Tibor Hortobágyi, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Exercise & Sport Science
Contact Information:
332A Ward Sports Medicine Building
Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 737-4564
hortobagyit@ecu.edu
Degrees:
B.Sc. Exercise and Sport Science, University College, Budapest, Hungary, 1979
M.S. Biomechanics-Motor Control, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 1988
Ph.D. Biomechanics-Motor Control, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 1990
Research and Professional Activities:
Dr. Hortobágyi’s research focuses on the neuromechanical properties of the human musculoskeletal system. Dr. Hortobágyi has published original and review papers concerning neuromechanical adaptations to exercise training using lengthening muscle contractions in young and old adults. Another area of research he has been pursuing is adaptations in the nervous system before, during, and after exercise using various EMG techniques, including transcranial magnetic brain stimulation and muscle-to-muscle EMG coherence analysis. He collaborated with researchers at the Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute in Sydney, Australia, at the Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, Institute of Neurology, London, England, and most recently at the Human Motor Control Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA. He also intensively collaborates with Paul DeVita on locomotion biomechanics of obesity and osteoarthritis. He is an associate editor of the Journals of Gerontology and member of the Society of Neuroscience, International Society of Biomechanics, and a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. He is an avid tennis player and semi-professional cellist.
Current Projects:
Age-Related Increase in Agonist and Antagonist Muscle Co-activation (Hortobágyi, DeVita, Solnik): We use two approaches to determine the mechanisms why old compared with young adults activate their antagonist muscles more, potentially impairing their motor control. We use transcranial magnetic brain stimulation to determine if motor cortical areas in the brain are activated earlier and more strongly in old compared with young adults. Another approach is to determine if the shared synaptic input to the motoneurons differs between the two age groups during walking and other tasks using muscle-to-muscle EMG coherence.
Interhemispheric Plasticity in Humans (Hortobágyi): According to traditional neuroanatomy, the left primary motor cortex (M1) controls voluntary movement produced by muscles on the right side of the body. However, recent research, including data from the Biomechanics Laboratory, suggests that there is substantial activity in the “non-involved”, left M1 as well. Indeed, when individuals exercise a finger of the right hand for several weeks using a particular task the skill or strength of the same finger in the left hand also improves. We suspect that there is communication between the two hemispheres that mediates such transfer of force or skill from one side to the other. One mechanism involved in such transfer of function is the modulation of the amount of inhibition that is normally present between pairs of motor cortical areas.
Gait Analysis of Obesity (Hortobágyi, DeVita): There are several clinical conditions that modify human gait. One such condition is obesity, being overweight. As the rate of obesity increases in children and adults the potential for life-long exposure to large body mass also increases. Because body mass has been related to the development of degenerative joint diseases, especially to knee osteoarthritis, it is important to understand how increased body mass modifies mechanical loads in lower extremity joints. Obese adults alter their gait biomechanics and despite their greater mass, they have less or equal knee torque and power as lean individuals. Our recent data in children ages 10-12 suggest that a knee-sparing adaptation in gait may occur at a young age, coupled with a compensatory increase in ankle loads. We plan to expand this work by systematically examining gait adaptations and its clinical correlates across the lifespan, including the gait pattern of patients after weight loss.
Effects of Epidural Analgesia on Uterine Electromyographic Activity during Labor (Benfield, School of Nursing, ECU, Hortobágyi): For most women, labor is associated with severe pain. One treatment option is the use of epidural analgesia. However, few studies have examined the effects of epidural analgesia on uterine contractility in human labor. By recording the EMG activity on the abdominal surface overlying the uterus, we can gain precise information about myocyte electrical activity during contractions. We plan to determine whether epidural anesthesia affects uterine contractility by measuring the EMG burst duration, amplitude and frequency content in labor. Such information is vital as it is unclear if analgesia interferes with contractility.
Selected Publications:
Hortobágyi T., Hill J., Houmard J., Fraser D., Lambert N., Israel G. I. Adaptive responses to muscle lengthening and shortening. Journal of Applied Physiology, 80:765-772, 1996.
Hortobágyi T., Lambert N., Hill J. Greater cross education following training with muscle lengthening than shortening. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 29:107-112, 1997.
Hortobágyi T., DeVita P. Altered movement strategy increases lower extremity stiffness during stepping down in the aged. Journal of Gerontology, 54A:B63-B70, 1999.
Hortobágyi T., Dempsey L., Fraser D., Zheng D., Hamilton G., Lambert J., Dohm L. Changes in muscle strength, muscle fiber size, and myofibrillar gene expression after immobilization and retraining in humans. Journal of Physiology 524:293-304, 2000.
