PhD in Sports & Exercise Biomechanics
The pinnacle of biomechanics education at IIKBS. Since 1998, this prestigious doctoral program has maintained the highest standards, accepting only 6 exceptional candidates annually. The unique 6-year structure includes 4 years of intensive coursework and research followed by a defining 2-year internship combining clinical practice, field research, and comprehensive case study development.
Complete Educational Pathway
A structured 12-15 year journey from foundation to doctoral mastery.
Total Journey: 12-15 years from diploma entry to doctoral completion. This extended pathway ensures that IIKBS doctoral graduates possess unparalleled depth of knowledge, technical mastery, and research capability—distinguishing them as leaders in the field.
Program Overview
Asia's most selective biomechanics doctoral program.
Uncompromising Excellence for 27 Years
Since its inception in 1998, the IIKBS PhD program has accepted only 6 candidates annually, resulting in fewer than 200 graduates over nearly three decades. This extreme selectivity ensures that every doctoral student receives intensive mentorship, access to cutting-edge facilities, and the opportunity to conduct groundbreaking research.
The program's defining feature is the 2-year intensive internship (Years 5-6) following coursework and dissertation proposal defense. During this period, students work with elite athletes, rehabilitation patients, and special populations while developing 10-15 comprehensive case studies that document assessment protocols, intervention strategies, and outcomes. This unique structure bridges the gap between academic research and clinical/field application.
Research Excellence Since 1998
Accepted Annually
Acceptance Rate
Total Graduates
Program Structure (6 Years)
Comprehensive training combining coursework, research, internship, and case study development.
Intensive Coursework (40-48 Credits)
- Advanced Biomechanical Modeling of Human Forces
- Neuromotor Control of Movement and Posture
- Kinematics and Kinetics of Human Locomotion
- Experimental Methods in Biomechanics
- Advanced Multivariate Statistics for Movement Data
- Research Ethics in Human Performance Sciences
Focus: Building integrative knowledge across movement, posture, and forces through primary literature analysis, computational labs (MATLAB/Simulink), and grant-writing simulations.
Elective Courses & Comprehensive Exams (16-20 Credits)
- Advanced Motor Learning and Adaptation
- Postural Control and Stability: Neural Circuits to Clinical Interventions
- Musculoskeletal Forces and Tissue Adaptation
- Computational Biomechanics: Virtual Human Models
- Exercise Interventions for Movement Disorders
Milestone: Qualifying Examination (written/oral) demonstrating mastery of integrated knowledge. Portfolio of 2 first-author papers required (one review, one original analysis).
Original Research & Comprehensive Exam Proposal
- Development of dissertation prospectus on novel research question
- Committee formation and proposal defense
- Initiation of primary data collection and analysis
- Presentation at national/international conferences
- Submission of first dissertation manuscript for publication
Example Research Questions: "How do altered ground reaction forces influence anticipatory postural adjustments in elite athletes?" or "Force-velocity relationships in eccentric loading for ACL rehabilitation."
2-Year Intensive Internship Program
The defining feature of the IIKBS PhD program—an extended internship combining clinical practice, field research, and comprehensive case study development.
Components:
- Clinical Rotations: Work with elite athletes, rehabilitation patients, and special populations
- Applied Research: Translate dissertation findings into practical interventions
- Case Study Development: Minimum 10-15 comprehensive case studies documenting:
- Biomechanical assessment protocols
- Intervention design and implementation
- Outcome measurement and analysis
- Clinical decision-making rationale
- Teaching & Mentorship: Supervise Master's students and teach undergraduate labs
- Publication: Minimum 3 first-author peer-reviewed publications
Example Case Study: "Biomechanical analysis and intervention for a professional tennis player with chronic shoulder pain: Assessment of serve mechanics, scapular dyskinesis correction, and return-to-play progression over 6 months."
Detailed Curriculum
Course-by-course breakdown of doctoral training.
Years 1-2: Core Foundations (24 Credits)
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HBIO 800 | Advanced Biomechanical Modeling of Human Forces | 4 |
| HBIO 801 | Neuromotor Control of Movement and Posture | 4 |
| HBIO 802 | Kinematics and Kinetics of Human Locomotion | 4 |
| HBIO 803 | Experimental Methods in Biomechanics | 4 |
| HBIO 804 | Advanced Multivariate Statistics for Movement Data | 4 |
| HBIO 805 | Research Ethics in Human Performance Sciences | 4 |
Years 2-3: Electives & Specialization (16-20 Credits)
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| HBIO 810 | Advanced Motor Learning and Adaptation | 3 |
| HBIO 811 | Postural Control and Stability: Neural Circuits to Clinical Interventions | 3 |
| HBIO 812 | Musculoskeletal Forces and Tissue Adaptation | 3 |
| HBIO 813 | Computational Biomechanics: Virtual Human Models | 4 |
| HBIO 814 | Exercise Interventions for Movement Disorders | 3 |
Ongoing: Seminars & Professional Development
| Course Code | Course Title | Years |
|---|---|---|
| HBIO 700 | Doctoral Seminar in Biomechanics | Years 1-4 |
| HBIO 701 | Research Colloquium | Years 1-4 |
| HBIO 702 | Teaching Practicum | Years 2-3 |
Admission Requirements
Extremely competitive selection process.
Academic Prerequisites
- Master's Degree in Biomechanics, Kinesiology, or Exercise Science
- IIKBS Master's required (external candidates not accepted)
- GPA ≥ 3.7 (on 4.0 scale)
- Research Portfolio: Master's thesis + publications
- Strong quantitative background in statistics and biomechanics
Application Materials
- Application Form: Online submission
- Transcripts: All graduate work
- Dissertation Proposal: 5-10 pages outlining research direction
- Statement of Purpose: 3-5 pages on research vision
- Letters of Recommendation: 3 letters from research mentors
- CV: Including publications, presentations, grants
- Writing Sample: Published paper or thesis chapter
4-Stage Selection Process
Only 6 positions available annually from ~100-150 applications
Stage 1: Application Review
Evaluation of academic record, research portfolio, and proposal quality. ~30 candidates advance.
Stage 2: Written Examination
Comprehensive exam covering biomechanics, motor control, and research methods. ~15 candidates advance.
Stage 3: Research Presentation
30-minute presentation of proposed dissertation research with faculty Q&A. ~10 candidates advance.
Stage 4: Interview
Full-day interview including research discussion, lab tour, and assessment of fit. Final 6 selected.
Timeline: Applications open November 1, deadline January 15. Selection process February-April. Admission decisions announced April 15.
Career Outcomes
IIKBS doctoral graduates are leaders in academia, research, and clinical practice.
Academic Positions
- University Faculty (Tenure-Track)
- Research Scientist
- Postdoctoral Fellow
- Department Chair
Clinical & Applied
- Clinical Director
- Sports Science Lead
- Performance Director
- Rehabilitation Specialist
Industry & Consulting
- Industry Consultant
- Product Development
- Academic Entrepreneur
- Research & Development
Apply Now
Join the next generation of biomechanics leaders.
Applications for the PhD program open November 1 for Fall admission. With only 6 positions available, early preparation is essential.
Submit Application → Contact PhD Office →Questions? Contact PhD Program Office:
phd@iikbs.org | +91 [XXX] XXX-XXXX