The Neuromechanics Laboratory (NM Lab) in the Department of Kinesiology under the directorship of Dr. Adam Knight and Dr. Harish Chander focuses on a comprehensive biomechanical, neuromuscular, motor learning and performance analysis of human movement. The aim of the lab is to enhance understanding in biomechanical, behavioral, neural, and cognitive mechanisms underlying human movements and to improve performance and prevent injuries in a variety of populations ranging from recreational, athletic, occupational, geriatric and special populations.
Directors of NM Lab
Research
Human factors and ergonomics research focuses on population such as military, firefighters, warehousing, construction and manufacturing. Clinical and sports biomechanics research focuses on chronic ankle instability, pediatrics, geriatrics, and on athletes at various levels in a variety of sports.
HUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS
- Physical and cognitive ergonomics
- Safety promotion and injury prevention
- Slips, trips, and falls
- Fall prevention
- Postural control and balance training
- Workload, work task and fatigue
- Virtual reality (VR)
- Wearable technology and sensors
- Personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Occupational footwear
CLINICAL AND SPORT BIOMECHANICS
- Performance enhancement and injury prevention
- Chronic ankle instability
- Foot-ankle biomechanics
- Balance assessment and training
- Wearable technology and sensors
- Ergogenic aids
- Sporting and casual footwear
- Adapted physical activity in pediatrics
- Fall prevention in obese and geriatrics
Projects funded by National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Department of Labor (DOL), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Science Foundation (NSF). For full list of publications and projects click here. Research Profile.
Facilities
- 8-camera Motion Analysis motion capture system
- 8-channel wireless Noraxon EMG system
- 16-channel wireless Delsys EMG system
- 32-channel EMOTIV EEG system
- Dual AMTI force plates with walkway
- BTrackS balance platform
- HTC Vive Pro-Eye - Full VR system with eye tracking
- Foot arch measurement index tool
- Pressure pain algometer
- Fall harness system
- Treadmill and cycle ergometer
- Multiple exercise tools for fatigue induction
CURRENT AND PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
Undergraduate Students:
- Neuromechanics Research Core (NRC) – Undergraduate Research Club.
Description
This organization is for students interested in Neuromechanics research. Neuromechanics is a field of study that focuses on the effects of neural interventions on muscle activity to produce human movement. The goal of the group is to further understand the nature of neuromechanics and how it can be applied to real world situations.
Requirements:
To become a member, you must meet the following requirements:- Interested in Neuromechanics research
- CITI certified through the IRB website to conduct human subjects’ research
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the time of membership. Freshman must have at least 12 hours of college credit at MSU to be eligible for membership.
- Contact nmlab.msstate@gmail.com for more details.
- For other research opportunities, please contact Dr. Knight and Dr. Chander.
Graduate Students:
- Masters’ students who want to opt for the “thesis” or the “directed individual study (DIS)” concluding option and interested to do this in the Neuromechanics Laboratory, should contact Dr. Knight and Dr. Chander, as early as possible into their respective academic curriculum.
- Potential Doctoral students, interested in Neuromechanics, please contact Dr. Knight and Dr. Chander.
- Graduate students who are interested in the Neuromechanics Laboratory are welcome to attend our weekly research meetings. Follow us on Twitter @MSU_NMLab for the most recent updates and meeting times.
Resources:
- American Society of Biomechanics (ASB)
- Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society (GCMAS)
- National Athletic Training Association (NATA)
- Society for Neuroscience (SfN)
- International Society of Posture & Gait Research (ISPGR)
- National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
- American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
Prospective Students
Thank you for your interest in the Neuromechanics Laboratory. The NM Lab focuses on research encompassing neuroscience and biomechanics and offers research, learning, directed individual studies (DIS) and internship opportunities, working with one or multiple faculty members, based on your research interests.
- For more information on undergraduate programs, visit: http://www.kinesiology.msstate.edu/undergraduate/
- For more information on graduate programs, visit: http://www.kinesiology.msstate.edu/graduate/
Contact Us
Neuromechanics Laboratory
216 McCarthy PO BOX: 6186
Mississippi State, MS 39762
Email: nmlab.msstate@gmail.com
The Neuromechanics Laboratory's research core faculty members include Drs. Adam Knight, Harish Chander, Zhujun Pan, Chih-Chia Chen and John Lamberth. More information on individual faculty members can be found at
Follow us on Twitter
For more recent lab updates and ongoing research, please follow the Neuromechanics Laboratory @MSU_NMLab on Twitter.