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

George Salem

Dr. George Salem, PhD, is the Director of the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Laboratory, Director of the Human Anatomy Program, and Associate Professor in the Division of Biokinesiology & Physical Therapy at USC. His research program recognizes the growing importance of exercise in improving health and life-quality across the lifespan. He is the Principal Investigator on an NIA grant investigating the effectiveness of yoga in treating older adults with hyperkyphosis. He also serves as Co-Investigator on an R01 grants from NICHD, and has a strong history of funded research and publication. Dr. Salem is also a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine.

Academic Positions

2004-present Associate Professor, Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, USC
1997-2004 Assistant Professor, Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, USC
1996-present Director, Anatomical Sciences, Department of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, USC
1996-present Co-director, Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Research Laboratory, Department of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, USC
1999-2001 Visiting Assistant Professor, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of California, Los Angeles
1996-1997 Assistant Professor of Research, Department of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, USC
1995-1996 Associate Professor, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)
1991-1995 Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Physiological Science, UCLA

Education

University of California, Los Angeles Postdoc 1991-1993 Physiology/Biomechanics
University of California, Los Angeles Ph.D. 1991 Kinesiology/Biomechanics
University of California, Los Angeles M.S. 1988 Kinesiology/Biomechanics
University of California, Davis B.S. 1983 Psychology (Biological)

Current Research Support

RO1 HD033064 (Goran, PI), 12/01/05-11/30/10
National Institute on Child Health and Human Development/NIH
Intra-abdominal Adipose Tissue and Disease Risk in Adolescents
This study will expand upon earlier investigations of obesity and exercise in additional minority populations.
Role: Co-investigator

NCI (U54 CA 16848) (Goran, PI), 09/01/05-8/31/10
USC Center for Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer
This project will establish a center to address the physiologic, metabolic, behavioral, genetic and environmental influences on obesity, metabolic health and cancer risk with a focus on minority children.
Role: Co-investigator

Selected Publications

  1. Song, J-E., Fisher, B., Wu, A., Pettsinger, G., Gordon, J., and Salem, G., The Relations between the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale and Lower-Extremity Functional Performance in Persons with Early-stage Parkinson’s Disease. Journal Neurorehabilitation & Repair. (In press)
  2. Chiu, L., and Salem, G.. Time Series Analysis: Evaluating Trends in Exercise and Athletic Performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. (In press)
  3. Chiu, L. and Salem, G. Mechanical comparison of front squat and push press exercises. Sport Biomechanics. (In press)
  4. Fisher, B., Wu, A., Salem, G., Song, J-E., Lin, J., Jakowic, M., Yip, J., Gordon, J., and Pettsinger, G. The Effect of Exercise Training in Improving Motor Performance and Cortico-Motor Excitability in Individuals with Early Parkinson's Disease. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 89: 1221-1229, 2008.
  5. Chiu, L.Z.F., B.K. Schilling, A.C. Fry, and G.J. Salem. The influence of deformation on barbell mechanics during the clean pull. Sport Biomechanics 7:260-273, 2008.
  6. Flanagan, S. and Salem, G. Lower extremity joint kinetic responses to external resistance variations. Journal of Applied Biomechanics 24: 58-68, 2008.
  7. Flanagan, S. and Salem, G. Bilateral differences in the net joint torques during the squat exercise. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 21: 1220-1226, 2007.
  8. Flanagan, S., Kessans, K., and Salem, G. Quantifying bilateral joint contributions during a variety of stepping exercises. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation 15: 255-265, 2006.
  9. Shaibi, G.Q., Cruz, M.L., Ball, G.D., Weigensberg, Salem G.J., Crespo, N.C., and Goran, M.I. Resistance training improves insulin sensitivity in overweight Latino adolescent males Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise 38: 1208-1215, 2006.
  10. Chui, L. and Salem, G. Comparison of joint kinetics during free weight and flywheel resistance exercise. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 20: 555-562, 2006.