Jeremy Smith

Education

• 2008 Ph.D., The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
• 2001 M.S., Texas Woman’s University, Denton, TX
• 1998 B.A., University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
  
  

Professional Experience

• 2008 – present Assistant Professor of Sport & Exercise Science, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
  
• Aug. 2007 – Dec. 2007 Lecturer of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
  
• 2005 - 2007 Instructor of Physical Education, Ball State University, Muncie, IN

Research

My research interests focus on the effects of lower extremity structural limitations on the mechanics and energetics of locomotion. My current focus is on the effects of prosthesis inertia on metabolic costs of walking and walking asymmetries in unilateral, transtibial amputees. My interest in this area stems from wanting to better understand the relationship between inertial asymmetries and walking asymmetries and their influence on metabolic costs. Unilateral amputees exhibit an inertial asymmetry between legs due to the use of a lightweight prosthetic limb, which some have suggested contributes to walking asymmetries in this population. In addition to these asymmetries, unilateral amputees also expend approximately 20% to 30% more metabolic energy per unit distance traveled than non-amputees walking at the same speeds. My research approach to date has been experimental in that packets of lead shot have typically been added to the legs of both non-amputees and amputees during walking and their responses measured. My future work in this area will utilize both an experimental and computer modeling and simulation approach to gain insights into mechanisms associated with the higher metabolic costs during amputee locomotion and neuromuscular adaptations to lower extremity inertial manipulations. 

Recent Presentations & Publications

Smith, J.D. & Martin, P.E. Muscular demands during prosthetic leg swing increase due to increased interactions among segments. Presented at the North American Conference on Biomechanics. Ann Arbor, MI, August 8, 2008.

Heise, G.D., Smith J.D., & Martin, P.E. Lower extremity mechanical work explains interindividual variability of running economy. Presented at the North American Conference on Biomechanics. Ann Arbor, MI, August 8, 2008.

Smith, J.D. & Martin, P.E. Metabolic costs of transtibial amputees are influenced by prosthetic mass distribution. Presented at the American Society of Biomechanics 31st Annaul Meeting. Palo Alto, CA, August 24, 2007.

Weinhandl, J.T., Smith, J.D., Finch, W.H., Dugan, E.L. Effects of repetitive drop jumps on lower extremity landing mechanics. Presented at the American Society of Biomechanics 31st Annaul Meeting. Palo Alto, CA, August 24, 2007.

Smith, J.D., Martin, P.E., & Mattes, S.J. Intersegmental dynamics of the swing phase of walking in trans-tibial amputees. Presented at the combined International Society of Biomechanics XXth Congress and American Society of Biomechanics 29th Annual Meeting. Cleveland, OH, August 4, 2005.

Smith, John D., Smith, Jeremy D., Kinser, K., Dugan, E., & Reed, M. Physiological and biomechanical responses while running with and without a stroller. Presented at the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting. Indianapolis, IN, June 4, 2004.

Smith, J.D. & Martin, P.E. Short and long term adaptations in walking symmetry caused by asymmetric lower extremity loading. Presented at the Ninth Annual Meeting of the Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society. Lexington, KY, April 23, 2004.

Smith, J.D. & Martin, P.E. Intersegmental dynamics of the swing phase of walking are altered by inertial changes. Presented at the Midwest Graduate Student Biomechanics Symposium in Toledo, OH, April 4, 2003.

Martin, P.E., Smith, J.D. & Royer, T.D. Adaptations in lower extremity joint kinetics to inertial asymmetries during walking. Presented at the Fourth World Congress of Biomechanics in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, August 8, 2002.         

Smith, J.D. & Martin P.E. (2007). Walking patterns change rapidly following asymmetrical lower extremity loading. Human Movement Science, 26(3), 412-25

Smith, John D., Smith, Jeremy D., Kinser, K., Dugan, E., & Reed, M. (2005). Physiological and biomechanical responses while running with and without a stroller. Journal of Sports Medicine & Physical Fitness, 45(3), 270-6.