Biomechanics and Physical Rehabilitation
Learn Biomechanics Theory and Conduct Research
- Think critically about the fields of biomechanics and physical rehabilitation
- Grasp the operations of typical biomechanics equipment
- Develop a line of research inquiry
- Apply various research designs and advanced statistics to become biomechanics and physical rehabilitation researchers and educators in higher education
The concentration in Biomechanics and Physical Rehabilitation focuses on the scientific description of human movement using multidisciplinary approaches (e.g., biomechanics, neuroscience, engineering, modeling and simulation, etc.) and advanced measurement techniques (e.g., motion capture, force, muscle activity measurements, etc.) to restore the functional capacity, reduce risk of injury, improve the interaction with the environment, and enhance the quality of life for healthy and clinical populations.
Career Opportunities
The program is designed for students to enter a career as a professor in one of 300+ biomechanics, biomechanical engineering, and rehabilitation programs across the U.S. or a researcher in the field of human performance.
The Georgia State Difference
Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, the Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a concentration in Biomechanics and Physical Rehabilitation is a full-time on-campus program that can be completed in four to five (4-5) years. Coursework focuses on biomechanics theory, research design, methodology, and statistics. Students also complete a set of independent studies each year within the program, including successful completion of comprehensive exams and a dissertation. Students have the opportunity to present their research at national and international conferences and publish in top journals.
Features of the Program
Internationally recognized faculty with a wide range of interests.
Our graduate faculty members conduct cutting-edge work in the areas of (1) fall prevention and motor rehabilitation and (2) Social Work and Mental Health in Sport. In the past decade, they have received more than 4 million extramural research funding from federal, national, and private agencies. They have collectively published more than 100 articles and book chapters, and presented research at national and international conferences.
Prime research location.
The Biomechanics Laboratory, located in the Sports Arena building, is the home base for faculty members in Biomechanics and Physical Rehabilitation to conduct their research work. This spacious lab is equipped with state-of-the-art motion analysis devices.
Focus on training to be a scholar and an educator.
Students in the program will receive training and mentorship in teaching, research, and services. Students will take rigorous research methodology and study design courses. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to not only work with our esteemed faculty as graduate research assistants (GRAs) but also work to establish their line of research where they learn to lead projects from study conception to findings dissemination. Students will also be encouraged and supported to apply for intramural and extramural research findings to support their work. Students will have the opportunity to be instructor-of-record or lab instructors for undergraduate biomechanics-related courses and work with faculty to design their own course content, assignments, and assessments.
Jianhua (Jerry) Wu
Education
Ph.D.,University of California,Davis, 2003
M.S., Donghua University, China, 1998
B.S., Zhejing Sci-Tech University, China, 1995
Specializations
Biomechanical analysis of postural control and development
Kinematics, kinetics, and neuromuscular analysis of healthy and pathological gait
Modeling posture and gait control through linear and nonlinear dynamics
Studying the effectiveness of physical intervention in children with disabilities
Biography
Jianhua Wu (Jerry Wu) is the Department of Kinesiology and Health chair.
Jianhua Wu’s research goal is to understand locomotor and postural development and enhance bone mineral accrual and motor functioning in children with disabilities such as Down syndrome. Wu has published his research work in high-impact journals such as Journal of Biomechanics, Clinical Biomechanics, Osteoporosis International, Experimental Brain Research, Gait and Posture, Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, and Physical Therapy Journal.
Wu received his academic education and training in bioengineering and motor development. He has been conducting research on children with Down syndrome for more than 20 years. His research has provided solid evidence that early treadmill stepping intervention significantly advances walking onset and enhances the development of walking in infants with Down syndrome.
His current research is funded by National Institutes of Health and focused on understanding the cascading effect of early motor intervention (the “sticky mittens” training and the bodyweight-supported treadmills stepping training) on motor, cognitive, and language development in infants and children with Down syndrome.
