Fascination with sport shoe technology and equipment launches a career in research

As a new undergrad student in the Faculty of Kinesiology in 2003, Dr. John (Bill) Wannop wasn’t sure what direction he would take with his degree; he was interested in sport equipment and sport shoes but didn’t know how to turn it into a career. A kinesiology degree seemed like the best way to make a start. 

“I took an introductory biomechanics class with Dr. Benno Nigg, and I was hooked. Upon exploring the Human Performance Lab, many interesting things were happening such as testing flexible hockey sticks by breaking them. It was fun,” says Wannop.

Wannop finished his degree in Kinesiology and a year later entered the faculty’s PhD program under the supervision of Dr. Darren Stefanyshyn, a biomechanics researcher and professor who retired in 2023. 

Wannop has been working in the Human Performance Lab since finishing his degree. However, on July 1, he moved into a position as assistant professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology.

“I’m looking forward to having more access to funding for my research and independently supervising student researchers - I will now be looking for student researchers who have an interest in biomechanics,” says Wannop. 

Breaking more hockey sticks and testing turf

Wannop’s research involves studying various types of sport footwear, apparel and equipment; Currently he is working with World Rugby studying women’s athletic cleats to reduce the risk of injury. He is also back to breaking hockey sticks, as he is investigating optimal hockey stick stiffness properties on an NSERC Alliance grant with Sherwood. 

He is also looking at the properties of artificial turf to optimize athletic performance and to reduce the risk of injury with funding from a NSERC Alliance-Mitacs grant with Field Turf. 

“Testing can happen in many ways; we can have people run with different types of cleats and vary the traction patterns, or we will change the properties of the turf itself such as the fake grass fibres, the shock pads, or stiffness of turf,” says Wannop. 

New studies will also focus more on female athletes. 

“Previous research has mainly focused on male athletes, but with funding for the faculty from Joan Snyder we can begin to close the gap in research for female athletes,” says Wannop.  

Joan Snyder made a $30-million legacy gift to the Faculty of Kinesiology to champion research and athletics, particularly for women and girls, as they are underrepresented in sports research. 

A recent review of sport science research studies published from 2017-2022 showed that only nine per cent of studies exclusively sampled females. 

“When we conduct the turf testing, we want to look at underserved populations such as women and youth to understand any differences in preferences or injury risk,” says Wannop.  

Wannop and other Kinesiology researchers will also benefit from a recent $20-million donation from the Taylor Family Foundation for a new research facility and equipment. The extensive project will help to improve lab spaces and enable growth to undergraduate student enrolment as well as drawing top scholars to the city. 

“Dr. Wannop has developed his expertise working alongside of some of the leading biomechanic researchers in the world, and we are thrilled that he is starting his new role as an assistant professor in the faculty. Bill will share his knowledge and passion with the next generation of biomechanists,” says Dr. Nick Holt, professor and dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology. 

For students who are interested in working with Dr. Wannop in biomechanics research, learn more.