Rakie Cham

  • (2021) Elected President-Elect of the American Society of Biomechanics.
  • (2012) Elected Program Chair of the American Society of Biomechanics 2013 meeting.
  • (2005) Robert O. Agbede Award for Diversity School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh..
  • (2003) National Science Foundation Travel Award ($400) Travel award to attend the NSF-sponsored Faculty Career Development Workshop given by Tim Anderson (University of Florida) and Geoff Prentice (NSF) at the University of Maine-Orono..
  • (2003) Hewlett International Small Grant Award ($2,471) University Center for International Studies (UCIS), University of Pittsburgh. Travel award to present research at the International Society for Postural and Gait Research (ISPGR) held in Sydney, Australia..
  • (1998) Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award (as a graduate student).

  • PhD, Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 1997 - 2000
  • M.Sc., Physics, McGill University, 1993 - 1995
  • B.Sc., Physics, McGill University, 1990 - 1993

  • Curran, K., Holland, G., Redfern, M.S., & Cham, R. (2025). Comparing sensory organization test measures of the Bertec® Balance Advantage® CDP/IVRTM and NeuroCom® Smart EquiTest® computerized dynamic posturography systems in young and older healthy adults. Gait Posture, 121, 308-314.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2025.05.017.
  • Brach, J.S., Perera, S., Shuman, V., Gil, A.B., Kriska, A., Nadkarni, N.K., Rockette-Wagner, B., Cham, R., & VanSwearingen, J.M. (2022). Effect of Timing and Coordination Training on Mobility and Physical Activity Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open, 5(5), e2212921.American Medical Association (AMA). doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.12921.
  • Ma, C.Z.H., Bao, T., DiCesare, C.A., Harris, I., Chambers, A., Shull, P.B., Zheng, Y.P., Cham, R., & Sienko, K.H. (2022). Reducing Slip Risk: A Feasibility Study of Gait Training with Semi-Real-Time Feedback of Foot-Floor Contact Angle. Sensors (Basel), 22(10).MDPI. doi: 10.3390/s22103641.
  • Cham, R., Iverson, J.M., Bailes, A.H., Jennings, J.R., Eack, S.M., & Redfern, M.S. (2021). Attention and sensory integration for postural control in young adults with autism spectrum disorders. Exp Brain Res, 239(5), 1417-1426.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/s00221-021-06058-z.
  • O'Connell, C., Redfern, M., Chan, K.C., Wollstein, G., Conner, I.P., & Cham, R. (2021). Sensory integration abilities for balance in glaucoma, a preliminary study. Sci Rep, 11(1), 19691.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-98518-3.
  • Beschorner, K.E., Iraqi, A., Redfern, M.S., Moyer, B.E., & Cham, R. (2020). Influence of averaging time-interval on shoe-floor-contaminant available coefficient of friction measurements. Appl Ergon, 82, 102959.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2019.102959.
  • Brach, J.S., VanSwearingen, J.M., Gil, A., Nadkarni, N.K., Kriska, A., Cham, R., & Perera, S. (2020). Program to improve mobility in aging (PRIMA) study: Methods and rationale of a task-oriented motor learning exercise program. Contemp Clin Trials, 89, 105912.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2019.105912.
  • Merrill, Z., Chambers, A., & Cham, R. (2020). Development and validation of body fat prediction models in American adults. Obes Sci Pract, 6(2), 189-195.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/osp4.392.
  • Merrill, Z., Woolley, C., & Cham, R. (2020). Impact of the seated height to stature ratio on torso segment parameters. Ergonomics, 63(11), 1425-1433.Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.1080/00140139.2020.1792560.
  • Beschorner, K.E., Iraqi, A., Redfern, M.S., Cham, R., & Li, Y. (2019). Predicting slips based on the STM 603 whole-footwear tribometer under different coefficient of friction testing conditions. Ergonomics, 62(5), 668-681.Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.1080/00140139.2019.1567828.
