Dr. Ben Heller MEng. PhD.
Associate Professor
Summary
Dr Ben Heller is an Associate Professor in the Centre for Sports Engineering Ï㽶ÊÓƵ at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. His expertise is in medical engineering and instrumentation, particularly for the ambulatory monitoring of human activity. Current research areas include ambulatory monitoring of physical activity, motivation of exercise in virtual worlds, ecologically valid measurement of dynamic balance (the smartfloor), characterisation of running biomechanics and advanced functional electrical stimulation approaches in neural rehabilitation.
About
Dr Ben Heller is a Associate Professor in the Centre for Sports Engineering Ï㽶ÊÓƵ at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. His expertise is in medical engineering and instrumentation, particularly for the ambulatory monitoring of human activity.
After gaining a degree in Engineering Science at the University of Cambridge Ben completed a PhD in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde. He subsequently worked in Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals for 14 years where he specialized in the design of medical instrumentation and the clinical measurement and rehabilitation of movement. After moving to CSER in 2006, Ben continued his work in rehabilitation, but also in the measurement and analysis of information for sports applications.
Currently Ben's research focuses on the motivation of movement and exercise through the use of technology-mediated games, monitoring activity and performance in sport and recreation through wearable technology, ecologically valid measurement of dynamic balance (the smartfloor), characterisation of running biomechanics and advanced functional electrical stimulation approaches in neural rehabilitation. In addition to his research Ben supervises several PhD students and manages the Sheffield Physical Activity Observatory; a collection of resources for objectively measuring physical activity.
Areas of interest:
- Motivation of movement and exercise through the use of technology-mediated games
- Monitoring activity and performance in sport and recreation through wearable technology
- Ecologically valid measurement of dynamic balance (the smartfloor)
- Characterisation of running biomechanics
- Advanced functional electrical stimulation approaches in neural rehabilitation (SheffStim)
Teaching
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ centre:
- Centre for sports Engineering Ï㽶ÊÓƵ (CSER)
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ theme groups:
Current research projects:
- Inertial measurement of physical activity
- Modelling of active travel (walking / cycling / running)
- Motivation of exercise in virtual environments
- Measurement of dynamic balance LED pacing technologies
Collaborators and sponsors:
- EU (Horizon 2020)
- On Ag
- Birmingham City Council
- Adidas
- Scribe Labs
- Department of Health
- Dynamic Movement Orthotics
Publications
Journal articles
D'Andrea, F., Heller, B., Wheat, J., & Penitente, G. (2025). . Gait & Posture, 119, 77-86.
Jones, B.D.M., Wheat, J., Middleton, K., Carey, D.L., & Heller, B. (2025). . Journal of Biomechanics, 180.
Asgari, H., & Heller, B. (2025). . Sensors, 25 (2).
Sconce, E., Heller, B., Maden-Wilkinson, T., & Hamilton, N. (2024). . Sport Sciences for Health.
Jones, B., Heller, B., Van Gelder, L., Barnes, A., Reeves, J., & Wheat, J. (2024). . Sensors, 24 (22).
D'Andrea, F., Taylor, P., Yang, K., & Heller, B. (2023). Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 17.
Van Gelder, L., Barnes, A., Wheat, J., & Heller, B.W. (2023). . Journal of Biomechanics, 157.
Bullas, A., Choppin, S., Heller, B., & Wheat, J. (2022). . International Journal of Kinanthropometry, 2 (2), 13-27.
Chiu, C.-.Y., Dunn, M., Heller, B., Churchill, S., & Maden-Wilkinson, T. (2022). . Obesity Science and Practice.
Royle, A., Heller, B., & Dunn, M. (2021). . APCP Journal, 12 (2), 14-32.
Haake, S., Heller, B., Schneider, P., Smith, R., & Green, G. (2021). . Health Promotion International.
Sconce, E., Heller, B., Maden-Wilkinson, T., & Hamilton, N. (2021). . Journal of Sports Sciences.
Anderson, E., Stone, J., Dunn, M., & Heller, B. (2021). . International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching.
Curtis, D., Heller, B., & Senior, T. (2021). . Sports Engineering, 24, 11.
