

    ESA.3.14, Colchester Campus

Profile

Biography

Bradley joined the School of Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences as a Physiotherapy Lecturer (Education and Research) in April 2021. Prior to this, he spent 10 years as a Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist at Pure Sports Medicine, London’s leading private Sports Medicine clinic, where he also acted as the company's Head of Research. He completed his MSc in Advanced Physiotherapy at the University of Hertfordshire in 2011, followed by his PhD at Queen Mary University of London in 2019. His PhD thesis was entitled 'the influence of lower limb biomechanics on the development, persistence and management of patellofemoral pain in recreational runners'. Bradley is also a post-doctoral Research Fellow in Sports & Exercise Medicine at Queen Mary University of London and a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire, contributing to their post-graduate physiotherapy programme. He is also an associate editor for Physical Therapy in Sport. He has published in several leading peer-reviewed journals, including the British Journal of Sports Medicine, Gait & Posture and Physical Therapy in Sport. His main research interests are in patellofemoral pain and other knee pathologies, biomechanics, running-related injury and the epidemiology of musculoskeletal conditions.

Qualifications

  • PhD Queen Mary University of London, (2019)

  • MSc University of Hertfordshire, (2011)

  • BSc University of Hertfordshire, (2006)

Appointments

University of Essex

  • Lecturer (Education and Research), Physiotherapy, School of Sport, Rehabilitation, and Exercise Sciences (1/4/2021 - present)

Other academic

  • Visiting Lecturer, Physiotherapy, University of Hertfordshire (4/2/2019 - present)

  • Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Sports & Exercise Medicine, Queen Mary University of London (4/2/2019 - 30/11/2022)

Research and professional activities

Research interests

Epidemiology of Patellofemoral Pain

What variables are prospectively linked to patellofemoral pain (joint structure, biomechanics, activity exposures).

Key words: Knee
Open to supervise

Mechanisms of Exercise in Patellofemoral Pain

By what mechanisms do different treatments work for patellofemoral pain?

Key words: Knee
Open to supervise

Teaching and supervision

Current teaching responsibilities

  • Becoming a Professional: Professional Skills (HS372)

  • Mastering Occupation (HS895)

  • Consultation and Assessment (HS955)

  • Physiotherapy Led Assessment (SE118)

  • Understanding Self and Others (SE120)

  • Developing Self and Others (SE231)

  • Physiotherapy Led Interventions (SE232)

  • Research Methods (SE234)

  • Leadership of Self and Others (SE341)

  • Research Project (SE343)

  • Applied Anatomy and Pathophysiology (SE751)

  • Understanding Self and Others (SE752)

  • Physiotherapy Led Assessment & Treatment (SE753)

  • Critical Enquiry (SE756)

  • Understanding and Developing Self and Others (SE757)

  • Leadership of Self and Others (SE758)

  • Preparation for Professional Practice (SE759)

  • Research Project (SE760)

Publications

Journal articles (23)

Neal, BS., Bramah, C., McCarthy-Ryan, MF., Moore, IS., Napier, C., Paquette, MR. and Gruber, AH., (2024). Using wearable technology data to explain recreational running injury: A prospective longitudinal feasibility study.. Physical Therapy in Sport. 65, 130-136

Neal, BS., McManus, CJ., Bradley, WJ., Leaney, SF., Murray, K. and Clark, NC., (2023). The feasibility, safety, and efficacy of lower limb garment-integrated blood flow restriction training in healthy adults.. Physical Therapy in Sport. 60, 9-16

Lack,, SD., Bartholomew, C., North, T., Miller, SC. and Neal, BS., (2023). The effects of a two-week neuromuscular intervention on biopsychosocial variables in people with patellofemoral pain: An observational study. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 5, 1087061-

Barber, P., Lack, SD., Bartholomew, C., Curran, AJ., Lowe, CM., Morrissey, D. and Neal, BS., (2022). Patient experience of the diagnosis and management of patellofemoral pain: A qualitative exploration. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. 57, 102473-102473

Dhokia, B., Mabin, E., Bradley, WJ. and Neal, B., (2022). The feasibility, safety, and efficacy of upper limb garment-integrated blood flow restriction training in healthy adults. Pilot and Feasibility Studies. 8 (1), 34-

Curran, AJ., Neal, BS., Barber, P., Bartholomew, C., Morrissey, D. and Lack, SD., (2022). Clinicians’ experience of the diagnosis and management of patellofemoral pain: A qualitative exploration. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. 58, 102530-102530

Neal, BS., Bartholomew, C., Barton, CJ., Morrissey, D. and Lack, SD., (2022). Six treatments have positive effects at three-months for people with patellofemoral pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. 52 (11), 750-768

Neal, BS., Miller, SC., Goodall, A., Phillips, J., Small, C. and Lack, SD., (2022). Variables associated with successful outcome after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in recreational athletes: A prospective cohort study. The Knee. 39, 29-37