DeVita P., Hortobágyi T. Age causes a redistribution of joint torques and powers during gait. Journal of Applied Physiology. 88:1804-1811, 2000.
Hortobágyi T., Taylor J.L., Petersen N., Russell G., Gandevia S.C. Changes in segmental and motor cortical output produced by contralateral muscle contractions and altered sensory inputs in humans. Journal of Neurophysiology 90:2451-2459, 2003.
DeVita P., Hortobágyi T. Obesity is not associated with increased knee joint torque and power during walking. Journal of Biomechanics 36:1355-1362, 2003.
Hortobágyi T., Garry J., Holbert D., DeVita P. Aberrations in the control of quadriceps muscle force in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Arthritis and Rheumatism 51:562-569, 2004.
Hortobágyi T., Bonato P. Transcranial magnetic stimulation. Uncovering the mechanisms of movement and sensation. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Magazine.
24:20-21, 2005.
Hortobágyi T., Olmo del M. F., Rothwell J.C. Age reduces cortical reciprocal inhibition in humans. Experimental Brain Research 171:322-329, 2006.
DeVita P., Helseth J., Hortobágyi T. Muscles do more positive than negative work in human locomotion. Journal of Experimental Biology, 2007 (Accepted)
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Paul DeVita, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Exercise & Sport Science
Contact Information:
332-B Ward Sports Medicine Building
Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 737-4563
devitap@ecu.edu
CV
Degrees:
Ph.D. Biomechanics, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, 1986
M.S. Biomechanics, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, 1984
B.A. Biology, State University of New York at Binghamton, 1977
Research and Professional Activities:
Dr. DeVita has been investigating the biomechanics and motor control of human locomotion for the past 20+ years. He has published in the areas of ACL injury, knee osteoarthritis, aging, obesity, and locomotion in healthy people. Dr. DeVita teaches a variety of courses in the areas of structural kinesiology, biomechanics, and research procedures. Dr. DeVita is currently the Secretary-Treasurer of the American Society of Biomechanics, an Associate Editor of the Journal of Applied Biomechanics, and a member of the Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Sciences study section of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. DeVita is a member of the American and International Societies of Biomechanics and the American College of Sports Medicine. He is also a pretty good ping pong player.
Current Projects:
Mechanical Plasticity In Locomotion With Age (P.I. DeVita, Co-I. Hortobagyi): This NIH funded research investigates the fundamental biomechanical hypothesis that healthy human aging involves mechanical plasticity in locomotion that produces a distal to proximal shift in muscle function. This four year project will identify age-related adaptations in lower extremity muscle function in a variety of gait tasks such as level, stairway, and inclined walking. It will identify the developmental pattern of these alterations over the adult lifespan and it will identify the interaction of muscle strength with these adaptations.
Intensive Dietary Restriction with Exercise in Arthritis (P.I. Steve Messier, Wake Forest University, Co-I. DeVita): This NIH funded research investigates the effects of intensive dietary restriction leading to weight loss and exercise on biomarkers of inflammation and knee joint compressive loads in older adults with osteoarthritis. This five year project seeks to identify highly effective mechanisms to improve the quality of life in individuals with knee osteoarthritis.
Mechanical Energy Generation and Dissipation in Skeletal Muscles (P.I. DeVita): This new research project investigates mechanical energetics in skeletal muscle during level and non-level forms of locomotion. The basic premise is that muscles generate more mechanical energy through concentric contractions than they dissipate through eccentric contractions in cyclic locomotion tasks. Stated another way, muscles produce a net positive amount of work during locomotion tasks in which the total net mechanical work is zero. Hmmm, that’s pretty interesting.
Selected Publications:
DeVita, P., Hortobagyi, T. & Barrier, J. (1998). Gait biomechanics are not normal after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and accelerated rehabilitation. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 30, 1481-1488. See the PDF file.
DeVita, P., Lassiter, T., Hortobagyi, T. & Torry, M. (1998). Functional knee brace effects during walking in subjects with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 26, 778-784. See the PDF file.
Hortobágyi T. & DeVita P. (1999). Altered movement strategy increases lower extremity stiffness during stepping down in the aged. Journal of Gerontology, 54, B63-B70. See the PDF file.
Hortobágyi, T. & DeVita P. (2000). Muscle pre- and co-activity during downward stepping are associated with leg stiffness in aging. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 10, 117-126. See the PDF file.