Sconce, E., Heller, B., Maden-Wilkinson, T., & Hamilton, N. (2021). . Frontiers in Sport and Active Living, 3, 629606.
Quirk, H., Heller, B., & Wright, N. (2020). . Canadian Journal of Diabetes, 44 (8), 688-696.
Choppin, S., Clarkson, S., Bullas, A., Thelwell, M., Heller, B., & Wheat, J. (2020). . Journal of Biomechanics, 110151.
Munoz-Organero, M., Powell, L., Heller, B., Harpin, V., & Parker, J. (2019). . Sensors, 19 (13), 2935.
Caballero, C., Davids, K., Heller, B., Wheat, J., & Moreno, F.J. (2019). . Gait and posture, 70, 1-5.
Caballero, C., Davids, K., Heller, B., Wheat, J., & Moreno, F.J. (2019). . Gait and posture, 70, 1-5.
Brayne, L., Barnes, A., Heller, B., & Wheat, J. (2018). . Sports Engineering, 21 (4), 487-491.
Muñoz-Organero, M., Powell, L., Heller, B., Harpin, V., & Parker, J. (2018). . Sensors, 18 (11), 3924.
van Gelder, L., Barnes, A., Wheat, J., & Heller, B. (2018). . Clinical Biomechanics, 59, 159-166.
van Gelder, L.M.A., Barnes, A., Wheat, J., & Heller, B. (2018). . Proceedings, 2 (6), 200.
Solomons, C., Slovak, M., Heller, B., & Barker, A. (2017). . Medical Engineering & Physics, 51, 91-95.
Fullerton, E., Heller, B., & Munoz-Organero, M. (2017). . IEEE Sensors Journal, 17 (16), 5290-5297.
Hext, A., Heller, B., Kelley, J., & Goodwill, S. (2017). . European Journal of Sport Science, 17 (5), 503-510.
Kenney, L., Heller, B., Barker, A.T., Reeves, M.L., Healey, J., Good, T.R., ... Howard, D. (2016). . Medical Engineering & Physics, 38 (11), 1159-1165.
Bullas, A., Choppin, S., Heller, B., & Wheat, J. (2016). . Journal of Sports Sciences, 34 (20), 1998-2004.
Slovak, M., Chindo, J., Nair, K.P.S., Reeves, M.L., Heller, B., & Barker, A.T. (2016). . Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface, 19 (2), 220-226.
Domone, S., Lawrence, D., Heller, B., Hendra, T., Mawson, S., & Wheat, J. (2016). . Ergonomics, 59 (8), 1089-1099.
Williamson, T., Kenney, L.P.J., Barker, A.T., Cooper, G., Good, T., Healey, J., ... Smith, C. (2015). Enhancing public involvement in assistive technology design research. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 10 (3), 258-265.
Kenney, L.P., Heller, B., Barker, A.T., Reeves, M.L., Healey, T.J., Good, T.R., ... Howard, D. (2015). . IFAC Papers OnLine, 48 (20), 309-314.
Lawrence, D., Domone, S., Heller, B., Hendra, T., Mawson, S., & Wheat, J. (2015). . Gait & Posture, 42 (4), 575-579.
Clarkson, S., Wheat, J., Heller, B., & Choppin, S. (2015). . Journal of Sports Sciences, 34 (11), 1006-1014.
Everson-Hock, E.S., Green, M.A., Goyder, E.C., Copeland, R.J., Till, S.H., Heller, B., & Hart, O. (2015). . Journal of Public Health, 37 (2), 1-9.
Storm, F., Heller, B., & Mazza, C. (2015). . PLOS ONE, 10 (3), e0118723.
Prenton, S., Kenney, L.P., Stapleton, C., Cooper, G., Reeves, M.L., Heller, B.W., ... Williamson, T. (2014). . Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 95 (10), 1870-1877.
Jarchi, D., Wong, C., Kwasnicki, R.M., Heller, B., Tew, G.A., & Yang, G.Z. (2014). . IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, 61 (4), 1261-1273.
