Dr Richard Foster
Sport and Exercise Sciences
Faculty of Science
Email: R.J.Foster@ljmu.ac.uk
Telephone: 0151 904 6258
ORCID
Dr. Richard Foster is a Reader in Biomechanics within the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences. He is the leader of a collaboration with international industry leaders in markerless motion capture, Theia Markerless, Inc.
Richard is a member of the Research to Improve Stair Climbing Safety (RISCS) group and Alder Hey Orthopaedics Research Group, within the Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences (LJMU). Externally, Richard is a professional member of the International Society of Posture and Gait Research (ISPGR).
Richard's research focus spans both paediatric and older adult populations, by investigating the compensatory mechanisms required from a biomechanical and sensory perspective to avoid tripping and falling, during activities of daily living such as overground gait, targeted stepping, obstacle crossing and stair negotiation. Richard uses novel technologies including Markerless motion capture (Theia3D), force-instrumented stairs, a 6DOF moving platform and eye tracking to explore the above research interests.
Dr. Foster has existing research collaborations with:
Theia Markerless Inc, Kingston Ontario, Canada.
North West Movement Analysis Centre, Alder Hey Children's Hospital.
Clinical Ageing Research Unit, Newcastle University, UK.
Degrees
2012, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, PhD
2008, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, MSc Sports Biomechanics
2007, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, BSc Sports Science
Certifications
2017, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, Fellow of The Higher Education Academy
Academic appointments
Reader in Biomechanics, School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, 2023 - present
Senior Lecturer in Biomechanics, School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, 2016 - 2023
Research Fellow, School of Sport and Exercise ScienceAug 2014 - Nov 2014, University of Lincoln, 2014 - 2014
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Biomechanics, Department of Sport Science, Nottingham Trent University, 2014 - 2016
Postdoctoral Researcher in Gait and Vision, Bradford School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Bradford, 2012 - 2014
Research Assistant in Virtual Rehabilitation, School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, 2009 - 2010
Journal article
Walker RL, O'Brien TD, Barton GJ, Carter B, Wright DM, Foster RJ. 2025. Are challenging walking environments linked to falls or risk of falling in children with cerebral palsy? A systematic review. Gait Posture, 117 :306-316 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Augustine S, Foster RJ, Barton GJ, Lake MJ, Sharir R, Robinson MA. 2025. The inter-trial and inter-session reliability of Theia3D-derived markerless gait analysis in tight versus loose clothing PeerJ, 13 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Bailey HGB, O’Brien TD, Barton GJ, Bass A, Wright D, Pinzone O, Greaves H, Foster RJ. 2024. Exploratory Investigation of Head Stability in Children with Cerebral Palsy and Typically Developing Children during a Targeted Stepping Task Applied Sciences, 14 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Augustine S, Sharir R, Barton G, Foster R, Robinson M. 2023. The effects of tight or loose-fitting clothing on markerless gait kinematics in adults Gait & Posture, 106 :S14-S14 DOI Publisher Url
