Role
Dr Paul Felton is a Senior Lecturer in Biomechanics at Nottingham Trent University and leads the Human Movement Analysis (HuMAn) Research Group and NTU Movement Data Network. His research focuses on understanding, evaluating and optimising human movement through biomechanical analysis, musculoskeletal modelling and predictive computer simulation. His work aims to improve sporting performance, understand injury mechanisms and develop evidence-based approaches to movement analysis.
Paul works collaboratively with researchers, coaches, athletes and sporting organisations to translate biomechanical research into practical applications. He has authored or co-authored world-leading research and contributed to national and international media. His applied research in cricket biomechanics has involved collaborations with organisations including the England and Wales Cricket Board and the English Institute of Sport. He also plays an active role in cricket coach development, translating biomechanical research into practical insights that support coaches worldwide in understanding and developing their practice.
Alongside his research, Paul supervises undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral researchers and contributes to teaching across sport and exercise science programmes. He is module leader for Applied Human Movement Science for Sport and teaches across human movement science, biomechanics and applied sport science.
Career overview
Nottingham Trent University
Senior Lecturer in Biomechanics (2020-present)
Lecturer in Biomechanics (2019-2020)
Loughborough University
Visiting Fellow in Cricket Biomechanics (2026–present)
Research Assistant in Sports Biomechanics (2015-2019)
PhD researcher in Sports Biomechanics (2010-2015)
MSc in Sports Biomechanics (2009-2010)
BSc in Mathematics (2006-2009)
Research areas
Dr Paul Felton leads the Human Movement Analysis (HuMAn) Research Group and the NTU Movement Data Network. His research focuses on understanding the mechanical principles underpinning human movement and applying this knowledge to improve performance, investigate injury mechanisms and develop approaches to movement analysis and modelling.
His research encompasses three interconnected areas:
1. Human movement simulation and performance optimisation
Paul develops and applies musculoskeletal and predictive computer simulation models to investigate how individual movement strategies and physical capabilities influence performance.
Coaching and performance decisions often rely on observations of movement without knowing how a proposed technical change will affect an individual athlete. Paul's research uses athlete-specific modelling to investigate these relationships, evaluate alternative movement strategies and inform evidence-based decisions.
Building on his PhD research with the England and Wales Cricket Board, he has developed simulation approaches across sporting movements including running, jumping and throwing.
2. Biomechanical analysis of sporting performance and injury
Paul investigates the kinematic and kinetic characteristics of human movement to understand the relationships between movement technique, sporting performance and injury mechanisms.
His research combines laboratory-based movement analysis with applied investigations involving athletes, coaches and sporting organisations. He has particular expertise in cricket biomechanics, including fast bowling and batting, alongside experience in racket sports and athletics.
Current and previous research includes:
Biomechanical characteristics of cricket fast bowling and bowling variations
Cricket batting and spin bowling biomechanics
Relationships between bowling technique and lumbar spine injury
Physical and technical determinants of sporting performance
Biomechanical analysis of overhead racket movements, including tennis serving and badminton smashing
3. Musculoskeletal modelling and prosthetic biomechanics
Paul's research also examines how musculoskeletal models represent human movement and the interaction between the body and assistive technologies, including lower-limb prostheses.
This work investigates how modelling assumptions, prosthetic alignment and representations of prosthetic deformation influence predictions of movement mechanics.
The aim is to improve the interpretation and application of biomechanical models, supporting research into human movement, assistive technology and performance.
Research collaboration and postgraduate opportunities
Paul welcomes opportunities to collaborate with researchers, sporting organisations, coaches and industry partners interested in human movement analysis, biomechanics and computational modelling.
Applications for MRes/ MPhil/ PhD study in the areas identified above are encouraged. Further information may be obtained on the NTU Research Degrees website.
External activity
External Leadership and Professional Appointments
- 2025–present: Elected Board Director, International Society of Biomechanics in Sports (ISBS).
- 2025–present: Secretary General, International Society of Biomechanics Technical Group on Computer Simulation (ISB TGCS).
- 2025–present: Editorial Board Member, International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching.
Applied Practice and Knowledge Exchange
- 2018–present: Founder, The Cricket Biomechanist, providing international consultancy, biomechanical analysis and coach development.
- 2020-present: ECB Advanced and Specialist Coach Development: Design and delivery of biomechanics education to support coaches in applying movement science to cricket.
- Applied collaborations: Biomechanical research and consultancy with national sporting organisations, professional coaches and athletes, including the England and Wales Cricket Board.
- 2024: ECB Advanced Coach (Level 3) qualification.
Selected Invited Contributions
- 2026: Invited Speaker, Cricket Innovation Forum, Lord's Cricket Ground, London.
- 2026: Cricket Performance Applied Session, International Society of Biomechanics in Sports (ISBS).
- 2026: What, Why, How? Human Movement Research at NTU, HAS User Group Meeting.
- 2023: Enhancing Athletic Performance with Prosthetics, ISBS Mid-Year Symposium.
Selected Professional Contributions and Recognition
- 2026: External PhD Examiner, Loughborough University.
- 2024: External PhD Examiner, University of Canberra, Australia, and University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.
- 2017: New Investigator Award, International Society of Biomechanics in Sports.
- Ongoing: Peer reviewer for international scientific journals, including Journal of Sports Sciences, Sports Biomechanics and Journal of Applied Biomechanics.
Press expertise
Paul is available to discuss sporting technique and its impact on performance and injury (especially in cricket).