  • Merrill, Z., Perera, S., & Cham, R. (2019). Predictive regression modeling of body segment parameters using individual-based anthropometric measurements. J Biomech, 96, 109349.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.109349.
  • Merrill, Z., Perera, S., Chambers, A., & Cham, R. (2019). Age and body mass index associations with body segment parameters. J Biomech, 88, 38-47.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.03.016.
  • Trivedi, V., Bang, J.W., Parra, C., Colbert, M.K., O'Connell, C., Arshad, A., Faiq, M.A., Conner, I.P., Redfern, M.S., Wollstein, G., Schuman, J.S., Cham, R., & Chan, K.C. (2019). Widespread brain reorganization perturbs visuomotor coordination in early glaucoma. Sci Rep, 9(1), 14168.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-50793-x.
  • Iraqi, A., Cham, R., Redfern, M.S., & Beschorner, K.E. (2018). Coefficient of friction testing parameters influence the prediction of human slips. Appl Ergon, 70, 118-126.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2018.02.017.
  • Iraqi, A., Cham, R., Redfern, M.S., Vidic, N.S., & Beschorner, K.E. (2018). Kinematics and kinetics of the shoe during human slips. J Biomech, 74, 57-63.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2018.04.018.
  • Merrill, Z., Bova, G., Chambers, A., & Cham, R. (2018). Effect of Trunk Segment Boundary Definitions on Frontal Plane Segment Inertial Calculations. J Appl Biomech, 34(3), 232-235.Human Kinetics. doi: 10.1123/jab.2016-0319.
  • Merrill, Z., Chambers, A.J., & Cham, R. (2017). Arm reactions in response to an unexpected slip-Impact of aging. J Biomech, 58, 21-26.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2017.04.011.
  • O'Connell, C., Mahboobin, A., Drexler, S., Redfern, M.S., Perera, S., Nau, A.C., & Cham, R. (2017). Effects of acute peripheral/central visual field loss on standing balance. Exp Brain Res, 235(11), 3261-3270.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/s00221-017-5045-x.
  • O'Connell, C., Chambers, A., Mahboobin, A., & Cham, R. (2016). Effects of slip severity on muscle activation of the trailing leg during an unexpected slip. J Electromyogr Kinesiol, 28, 61-66.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2016.02.007.
  • O'Connell, C., Ho, L.C., Murphy, M.C., Conner, I.P., Wollstein, G., Cham, R., & Chan, K.C. (2016). Structural and functional correlates of visual field asymmetry in the human brain by diffusion kurtosis MRI and functional MRI. Neuroreport, 27(16), 1225-1231.Wolters Kluwer. doi: 10.1097/WNR.0000000000000682.
  • Chambers, A.J., Parise, E., McCrory, J.L., & Cham, R. (2014). A comparison of prediction equations for the estimation of body fat percentage in non-obese and obese older Caucasian adults in the United States. J Nutr Health Aging, 18(6), 586-590.Elsevier. doi: 10.1007/s12603-014-0017-3.
  • Sukits, A.L., Nebes, R.D., Chambers, A.J., Ledgerwood, A., Halligan, E.M., Perera, S., & Cham, R. (2014). Intra-individual variability in gait and in cognitive performance are not related in the elderly. Neuropsychol Dev Cogn B Aging Neuropsychol Cogn, 21(3), 283-295.Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.1080/13825585.2013.802760.
  • Beschorner, K.E., Redfern, M.S., & Cham, R. (2013). Earliest Gait Deviations During Slips: Implications For Recovery. IISE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors, 1(1), 31-37.Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.1080/21577323.2012.660904.
  • Kong, P.W., Suyama, J., Cham, R., & Hostler, D. (2012). The relationship between physical activity and thermal protective clothing on functional balance in firefighters. Res Q Exerc Sport, 83(4), 546-552.Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.1080/02701367.2012.10599144.
