Projects
I. Biomechanics of Primate Locomotion
Over the past ten years we have been examining the patterns of force distribution in primates and other mammals in order to understand the evolution of primate locomotion. The work we have been doing on loading of the forelimbs and hindlimbs in primates (Schmitt, 1999)(PDF); (Schmitt and Hannah, 2004)(PDF) has implications for understanding the origin of primates (Schmitt and Lemelin, 2002)(PDF), the development of suspensory locomotion (Schmitt et al 2005)(PDF), and the origins of bipedalism (Schmitt, 2003)(PDF). This work has been done in collaboration with Dr. Pierre Lemelin (University of Alberta) and Jandy Hanna (Duke University).
This research is supported by The National Science Foundation and The L.S.B. Leakey Foundation.
II. Bomechanics and Osteoarthritis in Humans
We are testing the separate and combined effects of behavioral weight management and pain coping skills training on knee motion, walking speed, and reaction force. It is hypothesized that the lifestyle behavioral weight management intervention and the combined lifestyle behavioral weight management and pain coping skills intervention will produce significant increases in knee range of motion and walking speed (preferred, maximum, and size/weight-standardized velocity) and decreases in peak reaction forces at comparable speeds. This research is being done in collaboration with Frank Keefe (Psychiatry, Duke University) and Farshid Guilak. The data is being collected in the Coach K Human Performance Laboratory (click here for link to website).
This Research is supported by The National Institutes of Health
III. Biomechanics of Myostatin-deficient "muscle" Mice
IV. Footfall Patterns in Mammals