Human Physiology Seminar Series: "Assessment and Rehabilitation of the World's Most Complex Machine from the Lab to the Field"

Robin Queen, PhD, FACSM, FIOR, FASB, FAIMBE
Vice President - Faculty Senate
Professor, Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics
Director, Kevin P. Granata Biomechanics Lab
Virginia Tech
Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine

Talk Title: "Assessment and Rehabilitation of the World's Most Complex Machine from the Lab to the Field"

Abstract:
The human body has been described as the world’s most complex machine.  There are many parts that move independently as well as a coordinated effort to allow people to perform various activities that healthy individuals take for granted.  My work has focused on understanding the human musculoskeletal system, what happens when one part of the system becomes injured and to design rehabilitation programs and build assessment tools to restore function. Through this work I have focused on various populations from healthy individuals to patients with various joint pathology including, but not limited to ACL injuries and joint replacements.  One of the most intriguing aspects of working with human subjects is exploring how the individual chooses to compensate for pain or an injury and then what happens once you have resolved the pain. 

This seminar will explore work from the lab that includes various patient populations with a focus on assessing side-to-side symmetry as well as exploring the development and use of clinically accessible tools for tracking movement, loading and recovery in the patients. We will discuss the potential to use mechanics in the design of rehabilitation programs to restore normal movement patterns by reducing compensatory patterns during movement. In addition, I will provide a short summary of my career path and how my goals in research and my career have changed over time.