Movement Science Lab

The Krannert School of Physical Therapy's Movement Science Lab at the University of Indianapolis has expanded and is state-of-the art! The new 1,650 sq. ft. facility dedicated to research in biomechanics, motor control, and rehabilitation physiology includes a 10-camera Vicon analysis system integrated with two BP600900 AMTI force plates and one AMTI  S/N 500 I-400E Force Plate each with 6-channel amplifier signal conditioner, along with two Motion Monitor Flock of Birds electromagnetic motion analysis systems, a 16’ platinum GAITRIte walkway system,  Gaitkeeper Treadmill (model 200SA) with LiteGait, Parvomed TrueOne 2400 Metabolic System with Woodway Desmo  S Pro Treadmill, and 5 JVC digital video cameras GR-D93u.

The expansion of space along with acquisition of new equipment has greatly expanded the research opportunities at KSPT and the College of Health Sciences.  Faculty  members are actively engaged in developing new research proposals.  Faculty and DPT students are collaboratively conducting numerous projects in the Krannert School of Physical Therapy. Some of these projects include:
• Dr. Stephanie Combs and Dr. Dyer Diehl have been studying the non-contact boxing training and traditional therapeutic exercise on functional outcomes in persons with Parkinson’s disease.
• Dr. Margaret Finley and Dr. Combs are investigating three-dimensional kinematic of reaching in persons with impairment from stroke.
• Dr. Peter Rundquist and Ms. Linda Biggers have been studying shoulder kinematics in person with lymphaedema following breast cancer.
• Dr. Jim Bellew is comparing various form of electrical current on muscle force production.
• Professor Sam Kegerreis , Dr. William Staples and Dr. Rundquist are assessing the effect of guided visual imagery sequence on craniocervical flexor muscle endurance.
• Dr. Combs continues her research on body weight support ambulation training for individuals with neurological involvement.
• Dr. Finley & Dr. Combs continue their development of a novel gaming system to be used in an intervention with persons with arm impairment following a stroke.
• Dr. Kathy Martin is collaborating to investigate the functional impact of two types of orthoses for children with Down syndrome.
• Dr. Emily Slaven is examining the role of ASTYM in the management of knee osteoarthritis.
• Dr. Slaven is collaborating with several Orthopedic surgeons at Franciscan St. Francis Alliance, Mooreseville in a study examining differences in outcomes between patients who undergo unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty.

At UIndy, DPT students work closely with faculty - in the classroom and in the research lab.