Overview

Dr. Powers’ research and teaching interests relate to the biomechanical aspects of human movement. More specifically, his research focuses on how altered kinematics, kinetics, and muscular actions contribute to lower extremity injury. He is particularly interested in the pathomechanics underlying knee and patellofemoral joint dysfunction. He is currently the Co-Director of the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Laboratory and the Director of the Program in Biokinesiology at USC.

Research Funding

  • 35TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF BIOMECHANICS
    NIH · R13EB013939 · Jul 1, 2011 – Jun 30, 2012 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • An innovative tool for assessment of gait dysfunction in the clinical setting
    NIH · R44AG052199 · Jun 1, 2011 – May 31, 2018 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • An innovative tool for assessment of gait dysfunction in the clinical setting
    NIH · R43HD068147 · Jun 1, 2011 – Mar 31, 2012 · Role: Co-Principal Investigator
  • New concepts on mechanisms underlying disordered movement: Force generation impa
    NIH · R13HD062117 · Jul 20, 2009 – Jun 30, 2010 · Role: Principal Investigator
  • Mechanics of non-contact ACL injuries in female athletes
    NIH · R01AR053073 · Apr 15, 2005 – Mar 31, 2010 · Role: Principal Investigator

Publications

  • Movement matters: the path to professional impact. Phys Ther. 2026 Aug 31; 106(9).. View in PubMed
  • Core Content Related to Teaching Biomechanical Aspects of Human Movement for Physical Therapist Students: A Modified Delphi Study. J Phys Ther Educ. 2026 May 27.. View in PubMed
  • Author Response – Letter to the Editor Concerning:”A Biomechanical Review of the Squat Exercise: Implications for Clinical Practice.” Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2026; 21(5):459-461. Straub RK, Powers CM . View in PubMed
  • Bridging the Gap: A Systematic Evidence and Gap Map of Risk Factors and Preventive Strategies for Patellofemoral Pain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2026 02; 56(2):85-97.. View in PubMed
  • Characterizing Landing Strategies during the Drop Jump Task: A Proposed Data-Driven Approach to Identify Increased Exposure to Noncontact Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2026 06 01; 58(6):1132-1139.. View in PubMed
  • Prediction of secondary ACL injury in female athletes using 2D video-based measurements obtained during dynamic tasks: a retrospective case-control study. Br J Sports Med. 2025 Oct 10; 59(20):1418-1425.. View in PubMed
  • Quantification of patellofemoral joint stress in females who have undergone ACL reconstruction: Implications for early onset osteoarthritis. J Biomech. 2025 08; 189:112844.. View in PubMed
  • Females who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction exhibit altered patellofemoral joint contact area and alignment. Clin Biomech (Bristol). 2025 Jun; 126:106543.. View in PubMed
  • Targeting the hip and/or knee extensors during the back squat in males and females: A repeated measures decision tree analysis using the relative difference in trunk and tibia inclination and knee flexion angle. Phys Ther Sport. 2025 May; 73:94-99.. View in PubMed
  • Scapular Stabilization for Shoulder Pain: Putting the Cart Before the Horse? Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2025; 20(2):275-282. Elder A , Powers CM . . View in PubMed