Project

Development of a Next Generation Surrogate Headform for the Recreation of Real-World Head Impacts in Cricket.

Key research areas

Injury Prevention; Cricket; Surrogate Headforms; Helmets; Impact testing; and Sport.

Summary of research

Rory England's research is focused on using a newly developed next generation surrogate headform, with improved biofidelic properties that better represent the human in impact testing to physically model examples of real-world impacts. The core case study is head impacts in cricket enabled by support from the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board). The objective is to enable a better understanding of the link between measurable characteristics of the impact and the injury outcome for the athlete.

Rory also supported the development of DCMS policy/guidelines to facilitate the safe recommencement of sport following the COVID-19 pandemic by researching and publishing two case studies analysing the possible risk of viral transmission in sport.

Academic supervisors

• Prof Andy Harland
• Dr Séan Mitchell
• Prof Nick Peirce (Industrial Supervisor)

Additional academic projects / roles

Consultant research – Assessment of prototype Cricket Helmets (Masuri Cricket)
Consultant research – Assessment of prototype Cricket Helmets (Shrey Cricket)
Teaching in Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering (Tutorial and Lecture Delivery)

Background

Rory’s A-level profile included Maths, Physics and Physical Education with Biology at AS-level. Rory went on to gain a first-class degree from Loughborough University in Sports Technology. During his degree Rory completed a one-year industrial placement with adidas where he held the roles of Intern and Testing Coordinator in the Heartbeat Sports Future Team for six months each.

Awards and qualifications

• adidas Sports Technology Award (2018)
• Nomination for Loughborough Researcher of the year (2020)

Non academic interests

Rory joined Loughborough as a keen sports person most regularly participating in golf, tennis, and swimming.

Publications, presentations

• An Advanced Biofidelic Headform for the Physical Re-enactment of Head Impacts in Cricket (Presentation) (Drake Sports Head Impact Research Symposium, 2022)
• ‘The risk of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in sport – a cricket case study’ International Journal of Sports Medicine, 2021)
• ‘The risk of fomite transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in sport – a cricket case study’ (International Journal of Sports Medicine, 2021)