Mcseveny, K., Heller, B., Light, A., & Machaczek, K. (2013). . Journal of Gaming & Virtual Worlds, 5 (3), 235-249.
Heller, B., Clarke, A.J., Good, T.R., Healey, T.J., Nair, S., Pratt, E.J., ... Barker, A.T. (2013). . Medical Engineering and Physics, 35 (1), 74-81.
Pratt, E.J., Reeves, M.L., van der Meulen, J.M., Heller, B., & Good, T.R. (2012). . Gait & Posture, 36 (3), 434-438.
Cooper, G., Barker, A.T., Heller, B.W., Good, T., Kenney, L.P.J., & Howard, D. (2011). . Medical Engineering & Physics, 33 (8), 967-972.
Sha, N., Kenney, L.P.J., Heller, B., Barker, A.T., Howard, D., & Moatamedi, M. (2008). . Artificial organs, 32 (8), 639-643.
Graham, L.E., Datta, D., Heller, B.W., & Howitt, J. (2008). . Clinical Rehabiliation, 22 (10-11), 896-901.
Jepson, F., Datta, D., Harris, I., Heller, B., Howitt, J., & McLean, J. (2008). A comparative evaluation of the Adaptive knee and Catech knee joints: a preliminary study. Prosthetics and orthotics international, 32 (1), 84-92.
Graham, L.E., Datta, D., Heller, B., Howitt, J., & Pros, D. (2007). . Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 88 (6), 801-806.
Sha, N., Kenney, L.P.J., Heller, B.W., Barker, A.T., Howard, D., & Wang, W. (2007). . Medical engineering and physics, 30 (6), 739-746.
Suzuki, S., Haake, S., & Heller, B. (2006). . Sports engineering, 9 (4), 201-208.
Datta, D., Heller, B., & Howitt, J. (2005). . Clinical rehabilitation, 19 (4), 398-403.
Datta, D., Harris, I., Heller, B., Howitt, J., & Martin, R. (2004). . Prosthetics and orthotics international, 28 (2), 115-120.
Gharooni, S., Heller, B., & Tokhi, M.O. (2001). . IEEE transactions on neural systems and rehabilitation engineering, 9 (1), 106-107.
Heller, B.W., Datta, D., & Howitt, J. (2000). . Clinical rehabilitation, 14 (5), 518-522.
Heller, B.W., Granat, M.H., & Andrews, B.J. (1996). . Paraplegia, 34 (1), 8-15.
Andrews, B., Granat, M., Heller, B., Macmahon, J., Keating, L., & Real, S. (1994). . Medical engineering & physics, 16 (1), 15-18.
Granat, M., Heller, B., Nicol, D., Baxendale, R., & Andrews, B. (1993). . Journal of biomedical engineering, 15 (1), 51-56.
Heller, B., Veltink, P.H., Rijkhoff, N.J.M., Rutten, W.L.C., & Andrews, B.J. (1993). . Biological cybernetics, 69 (4), 327-355.
Conference papers
Bullas, A., Choppin, S., Heller, B., & Wheat, J. (2022). . International Journal of Kinanthropometry, 2 (S1), 3.
Bullas, A., Heller, B., Choppin, S., & Wheat, J. (2022). . International Journal of Kinanthropometry, 2 (S1), 1.
Anderson, E., Stone, J., Dunn, M., Shafizadeh, M., & Heller, B. (2019). Evaluating representative design in tennis practice tasks. In 3rd Scientific Conference on Motor Skill Acquisition.
d'Andrea, F., Heller, B., James, D., Koerger, H., & Dunn, M. (2019). . Footwear Science, 11 (sup1), S77-S78.
Anderson, E., Stone, J., Shafizadeh, M., Dunn, M., & Heller, B. (2018). Representative Movement Behaviour Measurement in Sport: Gold Standard Measurement versus Gold Standard Data. In Measuring Behavior Conference.
Heller, B., Mazumdar, S., & Ciravegna, F. (2018). . Proceedings, 2 (6), 293.