Skervin TK, Thomas NM, Schofield AJ, Hollands MA, Maganaris CN, O’Brien TD, Baltzopoulos V, Foster RJ. 2023. Accuracy and Precision of a Novel Photogate System to Measure Toe Clearance on Stairs Sensors, 23 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Barnett CT, De Asha AR, Skervin TK, Buckley JG, Foster RJ. 2022. Spring-mass behavioural adaptations to acute changes in prosthetic blade stiffness during submaximal running in unilateral transtibial prosthesis users Gait and Posture, 98 :153-159 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Skervin TK, Thomas NM, Schofield AJ, Hollands MA, Maganaris CN, O'Brien TD, Baltzopoulos V, Foster RJ. 2021. Using a stair horizontal-vertical illusion to increase foot clearance over an inconsistently taller stair-riser. PLoS One, 16 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Skervin TK, Thomas NM, Schofield AJ, Hollands MA, Maganaris CN, Foster RJ. 2021. The next step in optimising the stair horizontal-vertical illusion: Does a perception-action link exist in older adults? Experimental Gerontology, 149 :111309-111309 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Thomas NM, Skervin TK, Foster RJ, Parr JVV, Carpenter MG, O'Brien TD, Maganaris CN, Baltzopoulos V, Lees C, Hollands MA. 2021. Influence of step-surface visual properties on confidence, anxiety, dynamic stability, and gaze behaviour in young and older adults. Human Movement Science, 77 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Parr JVV, Foster RJ, Wood G, Thomas NM, Hollands MA. 2020. Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder Show Altered Visuomotor Control During Stair Negotiation Associated With Heightened State Anxiety Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 14 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Bailey HGB, Kirk C, Mills RS, Foster RJ. 2020. A preliminary cross-sectional assessment of postural control responses to continuous platform rotations following a sport-related concussion Gait and Posture, 81 :213-217 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Mccormack S, Walton R, Wright D, Bass A, Foster R, Eleuteri A, Shortland A, Barton G. 2020. Development of a novel non-contact intra-operative measurement system for guiding femoral derotation osteotomies Gait & Posture, 81 :226-227 DOI Publisher Url
Parr JVV, Foster RJ, Wood G, Hollands MA. 2020. Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder Exhibit Greater Stepping Error Despite Similar Gaze Patterns and State Anxiety Levels to Their Typically Developing Peers Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 14 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Foster RJ, Haley MR, Talbot IW, De Asha AR, Barnett CT. 2020. Individuals with unilateral transtibial amputation exhibit reduced accuracy and precision during a targeted stepping task Journal of Biomechanics, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Thomas N, Skervin T, Foster RJ, O'Brien TD, Carpenter M, Maganaris CN, Baltzopoulos V, Lees C, Hollands MA. 2020. Optimal lighting levels for stair safety: influence of lightbulb type and brightness on confidence, dynamic balance and stepping characteristics Experimental Gerontology, DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Foster RJ, Maganaris CN, Reeves ND, Buckley JG. 2019. Centre of mass control is reduced in older people when descending stairs at an increased riser height. Gait and Posture, 73 :305-314 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Osateerakun P, Barton G, Foster R, Bennett S, Lakshminarayan R. 2018. P 037 – Prediction of moments from movements without force platforms using artificial neural networks: A pilot test Gait and Posture, 65 :299-300 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Foster RJ, Buckley JG, Whitaker D, Elliott DB. 2016. The addition of stripes (a version of the 'horizontal-vertical illusion') increases foot clearance when crossing low-height obstacles. Ergonomics, 59 :884-889 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Elliott DB, Hotchkiss J, Scally AJ, Foster R, Buckley JG. 2016. Intermediate addition multifocals provide safe stair ambulation with adequate 'short-term' reading Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics, 36 :60-68 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Elliott DB, Foster RJ, Whitaker D, Scally AJ, Buckley JG. 2015. Analysis of lower limb movement to determine the effect of manipulating the appearance of stairs to improve safety: a linked series of laboratory-based, repeated measures studies Public Health Research, 3 :1-56 DOI Publisher Url Public Url
