Dr. Kurt Beschorner has been named a 2026 Fellow of the American Society of Biomechanics (ASB) which is one of...
Preventing Injuries Through Biomechanics & Human Factors
Preventing
Injuries Through
Biomechanics & Human Factors
Conducting Research to Design a Safer World
Using biomechanical, postural control, and human factors principles, we research factors influencing human movement, balance, health, and performance. Our research uses a multidisciplinary approach to apply this research to healthy, occupational, and clinical populations.
Core Competency Areas
Vision, Vestibular & Mobility
Vision, Vestibular & Mobility
Human Factors Engineering
Human Factors Engineering
Postural Control & Fall Prevention
Postural Control & Fall Prevention
Musculoskeletal Health & Performance
Musculoskeletal Health & Performance
Populations and Applications
Occupational Injury Prevention
Sensorimotor Function in Clinical Populations
Aging-Related Balance and Mobility
Special Populations
Our Team in Action
HMBL Facts
Our work strives to understanding of the biomechanical and postural control principles that govern human movement, balance during standing/walking, and performance of occupational tasks.
283
Publications
46
Research Projects
135
Undergraduate Students
32
Graduate Students
3000+
Research Participants
$26M+
Funding
Featured Research Projects
Sensorimotor Function in Clinical Populations
Vision, Vestibular & Mobility
Low Vision and Performance of Work-Related Manual Tasks Requiring Dexterity
Adults with visual impairments (VIs) face employment challenges, impacting productivity and safety. This NIOSH-funded study aims to assess how VI…
Human Factors Engineering
Special Populations
CuffLink: Remotely Monitored Rotator Cuff Repair Rehabilitation at Home
This collaborative project between ēlizur and the University of Pittsburgh aims to develop CuffLink, a telehealth system for post-rotator cuff…
Sensorimotor Function in Clinical Populations
Vision, Vestibular & Mobility
Kinematics of Head and Eye Movements during the Vestibular Head Impulse Test (vHIT)
Testing of the functional capabilities of the vertical semicircular canals of the vestibular system is important in the diagnosis of…
Musculoskeletal Health & Performance
Exploring the Feasibility of Wearable NIRS (Near-Infrared Spectroscopy) Technology for Monitoring At Home Muscle Health
The aim of the study is to determine the feasibility of wearable NIRS technology in measuring muscle health and performance…
Occupational Injury Prevention
Postural Control & Fall Prevention
Predicting Slips during Ladder Climbing: Novel Methods for Assessing Shoe-Rung Friction
Funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), this research aims to identify the individual, design, and…
Featured Research Projects
Sensorimotor Function in Clinical Populations
Vision, Vestibular & Mobility
Low Vision and Performance of Work-Related Manual Tasks Requiring Dexterity
Adults with visual impairments (VIs) face employment challenges, impacting productivity and safety. This NIOSH-funded study aims to assess…
Human Factors Engineering
Special Populations
CuffLink: Remotely Monitored Rotator Cuff Repair Rehabilitation at Home
This collaborative project between ēlizur and the University of Pittsburgh aims to develop CuffLink, a telehealth system for…
Sensorimotor Function in Clinical Populations
Vision, Vestibular & Mobility
Kinematics of Head and Eye Movements during the Vestibular Head Impulse Test (vHIT)
Testing of the functional capabilities of the vertical semicircular canals of the vestibular system is important in the…
Musculoskeletal Health & Performance
Exploring the Feasibility of Wearable NIRS (Near-Infrared Spectroscopy) Technology for Monitoring At Home Muscle Health
The aim of the study is to determine the feasibility of wearable NIRS technology in measuring muscle health…
Occupational Injury Prevention
Postural Control & Fall Prevention
Predicting Slips during Ladder Climbing: Novel Methods for Assessing Shoe-Rung Friction
Funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), this research aims to identify the individual,…
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From the HMBLog
The Human Movement & Balance Lab is collaborating with the Pitt Panthers baseball team to better understand pitching mechanics and...
Sarah Griffin successfully defended her dissertation entitled “A mechanistic model for predicting ladder fall risk: from biomechanics laboratory to wearable...
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