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Physical Therapy

Biomechanics lab photos

Kids College

Physical Therapy student in motion capture experiment to obtain "real time" movement based feedback that is being projected onto the screen behind.

Participant in a motion analysis study. Reflective markers are used to measure motion.

Our laboratory has extensively studied drop landing biomechanics.  Markers on participant are used to estimate skeletal motions.  We hope to better understand anterior cruciate ligament injuries in female athletes.

Markers on participant during landing from a jumpRepresentation of marker data of landing from a jump on one legRepresentation of marker data of landing from a jump on two legs

We have also studied running biomechanics in various types of footwear, running using different foot strike patterns and with difference cadence and have examined runners with patellofemoral pain and those with tibial stress fractures.

Participant running across the lab to obtain motion analysis and force plate dataVisual representation of motion analysis and force plate data. The blue line depicts the force between the participant and the ground in running

Visual representation of motion analysis and force data during the running cycle

We examine plantar loading during walking with a multisensor platform.  Data can be used to estimate loading on different plantar regions of the foot.  These data can be also measured in-shoe with a different instrument in our lab.

 Plantar loading during walking barefoot between the foot and floor. The hotter colors represent higher loading.

Participant walking across a pressure sensitive plate. The plate shown below has multiple sensors to measure dynamic loads in walking

 

We also examine the amount of muscle activation using electromyography (EMG).  This allows us to determine the amount of neural activation of muscle during movement performance.

Participant with motion capture markers and electromyography sensors. This allows us to measure motion at the same time we are measuring muscle activityExample muscle activation data from several muscles in landing from a jump. The intensity of the signal is reflective of greater muscle activation.

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Melissa Weege, a clinical associate professor in the Health Professions Department, is one of seven UWL faculty to earn a 2024 Eagle Teaching Excellence Award. A calling in oncology Posted 9 a.m. Friday, June 7, 2024 Melissa Weege receives 2024 Eagle Teaching Excellence Award Read more about A calling in oncology UWL Alumnus Jacob Wudtke earned his undergraduate degree in Radiation Therapy and continued years later to pursue a graduate degree in Medical Dosimetry from UWL. Wudtke, now a medical dosimetrist, works at UW-Health in Madison.  Life lessons from cancer care Posted 1:56 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024 Alumnus Jacob Wudtke shares wisdom from caring for cancer patients  Read more about Life lessons from cancer care UWL Professor Tom Kernozek, a leading expert on biomechanics and injury prevention, will share his expertise as a member of Gov. Tony Evers' Task Force on the Healthcare Workforce. Serving the state Posted 1:25 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024 Kernozek, known for work in physical therapy, named to governor's healthcare task force Read more about Serving the state Megan Litster's office Writing in health professions Posted 10:21 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024 Megan Litster shares about her writing life on the Write Here, Write Now blog Read more about Writing in health professions UWL's Callie Pohlman was featured in Thieme Publishers' #Women in Medicine campaign on the strength of her research examining how body weight support can be used to reduce the load on the Achilles tendon while running. Women in medicine Posted 2 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024 Physical therapy doctoral student recognized for Achilles research Read more about Women in medicine
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