Foster RJ, Whitaker D, Scally AJ, Buckley JG, Elliott DB. 2015. What You See Is What You Step: The Horizontal-Vertical Illusion Increases Toe Clearance in Older Adults During Stair Ascent Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 56 :2950-2957 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Foster RJ, Hotchkiss J, Buckley JG, Elliott DB. 2014. Safety on stairs: Influence of a tread edge highlighter and its position Experimental Gerontology, 55 :152-158 DOI Author Url Publisher Url Public Url
Foster RJ, De Asha AR, Reeves ND, Maganaris CN, Buckley JG. 2014. Stair-specific algorithms for identification of touch-down and foot-off when descending or ascending a non-instrumented staircase GAIT & POSTURE, 39 :816-821 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Foster RJ, De Asha AR, Reeves ND, Maganaris CN, Buckley JG. 2014. Stair-specific algorithms for identification of touch-down and foot-off when descending or ascending a non-instrumented staircase Gait and Posture, 39 :816-821 DOI
Barton GJ, Hawken MB, Foster RJ, Holmes G, Butler PB. 2013. The effects of virtual reality game training on trunk to pelvis coupling in a child with cerebral palsy Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 10 DOI Author Url Publisher Url
Barton GJ, Hawken MB, Foster RJ, Holmes G, Butler PB. 2011. Playing the Goblin Post Office game improves movement control of the core: A case study International Conference on Virtual Rehabilitation (ICVR), 2011, :1-5 DOI Publisher Url
Conference publication
Wharton E, O'Brien T, Giebel C, Foster R, Maganaris C. 2024. “It was probably because of lockdown that I fell”: Older adults' experiences of independent living in relation to stair falls Gait & Posture, 113 :249-249 DOI Publisher Url
Barton G, Greaves H, Foster R. 2024. Bridging the gap between markerless and marker-based gait angles with shallow neural networks Gait & Posture, 113 :16-17 DOI Publisher Url
Kearney J, Greaves H, Robinson M, Barton G, Gibbon K, O'Brien T, Wright D, Pinzone O, Foster R. 2024. Changes in trunk and lower body gait kinematics in children following a Theia3D update Gait & Posture, 113 :113-114 DOI Publisher Url
Walker RL, O'Brien TD, Barton GJ, Carter B, Wright DM, Foster RJ. 2024. Children with cerebral palsy avoid stepping in potholes with mediolateral changes in foot placement that cause laterally instability Gait & Posture, 113 :242-243 DOI Publisher Url
Debelle H, Hollands M, Foster R, Wood G, Maganaris C, O'Brien T. 2024. Children with developmental coordination disorder walk cautiously and resist forward-falling perturbations better than typical, but do not improve with practice Gait & Posture, 113 :53-54 DOI Publisher Url
Walker RL, O'Brien TD, Barton GJ, Carter B, Wright DM, Foster RJ. 2023. “I’d go slow and hope I don’t fall” Exploring lived experiences of children with cerebral palsy walking in challenging environments Gait & Posture, 106 :S219-S220 DOI Publisher Url
Walker RL, O'Brien TD, Barton GJ, Carter B, Wright DM, Foster RJ. 2023. Designing a novel protocol to investigate mechanisms of falls in children with cerebral palsy, informed by lived experiences Gait & Posture, 106 :S218-S219 DOI Publisher Url
Bailey H, O'Brien TD, Barton GJ, Bass A, Wright DM, Pinzone O, Greaves H, Foster RJ. 2021. Walking towards a visually distracting environment does not affect gait kinematics and spatiotemporal parameters of children with cerebral palsy diplegia Gait & Posture, 90 :11-12 DOI Publisher Url
Barton GJ, Hawken MB, Foster RJ, Holmes G, Butler PB. 2011. Playing the Goblin Post Office game improves movement control of the core: A case study Virtual Rehabilitation (ICVR), 2011 International Conference on, International Conference on Virtual Rehabilitation :1-5 DOI Publisher Url
Barton GJ, Hawken MB, Butler PB, Holmes G, Foster RJ. 2009. Movement control of the trunk and pelvis in cerebral palsy diplegia. Gait and Posture, 18th ESMAC Meeting and Conference 30 :147-148 DOI Publisher Url
Walker RL, O'Brien TD, Barton GJ, Carter B, Wright DM, Foster RJ. How children with cerebral palsy and their parents helped co-design ‘The Walk-Along Project’ protocol to investigate causes of daily falls Gait & Posture, 97 :S268-S269 DOI Publisher Url
