Neuromuscular Control Lab

Overview

Research in the lab focuses on the mechanisms underlying the multijoint control of movement and posture in able-bodied individuals and in individuals with neuromotor pathologies. Specifically, we are interested in understanding the relative contributions of intrinsic muscle properties, limb geometry and neural activation in the control of whole limb function.

Overview

Noninvasive tools for assessing muscle structure and function

Research Project

View All

The Influence of Stroke on Reciprocal Control of the Stretch Reflex During Posture

The purpose of this research study is to better understand how a stroke changes our muscles' ability to maintain postures.

Determining the biomechanical deficits in individuals with chronic ankle instability

The purpose of this research study is to better understand the stability of the ankle in healthy individuals who experience recurring ankle sprains and feelings of instability.

Neural Biomechanical Ankle Clinical Trial

The purpose of this study is to understand how muscles control the ankle and how individuals respond to unexpected perturbations at the ankle in healthy adults.

Shear wave velocity is sensitive to changes in muscle stiffness that occur independently from changes in force.

Clinical assessments for many musculoskeletal disorders involve evaluation of muscle stiffness, although it is not yet possible to obtain quantitative estimates from individual muscles. Ultrasound elastography can be used to estimate the material properties of unstressed, homogeneous, and isotropic materials by tracking the speed of shear wave propagation; these waves propagate faster in stiffer materials. Although elastography has been applied to skeletal muscle, there is little evidence that…