David Opar

Professor David Opar is a leading expert in sports injury research and prevention, particularly focusing on hamstring injuries. As Director of ACU's SPRINT Research Centre and Injury Program Lead, he bridges laboratory research with applied strategies for elite athletes. His team collaborates with global sports organizations to develop evidence-based prevention and treatment protocols. Notable contributions include co-inventing the NordBord, a device assessing eccentric hamstring strength. Opar holds a PhD from Queensland University of Technology (2010) and has been at ACU since 2013, progressing from Lecturer to Professor. His research spans muscle biomechanics, injury risk factors, and rehabilitation efficacy, supported by over $6.5M in grants. He has authored/co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed papers and serves on editorial boards for journals like the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Awards include the Sports Medicine Australia ASICS Medal and RMIT Institute Award.

Education:

• Bachelor of Applied Science (Human Movement), RMIT University (2008)
• PhD in Sports Injury Research, Queensland University of Technology (2010)

Research Interests:

• Hamstring muscle structure/function
• Eccentric training adaptations
• Preventive strategies in field sports
• Post-injury rehabilitation outcomes

Grants/Funding:

• $4M Hamstring Injury Index Project (2021-2025)
• $696K Qatar National Research Fund (2016-2020)

Labs/Teams: Leads the SPRINT Centre’s Injury Research Program, collaborating with FIFA, AFL, and NBA teams.