Motion Analysis Lab

Researchers

• Dr. Vijaya Krishnamoorthy
• Dr. Jeanne Charles
• Dr. Marie Johanson

The Motion Analysis Laboratory is dedicated to research in motor control and the biomechanical analysis of human movement. Investigations involving normal motion as well as the compensations made following neuromuscular dysfunction to gain insight into the control of motion are ongoing. The lab is equipped with a seven camera VICON MX motion analysis system, Noraxon Zerowire 16 channel EMG system, an AMTI and a Kistler force plate, electrogoniometers and computers for data analysis.

Current projects are examining muscle activation patterns and their relationship to functional variables during posture and locomotion, the effect of sensory cues on freezing of gait in individuals with Parkinson’s disease, impairments in bimanual coordination in children with hemiparesis, the relationship between impairments at the foot and ankle and gait, and gait outcomes for patient s following ankle replacement versus ankle fusion.

Dr. Vijaya Krishnamoorthy
Dr. Krishnamoorthy is interested in the biomechanics and motor control of posture and locomotion. She has been studying the organization of muscle and joint synergies in postural tasks. She is currently interested in studying the effect of age and neurological dysfunction on muscle synergies during walking and examining if altered patterns of muscle coordination increase the risk for falls. She is also collaborating with Dr. Jeffrey Hoder to examine the effects of sensory cues on postural adjustments in individuals with Parkinson’s disease with a history of freezing of gait.

Dr. Jeanne Charles
Dr. Charles' research focuses on the motor control of upper extremity coordination in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Dr. Charles is currently collaborating with Dr. Andrew Gordon of the Department of Biobehavioral Studies at Teachers College, Columbia University on testing the efficacy of an intervention to improve involved upper limb function in children with hemiplegia. In addition, she is the recipient of a post- doctoral grant through Cooperative Opportunities for Rehabilitation Reserach Training (CORRT). She is currently working with Drs. Steven Wolf, Andrew Butler, and Barabara Weissman to continue to explore motor control of bimanual coordination in children with cerebral palsy via electromyography, kinematic measures, and functional neuroimaging.

Dr. Marie Johanson
Dr. Johanson's research focuses on the effect of physical therapist interventions for lower extremity impairments (e.g. limited ankle dorsiflexion, excessive pronation) on gait kinetic/kinematics. In collaboration with the Department of Orthopedics, Dr. Johanson's most current project will investigate the clinical and gait outcomes for patients following total ankle replacement compared to patients following ankle fusion.

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