College of Nursing and Health Sciences
Research within the Department of Rehabilitation and Movement Science encompasses complementary applied human sciences dedicated to promoting optimal health and preventing diseases and injuries through engagement in physical activity.

Department faculty have strong interdisciplinary research ties with faculty in engineering, nutrition, psychology, and medicine, and access to the following facilities.

Human Motion Analysis Laboratory
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The long-term goal of the Human Motion Analysis Laboratory is to better understand the mechanisms underlying motor control of a variety of movement tasks in diverse populations. Our present approach quantifies human motion through three-dimensional analysis of body position (kinematics) and reaction forces (kinetics), as well as sophisticated physiological recordings of muscle and brain activity.

Laboratory Equipment and Space

The Human Motion Analysis Laboratory is housed in a handicapped accessible 2,100 square foot area. The lab is well equipped to perform a wide range of three-dimensional, biomechanical measurement and analyses of human movement. Equipment includes:

  • An eight-camera OptiTrack motion capture system
  • Two AMTI force platforms synchronized with the motion capture system
  • A 16-channel Delsys wireless EMG/accelerometry system.
  • An AMTI AccuSway-Optimized balance assessment platform
  • A Biodex dynamometer for joint strength and power assessment
  • A LiteGait harness system
  • An overhead harness support system
  • An APDM Opal inertial motion sensor system 

Faculty Research in the Lab

  • Boyi Dai, Ph.D. (Biomechanics of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, exoskeletons and low back injury risk, balance and falls, ergonomics)
  • Jasmine Mirdamadi, Ph.D. (Sensorimotor control and learning, proprioception, balance control, TMS, EEG, aging, stroke, Parkinson's disease)
  • Denise Peters, PT, D.P.T., Ph.D. (Neural correlates of motor impairment and recovery post-stroke, gait rehabilitation and neuromechanics, structural neuroimaging)

Exercise Physiology Lab
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The Exercise Physiology Laboratory provides research space and equipment for the study of physical activity in the human population. The lab’s research efforts are primarily centered on projects that examine novel and creative ways to promote physical activity in sedentary, overweight/obese adolescent and adult populations. Of specific interest is fostering long-term adherence to physical activity programs and the impact on health-related outcomes, worker productivity, health care costs, and quality of life. The lab also has access, upon protocol approval, to the NIH-funded General Clinical Research Center. Projects tend to be highly collaborative with expertise in exercise physiology, obesity, psychology, preventive medicine, epidemiology, and nutrition.

Laboratory Equipment and Space

The 2,200 square foot lab includes a wide spectrum of anthropometric, physiological, and metabolic testing capabilities with state-of-the-art equipment. Equipment includes:

  • Parvo Medics TrueOne 2400 fully integrated metabolic measurement system, with 12-lead ECG (gold standard system) (2 units)
  • Research Grade Treadmills with full integration for ECG and metabolic testing (5 units)
  • Lode Excalibur Ergometer with full integration for ECG and metabolic testing (1 unit)
  • Resting Metabolic Rate Canopy Testing System (1 unit)
  • GE Lunar Prodigy DEXA (1 unit)
  • Tanita Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis System (1 unit)
  • Handheld Lactate Analyzers (6 units)
  • Handheld Resting Metabolic Rate System (portable)
  • Full CANTAB neuropsychological/cognitive/executive function testing suite with touch screen notebook (i.e. Wisconsin card sorting task, Stroop, Iowa gambling task, etc.)
  • Core temperature measurement system (measurement sensor is in pill that subject swallows)
  • 55-inch mobile LCD TV

Faculty Research in the Lab

  • Theodore Angelopoulos, Ph.D. (Impact of lifestyle on cardio metabolic risk factors)
  • Nancy Gell, PT, Ph.D., M.P.H. (Behavioral and environmental approaches to physical activity adherence and reduction in sedentary behavior in women, older adults, and people with chronic conditions)
  • Connie Tompkins, Ph.D. (Prevention and treatment of obesity in the pediatric population)

Whole Health Research and Practice Laboratory
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The long-term goal of the Whole Health Research and Practice Laboratory is to examine the effects of multi-component interventions on physical, mental, and social health outcomes in diverse populations. The space supports group-based experiential learning and community engagement and is equipped to facilitate a wide range of activities, including physical activity, adaptive exercise, mind-body practices, and strength and conditioning.

Laboratory Equipment and Space

  • Two Cateye Ergociser EC-3600 recumbent bicycles
  • Landice L7 rehabilitation treadmil
  • Two Kettler upright stationary bicycles
  • Two Cybex FT 360 functional cable resistance training machines
  • Free weights, weighted Velcro cuffs, weighted vests, stability balls, mats
  • Stand-alone stairs with railings, weighted kinesio-balls of assorted sizes, stability balls, balance discs, and pads

Faculty Research in the Lab

Functioning and Disability Research Program
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The long-term research goal of the Functioning and Disability Research Program (FDRP) is to facilitate the integration and implementation of the biopsychosocial model and patient-centered care and patient-reported outcomes in clinical practice, research, and teaching. Currently, the FDRP has three target research areas to include work and employment, spinal cord injury, and arthritis. The FDRP has three specific aims: (1) to examine work rehabilitation assessment and interventions for successful return to work in people with various health conditions, (2) to investigate personal factors and environmental factors in promoting work, and (3) to promote a unified electronic health record and common database / registry that captures the functioning and disability of a person using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) of the World Health Organization.

Faculty Research in the Lab

  • Reuben Escorpizo, PT, M.Sc., D.P.T. (Functioning and disability, work rehabilitation, systematic reviews and meta-analysis, outcomes measurement, instrument development and validation, clinical practice guideline, general physical therapy)

Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis Research Laboratory
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The Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis Research Laboratory uses a translational science approach to investigate potential prognostic markers and underlying mechanism at the cellular-, tissue-, and whole body-level of the onset and progression of post-traumatic osteoarthritis and related corollaries in an effort to identify markers of therapeutic intervention. The lab is located in 414-418 Stafford Hall.

Faculty Research in the Lab

  • Mat Failla, PT, Ph.D., SCS (Sports medicine, knee injury prevention and treatment, shoulder injury prevention and treatment)
  • Timothy Tourville, Ph.D., ATC (Treatment of post-traumatic osteoarthritis and chronic disease with therapeutic exercise and its relationship with changes in biochemical, biomechanical, MRI, clinical- and patient-oriented outcomes, Osteoarthritis imaging (radiographic and MRI) and biomarker evaluation, effectiveness of surgical techniques and rehabilitation following orthopaedic injuries, physical activity as it relates to the prevention, evaluation, and rehabilitation of orthopaedic injuries)