  • Kong, P.W., Suyama, J., Hostler, D., & Cham, R. (2012). The relationship between physical activity and thermal protective clothing on functional balance in firefighters. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 83(4), 546-552. doi: 10.1080/02701367.2012.10599144.
  • Brach, J.S., McGurl, D., Wert, D., Vanswearingen, J.M., Perera, S., Cham, R., & Studenski, S. (2011). Validation of a measure of smoothness of walking. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 66(1), 136-141.Oxford University Press (OUP). doi: 10.1093/gerona/glq170.
  • Cham, R., Perera, S., Studenski, S.A., & Bohnen, N.I. (2011). Age-related striatal dopaminergic denervation and severity of a slip perturbation. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 66(9), 980-985.Oxford University Press (OUP). doi: 10.1093/gerona/glr060.
  • Chambers, A.J., Sukits, A.L., McCrory, J.L., & Cham, R. (2011). Differences in geriatric anthropometric data between DXA-based subject-specific estimates and non-age-specific traditional regression models. J Appl Biomech, 27(3), 197-206.Human Kinetics. doi: 10.1123/jab.27.3.197.
  • Chambers, A.J., Sukits, A.L., McCrory, J.L., & Cham, R. (2010). The effect of obesity and gender on body segment parameters in older adults. Clin Biomech (Bristol), 25(2), 131-136.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2009.10.015.
  • Mahboobin, A., Cham, R., & Piazza, S.J. (2010). The impact of a systematic reduction in shoe-floor friction on heel contact walking kinematics-- A gait simulation approach. J Biomech, 43(8), 1532-1539.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2010.01.040.
  • Bohnen, N.I., Muller, M.L.T.M., Kuwabara, H., Cham, R., Constantine, G.M., & Studenski, S.A. (2009). Age-associated striatal dopaminergic denervation and falls in community-dwelling subjects. J Rehabil Res Dev, 46(8), 1045-1052.Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development. doi: 10.1682/jrrd.2009.03.0030.
  • Kong, P.W., Hostler, D., Suyama, J., & Cham, R. (2009). Effect of wearing thermal protective clothing on functional balance in male firefighters. Medicine & Science in Sport and Exercise, 41(5), 547.
  • Moyer, B.E., Redfern, M.S., & Cham, R. (2009). Biomechanics of trailing leg response to slipping - evidence of interlimb and intralimb coordination. Gait Posture, 29(4), 565-570.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2008.12.012.
  • VanSwearingen, J.M., Perera, S., Brach, J.S., Cham, R., Rosano, C., & Studenski, S.A. (2009). A randomized trial of two forms of therapeutic activity to improve walking: effect on the energy cost of walking. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 64(11), 1190-1198.Oxford University Press (OUP). doi: 10.1093/gerona/glp098.
  • Wyszomierski, S.A., Chambers, A.J., & Cham, R. (2009). Knee strength capabilities and slip severity. J Appl Biomech, 25(2), 140-148.Human Kinetics. doi: 10.1123/jab.25.2.140.
  • Beschorner, K., & Cham, R. (2008). Impact of joint torques on heel acceleration at heel contact, a contributor to slips and falls. Ergonomics, 51(12), 1799-1813.Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.1080/00140130802136479.
  • Cham, R., Studenski, S.A., Perera, S., & Bohnen, N.I. (2008). Striatal dopaminergic denervation and gait in healthy adults. Exp Brain Res, 185(3), 391-398.Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/s00221-007-1161-3.
  • Baker, N.A., Cham, R., Cidboy, E.H., Cook, J., & Redfern, M.S. (2007). Kinematics of the fingers and hands during computer keyboard use. Clin Biomech (Bristol), 22(1), 34-43.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2006.08.008.
  • Baker, N.A., Cham, R., Hale, E., Cook, J., & Redfern, M.S. (2007). Digit kinematics during typing with standard and ergonomic keyboard configurations. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL ERGONOMICS, 37(4), 345-355.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.ergon.2006.12.004.
