Department of Kinesiology

	Timothy Derrick, PhD.
	Associate Professor
	Department of Kinesiology
	Iowa State University
	249 Forker Building
	Ames, IA 50011-1160
Office: 515-294-8438
e-mail: tderrick@iastate.edu

Research Interests

Impact Biomechanics. The Biomechanics Laboratory has close ties with industry in the area of impacts. We have tested the cushioning properties of footwear for such organizations as Runners World Magazine, Consumer Reports, Fila, Air Walk, Remington, Speedo, Wilson and the US Military. We have tested impact attenuation in gymnastics mats, vault tables and pads for companies such as Hadar Manufacturing and American Athletics. Shock attenuation has also been assessed in wheelchairs and basketball rims. Current research in this area involves the effects that the geometry of the body during the impact has on the effective mass and the impact attenuation.

Osteogenic Exercise. Older adults and astronauts during long duration spaceflight have decreased bone strength that can lead to fracture. Exercise has been shown to increase bone strength and could be used as a preventative measure if the boundaries of safe and effective use can be identified. We are using biochemical blood markers that are associated with bone resorption and formation in an effort to identify optimal patterns of impacts. We are also collecting impacts from various sport and exercise activities so that we can eventually identify those activities that produce the greatest osteogenic effect. The pattern of impacts can also play a role in stress fractures in athletes and military recruits. These are serious injuries that result in significant health care costs, lost training time, and interference with job performance and competition.

Lower Extremity Foot Function. Foot disorders are difficult to study in humans because the foot is complex and resistant to internal examination. We have built a machine that allows us to move the muscles and skeleton of a cadaver foot in a natural motion so that we can measure bone movements and strains. We are working on using this information to build an accurate model of the foot so that function and dysfunction can be studied.

Teaching

I teach biomechanics to undergraduate and graduate students, I also teach functional anatomy and am very involved in honors projects and independent research projects for undergraduate students.

Service/Outreach/Professional Activity

I am a member of the American College of Sport Medicine and the International Society of Biomechanics. I am active in supporting the research efforts of several Iowa small business enterprises.

Personal Interests

My children, camping, hiking and running (when I find time).