Romeo Chua
Human perceptual-motor control; Sensorimotor control.
His research is directed toward the study of the sensorimotor adaptation of reaching movements and is guided by issues pertaining to factors that can influence our ability to adapt to errors in the preparation and execution of target-directed reaching movements. Dr. Chua studies the type of error signals that are used to drive motor updating and the influence conscious awareness of the error signals has on adaptation.
Patricia Vertinsky
History of physical culture; Physical education; Gender studies.
Dr. Vertinsky is a social and cultural historian working across the fields of women’s and gender history with a special interest on physical culture, physical education and modern dance. Her work focuses on the study of normalizing disciplinary regimes in kinesiology and sport science and the social, political, and scientific context in which they have been conceived and promoted. Her currently funded projects focus upon a new history of female physical education, expressive movement, and modern dance.
William Sheel
Exercise; Physiology; Pulmonary; Hypoxia; Lung; Cardiorespiratory; Sex-differences.
The long-term goal of Dr. Sheel’s research program is to understand how the respiratory and cardiovascular systems interact, respond and adapt to physiological stress and how biological sex affects these relationships. The heart, circulation, lungs, and chest wall all act together in a highly coordinated fashion. Studying each system in isolation can provide valuable information but examining how these systems act together provides a more comprehensive understanding of basic human physiology.
Ian Franks
Motor control; Startle reflex; Reaction time; Response preparation; Motor program.
Dr. Franks’ research examines how people prepare and control their actions. One method of probing these preparation processes is to deliver a startling stimulus along with the “go” command. A brief loud sound causes a startle reflex but also triggers the release of a voluntary movement that is planned and ready to go. Because we have an understanding of the pathways responsible for the startle reflex it is possible to map movement preparation as it interacts with this reflex.
Nicola Hodges
Practice; Motor learning; Skill acquisition; Expertise; Motor control; Motor behavior; Instructions; Observational practice.
Her research is guided primarily by the desire to understand the principles which guide motor learning/skill acquisition and to apply this knowledge to the design of effective practice. This includes the study of action-observation, instruction, practice organization and feedback. Dr. Hodges’ research has had significant impact internationally on motor learning theory and application, particularly the delivery of sport science support.