Staff Directory: Dr Tony Kay

Employment

• Associate Professor of Biomechanics, The University of Northampton 2012-present
• Senior Lecturer in Sport & Exercise Biomechanics, The University of Northampton 2004-2012
• Lecturer in Sport & Exercise Biomechanics, The University of Northampton 2003-2004
• Lecturer in Sport Science, John Ruskin College 2000-2003
• Lecturer in Sport Science, South East Essex College 1998-2000

Academic Qualifications

• PhD - Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia
• MSc - Brunel University
• PGCRDS - The University of Northampton
• PGCE - Greenwich University
• BA (Hons) - Canterbury Christ Church University

Membership of Professional Bodies

• International Society of Biomechanics (ISB)
• American Physiological Society (APS)
• European College of Sport Science (ECSS)  

Invited Journal Reviews

• European Journal of Sport Science
• Experimental Mechanics
• Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• Journal of Applied Physiology
• Journal of Biomechanics
• Journal of Science & Medicine in Sport
• Medicine & Science in Sport & Exercise
• Sports Medicine

Other Interests

• Becoming a scratch golfer
• Karate & kickboxing
• Strength & conditioning training methods  

Other Professional Qualifications

• 2000 D34 Internal Verifiers Award, Greenwich University
• 1998 British Amateur Weight Lifting Association (B.A.W.L.A.) Leaders Award
• 1998 National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (N.P.L.Q.), Royal Life Saving Society
• 1998 Volleyball Assistant Coach (Level 1), European Volleyball Association
• 1998 Basketball Assistant Coach (Level 1), British Basketball Association
• 1994 Karate Instructor, Shorai Karate Association

Course Leader:

• MSc Sport & Exercise Performance
• BSc (Hons) Physical Activity and Health

Module Leader:

• SPO2005 Biomechanical Basis of Sport and Exercise
• SPO3018 Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation
• SPOM001 Musculoskeletal Training & Adaptation
• SPOM006 Applied Training Methods  

Research Interests

Dr Kay is an active researcher who regularly presents at international conferences and publishes in high-impact international journals.  The major focus of Dr Kay's research is the influence of acute and chronic interventions on muscle-tendon mechanics, neuromuscular activation and force production. 

PhD Supervision

Dr Kay is currently supervising five PhD projects within the University and at other institutions examining:

• The biomechanical and neurophysiological responses during high intensity upper body exercise
• The impact of antispasticity splinting in the management of upper limb spasticity for stroke survivors to improve functional independence and quality of life
• The influence of pain and pain intensity on maximal force production and neuromuscular activity
• The use of variable resistance training for potentiation during lower limb exercise
• Sonification in rowing: Teaching technique and coordination using audio feedback  

Grants

• 2010-2012: RAE Funds, The University of Northampton
• Project Title: Biomechanical and neurophysiological responses during high intensity upper body exercise
• PI: T. Kay; Co-I: T. Baross, C. Talbot (£14,400)

• 2010-2011: Chancellor's Fund, The University of Northampton
• Project Title: The influence of neural tension on dorsiflexion range of motion and reflex activity of the triceps surae
• PI: T. Kay (£2,200)

• 2004-2008: Capital Bids, The University of Northampton
• Project Title: The impact of static stretch and muscular contractions on the biomechanics properties, neuromuscular activation, and force production within the human triceps surae muscle-tendon complex
• PI: T. Kay (£119,500)  