  • Cham, R., Perera, S., Studenski, S.A., & Bohnen, N.I. (2007). Striatal dopamine denervation and sensory integration for balance in middle-aged and older adults. Gait Posture, 26(4), 516-525.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2006.11.204.
  • Chambers, A.J., & Cham, R. (2007). Slip-related muscle activation patterns in the stance leg during walking. Gait Posture, 25(4), 565-572.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2006.06.007.
  • Cook, J.R., Baker, N.A., Cham, R., Hale, E., & Redfern, M.S. (2007). Measurements of wrist and finger postures: a comparison of goniometric and motion capture techniques. J Appl Biomech, 23(1), 70-78.Human Kinetics. doi: 10.1123/jab.23.1.70.
  • Bohnen, N.I., & Cham, R. (2006). Postural control, gait, and dopamine functions in parkinsonian movement disorders. Clin Geriatr Med, 22(4), 797-vi.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2006.06.009.
  • Koontz, A.M., McCrory, J.L., Cham, R., Yang, Y., & Wilkinson, M. (2006). Rehabilitation Biomechanics. In Wiley Encyclopedia of Biomedical Engineering, Akay, M. (Ed.). John Wiley and Sons Inc.
  • Moyer, B.E., Chambers, A.J., Redfern, M.S., & Cham, R. (2006). Gait parameters as predictors of slip severity in younger and older adults. Ergonomics, 49(4), 329-343.Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.1080/00140130500478553.
  • Cham, R., & Redfern, M.S. (2004). Gait adaptations during load carrying on level and inclined surfaces. Occupational Ergonomics, 4(1), 11-26.
  • Cham, R., & Redfern, M.S. (2002). Changes in gait when anticipating slippery floors. Gait Posture, 15(2), 159-171.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/s0966-6362(01)00150-3.
  • Cham, R., & Redfern, M.S. (2002). Heel contact dynamics during slip events on level and inclined surfaces. SAFETY SCIENCE, 40(7-8), 559-576.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/S0925-7535(01)00059-5.
  • Cham, R., & Redfern, M.S. (2002). Heel contact dynamics during slip events on level and inclined surfaces. Safety Science, 40(7-8), 559-76.
  • Cham, R., Moyer, B., & Redfern, M.S. (2002). Biomécanique du sport, du mouvement et de la locomotion / Sport, Motion and Locomotion Biomechanics. Archives of Physiology and Biochemistry, 110(1), 21-26.Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.1076/apab.110.5.5.21.19872.
  • Chambers, A.J., Margerum, S., Redfern, M.S., & Cham, R. (2002). Kinematics of the foot during slips. Occupational Ergonomics, 3(4), 225-234.
  • Cham, R., & Redfern, M.S. (2001). Effect of flooring on standing comfort and fatigue. Hum Factors, 43(3), 381-391.SAGE Publications. doi: 10.1518/001872001775898205.
  • Cham, R., & Redfern, M.S. (2001). Lower extremity corrective reactions to slip events. J Biomech, 34(11), 1439-1445.Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/s0021-9290(01)00116-6.
  • Cham, R., & Redfern, M.S. (2001). Load carrying and corrective responses to slip events. Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 962-966.
  • Redfern, M.S., Cham, R., Gielo-Perczak, K., Grönqvist, R., Hirvonen, M., Lanshammar, H., Marpet, M., Pai, C.Y., & Powers, C. (2001). Biomechanics of slips. Ergonomics, 44(13), 1138-1166.Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.1080/00140130110085547.
  • Redfern, M.S., & Cham, R. (2000). The influence of flooring on standing comfort and fatigue. AIHAJ, 61(5), 700-708.Taylor & Francis. doi: 10.1080/15298660008984580.

  • Bick, N.A., Redfern, M., Conner, I.P., Wollstein, G., Chan, K., & Cham, R. (2021). Step-to-step gait symmetry in glaucoma. In INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, 62(8).
