Gait and Cycling Biomechanics Lab

MISSION STATEMENT

The Gait and Cycling Biomechanics lab is dedicated to identifying and understanding neuromuscular adaptations in walking and cycling that occur with aging and aging-related comorbidities such as knee osteoarthritis, hallux valgus, etc.. Insights gained from our research will help develop intervention strategies and programs to improve and maintain walking abilities and function in older adults.

Our research projects involve biomechanical analysis of walking gait and cycling. These projects typically involve kinematic and kinetic analysis of lower extremity motion using equipment such as three-dimensional motion capture systems, force plates, force pedals, EMG systems, etc. The Gait and Cycling Biomechanics Research lab is housed in the Biomechanics lab in the Carver Academic Facility (CV 303-304).

CURRENT RESEARCH FOCUS 

  • Gait impairments related to aging, knee osteoarthritis, hallux valgus, and other aging-related conditions
  • Role of exercise for improving gait and function in older adult
  • Neuromuscular adaptations in walking and cycling in older adults
  • Mechanisms underlying pain relief and improvement in walking associated with cycling intervention in older adults with osteoarthritis of the knee

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECT

  • The effect of long-haul COVID-19 on balance confidence in older adults
    • Investigators: Mariel Relyea (Graduate Student), Dr. Harsh Buddhadev (Mentor)
    • This research aims to examine the effects of long-haul COVID-19 on the balance confidence and fall risk of older adults. The effects of the new phenomenon of long-haul COVID-19, also called “Long COVID” or “Post-Acute COVID Syndrome” (PACS), are not yet fully understood. This study will increase our current understanding of how long-haul COVID may impact balance or risk of falling during daily activities for older adults.
    • If you are interested in participating in this project then please click here (https://tinyurl.com/covidlong)

RECENT PUBLICATIONS ON GAIT BIOMECHANICS 

  1. Barbee, C. E., Buddhadev, H. H., Chalmers, G. R., & Suprak, D. N. (2020). The effects of hallux valgus and walking speed on dynamic balance in older adults. Gait & Posture, 80, 137-142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2020.05.039
  2. Buddhadev, H.H., Smiley, A.L., & Martin, P.E. (2020). Effects of age, speed, and step length on lower extremity net joint moments and power during walking. Human Movement Science, 71, 102611. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humov.2020.102611
  3. Buddhadev, H. H., & Barbee, C. E. (2020). Redistribution of joint moments and work in older women with and without hallux valgus at two walking speeds. Gait & Posture, 77, 112-117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2020.01.023
  4. Buddhadev, H. H., & Martin, P.E. (2016). Effects of age and physical activity status on redistribution of joint work during walking. Gait & Posture, 50, 131-136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2016.08.034

RECENT PUBLICATIONS ON CYCLING BIOMECHANICS 

  1. Fife, A. N., Buddhadev, H.H., Suprak, D. N., Paxon, S. B., & San Juan, J.G. (2020). Effect of Q-factor manipulation via pedal spacers on lower limb frontal plane kinematics during cycling. Journal of Science and Cycling, 9(1), 33-43. https://doi.org/10.28985/0620.jsc.05
  2. Buddhadev, H.H., Crisafulli, D. N., Suprak, D.N., & San Juan J. G. (2018). Individuals with knee osteoarthritis demonstrate interlimb asymmetry in pedaling power during stationary cycling. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 34, 306-311. https://doi.org/10.1123/jab.2017-0363
  3. Buddhadev, H.H., & Martin, P.E. (2018). Effects of age, power output, and cadence on energy expenditure and lower limb antagonist muscle co-activation in cycling. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 27(1), 83-92. https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2017-0400
  4. Crisafulli, D. N., Buddhadev, H.H., Brilla, L. R., Chalmers, G. R., Suprak, D. N., & San Juan, J.G. (2018). Creatine-electrolyte supplementation improves repetitive sprint cycling performance: A double blind randomized control study. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2018, 15-21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-018-0226-y