Dr Andrea Hams MACP is an APA Titled Research Physiotherapist, a lecturer at Griffith University and a former elite track and field athlete. 

She has a passionate interest in chronic musculoskeletal conditions and treatments with an ‘exercise-based flavour’. 

‘While my PhD was focused on high-level athletes, I think the ultimate focus for me isn’t necessarily on the one per cent but on using exercise generally as a modality for care that is accessible for everyone if we do it properly as physios.’ 

Andrea’s research project, for which she received the 2025 Physiotherapy Research Foundation Seeding Grant, is looking at the acceptability and feasibility of using a wearable biofeedback device known as Smarti-Shorts. 

Smarti-Shorts are designed to help manage hip osteoarthritis by giving patients and clinicians information on how the hip joints and cartilage are loading and moving, with an app currently in the works to make the information easily accessible. 

‘Based on the data, the model can make a recommendation – such as increasing step length or changing the tilt of the chest or pelvic position – and you get real-time feedback on how those changes influence internal hip loading. 

Dr Andrea Hams MACP

'The physios are then able to make recommendations and get the patient to demonstrate in front of them and they can make those changes at home while receiving the feedback. 

‘The technology itself isn’t new but the shorts have undergone a large amount of co-design and development and we’re currently validating the in-lab biomechanical data against real-world data. 

'For me, this is about centring the clinician voice in terms of the biomechanical outputs, how the app looks, its usability and how we can use it to educate patients. 

'I want to formalise the assessment and the research so we can keep developing the Smarti-Shorts.’ 

Much of the work behind the scenes is focused on how the biomechanical data will be presented to clinicians in an easy-to-understand format that can help them to make more informed decisions about treatment for people with hip osteoarthritis. 

The main purpose of the device is not to change models of care but to enhance them. 

‘I see this as a supplement and an adjunct to what physios already do very well, but I just think we can do it better with a more objective, specific and tailored approach. 

'There’s a benefit in the long term if we can reduce the number of hip surgeries in Australia as well as decrease pain for patients.’ 

Andrea is supported by her Griffith University colleagues – physiotherapists Associate Professor Samantha Bunzli and Associate Professor Kerrie Evans, and biomedical engineers Professor Laura Diamond and Dr Bradley Cornish, who worked on the development of the Smarti- Shorts. 

The PRF Seeding Grant will enable Andrea to dedicate time to data collection and analysis by her colleagues as well as financially compensate participants. 

The research project has also received support from Arthritis Australia. 

This is Andrea’s first research grant and she sees it as a significant boost to her career as a researcher. 

‘I got the news around Christmas time and was recovering from surgery, so it was beautiful timing. 

'I’m genuinely excited to see this product move forward and develop; the grant is a great boost and I’m really chuffed about it.’