Foster, L., Heller, B., Williams, A., Dunn, M., Curtis, D., & Goodwill, S. (2016). . In Garcia, C.R., Caballero-Gil, P., Burmester, M., & Quesada-Arencibia, A. (Eds.) Ubiquitous computing and ambient intelligence : 10th International Conference, UCAmI 2016, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Gran Canaria, Spain, November 29 – December 2, 2016, (pp. 458-468). Springer:
Bullas, A., Choppin, S., Heller, B., & Wheat, J. (2016). . In World Conference on Kinanthropometry and Body Composition ISAK-UADY, Merida, Mexico, 2016 - 2 November 2016 (pp. 215-217).
Bullas, A., Heller, B., Choppin, S., & Wheat, J. (2016). . In World Conference on Kinanthropometry and Body Composition ISAK-UADY 2016, Mexico, 2016 - 2 November 2016.
Hext, A., Heller, B., Kelley, J., & Goodwill, S. (2016). . Procedia Engineering, 147, 622-626.
(2015). INNOVAGE: DEVELOPING AN INTERGENERATIONAL SOCIAL INNOVATION TO ENCOURAGE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. The Gerontologist, 55 (Suppl_2), 278.
Brayne, L., Barnes, A., Heller, B., & Wheat, J. (2015). . In 33rd International Symposium on Biomechanics in Sports, Poitiers, France, 29 June 2015 - 3 July 2015.
Barnes, A., Paya, J.G., Castelli, A., & Heller, B. (2015). . 33rd International conference on biomechanics in sports, 2015, 519-522.
Heller, B., Senior, T., & Wheat, J. (2014). . Procedia Engineering, 72, 226-231.
Curtis, D., Hurt, G., & Heller, B. (2014). . Procedia Engineering, 72, 666-671.
Nebas, T., & Heller, B. (2014). . Procedia Engineering, 72, 477-482.
Foster, L., Heller, B., Goodwill, S., & Curtis, D. (2014). . Procedia Engineering, 72 (72), 168-173.
Bullas, A., Choppin, S., Heller, B., Clarkson, S., & Wheat, J. (2014). . In 5th International Conference on 3D Body Scanning Techniques, (pp. 290-298). Hometrica Consulting:
Clarkson, S., Wheat, J., Heller, B., & Choppin, S. (2014). . In 4th IEEE Workshop on Consumer Depth Cameras for Computer Vision, Zurich, Switzerland, 6 September 2014.
Clarkson, S., Wheat, J., Heller, B., Webster, J., & Choppin, S. (2013). . In 3D Body Scanning Conference, Los Angeles.
Clarkson, S., Choppin, S., Hart, J., Heller, B., & Wheat, J. (2012). . In 3rd International Conference on 3D Body Scanning Technologies, Lugano, Switzerland, 16 October 2012 - 17 October 2012.
Domone, S., Wheat, J., Choppin, S., Hamilton, N., & Heller, B. (2012). . In 30th Annual Conference of Biomechanics in Sports, Melbourne, Australia, 2 July 2012 - 6 July 2012.
Yoxall, A., Heller, B., & Chamberlain, P. (2011). . In Include 2011, Royal College of Art, London, 18 April 2011 - 20 April 2011.
Senevirathne, S.G., Kodagoda, M., Kadle, V., Haake, S., Senior, T., & Heller, B.W. (2011). . In Proceedings of the 6th SLIIT Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Symposium, Sri Lanka, 27 January 2011.
Haake, S., Goodwill, S.R., Heller, B., Schorah, D., & Gomez, J. (2010). . Procedia engineering, 2 (2), 3299-3304.
Reeves, M., Heller, B.W., Good, T., Healey, T.J., van der Meulen, J., Clarke, A., ... Barker, A.T. (2010). . 1st annual conference of the international functional electrical stimulation society.
Seals, E.J., Wheat, J., Heller, B., & Mawson, S. (2010). . In BASES 2010 Annual Student Conference, Aberystwyth, 2010 - 1 April 2010.
Wheat, J., Heller, B., & Lovick, S. (2009). . The engineering of sport 7, 687-696.
