- krisocon@uwm.edu
- 414-251-5277
- Enderis Hall 471
Kristian O'Connor, PhD
- Professor, UWM Associate Vice Provost for Research
Education
Speaker Topics
- Athletic Injuries and Rehabilitation
- Exercise Science
Interests & Expertise
Kristian O'Connor's primary research focus is on the biomechanics of musculoskeletal injury. Current research has focused on the mechanisms knee injuries that occur during sports, and particularly the effects of fatigue on increased injury risk. The effects of fatigue may be central to understanding overuse running injuries, such as anterior knee pain and traumatic injuries, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. Neuromuscular fatigue may also be a factor contributing to musculoskeletal disease progression such as with osteoarthritis.
O’Connor has also been actively involved in developing a new motion capture technology to track motion in three-dimensions using a single camera. This will allow for a portable system for testing in a clinical setting that avoids the need to bring populations to specially-equipped labs.
Selected Publications
Gerstle, E., O'Connor, K. M., Keenan, K., Slavens, B. A., & Cobb, S. C. (2022, September). The Effect of Age and Fall History on Lower Extremity Neuromuscular Function During Descent of a Single Transition Step. Journal of aging and physical activity, 1-8.
Heintz Walters, B., Huddleston, W. E., O'Connor, K. M., Wang, J., Hoeger Bement, M., & Keenan, K. (2021, November). The role of eye movements, attention, and hand movements on age-related differences in pegboard tests. Journal of Neurophysiology, 126(5), 1710-1722.
Gerstle, E., O'Connor, K. M., Keenan, K., Slavens, B. A., & Cobb, S. C. (2021, October (4th Quarter/Autumn)). The influence of age and fall history on single transition step kinematics. Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon), 89, 105456.
Gerstle, E. E., O'Connor, K. M., Keenan, K. G., & Cobb, S. C. (2017, December). Foot and Ankle Kinematics During Descent From Varying Step Heights. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 33(6), 453-459.
Bazett-Jones, D. M., Huddleston, W., Cobb, S., O'Connor, K. M., & Earl-Boehm, J. E. (2017, May). Acute Responses of Strength and Running Mechanics to Increasing and Decreasing Pain in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain. Journal of Athletic Training, 52(5), 411-421.
Weinhandl, J. T., & O'Connor, K. M. (2017, October (4th Quarter/Autumn)). Influence of ground reaction force perturbations on anterior cruciate ligament loading during sidestep cutting. Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, 1-9.
Collins, J. D., Almonroeder, T. G., Ebersole, K. T., & O'Connor, K. M. (2016, June). The effects of fatigue and anticipation on the mechanics of the knee during cutting in female athletes. Clinical Biomechanics, 35, 62-67.
Fiedler, G., Slavens, B. A., O'Connor, K. M., Smith, R. O., & Hafner, B. J. (2016, February). Effects of physical exertion on trans-tibial prosthesis users’ ability to accommodate alignment perturbations. Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 40(1), 75-82.
O'Connor, K. M., Johnson, C., & Benson, L. (2015). The effect of isolated hamstrings fatigue on landing and cutting mechanics. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 31(4), 211-220.
Almonroeder, T., Benson, L., & O'Connor, K. M. (2015). Changes in patellofemoral joint stress during running with the application of a prefabricated foot orthotic. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 10(7), 967-975.
Benson, L., & O'Connor, K. M. (2015). The effect of exertion on joint kinematics and kinetics during running using a waveform analysis approach. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 31(4), 250-257.
Almonroeder, T. G., Benson, L., & O'Connor, K. M. (2015). The effect of a prefabricated foot orthotic on frontal plane joint mechanics during. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 31(3), 149-158.
Weinhandl, J. T., Earl-Boehm, J. E., , K. E., Huddleston, W. E., Armstrong, B. S., & O'Connor, K. M. (2014). Reduced hamstrings strength increases anterior cruciate ligament loading during anticipated sidestep cutting. Clinical Biomechanics.
Weinhandl, J. T., Earl-Boehm, J. E., O'Connor, K. M., Ebersole, K., Huddleston, W. E., & Armstrong, B. S. (2013). Anticipatory effects on anterior cruciate ligament loading during sidestep cutting. Clinical Biomechanics, 28(6), 655-663.
Bazett-Jones, D. M., Cobb, S. C., O'Connor, K. M., Huddleston, W. E., Armstrong, B. S., & Earl-Boehm, J. E. (2013). Effect of patellofemoral pain on strength and mechanics after an exhaustive run. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 45(7), 1331-1339.
