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The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of concussion on gait stability when either a cognitive or motor perturbation is imposed. Shown in the following diagram is the pathway of brain injury, and the liklihood of subsequent damage.

Questions being investigated:
- Do subjects suffering from mild traumatic brain injury cross over obstacles differently than controls?
- Can ability to spatially orient attention explain different crossing strategies?

Working in conjunction with Dr. Marjorie Woolacott to understand the dual-task effect on gait stability during obstacle crossing in the elderly.

Total Knee Replacement

This study is investigating the effects of total knee replacement on joint moments during level walking and stair ascent.

Research is also being conducted to assess the effect of TKR on pain and frontal plane gait stability relative to a group of control subjects. Understanding the gait stability challenges faced by knee osteoarthritis and TKR patients might allow for advancements in rehabilitation protocols.

The purpose of this study is to longitudinally test the effectiveness of the anterior and lateral approaches of total hip replacement in improving gait stability. Investigating the relationship between the center of mass and center of pressure as previously shown by Lee et al and shown in the figure below.

Similar to the TKR study, understanding the longitudinal changes in gait stability following THR, can provide advancements clinical and rehabilitative procedures.

Research is being conducted on the effects of below-ankle versus above-ankle partial foot prosthesis on gait stability. We would like to find out how the two prostheses affect balance, if they can normalize the third rocker and how the prostheses affect pressure distribution.

Up to this point prosthetic research and development for the partial foot amputee has been inadequate. With the demand for rehabilitative and preventative care for individuals with partial foot amputations increasing, this research should be very benificial to the clinical community.

Questions being investigated:
- How does the prosthesis affect gait stability during ambulation?
- How does the prosthesis affect the moments at the ankle during terminal stance?
- How do the temporal-spatial parameters change between the two conditions?
- Can we better distribute the pressures on the plantar surface of the foot?
- What are the most important parameters to assess when deciding between a below- or above-ankle design?

Co-contraction of muscles is the simultaneous activation of antagonist muscles around a joint. In the lower extremity we hypothesize that such contraction allows for limb stabilization.

The electromyographic activities of six lower extremity muscles during level walking and obstacle crossing will be recorded using surface electrodes. These include the gluteus maximus, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, semitendinosus, tibialis anterior and medial gastronemious.