Feng Yang
Education
Ph. D. in Human-machine and Environment Engineering/Ergonomics, Beihang University
B. S. in Refrigeration and Cryogenic Engineering, Beihang University
Specializations
Fall prevention; Motor rehabilitation; Biomechanics; Movement analysis; Computational biomechanics
Biography
Dr. Feng Yang is an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health at Georgia State University. He holds a Ph.D. in ergonomics from Beihang University and completed his postdoctoral training in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Yang and his team conduct research concerning biomechanics, motor disorders, and rehabilitation. Currently, his research focuses on fall prevention among older adults and individuals with neurological dysfunctions (such as multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer’s disease). Specifically, Dr. Yang and his team investigate the underlying mechanisms of falls from the biomechanical and neuromuscular perspectives among healthy and pathological populations. A sound understanding of the mechanisms is helpful to assess the fall risk and identify those who are prone to falls. Dr. Yang also works to develop novel, effective, yet cost-efficient training paradigms – such as vibration training, perturbation training, etc. – to prevent falls from happening among individuals with elevated falling risk. Dr. Yang’s work has been funded by various agencies and he has published more than 80 articles in prestigious journals.
Chun-Hao Huang
Education
Ph.D. in Kinesiology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2021
M.S. in Biokinesiology, University of Southern California, 2016
B.S. in Sports Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan, 2011
Specializations
Biomechanics, movement analysis, orthopedics, sports injury prevention and rehabilitation, kinematics, kinetics and neuromuscular analysis of healthy and pathological gait
Biography
Dr. Chun-Hao (Philip) Huang is an assistant professor in the College of Education & Human Development’s Department of Kinesiology and Health. He specializes in biomechanics and dedicates himself to advancing research and enhancing outcomes in musculoskeletal health.
He holds a B.S. in Sports Medicine from Kaohsiung Medical University (Taiwan), an M.S. degree in Biokinesiology from the University of Southern California and a Ph.D. in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois at Chicago. His academic journey includes valuable postdoctoral training at Northeastern University.
Dr. Huang’s research focuses on unraveling the mechanisms of disability in aging adults with musculoskeletal injuries, particularly osteoarthritis (OA). His primary objective is to develop effective intervention strategies aimed at improving physical function and increasing physical activity among OA patients, with a goal of decreasing disease burden and enhancing their quality of life through interdisciplinary research approaches.
In addition to his scholarly pursuits, Dr. Huang is an American College of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer. He utilizes his expertise to promote health and wellness among diverse populations.
Beyond academia, Dr. Huang maintains an active lifestyle, enjoys a variety of workouts and excels in Kendo (Japanese fencing), in which he holds a black belt 5th degree and competes at the national level. His commitment to academic excellence, physical fitness and martial arts exemplifies his holistic approach to personal and professional endeavors.
Robert Zeid Yeon-Joo Kang Zac Wicks
Rebekah Buehler Rebecca Ban Caroline Simpkins
Jiyun (Wendy) Ahn Sara Mahmoudzadeh Khalili Diané Brown
Tasnuva Alam Alex Kotarski Haneol Kim
If you have a passion for human movement analysis and rehabilitation research and a desire to pursue a career in academia or research/development in industry, the Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a concentration in Biomechanics and Physical Rehabilitation program may be right for you.
If you meet the following requirements, consider applying*:
Graduate GPA ≥ 3.30
GRE scores: Verbal ≥ 155 and Quantitative ≥ 151; TOEFL for international applicants
Strong desire to contribute to improving human performance, reducing the risk of injury, and restoring functional capacity for healthy and clinical populations.
Strong background in biomechanics, biomechanical engineering, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or related field at the master’s level
*Meet with a potential research faculty advisor prior to applying.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Graduate Assistantships in Teaching or Research
Tuition waivers and competitive stipends are available to students who teach in the department’s thriving undergraduate program. Additionally, graduate research assistantships (which include waivers and stipends) are open to students with research interests and experience in the following:
- Biomechanics
- Motion analysis
- Rehabilitation
The competitive CEHD Dean’s Research Doctoral Fellowship and the Brains & Behavior Research Fellowship can be applied to support students’ stay during the program.
Financial Aid
Visit Student Financial Services at sfs.gsu.edu, and the college’s Awards, Scholarships, and Fellowships page for more information on financing your education.
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Contact Us
Jianhua (Jerry) Wu
Feng Yang
Biomechanics and Physical Rehabilitation
Georgia State University Sports Arena
125 Decatur St. SE, Suite 137
Atlanta, GA 30303