Other publications

Recent Publications

• Blazevich A.J., Cannavan D., Waugh C., Fath F., Miller S. & Kay A.D. Neuromuscular factors influencing the maximum stretch limit of the human plantar flexors. Journal of Applied Physiology, 113 (9), 1446-1455, 2012.
• Kay A.D. Active Voice: Does acute static stretch compromise muscle force? Invited Expert Highlighted Feature Article, Sports Medicine Bulletin, Jan. 24, 2012.
• Blazevich A., Kay A., Waugh C., Fath F., Miller S. & Cannavan D. Plantarflexor stretch training increases reciprocal inhibition measured during voluntary dorsiflexion. Journal of Neurophysiology, 107 (1), 250-256, 2012.  
• Kay A.D. & Blazevich A.J. The effect of acute static stretch on maximal muscle performance: A systematic review. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 44 (1), 154-164, 2012.
• Kay A.D. & Blazevich A.J. Concentric muscle contractions before static stretching minimize, but do not remove, stretch-induced force deficits.  Journal of Applied Physiology, 108 (3), 637-645, 2010.
• Kay A.D. & Blazevich A.J. Isometric contractions reduce plantarflexor moment, Achilles tendon stiffness and neuromuscular activity but remove the subsequent effects of stretch. Journal of Applied Physiology, 107 (4), 1181-1189, 2009.
• Kay A.D. & Blazevich A.J. Moderate-duration static stretch reduces active and passive plantarflexor moment but not Achilles tendon stiffness or active muscle length. Journal of Applied Physiology, 106 (4), 1249-1256, 2009.
• Kay A.D. & Blazevich A.J. Reductions in active plantarflexor moment are significantly correlated with static stretch duration. European Journal of Sport Science, 8 (1), 41-46, 2008.

Recent Presentations

• Kay A.D, Blazevich A.J. & Waugh C.  Muscle-tendon mechanics: optimising performance and minimising injury. (Invited oral) Annual Sport Science Conference Derby University, Buxton, United Kingdom, November 7, 2012.
• Kay A.D., Warren L.A. & Hammond L.E. The influence of hip angle on dorsiflexion range of motion, passive ankle moment and neuromuscular reflex activity of the triceps surae. (Oral) 17th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Bruges, Belgium, July 4-7, 2012.
• Wing A.E., Jones P.G.W., Campbell J.A. & Kay A.D. Perception of pain intensity does not influence muscular performance in a maximal knee extension task. (Oral) British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Annual Conference, Essex, United Kingdom, September 6-8, 2011.
• Talbot C., Kay A.D. & Price M.J. Electromyography during Wingate upper body exercise. (Poster) British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Annual Conference, Essex, United Kingdom, September 6-8, 2011.
• Kay A.D. & Blazevich A.J. A systematic review of the effects of acute static stretch on maximal muscular performance. (Oral) 16th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Liverpool, United Kingdom, July 6-9, 2011.
• Wing A.E., Jones P.G.W., Campbell J.A. & Kay A.D. The severity of experimentally induced pain influences muscular performance during maximal voluntary isometric knee extensor contractions. (Oral) 16th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Liverpool, United Kingdom, July 6-9, 2011.
• Talbot C., Kay A.D. & Price M.J. A comparison of two Wingate Anaerobic Test software packages. (Poster) British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Annual Conference, Glasgow, United Kingdom, September 6-8, 2010.
• Baross A.W., Wiles J.D., Kay A.D. & Swaine I. The relationship between EMG and either heart rate or blood pressure during a single-leg incremental isometric exercise test. (Poster) British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Annual Conference, Leeds, United Kingdom, September 1-3, 2009.
• Blazevich A.J., Miller S., Waugh C., Fath F., Kay A.D., Thorlund J.B. & Aagaard P. Influence of Plantarflexor Stretch Training on Fascicle Length and Strain, H-Reflex Amplitude and Muscle Force Production. (Oral) 14th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Oslo, Norway, June 24-27, 2009.
• Kay A.D. & Blazevich A.J. Isometric contractions reduce plantarflexor moment, Achilles tendon stiffness and neuromuscular activity but remove the subsequent effects of stretch. (Poster) 5th annual conference of the United Kingdom Strength & Conditioning Association, Wyboston, United Kingdom, June 5-7, 2009.
• Kay A.D. Performance and Injury Implications of Passive Stretch and Maximal Contractions: Their Effects on Achilles Tendon Stiffness, Neuromuscular Activity and Force Production. (Invited oral) Northampton Sports Science & Medicine Group, Northampton, United Kingdom, May 13, 2009.