DeVita, P. and Hortobagyi, T. (2000). Age causes a redistribution of joint torques and powers during gait. Journal of Applied Physiology, 88, 1804-1811. See the PDF file.
DeVita, P. & Hortobágyi T. (2000). Age increases the skeletal vs. muscular component of lower extremity stiffness during stepping down. Journal of Gerontology, 55, B593-B600. See the PDF file.
DeVita, P. & Hortobagyi, T. (2003). Obesity is not associated with increased knee joint torque and power during walking. Journal of Biomechanics, 36, 1355-1362. See the PDF file.
Hortobágyi, T., Garry, J., Holbert, D. & DeVita, P. (2004). Aberrations in the Control of Quadriceps Muscle Force in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis. Arthritis and Rheumatism (Arthritis Care and Research), 51, 562-569. See the PDF file.
Messier, S., DeVita, P., Cowan, R. Seay, J., Young, H. & Marsh, A. (2005). Do older adults with knee osteoarthritis place greater loads on the knee during gait? Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 86:703-709. See the PDF file.
and the really oddball publication:
DeVita, P. (1996). All the world is a stage and all the actors are biomechanists. International Society of Biomechanics Newsletter, Winter, 17-18. See the PDF file.
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Anthony Kulas, Ph.D., ATC
Assistant Professor, Health Education and Promotion Department
Contact Information:
249 Ward Sports Medicine Building
Health Education and Promotion Department
Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 737-2884
kulasa@ecu.edu
Degrees:
Ph.D. University of North Carolina Greensboro, NC, 2005
M.S. Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI, 2000
B.A. Westfield State College Westfield, MA, 1998
Research and Professional Activities:
Dr. Kulas’ research interests are in how trunk biomechanics influences and lower extremity biomechanics. This biomechanical link is ultimately expected to enhance our understanding of factors contributing to lower extremity injury. Dr. Kulas teaches in the undergraduate and graduate athletic training education programs in the Department of Health Education and Promotion. Classes taught are primarily in the areas of therapeutic exercise and rehabilitation and research methods. At East Carolina University, he serves on the undergraduate research committee. He is also a manuscript reviewer for The Journal of Athletic Training, Journal of Applied Biomechanics, and Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise.
Current Projects:
Effects of Added Trunk Load and Trunk Position Adaptations on Lower Extremity Biomechanics (Collaborators: Paul DeVita and Tibor Hortobagyi). This project investigated the overall hypothesis that both trunk load (10% of body weight) and trunk position affect lower extremity biomechanics during a double-leg landing. From an injury perspective, we intend to show that in response to the added load, extended trunk adaptations increase knee joint, forces torques, and work more so than flexed trunk adaptations.
Effects of trunk flexion angle on lower extremity joint work drop-jumps (Thesis: Paul Zalewski, Collaborators: Paul DeVita and Tibor Hortobagyi). This project tests the overall hypothesis that trunk flexion angle affects the ability of the lower extremity to do work during a drop-jump.
Selected Publications:
Kulas A., Zalewski P., Hortobagyi T., DeVita P. Effects of added trunk load and corresponding trunk position adaptations on lower extremity biomechanics during drop-landings. Journal of Biomechanics. In press. E-pub available at publishers website.
Schmitz R.J., Kulas A.S., Perrin D.H., Riemann B.L., Shultz S.J. Sex differences in lower extremity biomechanics during single leg landings. Clinical Biomechanics. 2007; 22(6): 681-688.
Kulas A.S., Schmitz R.J., Shultz S.J., Henning J.M., & Perrin D.H. Sex-specific abdominal activation strategies in landing. Journal of Athletic Training. 2006; 41(4): 381-386.
Kulas A.S., Schmitz R.J., Shultz S.J., & Perrin D.H., & Watson M.A. Energy absorption as a predictor of leg impedance in highly trained females. Journal of Applied Biomechanics. 2006; 22(3): 177-185.
Shultz S.J., Nguyen A.D., Windley T.C., Kulas A.S., Botic T.L., & Beynnon B.D. Intratester and intertester reliability of clinical measures of lower extremity anatomical characteristics: Implications for multi-center studies. Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine. 2006; 16(2): 155-160.
Kulas A.S., Windley T.C., & Schmitz R.J. Effects of Abdominal Postures on Lower Extremity Energetics During Single Leg Landings. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation. 2005; 14(1): 58-71.
Shultz S.J., Windley T.C., Kulas A.S., Schmitz R.J., Valovich McLeod T.C., Perrin D.H. Low levels of anterior tibial loading enhance knee extensor reflex response characteristics. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. 2005; 15(1): 61-71.
