Dr Bruna Mariana Tessarin

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
PhD, BSc Physiotherapy

Email: bruna.tessarin@nd.edu.au

  • Biography

    Bruna is an Early-Career Postdoctoral Research Fellow, physiotherapist and former dancer. Dr Tessarin's research focuses on lower limb musculoskeletal injury prevention, particularly investigating the Achilles tendon and ankle joint, with special interest in dancers, tactical populations, and women's health. As a clinician, she has primarily worked with athletes and pregnant women, supported by her additional specialization in Women’s Health. She completed her PhD at the Federal University of Sao Carlos through an international collaboration involving The Australian Ballet and La Trobe University (Brazil-Australia). Dr Tessarin currently role as Research Fellow within the Centre for Injury Prevention and Pain supports the NHMRC PROTECT Project in partnership with the Western Australia Police Force Academy, co-designing, implementing and evaluating an injury prevention intervention aimed at reducing training-related injuries and attrition among recruits.

  • Research expertise and supervision

    Current:

    • Vanessa Sutton: Measuring patient and public involvement in health research. Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Notre Dame Australia (2026-present)
    • Molly Coventry: Exploring calf muscle strain neurophysiology. Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Notre Dame Australia (2025-present)

    Completed:

    • Leticia Mancini: Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and measurement properties of the TENDINopathy Severity assessment - Achilles (TENDINS-A) - Brazilian Portuguese. Masters by Research; Federal University of Sao Carlos (Brazil-2026)
    • Rafaela Campos: Comparison of range of motion, maximal isometric torque, and muscular endurance between asymptomatic dancers with and without ultrasonographic changes in the Achilles tendon: a cross-sectional study. Honours Degree; Federal University of Sao Carlos (Brazil-2023)
    • Fernanda Angelotto: Lower-limb asymmetries in range of motion, strength, and muscular endurance in professional dancers. Honours Degree; Federal University of Sao Carlos (Brazil-2023)

  • Journal articles and proceedings

    1. Tessarin BM, Mckee J, Blekkenhorst L, Hodgson J, Sutton V, Hill K, et al. Effectiveness of equipment, nutrition, pharmacology, and behavioural interventions for reducing injury and attrition in tactical recruits: A systematic review with meta-analyses. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy Open. Under review. 2026
    2. Tessarin BM, Mayes S, Docking S, Girdwood M, Swords T, Privopoulos M, et al. Achilles tendon structural changes and pain development during a professional ballet season: a 4-month longitudinal study. Journal of Athletic Training. Under review. 2026.
    3. Mckee J, Tessarin BM, Sutton V, Verhagen E, Nimphius S, Kemp J, et al. Effectiveness of neuromuscular training and training load management interventions for reducing injury and attrition in tactical recruits: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2026
    4. Murphy, M. C., et al. "Delivering injury prevention strategies in police force recruit training: identification of organisational implementation responsibilities." BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine. 2026
    5. Mancini L, Chaves T, Pereira R, Murphy M, Rio E, Tessarin BM, et al. Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and measurement properties of the Tendinopathy Severity Assessment – Achilles (TENDINS-A) for Brazilian Portuguese. Submission stage. 2026
    6. Tessarin BM, Rio EK, Souto LR, Nunes GS, Mendonça LdM, Serrão FV. Nonlinear Interactions of Lower Limb Clinical Measures Associated With Asymptomatic Achilles Tendon Abnormality in Ballet Dancers. Journal of Athletic Training. 2025;60(5):324-31.
    7. Swords T, McClelland J, Middleton K, Tessarin BM, Bryce S, Mayes S, et al. Bringing biomechanics to ballet: a feasibility study using wearable technology during grand allegro. Sports Biomech. 2025:1-11.
    8. Nunes GS, Rodrigues DZ, Horbe L, Prates I, Tessarin BM, Serrao FV, et al. Is Postural Control Affected in People with Patellofemoral Pain and Should it be Part of Rehabilitation? A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis. Sports Med Open. 2022;8(1):144.
    9. Nunes GS, Feldkircher JM, Tessarin BM, Bender PU, da Luz CM, de Noronha M. Kinesio taping does not improve ankle functional or performance in people with or without ankle injuries: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Clin Rehabil. 2021;35(2):182-99.
    10. Nunes GS, Tessarin BM, Scattone Silva R, Serrão FV. Relationship between the architecture and function of ankle plantar flexors with Achilles tendon morphology in ballet dancers. Hum Mov Sci. 2019;67:102494.

  • Conference papers

    1. Mckee J, Tessarin B, Sutton V, Verhagen E, Nimphius S, Kemp J, Hodgson J, Hill K, Hägglund M, Emery C, Bruder A, Ardern C, Mosler A, Murphy M. Neuromuscular training and load management to reduce injury and attrition in tactical recruits: A meta-analysis. Exercise & Sports Science Australia. Conference. 2026
    2. Tessarin BM, Mayes S, Docking S, Girdwood M, Swords T, Privopoulos M, et al. Professional ballet dancers tolerate high Achilles tendon loads: no change in structure and minimal Achilles tendon symptoms over 4 months. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. Sports Medicine Australia. Conference. 2025
    3. Tessarin BM, Rio E, Souto LR, Nunes GS, Mendonca L, Serrão  FV. Achilles tendon pathologies in ballet dancers: what clinical factors can tell us? International Scientific Tendinopathy Symposium. Conference. 2023
    4. Tessarin BM, Morais A, Mayes S, Rio E. Progressive Loading Test for Posterior Ankle Conditions: a novel clinical protocol. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. Sports Medicine Australia. Conference. 2023

  • Professional affiliations

    • Sports Medicine Australia - SMA (Member)
    • Regional Council of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy (CREFITO-3) Brazil (Member)

  • Awards

    • 2026 - ECU Early and Mid-Career Researcher Network Symposium: Conference Prize
    • 2025 - Western Australian Early and Mid-Career Researcher Symposium: Best Oral Presentation
    • 2023 - 6th International Scientific Tendinopathy Symposium, Valencia, Spain: Best Oral Presentation
    • 2022 - Argentine Congress of Sports Kinesiology, Buenos Aires, Argentine: Poster Prize

  • Other

    Reviewer for journals including British Journal of Sports Medicine, Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT), JOSPT Methods, JSAMS plus, and Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research (2025 – current)