College of Liberal Arts

Shirley Rietdyk

Associate Professor

Academic Appointments:

• Associate Professor, Department of Health and Kinesiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (2007-present)
• Assistant Professor, Department of Health and Kinesiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN (2000-2007)
• Purdue University Neuroscience Program
• Purdue University Gerontology Program

Research Interests:

The research focus of the Biomechanics Laboratory is the interaction of the neural and mechanical systems in mobility, posture and balance. In particular, how does the nervous system integrate the visual and sensory information and coordinate the muscle activity to develop safe, balanced and skillful movement? The mechanical system is very unstable with a high center of mass, a small base of support, and three joints in the support limbs. Yet, we move about and interact with the environment with little conscious thought. Disease or aging may lead to delays and degenerations in the balance control system. Can we provide interventions which maintain mobility and quality of life for these individuals?

On-going research projects include:

• visual control of adaptive locomotion
• balance adjustments to perturbations
• locomotor adjustments to elevated surfaces
• the effect of age and work on balance in in the occupational environment

The laboratory equipment includes a three-dimensional image analysis system (Optotrak, Northern Digital, Inc.) which allows us to track the subject's movement in three-dimensional space, a force place (AMTI) for measuring the three-dimensional external forces applied to the ground by the subject, and a 16-channel electromyography (Bortec) to monitor the muscle activity.

Recent Publications:

• Rietdyk S, Drifmeyer JE. The rough terrain problem: Accurate foot targeting as a function of visual information regarding target location. Accepted by Journal of Motor Behavior August 2009.
• Chagdes J, Rietdyk S, Haddad J, Zelaznik H, Raman A, Rhea C, Silver T. Multiple timescales in postural dynamics associated with vision and a secondary task are revealed by wavelet analysis. Accepted by Experimental Brain Research June 2009.
• Kim J, Rietdyk S, Breur GJ. Comparison of two-dimensional and three-dimensional systems for kinematic analysis of the sagittal motion of canine hind limbs during walking. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 69(9): 1116-1122, 2008.
• Rhea CK, Rietdyk S. Visual exteroceptive information provided during obstacle crossing did not modify the lower limb trajectory. Neuroscience Letters, 418(1): 60-65, 2007.
• Rietdyk, S. & Rhea, CK. Control of adaptive locomotion: Effect of visual obstruction and visual cues in the environment. Experimental Brain Research, 169(2): 272-8, 2006.
• Rietdyk, S. Anticipatory locomotor adjustments of the trail limb during surface accommodation. Gait and Posture, 23(3): 268-72, 2006.
• Rietdyk S, McGlothlin, JD & Knezovich MJ. Work experience mitigated age-related differences in balance and mobility during surface accommodation. Clinical Biomechanics, 20(10): 1085-1093, 2005.
• Rietdyk, S., McGlothlin, J.D., Williams, J. & Baria, A. Proactive stability control while carrying loads and negotiating an elevated surface. Experimental Brain Research, 165(1): 44-53, 2005.
• Winter, D.A., Patla, A.E., Ishac, M.G., and Rietdyk, S. Ankle muscle stiffness in the control of balance during quiet standing. Journal of Neurophysiology, 85: 2630-2633, 2001.
• Rietdyk, S., Patla, A.E., Winter, D.A., Ishac, M.G. & Little, C.E. Balance recovery from medio-lateral perturbations of the upper body during standing. Journal of Biomechanics, 32(11): 1149-1158, 1999.
• Patla, A.E., Prentice, S.D., Rietdyk, S., Allard, S. & Martin, C. What guides the selection of alternate foot placement during locomotion in humans? Experimental Brain Research, 128: 441-450, 1999.
• Rietdyk, S. & Patla, A.E. Context dependent reflex control: Some insights into the role of balance. Experimental Brain Research, 119(2): 251-259, 1998.

Selected Grants:

• Center on Aging and the Life Course, Purdue University (Dec. 2004). "Relationship of Age, Timing and Postural Control". Role: Co-PI. Interdisciplinary project with Dr. Howard Zelaznik, Department of Health and Kinesiology. $6,705.
• NIOSH ERC NORA (National Occupational Research Agenda)(Nov. 2004). "Training in interdisciplinary ergonomic research: Collaboration between University of Cincinnati and Purdue University". Role: Co-PI. $6,800 for two weeks. Multi-disciplinary project includes Dr. James McGlothlin, School of Health Sciences, Purdue University and Dr. Kermit Davis, Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati.
• "Interdisciplinary Airline Job Hazard Assessment." Interdisciplinary Innovation Initiative, School of Technology, Purdue. Interdisciplinary research with Dr. Gary Eiff, Aviation Technology (2004-2004). $30,000 internal funds; $20,000 external funds from Jet Blue.
• "Can visual references enhance balance control in the occupational environment in both younger and older construction workers?" National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, University of Michigan Center for Occupational Health and Safety Enrineering. Interdisciplinary research with Dr. Jim McGlothlin from School of Health Sciences. $28,550. 2003.
• "How Is Postural Stability Affected by Age and Manual Materials Handling in the Occupational Environment?" National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, University of Cincinnati Pilot Project Research Training Program (2002). $5,000.
• "The elderly and balance: Development of a clinical test." Summer Faculty Grant from the Purdue Research Foundation (2001). $6,000.

Awards:

• New Investigator Award, Canadian Society of Biomechanics (1998)

In this section

• Faculty
• Graduate Students
• Faculty
• Staff