Schmitz R.J., Shultz S.J., Kulas A.S., Windley T.C., & Perrin D.H. Kinematic analysis of lower body perturbations. Clinical Biomechanics. 2004; 19(10):1032-1039.
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Stanislaw Solnik, Ph.D., PT
Postdoctoral Fellow
Contact Information:
Department of Exercise and Sport Science
332 Ward Sports Medicine Building
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858
phone: (252) 737-4616
solniks@ecu.edu
Degrees:
Ph.D. University School of Physical Education, Poland, Wroclaw, 2006
M.S. University School of Physical Education, Poland, Wroclaw, 2001
Research Interest:
Dynamical systems theory
Nonlinear analyses
Influence of muscle fatigue on characteristics of electromyographic signals
Motor patterns of human locomotion
Strategies of amortization in depth jump of joint-muscle system
Computer-aided modeling of human locomotion
Selected Publications/Abstracts:
Hortobágyi, T., Solnik S., DeVita P. Most of it is in the head: Neural mechanisms in the aging motor system. 12th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science, Jyväskylä, Finland, July 11-14, 2007. Abstract book, pp 15-16, 2007.
Solnik S, Shruti A, Grzegorczyk K, Koziatek A, Bober T, EMG frequency during sustained submaximal isometric activity of biceps brachii: a linear model, World Congress of Biomechanics, Munich, Germany 2006.
Arya S, Solnik S, Kulig K, Influence of Achilles Tendinopathy on Lower Extremity Joint Stiffness Strategies during Single-Legged Hopping, World Congress of Biomechanics, Munich, Germany 2006.
Pietraszewski B, Solnik S - Alterations of knee torque production due to lower extremity injury, International Scientific Conference: Promocja zdrowia w chorobie i niepełnosprawności, Lublin, Poland, 2006.
Solnik S, Pietraszewski B, Siemieński A: Influence of fatigue on emg zero crossing rate of selected lower extremity muscles. Acta of Bioengineering and Biomechanics, Biomechanics 2004:394-398, 2004.
Czamara A, Solnik S, Bober T.: Kinematic changes in walking in patients after ACL reconstruction. Physical Therapy, 11:43-44, 2003.
Solnik S, Zawadzki J, Bober T.: Amortization strategy of knee joint - muscle system in depth jump. 7th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science: Athens, Greece, proceedings. Vol.1, 299, 2002.
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Patrick Rider, M.A.
Teaching Instructor/Research Associate
Contact Information:
Department of Exercise and Sport Science
332 Ward Sports Medicine Building
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858
phone: (252) 737-4616
pmr1028@ecu.edu
CV
Degrees:
B.S. Exercise Physiology, East Carolina University, 2005
M.A. Exercise Science with a concentration in Biomechanics, East Carolina University, 2007.
Research Interest:
Mr. Rider very interested in improving sport performance. As a football coach, Mr. Rider feels as though any new method to improve athletic performance has many practical applications. Pediatric obesity is one of the largest problems facing children today. Understanding the biomechanical adaptations associated with childhood obesity can lead to more effective rehabilitation and injury prevention protocols. With increased life expectancy, the population of our country is getting older. Aging impacts gait as well, and by understanding these adaptations, better healthcare can possibly be provided for elderly populations.
Abstracts:
Rider, P., Gruber, A., Helseth, J., Hortobagyi, T. & DeVita, P. (2006). Age but not strength is associated with mechanical plasticity in gait. Proceedings of the 34rd Annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Southeast Regional Chapter, 34, 8.
Rider, P., Gruber, A., Helseth, J., Hortobagyi, T. & DeVita, P. (2006). The effect of muscular strength on the development of mechanical plasticity in older adults. Proceedings of the 2006 Human Movement Science Research Symposium, 1, (no page number).
Gruber, A., Rider, P., Helseth, J., Hortobagyi, T. & DeVita, P. (2006). Changes in inter-joint coordination during gait with age. Proceedings of the 34rd Annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Southeast Regional Chapter, 34, 8.
Zalewski, P., Gruber, A., Rider, P., Bushey, E., & DeVita, P. (2006). Muscles generate more energy in ascent running than they dissipate in descent running. Proceedings ECU Graduate Student Research Day 15, 52.
DeVita, P., Rider, P., Gruber, A., Helseth, J., Steinweg, K. & Hortobagyi, T. (2006). Mechanical plasticity in gait is associated with increased age but not decreased strength. Journal of Biomechanics, 39 (suppl), S113.