Walker R, O'Brien TD, Barton GJ, Carter B, Wright DM, Foster RJ. Do challenging walking environments contribute to increased fall risk in children with cerebral palsy? A narrative review Gait & Posture, 90 :304-305 DOI Publisher Url
Other
Bailey H, O'Brien TD, Walker RL, Barton GJ, Bass A, Wright DM, Pinzone O, Greaves H, Foster RJ. 2021. Children with cerebral palsy exhibit a cautious approach to lateral stability throughout single limb support during a targeted stepping task Gait & Posture, 90 :13-14 DOI Publisher Url
Research Grants Awarded:
National Biomechanics Day Initiative, Women in Biomechanics, Joanna Wootton (PI, LJMU), Rich Foster (Mentor, Co-Lead), Grant value (£): 700, Duration of research project: 1 day. 2024
Theia Markerless, Markerless Motion Capture Consultancy, Rich Foster (PI, LJMU), Karl Gibbon (LJMU), Grant value (£): Funding: £804,500, Duration of research project: 2 years. 2024
The ART (Ageing Research Translation) of Healthy Ageing Network, Developing an Implementation Framework for Stair Falls Interventions, Emma Mulliner (PI, LJMU), Tom O'Brien (LJMU), Neil Reeves (MMU), Rich Foster (LJMU), Sandra Ortega Martorell (LJMU), Costis Maganaris (LJMU), Vida Maliene (LJMU), Stefan White (LJMU), Mark Hollands (LJMU), Patryk Kot (LJMU), Asan Akpan (University of Liverpool), Justine Shenton (Living Well Sefton),, Grant value (£): £9,955, Duration of research project: 3 months. 2023
The Waterloo Foundation, Fall Prevention Training for Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder, Tom O'Brien (PI, LJMU), Mark Hollands (LJMU), Rich Foster (LJMU), Costis Maganaris (LJMU), Greg Wood (MMU), Heloise Debelle (LJMU), Grant value (£): £64,953, Duration of research project: 15 months. 2023
NIHR Clinical Research Network North West Coast Investigator Initiated Trial, Is Markerless three-dimensional motion Analysis a viable alternative to traditional Gait analysis?, Rich Foster (PI, LJMU), Grant value (£): £10,000, Duration of research project: 12 months. 2023
National Biomechanics Day, Women in Biomechanics, Bex Walker (PI, LJMU), Rich Foster (Mentor, Co-Lead), Grant value (£): 700, Duration of research project: 1 day. 2023
The ART (Ageing Research Translation) of Healthy Ageing Network, Proteome Dynamics to Inform Healthy Muscle Ageing, Jatin Burniston (PI, LJMU), Grant value (£): £10,000, Duration of research project: 6 months. 2023
Dunhill Medical Trust, Using body worn sensors to inform data-driven home modifications with the aim of reducing falls risk in older adults, Mark Hollands (PI, LJMU), Neil Thomas (Pupil Labs), Rich Foster (LJMU), Mathew Schwartz (New Jersey Institute of Technology), Silvia Del Din (Newcastle University), Mark Carpenter (University of British Columbia), Grant value (£): £266,738, Duration of research project: 3 years. 2022
NIHR Allied Research Collaboration North West Coast PhD Studentship, Evaluating the feasibility of installing Visual Adaptations in the Built Living Environment of older adults to prevent falls, Rich Foster (PI, LJMU), Lisa Alcock (Newcastle University), Clarissa Giebel (University of Liverpool), Costis Maganaris (LJMU), Mark Hollands (LJMU), Grant value (£): £71,754, Duration of research project: 3 years. 2022
NHS Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group Research Capability Funding, Visual modifications of the home environment to reduce falls in older adults (VISMOD#2), Rich Foster (PI, LJMU), Lisa Alcock (Newcastle University), Grant value (£): £11,298, Duration of research project: 3 months. 2021
NHS Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group Research Capability Funding, Visual modifications of the home environment to reduce falls in older adults (VISMOD#1, Rich Foster (PI, LJMU), Lisa Alcock (Newcastle University), Grant value (£): £27,205, Duration of research project: 6 months. 2020
The Waterloo Foundation, Can training children with Developmental Coordination Disorder where to look during walking reduce their risk of trips and falls? A proof-of-concept study, Mark Hollands (PI, LJMU), Greg Wood (MMU), Rich Foster (LJMU), Grant value (£): £57,360, Duration of research project: 12 months. 2019