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

  • Comparison of electromyographic activity of the gluteal muscles and tensor fascia lata in persons with patellofemoral pain: evaluation of selected, hip-targeted exercises using indwelling fine-wire electrodes. Physiother Theory Pract. 2024 Aug; 40(8):1775-1783.. View in PubMed
  • Is muscular strength a predictor for primary or secondary ACL injury? A scoping review of prospective studies. Phys Ther Sport. 2023 May; 61:91-101.. View in PubMed
  • Does the 2D Frontal Plane Projection Angle Predict Frontal Plane Knee Moments during Stepping, Landing, and Change of Direction Tasks? Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2022; 17(7):1259-1270. Straub RK, Powers . View in PubMed
  • Gluteal activation during squatting reduces acetabular contact pressure in persons with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome: A patient-specific finite element analysis. Clin Biomech (Bristol). 2023 01; 101:105849.. View in PubMed
  • Persons with Patellar Tendinopathy Exhibit Greater Patellar Tendon Stress during a Single-Leg Landing Task. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2023 04 01; 55(4):642-649.. View in PubMed
  • Constraining the arms during a slip perturbation results in a higher fall frequency in young adults. Hum Mov Sci. 2022 Dec; 86:103016.. View in PubMed
  • Persons with patellar tendinopathy exhibit anatomical features that alter knee extensor mechanics: A comparison of persons with and without symptoms. J Biomech. 2022 11; 144:111343.. View in PubMed
  • Quadriceps strength symmetry predicts vertical ground reaction force symmetry during running in patients who have undergone ACL reconstruction. Phys Ther Sport. 2022 Sep; 57:89-94.. View in PubMed
  • Persons with patellofemoral pain exhibit altered hip abductor muscle recruitment while performing hip abductor exercises. Physiother Theory Pract. 2024 Jan 02; 40(1):11-20.. View in PubMed
  • Predictors of Quadriceps Strength Asymmetry after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Chi-Squared Automatic Interaction Detection Decision Tree Analysis. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2022 12 01; 54(12):2005-2010.. View in PubMed