DeVita, P., Steinweg, K., Rider, P., Gruber, A. & Hortobagyi, T. (2007). Reduced stride length in older adults is an energy saving mechanism. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise (suppl.) 39, s76.
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Benjamin Long, B.S.
Graduate Assistant, Department of Exercise & Sport Science
Contact Information:
332 Ward Sports Medicine Building
Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 737-4616
bll0906ecu.edu
CV
Degrees:
B.S. Exercise Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
Research Interest:
Footwear Biomechanics
Injury Mechanisms and Rehabilitation
Abstracts:
Long, B., Rider, P., Gruber, P., Via, K., Daniels, J., Hortobagyi, T. & DeVita, P. (2008). Knee joint forces during incline, decline, and level running. Proceedings of the 13th Annual Meeting of the Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society, 13, 286-287.
Bice M., Zant A., Long B., Powell D. Inter-segmental Coordination and Variability within High- and Low-Arched Feet during Running. 1st Annual Meeting of the South Central Region of the American Society of Biomechanics, Odessa, TX, Feb. 29-Mar 1, 2008.
DeVita P., Rider P., Solnik S., Long B., Via K., Hortobágyi T. (2008) Skeletal muscle energetics and function during human locomotion. 45th Annual Meeting, Society of Engineering Science. Champaign,
IL, October 12‐15.
Powell, D., Zhang, Z., Milner, C., Long, B., & Bice, M. (2008). Differences in lower extremity coordination in High- compared to low-arched female athletes during running. Proceedings of the North American Congress on Biomechanics, Ann Arbor, Michigan, August 5th- 9th.
Solnik S., DeVita P., Rider P., Long B., Hortobágyi T (2008). Teager‐Kaiser Operator improves the accuracy of
EMG onset detection independent of signal‐to‐noise ratio. International Congress of the Polish
Society of Biomechanics, Wroclaw, Poland, August 31‐September 3.
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Cortney Herring, B.S.
Graduate Assistant, Department of Exercise & Sport Science
Contact Information:
332 Ward Sports Medicine Building
Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 737-4616
csh1119@ecu.edu
Degrees:
B.S. Nutrition, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Research Interest:
Obesity Research
Neurological adaptations with aging concentrating on human locamotion
Abstracts:
Herring, C., Long, B., Rider, P., Moscicki, B., Gruber, A., Zalewski, P., Gore, M., White, B., DeVita, P. & Hortobágyi, T. (2008). The effects of childhood obesity on gait biomechanics during level walking. Proceedings of the ECU Research and Creative Achievement Week, 3, 60.
Gore, M., Rider, P., Long, B., Herring, C., Garry, J., DeVita, P. & Hortobágyi, T. (2008). Gait Adaptations in Obesity and Knee Osteoarthritis. Proceedings of the ECU Research and Creative Achievement Week, 3, 65.
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Binal Motawar
Graduate Assistant, Department of Exercise & Sport Science
Contact Information:
Department of Exercise and Sport Science
332 Ward Sports Medicine Building
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858
phone: (252) 737-4616
brm1208@ecu.edu
CV
Degrees:
B.P.T., M.S. University of Baroda, Baroda, India
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Jonathan Gomez
Department of Exercise & Sport Science
Contact Information:
Department of Exercise and Sport Science
332 Ward Sports Medicine Building
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858
phone: (252) 737-4616
CV
Degrees:
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Mike McNally
Department of Exercise & Sport Science
Contact Information:
Department of Exercise and Sport Science
332 Ward Sports Medicine Building
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858
phone: (252) 737-4616
CV
Degrees:
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Tim Copple
Department of Exercise & Sport Science
Contact Information:
Department of Exercise and Sport Science
332 Ward Sports Medicine Building
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858
phone: (252) 737-4616
CV
Degrees:
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Byron Moore
Department of Exercise & Sport Science
Contact Information:
Department of Exercise and Sport Science
332 Ward Sports Medicine Building
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858
phone: (252) 737-4616
CV
Degrees:
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Adria Finch
Department of Exercise & Sport Science
Contact Information:
Department of Exercise and Sport Science
332 Ward Sports Medicine Building
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858
phone: (252) 737-4616
CV
Degrees:
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Jonathan Bullock
Department of Exercise & Sport Science
Contact Information:
Department of Exercise and Sport Science
332 Ward Sports Medicine Building
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27858
phone: (252) 737-4616
CV
Degrees:
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