Presentations
Hocking, A., Ericksen, H. M., O'Connor, K. M., & Earl-Boehm, J. E. (June 2019). Investigating Hip and Trunk Kinematics and Strength Differences Between Those With a History of Exertional Medial Tibial Pain and Healthy Controls. 70th NATA Clinical Symposia and AT Expo, Las Vegas, NV.
Hocking, A., Ericksen, H. M., O'Connor, K. M., & Earl-Boehm, J. E. (May 2018). Investigating hip and trunk kinematic and strength differences between those with a history of exertional medial tibial pain and healthy controls.. UWM Partners for Health Spring Research Symposium, Milwaukee, WI.
Alexander, A. M., Safarovic, B., Weissenboeck, K., Almonroeder, T. G., & O'Connor, K. M. (2016). Comparison of gait parameters using anatomical- and functional-based methods of hip joint center definitions. American Society of Biomechanics Annual Meeting, Raleigh, NC.
O'Connor, K. M., Safarovic, B., Weissenboeck, K., Almonroeder, T. G., & Alexander, A. M. (2016). Comparison of gait parameters using anatomical- and functional-based methods of knee joint axis definitions. American Society of Biomechanics Annual Meeting, Raleigh, NC.
Benson, L., Cobb, S. C., Hyngstrom, A., Keenan, K., Luo, J., & O'Connor, K. M. (2016). Predicting walking foot clearance from sagittal joint coordination. American Society of Biomechanics Annual Meeting, Raleigh, NC.
O'Connor, M. L., O'Connor, K. M., Ebersole, K., & Earl-Boehm, J. E. (2016). The development of the single-leg landing error scoring system (SL-LESS) for lower extremity movement screening. National Athletic Training Association Annual Convention, Baltimore, MD.
Benson, L., Cobb, S. C., Hyngstrom, A., Keenan, K., Luo, J., & O'Connor, K. M. (2016). Predicting walking foot clearance from sagittal joint coordination. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Health Sciences Spring Research Symposium, Milwaukee, WI.
Benson, L., Cobb, S. C., Hybgstrom, A., Keenan, K., & O'Connor, K. M. (August 2016). Predicting walking foot clearance from sagittal joint coordination. American Society of Biomechanics Annual Meeting, .
O'Connor, M., Ebersole, K., O'Connor, K. M., & Earl-Boehm, J. E. (June 2016). Reliability and validity of the single-leg Landing Error Scoring System (SL-LESS) for lower extremity movement screening. National Athletic Trainers Association Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposium, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Gerstle, E., Keenan, K., O'Connor, K. M., & Cobb, S. C. (May 2016). Lower extremity muscle activity during descent from varying step heights. 21st Annual GCMAS Meeting, .
Seneli, R. M., Beschorner, K. E., Keenan, K., Earl-Boehm, J. E., O'Connor, K. M., & Cobb, S. C. (May 2016). Foot joint coupling variability in rearfoot and forefoot runners after an exhaustive run. 63rd Annual ACSM Meeting, .
Gerstle, E., Keenan, K., O'Connor, K. M., & Cobb, S. C. (May 2016). Lower extremity muscle activity during descent from varying step heights. 2016 CHS Research Symposium, .
Almonroeder, T., Benson, L., & O'Connor, K. M. (2015). The Effect of a Foot Orthotic on Frontal Plane Joint Mechanics During Running in Groups with Varying Rearfoot Motion. American Physical Therapy Association, Combined Sections Meeting,, Indianapolis, IN.
Benson, L., & O'Connor, K. M. (2015). Assessment of Knee Mechanics and Muscle Activity during balance exercises. American Society of Biomechanics annual meeting, Columbus, OH.
Johnson, B., Campbell-Kyureghyan, N., Otieno, W., & O'Connor, K. M. (2015). Influence of jackhammer weight on hand-arm vibration transmission. American Society of Biomechanics annual meeting,, Columbus, OH..
Recent Funded Grants
O’Connor, K. M., Armstrong, B. S. R., & Powers, C. “An innovative tool for assessment of gait dysfunction in the clinical setting,” National Institutes of Health 2R44HD068147-02 ($1,500,000 – Priority Score 31, PENDING).
O’Connor, K. M., Armstrong, B. S. R., & Powers, C. “An innovative tool for assessment of gait dysfunction in the clinical setting,” National Institutes of Health 1R43HD068147-01 ($215,411).
O’Connor, K. M. “Gait and Muscle Activation Patterns of Skechers Toning Footwear,” Sport Biomechanics, Inc. 2010 ($17,673).