Bazett-Jones, D., Neal, B., Legg, C., Hart, H., Collins, N. and Barton, C., (2022). Kinematic and Kinetic Gait Characteristics in People with Patellofemoral Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sports Medicine. 53 (2), 519-547

Masci, L., Neal, BS., Wynter Bee, W., Spang, C. and Alfredson, H., (2021). Achilles Scraping and Plantaris Tendon Removal Improves Pain and Tendon Structure in Patients with Mid-Portion Achilles Tendinopathy—A 24 Month Follow-Up Case Series. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 10 (12), 2695-2695

Neal, BS., Lack, SD., Barton, CJ., Birn-Jeffery, A., Miller, S. and Morrissey, D., (2020). Is markerless, smart phone recorded two-dimensional video a clinically useful measure of relevant lower limb kinematics in runners with patellofemoral pain? A validity and reliability study. Physical Therapy in Sport. 43, 36-42

Davis, IS., Tenforde, AS., Neal, BS., Roper, JL. and Willy, RW., (2020). Gait Retraining as an Intervention for Patellofemoral Pain. Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine. 13 (1), 103-114

Masci, L., Alfredson, H., Neal, B. and Wynter Bee, W., (2020). Ultrasound-guided tendon debridement improves pain, function and structure in persistent patellar tendinopathy: short term follow-up of a case series. BMJ Open Sport and Exercise Medicine. 6 (1), e000803-e000803

Bartholomew, C., Lack, S. and Neal, B., (2019). Altered pain processing and sensitisation is evident in adults with patellofemoral pain: a systematic review including meta-analysis and meta-regression. Scandinavian Journal of Pain. 20 (1), 11-27

Neal, BS., Barton, CJ., Birn-Jeffery, A. and Morrissey, D., (2019). Increased hip adduction during running is associated with patellofemoral pain and differs between males and females: A case-control study. Journal of Biomechanics. 91, 133-139

Neal, BS., Lack, SD., Lankhorst, NE., Raye, A., Morrissey, D. and van Middelkoop, M., (2019). Risk factors for patellofemoral pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 53 (5), 270-281

Neal, BS., Barton, CJ., Birn-Jeffrey, A., Daley, M. and Morrissey, D., (2018). The effects & mechanisms of increasing running step rate: A feasibility study in a mixed-sex group of runners with patellofemoral pain. Physical Therapy in Sport. 32, 244-251

Lack, S., Neal, B., De Oliveira Silva, D. and Barton, C., (2018). How to manage patellofemoral pain – Understanding the multifactorial nature and treatment options. Physical Therapy in Sport. 32, 155-166

Neal, BS., Barton, CJ., Gallie, R., O’Halloran, P. and Morrissey, D., (2016). Runners with patellofemoral pain have altered biomechanics which targeted interventions can modify: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Gait & Posture. 45, 69-82

Barton, CJ., Bonanno, DR., Carr, J., Neal, BS., Malliaras, P., Franklyn-Miller, A. and Menz, HB., (2016). Running retraining to treat lower limb injuries: a mixed-methods study of current evidence synthesised with expert opinion. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 50 (9), 513-526

Dowling, GJ., Murley, GS., Munteanu, SE., Smith, MMF., Neal, BS., Griffiths, IB., Barton, CJ. and Collins, NJ., (2014). Dynamic foot function as a risk factor for lower limb overuse injury: a systematic review. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. 7 (1), 53-

Neal, BS., Griffiths, IB., Dowling, GJ., Murley, GS., Munteanu, SE., Franettovich Smith, MM., Collins, NJ. and Barton, CJ., (2014). Foot posture as a risk factor for lower limb overuse injury: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. 7 (1), 55-

Neal, BS. and Longbottom, J., (2012). Is There a Role for Acupuncture in the Treatment of Tendinopathy?. Acupuncture in Medicine. 30 (4), 346-349

Conferences (2)

Neal, B., Bramah, C., McCarthy-Ryan, M., Moore, I., Napier, C., Paquette, M. and Gruber, A., (2024). 19 Using wearable technology data to explain recreational running injury: a prospective longitudinal feasibility study

Neal, B., Bartholomew, C., Barton, C., Morrissey, D. and Lack, S., (2022). 63 Numerous treatments are efficacious for patellofemoral pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Grants and funding

2023

The effects of partial limb occlusion applied using garment-integrated blood flow restriction on recovery following an exercise induced muscle damage protocol

Hytro Limited

2022

A best practice guide for kneecap pain, combining systematic review, clinical expert perspectives and the patient voice for genuine benefit

University of Essex (CPPE)

Contact

b.neal@essex.ac.uk
+44 (0) 1206 873217

Location:

ESA.3.14, Colchester Campus

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