Heller, B., Wheat, J.S., Mawson, S., & Wright, P. (2008). . In Estivalet, M., & Brisson, P. (Eds.) The engineering of sport 7, (pp. 191-198). Springer:
Gomez, J., & Heller, B. (2008). . The Engineering of Sport 7, 233-238.
Gomez, J.E., & Heller, B. (2008). . In Estivalet, M., & Brisson, P. (Eds.) The Engineering of Sport Conference, Biarritz, France. Springer
SHA, N., KENNEY, L.P.J., HOWARD, D., MOATAMEDI, M., HELLER, B., & BARKER, A.T. (2008). AN ELECTRODE ARRAY DESIGN FOR USE WITH A MULTICHANNEL FUNCTIONAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATOR. Advances in Mobile Robotics, 289-293.
Sha, N., Kenney, L.P.J., Heller, B., Barker, A.T., & Moatamedi, M. (2007). . In 9th Vienna International Workshop on Functional Electrical Stimulation, 19-22 September, Vienna, Austria, 19 September 2007 - 22 September 2007.
Heller, B., & Haake, S. (2006). . In Moritz, E.F., & Haake, S.J. (Eds.) The engineering of sport 6, (pp. 63-68). Springer:
Kenney, L., Taylor, P., Mann, G., Bultstra, G., Buschman, H., Hermens, H., ... Sha, N. (2006). Recent Developments in Implantable and Surface Based Dropped Foot Functional Electrical Stimulators. In Climbing and Walking Robots, (pp. 89-96). Springer Berlin Heidelberg:
Scott, E., Mawson, S., & Heller, B. (2006). . In 4th World Congress for Neuro-rehabilitation, Hong Kong, 12 February 2006 - 16 February 2006.
Heller, B., & Haake, S. (2005). . In Subic, A., & Ujihashi, S. (Eds.) Proceedings of the Asia-Pacific congress on sports technology, (pp. 412-417). Australasian sports technology alliance
Suzuki, S., Haake, S., & Heller, B. (2005). . In Subic, A., & Ujihashi, S. (Eds.) The impact of technology on sport, (pp. 188-193). Australasian sports technology alliance
Heller, B., Haake, S., & Kirtley, C. (2004). . In Hubbard, M., Mehta, R.D., & Pallis, J.M. (Eds.) The engineering of sport 5, (pp. 201-206). International sport engineering association
Heller, B., Baker, T., Sha, N., Newman, J., & Harron, E. (2003). . In FES User Day Conference, Birmingham UK, 2003.
Heller, B., & Taylor, P. (2002). . In FESnet Conference, Glasgow, Scotland, 1 September 2002.
Biering-Sorensen, F., Maxwell, D.J., Heller, B., Marques, A.M., Cloostermans, J.T.M.M., & Hermens, H.J. (2000). . In 5th Annual Conference of the International Funcational Electrical Stimulatio Society, Aalborg, Denmark, 18 June 2000 - 20 June 2000.
Gharooni, S., Tokhi, O., & Heller, B. (2000). . In 5th Annual Conference of the International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society, Aalborg, Denmark, 18 June 2000 - 20 June 2000.
Mayagiotia, R.E., Duntston, S.C.M., & Heller, B. (1999). . In Blanchard, S.M., Eckstein, E.C., Fouke, J.M., Nerem, R.M., & Yoganathan, A.P. (Eds.) Proceedings of the first joint BMES/EMBS conference, (pp. 520). Piscataway, NJ: IEEE EMB: doi:10.1109/IEMBS.1999.802598
Datta, D., Howitt, J., Heller, B., & Billingham, G. (1997). . In Ueda, S., Nakamura, R., & Ishigama, S. (Eds.) 8th World Congress of the International Rehabilitation Medicine Association, Kyoto, Japan. Monduzzi International proceedings division
Gharooni, S., Heller, B., & Tokhi, O. (1997). . In 5th IPEM Clinical Functional Electrical Stimulation Meeting, Salisbury, 13 March 1997 - 14 March 1997.
