Biomechanics and Ergonomics Research
Research Interests
Biomechanics and ergonomics research that is currently being conducted in the Department of Kinesiology includes work in the following areas:
Dr. David Andrews
- Evaluation of soft and rigid tissue effects on force transmission through the body following impact
- Quantifying shock wave propagation through the extremities
- Mechanisms of upper extremity injury resulting from falling
- Wobbling mass modeling
- Soft and rigid tissue mass prediction using surface anthropometry and DXA
- Development and evaluation of workplace physical demands assessment methods
- Quantifying cumulative low back loads in work and non-work populations
- Ergonomics evaluations in workplace populations (nursing, agriculture, automotive)
Dr. Nadia Azar
- Physical demands of playing the drums:
- Drummers as athletes
- Drummers as workers
- Documenting the prevalence and patterns of playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs) in drummers
- Determining the playing-related and lifestyle characteristics that put drummers at risk for, or protect them from, PRMDs
Dr. Joel Cort
- Quantification of mechanical joint stabilization
- Neuromuscular (reflex) contribution to knee and lumbar spine joint robustness/integrity during motion
- Development of workplace task Threshold Limit Values (TLV) to reduce workplace musculoskeletal disorders (WMSD)
- Knee, lumbar & cervical spine joint biomechanical model development
- Virtual human ergonomic modeling development and validation
Dr. Francesco Biondi 
- Workload assessment in human-machine interaction.
- Driver interaction with in-vehicle interfaces.
- User interaction with automated systems.
- Cognitive Ergonomics
- Human Factors
- User Interaction with Automotive Technology,
- User Centered Design