My main research focus is the neural control of human movement. Under this umbrella, my research has had an emphasis on the role reflexes play in functional coordination of the limbs. The methodologies applied in my research projects cross many boundaries and make use of the techniques of neurophysiology, biomechanics, motor behaviour, and exercise physiology. There are three major themes that emerge from my research: 1) the nerual control of rhythmic movement; 2) arm and leg coordination during locomotion; and 3) neuromuscular plasticity and motor recovery. You can read more about my research here as well.

Arm and Leg coordination during walking
Many of my experiments are aimed at evaluating the extent to which the nervous system creates elementary units of coordination within and between limbs. In many of my studies I have used different reflex pathways to reveal this coordination. I am now moving towards studies which emphasis the possible utility of these connections in coordinating the arms during rhythmic movement and all four limbs during complex tasks such as walking. New projects will include examining the extent to which sensory information is transferred via reflex pathways from the foot to the arms during walking. This is important not just for improving our understanding of interlimb coordination, but also has application to research in older subjects in which balance control and coordination during walking are impaired, often as an outcome of sensory loss. Lastly, I also have an interest in expanding my work to include motor development in special populations. Funding for these projects is provided by NSERC and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

Neuromuscular plasticity and motor recovery
Much of my work has focused upon describing mechanisms of coordination in reflex pathways during human movement. I intend to build upon the concepts that I have established to evaluate the extent to which neuromuscular adaptations in this coordination occur as a result of exercise training, after injury (e.g. stroke or spinal cord injury), or across the lifespan from childhood to old age. I examined this issue of injury previously in stroke subjects and am currently conducting similar experiments in spinal cord injury. If it could be demonstrated that remote stimulation (i.e. from the cutaneous fields of the foot) evoke large responses in, for example, upper limb muscles in stroke subjects, this would provide another avenue for rehabilitative interventions. Further, the integrity of interlimb reflex linkages as a function of normal human aging is another application related to plasticity that I am now beginning to explore. Funding for this work is provided by the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.