Gharooni, S., Heller, B., & Tokhi, M.O. (1997). . In Popovic, D. (Ed.) Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Conference of the International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society. Conference Organizing Committee and IFESS
Heller, B., Granat, M.H., Hermens, J.H., Baardman, H.J., Biering-Sorensen, F., & Marques, A.M. (1997). . In Popovic, D. (Ed.) 5th Annual Conference of the International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society, Aalborg University Denmark. Conference Organizing Committee and IFESS
Heller, B.W., Veltink, P.H., & Waarsing, J.H. (1997). . In Popovic, D. (Ed.) Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Conference of the International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society, Vancouver, Canada, 16 August 1997 - 21 August 1997. Conference Organizing Committee and IFESS
Hermens, H.J., Baardman, G., Granat, N.H., Heller, B., Biering-Sorensen, F., Garcia, F.J., & Veltink, P.H. (1997). . In 5th IPEM Clinical Functional Electrical Stimulation Meeting, Salisbury, 13 March 1997 - 14 March 1997.
Louison, K., Wilson, A.J., & Heller, B. (1997). . In 5th IPEM Clinical Functional Electrical Stimulation Meeting, Salisbury, 13 March 1997 - 14 March 1997.
Granat, M.H., Hermens, H.J., Baardman, G., Heller, B., Biering-Sorensen, F., Garcia, F., & Veltink, P.H. (1997). . In Popovic, D. (Ed.) Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Conference of the International Functional Electrical Stimulation Society. Conference Organizing Committee and IFESS
Heller, B. (1997). . In 5th IPEM Clinical Functional Electrical Stimulation Meeting, Salisbury, 13 March 1997 - 14 March 1997.
Heller, B., & Granat, M.H. (1992). . In Biological Engineering Society International Symposium on Therapeutic Stimulation, Liverpool, UK, 1 August 1992.
Heller, B., Andrews, B.J., & Riijkhoff, N.J.M. (1991). . In Nagel, J.H., & Smith, W.M. (Eds.) Proceedings of the Annual International Conferen of hte IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Part 2/5, (pp. 918-919). Piscataway, NJ: IEEE:
Granat, M.H., Heller, B.W., & Andrews, B.J. (1991). Synthesis of FES-assisted crutch aided swing-through locomotion in paraplegia. Proceedings of the Annual Conference on Engineering in Medicine and Biology, 13 (pt 2), 883-884.
Heller, B.W., Granat, M.H., Kirkwood, C.A., & Delargy, M. (1990). . In Popovic, D. (Ed.) Proceedings of the 10th International Conference - Advances in External Control of Human Extremities, Dubrovnik, Dubrovnic. Nauka
Heller, B.W., & Andrews, B.J. (1989). . In Proceedings of the 3rd Vienna International Workshop on Functional Electro Stimulation, Baden-Baden, Vienna, Baden-Baden, Vienna. Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Vienna
Wheat, J.S., Heller, B., & Lovick, S. Computerised Games for Balance Training: A Pilot Study on Collegiate Females (P135). In The Engineering of Sport 7, (pp. 687-696). Springer Paris:
Book chapters
Curtis, D., & Heller, B. (2010). . In Bartlett, R., Gratton, C., & Rolf, C.G. (Eds.) Encyclopedia of International Sports Studies. Routledge
Heller, B. (2006). . In Bartlett, R., Gratton, C., & Rolf, C.G. (Eds.) Encyclopaedia of International Sports Studies. Routledge
Heller, B.W. (2006). . In Bartlett, R., Gratton, C., & Rolf, C. (Eds.) Encyclopaedia of International Sports Studies. Taylor & Francis
Heller, B.W. (2006). . In Bartlett, R., Gratton, C., & Rolf, C. (Eds.) Encyclopaedia of International Sports Studies. Taylor & Francis
Heller, B.W. (2006). . In Bartlett, R., Gratton, C., & Rolf, C. (Eds.) Encyclopaedia of International Sports Studies. Taylor & Francis
Heller, B.W. (2006). . In Bartlett, R., Gratton, C., & Rolf, C. (Eds.) Encyclopaedia of International Sports Studies. Taylor & Francis
Heller, B.W. (2006). . In Bartlett, R., Gratton, C., & Rolf, C. (Eds.) Encyclopaedia of International Sports Studies. Taylor & Francis
Heller, B.W. (2006). . In Bartlett, R., Gratton, C., & Rolf, C. (Eds.) Encyclopaedia of International Sports Studies. Taylor & Francis
Reports
Copeland, R., Lowe, A., Humphreys, H., Breckon, J., Haake, S., & Heller, B. (2021). UOA2403 REF3 Placing Physical Activity at the Heart of the NHS. Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. /research/in-action/projects/move-more
Wheat, J., Fleming, R., Burton, M., Penders, J., Choppin, S., & Heller, B. (2006). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ for EPSRC Engineering for Life.
