Overview
In the USC Locomotor Control Lab, we seek to understand how walking is controlled and adapted in both the healthy and injured neuromuscular systems. We develop models and experiments based on principles of neuroscience, biomechanics, engineering, and exercise physiology to identify the factors that guide locomotor learning and rehabilitation. Ultimately, the goal of our work is to design novel and effective interventions to improve walking ability in individuals with damage to the nervous system.
The lab is directed by James M. Finley, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy.
Ongoing Projects
Recent Publications
Johnson RT*, Bianco NA, and Finley JM. Patterns of asymmetry and energy cost generated from predictive simulations of hemiparetic gait. PLOS Computational Biology. 18 (9) e1010466.
Park S*, Finley JM. Manual stabilization reveals a transient role for balance control during locomotor adaptation. Journal of Neurophysiology. 128: 808 – 818.
Abram SJ, Poggensee KL, Sanchez N, Simha SN, Finley JM, Collins SH, Donelan JM. General variability leads to specific adaptation toward optimal movement policies. Current Biology. 32: 2222 – 2232.
Liu C and Finley JM. The choice of reference axis for computing angular momentum during walking affects inferences about patterns of intersegmental coordination during walking. PeerJ. 10:e13371.