Dr. Thurmon E. Lockhart

Associate Professor

557 Whittemore Hall
Phone: 540-231-9088
Fax: 540-231-3322
Email: lockhart@vt.edu

Biographical Information

Education

• Ph.D., Texas Tech, 2000
• M.S., Texas Tech, 1997
• B.S., Texas Tech, 1992

Research Accomplishments

Theoretical and applied research on development of interventions to reduce fall accidents and improve health of the elderly and workforce. Development of in-vehicle design attributes to reduce traffic accidents among the elderly.

Recent Course Responsibilities

Work Measurement, Human Factors, Ergonomics, Locomotion Biomechanics and Research Design

Journal Papers

• Parijat, P., and Lockhart, T.E., (In press), Effects of quadriceps fatigue on the biomechanics of gait and slip propensity. Gait and Posture, accepted September, 2007.
• Liu, J., Lockhart, T.E., Jones, M., and Martin, T., (In press), Local Dynamic Stability Assessment of Motion Impaired Elderly using Electronic Textile Pants. IEEE Transactions in Automation Science and Engineering, accepted, January, 2008.
• Granata K.P., and Lockhart T.E., (2008), Dynamic stability differences in fall-prone and healthy adults. J. Electromyography & Kinesiology, 18, 172-178.
• Lockhart T.E., (2008), An integrated approach towards identifying age-related mechanisms of slip initiated falls. J. Electromyography & Kinesiology, 18, 205-217.
• Kim, S., Lockhart, T.E., (2008), The Effects of 10% Front Load Carriage on the Likelihood of Slips and Falls. Industrial Health, 46, 32-39.
• Shi, W., Lockhart, T.E., Arbab, M., (2008), Tinted windshield and its effects on aging drivers' visual acuity and glare response. Safety Science, 46, 1223-1233.

Selected Recent Projects

• Continuous Non-Invasive Gait Analysis and Fall-Risk Assessment. NSF-CBET-0756058 (VT)/0756645 (UVA) — Collaborative Research - VT PI: Thurmon Lockhart, UVA PI: John Lach. This is a collaborative research project to develop an ambulatory assessment device and algorithms to measure gait and posture utilizing accelerometers and gyroscopes. This device will be used to diagnose fall prone elderly individuals with stability decrements and movement disorders replacing laboratory based motion analysis systems.
• Meeting Mandated Manning Requirements Through Effort Leveling. Office of Naval Research (ONR), MCM System for Combat Ship Advanced Flight Mission. PI: Bob Sturges (50%), Co-PI: Lockhart (40%), Creehan (10%). This portion of the project will model human motor control issues related to working at various sea states regarding stability dynamics.
• Hyperstereopsis Digital Comepnsation Mechanisms. ITT Night Vision — 082301. VTPI: Lockhart (50%), Riverstone PI: Inge. This study will assess the effects of increased inter-ocular separation of monocular hyperstereopsis.
• Non-intrusive Locomotion and Gait Stability Analysis Monitoring System for the Elderly. NIH/NIA -1R43AG029721. PI: Sunil Saxena [AFrame], Virginia Tech PI: Lockhart (100%). This study will develop a practical, wearable, non-intrusive, wireless device for the collection of physiological data specifically designed for aging research. This portion of the project (i.e., Phase I) will concentrate on development of fall detection and prediction monitoring for the elderly.
• Development of Gait and Posture Monitoring System for the Elderly. Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (ICTAS), Virginia Tech — 555066. PI: Lockhart (100%). This portion of the project (i.e., Phase II) will concentrate on development of gait and posture monitoring for the elderly.
• Older Driver Naturalistic Observation. Virginia Tech Transportation Institute - VTTI. PI: Jon Antin, Co-PI: Lockhart (25%). This study will assess older drivers' and non-drivers' physical and mental characteristics as the assessment phase of a naturalistic driving study intended to reduce automobile accidents in this growing population.

Industries Serviced

Healthcare services, automobile OEM, construction

Key Professional Service activities

• Editor-in-Chief, The Open Occupational Health & Safety Journal
• Senior Editor, Ergonomics in Design (EID)
• Editorial Board, International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics (IJIE)

Membership

• American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM-F13)
• American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE)
• Human Factors and Ergonomic Society (HFES)
• International Society of Occupational Ergonomics and Safety (ISOES) — Executive Committee

Additional links

• www.locomotion.ise.vt.edu