about_learning_facilities.jpg about_the_center.jpg alumni.jpg central_market.jpg continuing_ed.jpg facts_history.jpg faculty_practice.jpg

Christopher Powers

Dr. Chris Powers, PhD, is Co-Director of the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Lab and holds a joint appointment as Associate Professor in the Division of Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy and the Department of Radiology & Orthopedic Surgery at USC. He is currently the Principal Investigator on an NIH study of the mechanics of non-contact ACL injuries in female athletes, and was previously the Principal Investigator on two funded studies of the biomechanical and neuromuscular aspects of lower-extremity injury. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Innovation in Research Award from the American Society of Safety Engineers Foundation, the Eugene Michels New Investigator Award and the Dorothy Briggs Scientific Inquiry Award from the American Physical Therapy Association, and is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine.

Positions & Honors

Positions
2003-present Director, Program in Biokinesiology, Division of Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy, University of Southern California
2003-present Associate Professor, Department of Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy and Department of Radiology & Orthopedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California
1997-present Co-Director, Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Lab, University of Southern California
1997-2003 Assistant Professor; Department of Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy, University of Southern California
1996-1997 Postdoctoral Fellow, Orthopaedic Biomechanics Lab, University of California, Irvine
1991-1996 Research Associate, Pathokinesiology Lab, Rancho Los Amigos Med Center, Downey, CA

Selected Honors & Awards
2008 Royce P. Noland Award for Merit, California Chapter, APTA
2008 Distinguished Alumnus Award, Program in Physical Therapy, Columbia University
2007 Standards Excellence Award, American Society of Testing and Measures
2006 Lucy Blair Service Award: American Physical Therapy Association
2005 Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine
2004 Best Paper Award, Gait & Posture
2002 Innovation in Research Award, American Society of Safety Engineers Foundation
2002 Eugene Michels New Investigator Award, American Physical Therapy Association
2001 Dorothy Briggs Scientific Inquiry Award; American Physical Therapy Association

Education

University of California, Irvine Postdoc 1997 Orthopaedic Biomechanics
University of Southern California Ph.D. 1996 Biokinesiology
Columbia University, NY M.S. 1987 Physical Therapy
University of California, Santa Barbara B.A. 1984 Physical Education

Current Research Support

R01 HD046663 Powers (PI), 4/05-3/10
NIH
Mechanics of non-contact ACL injuries in female athletes
The purpose of this study is to identify gender specific movement patterns that may predispose females to non-contact ACL injuries and to quantify the effects of an injury prevention program on altering potentially injurious lower extremity mechanics.
Role: Principal Investigator

Selected Publications

  1. Powers CM, Blanchette MG, Brault JR, Flynn J, Siegmund GP. Validation of walkway tribometer: Establishing a reference standard. Submitted to: J Forensic Sci (To be published 9/09).
  2. Tsai LC, Sigward SM, Pollard CD, Fletcher MJ, Powers CM. The effects of fatigue and recovery on knee kinetics and kinematics during side-step cutting. Med Sci Sport Exerc (To be published 9/09).
  3. Souza RB, Powers CM. Predictors of hip rotation during running: An evaluation of hip strength and femoral structure in women with and without patellofemoral pain. Am J Sports Med. 37:579-587, 2009.
  4. Souza RB, Powers CM. Differences in hip kinematics, muscle strength and muscle activation between subjects with and without patellofemoral pain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 39:12-19, 2009.
  5. Sigward SM. Ota S, Powers CM. Predictors of frontal plane knee excursion during a drop landing in young female athletes. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 38:661-667, 2008.
  6. Brennglass A, Souza RB, Meyer J, Powers CM. Identification of abnormal hip motion associated with acetabular labral pathology: A resident’s case report. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 38:558-565, 2008.
  7. Farrokhi S, Pollard CD, Souza R, Chen YJ, Reischl S, Powers CM. Trunk position influences lower extremity demands during the forward lunge exercise. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 38:403-409, 2008.
  8. Tsai YJ, Powers CM. The influence of footwear sole hardness on slip initiation in young adults. J Forensic Sci. 53:884-888, 2008.
  9. Powers CM, Doubleday KL, Escudero C. The influence of patellofemoral bracing on pain, knee extensor torque and gait function in females with patellofemoral pain. Physiother Theory Pract. 24:1-9, 2008.
  10. Powers CM, Beneck GJ, Kulig K, Landel RF, Fredericson M. The effects of a single session of posterior to anterior spinal mobilization and press-ups on pain response and lumbar spine extension in persons with nonspecific low back pain. Phys Ther. 88:485-492, 2008.