Theses / Dissertations
Brayne, L.C. (2021). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Heller, B., Wheat, J., & Penitente, G.
d'Andrea, F. (2021). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Dunn, M., Heller, B., & James, D.
van Gelder, L.M.A. (2020). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Heller, B.
Hext, A. (2019). Measuring relay exchange kinematics in short-track speed skating using a multi-camera network. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Goodwill, S.
Bullas, A.M. (2017). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Wheat, J., Heller, B., & Choppin, S.
Clarkson, S.A. (2015). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Choppin, S., Wheat, J., & Heller, B.
Parker, J. (2012). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Hammerton, J., Mountain, G., Heller, B., & Mawson, S.
Qutishat, D. (2011). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Mawson, S., Wheat, J., & Heller, B.
Images
Gent, S., Burton, M., & Heller, B. (n.d.). . [Jpeg].
Presentations
Hext, A., Heller, B., Kelley, J., & Goodwill, S. (2016). . Presented at: The Engineering of Sport 11, Delft, The Netherlands, 2016
Reed, H., Leitao, R., Heller, B., & Dearden, A. (2014). . Presented at: 2014 National MND Conference
Posters
Bullas, A., Heller, B., Choppin, S., & Wheat, J. (2016). . Presented at: BASES Biomechanics Interest Group Conference, Liverpoool
Heller, B.W., Good, T., Healey, T.J., & Barker, A.T. (2010). . Presented at: 1st annual conference of the International functional electrical stimulation society (UK and Ireland chapter), Manchester, 2010
Sha, N., Heller, B., & Barker, A.T. (2004). . Presented at: 9th IFESS Annual International Conference, Bournemouth, 2004
Postgraduate supervision
Current supervised PhD students:
- Brayne, L., The evaluation of dynamic balance in sport
- Bullas, A M.,The importance of complex anthropometrics in the assessment of cyclists
- Hext, A., Analysis of the short-track speed-skating relay exchange
- Van Gelder, L.,The use of real-time biofeedback in gait retraining
- Anderson, E., An investigation of movement demands in elite tennis
Completed supervised PhD students:
- Clarkson, S., Using consumer depth cameras to measure body segment parameters, June 2015
- Balance and response time in patients with chronic tennis elbow, 2011
- A surface electrode array-based system for functional electrical stimulation, 2009
- Synthesising the swing phase in orthotic gait using a hybrid FES spring brake orthosis, 2001
Completed postgraduate examinations:
- MPhil Internal - 0
- MPhil External - 0
- PhD Internal - 2
- PhD External - 5
Media
Dr Ben Heller is a principal research fellow in the Centre for Sports Engineering Ï㽶ÊÓƵ at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. His expertise is in medical engineering and instrumentation, particularly for the ambulatory monitoring of human activity. Current research areas include ambulatory monitoring of physical activity, motivation of exercise in virtual worlds, ecologically valid measurement of dynamic balance (the smartfloor), characterisation of running biomechanics and advanced functional electrical stimulation approaches in neural rehabilitation.
The Centre for Sports Engineering Ï㽶ÊÓƵ (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:
- Motivation of movement and exercise through the use of technology-mediated games
- Monitoring activity and performance in sport and recreation through wearable technology
- Ecologically valid measurement of dynamic balance (the smartfloor)
- Characterisation of running biomechanics
- Advanced functional electrical stimulation approaches in neural rehabilitation (SheffStim)
Notable media coverage:
- BBC Breakfast - Aug 2016
- Follow the Light - LED pacing system for running May 2017