Interests & Expertise

Dr. O'Connor's primary research focus is on the biomechanics of musculoskeletal injury. Current research has focused on the mechanisms knee injuries that occur during sports, and particularly the effects of fatigue on increased injury risk. The effects of fatigue may be central to understanding overuse running injuries such as anterior knee pain and traumatic injuries such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. Neuromuscular fatigue may also be a factor contributing to musculoskeletal disease progression such as with osteoarthritis. Dr. O’Connor has also been actively involved in developing a new motion capture technology to track motion in three-dimensions using a single camera. This will allow for a portable system for testing in a clinical setting that avoids the need to bring populations to specially-equipped labs.

Recent Publications

Geiser, C.F., Earl, J.E., & O’Connor, K.M. The effect of isolated hip abductor fatigue on knee kinematics and kinetics. Medicine & Science in Sport & Exercise. In press.

O’Connor, K.M.& Bottum, M.C. (2009). Examination of cutting knee mechanics using principal components analysis. Medicine & Science in Sport & Exercise, 41, 867-878.

Snyder, K.R., Earl, J.E., O’Connor, K.M., Ebersole, K.T. (2009). The effects of a hip strengthening intervention on lower extremity mechanics during running. Clinical Biomechanics, 24, 26-34.

O’Connor, K.M., Monteiro, S., & Hoelker, I., (2009). Comparison of selected lateral cutting activities to assess ACL injury risk. Journal Applied Biomechanics, 25, 9-21.

Sanna, G. & O’Connor, K.M. (2008). Fatigue-related changes in knee mechanics during side-step cutting maneuvers maneuvers. Clinical Biomechanics, 23, 946-954.

Coventry, E. O’Connor, K.M., Hart, B.A., Earl, J.E., & Ebersole, K.T. (2006). The effect of lower extremity fatigue on shock attenuation during single-leg landing. Clinical Biomechanics, 21, 1090-1097.

Ebersole K.T. O’Connor, K.M., & Wier, A.P. (2006). Mechanomyographic and electromyographic responses to repeated concentric muscle actions of the quadriceps femoris. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 16, 149-157.

O’Connor, K.M., Price, T., & Hamill, J. (2006). Examination of extrinsic foot muscles during running using mfMRI and EMG. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 16, 522-530.

O’Connor, K.M. & Hamill, J. (2005). Anatomically-based axes at the ankle provide more functionally relevant information. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 21, 85-95.

O’Connor, K.M. & Hamill, J. (2004). The role of selected extrinsic foot muscles during running. Clinical Biomechanics, 19, 71-77.

O’Connor, K.M. & Hamill, J. (2002). Does running on a crowned road predispose a runner to injury? Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 18, 3-14.