Wei-Li Hsu, PT, PhD

Dr. Hsu is studying if age-related changes in muscle strength and power generation could contribute to difficulties that older adults have in recovering balance from a perturbation induced by a moving platform. She is developing a biomechanical model that can predict the risk of falling based on one’s age, body parameters and force generation profile. This knowledge can be used for developing training regimes and further prevent fall injuries. Another line of her research is alternative medicine. She is investigating the effect of Tai-Chi exercises on balance control and to determine the neural mechansisms underlying improved balance in elderly people and balance-impaired patients. She is currently in Taiwan teaching and conducting research.