  • Cham, R., Redfern, M.S., O'Connell, C., Conner, I.P., Wollstein, G., & Chan, K.C. (2020). Sensory Integration Abilities for Balance in Glaucoma. In INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, 61(7).
  • Bang, J.W., Trivedi, V., Parra, C., Colbert, M., O'Connel, C., Faiq, M.A., Conner, I., Redfern, M., Wollstein, G., Schuman, J.S., Cham, R., & Chan, K.C. (2019). Widespread Structural and Functional Brain Connectivity Changes and Associations with Balance in Glaucoma. In INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, 60(9).
  • Cham, R., O'Connell, C., Redfern, M., Conner, I., Wollstein, G., & Chan, K.C. (2018). Balance and brain connectivity in glaucoma. In INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, 59(9).
  • Merrill, Z., Perera, S., & Cham, R. (2018). Torso Segment Parameter Prediction in Working Adults. In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 62(1), (pp. 1257-1261).SAGE Publications. doi: 10.1177/1541931218621289.
  • Sundaram, V., Iraqi, A., Cham, R., Nasarwanji, M., Pollard, J.P., & Beschorner, K.E. (2018). The effects of gender, age, weight, and height on biomechanical properties related to slipping. In 73rd Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers Annual Meeting and Exhibition 2018, (pp. 27-31).
  • Merrill, Z., Chambers, A., & Cham, R. (2017). Impact of Age and Body Mass Index on Anthropometry in Working Adults. In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 61(1), (pp. 1341-1345).SAGE Publications. doi: 10.1177/1541931213601818.
  • Huang, W.W., VanSwearingen, J.M., Perera, S., Cham, R., & Studenski, S.A. (2011). Effect of multi-tasking on gait: how do older adults with mobility limitations respond to the challenge?. In JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, 59, (p. S110).
  • Mahboobin, A., Cham, R., & Piazza, S.J. (2011). Improved Simulation of Heel Contact During Normal Walking. In ASME 2011 Summer Bioengineering Conference, Parts A and B, (PARTS A AND B), (pp. 273-274).ASME International. doi: 10.1115/sbc2011-53453.
  • Sukits, A.L., Chambers, A.J., Perera, S., & Cham, R. (2011). Developing Population-Specific Predictive Regression Equations for Body Segment Parameters. In ASME 2011 Summer Bioengineering Conference, Parts A and B, (PARTS A AND B), (pp. 973-974).ASME International. doi: 10.1115/sbc2011-53597.
  • Brach, J.S., VanSwearingen, J.M., Wert, D., Perera, S., Cham, R., & Studenski, S. (2010). The Impact of Fear and Confidence on Smoothness of Walking. In JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, 58, (p. 129).
  • Brach, J.S., McGurl, D., Wert, D., VanSwearingen, J.M., Perera, S., Cham, R., & Studenski, S.A. (2009). Validation of a Measure of Smoothness of Walking. In JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, 57, (p. S17).
  • Shiratori, T., Coley, B., Cham, R., & Hodgins, J.K. (2009). Simulating balance recovery responses to trips based on biomechanical principles. In Proceedings of the 2009 ACM SIGGRAPH/Eurographics Symposium on Computer Animation, (pp. 37-46).Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). doi: 10.1145/1599470.1599475.
  • Cham, R., & Sandrian, P.N. (2007). Arm movements and slip severity. In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 2, (pp. 904-908).
  • Cham, R., Lenze, E., Studenski, S., Perera, S., & VanSwearingen, J. (2005). Fear of falling: Psychological and gait constructs. In GERONTOLOGIST, 45, (pp. 523-524).
  • Cham, R., & Moyer, B. (2002). Introducing ADAMS, a mechanical system simulation software, to bioengineering students. In ASEE Annual Conference Proceedings, (pp. 11627-11640).
  • Cham, R., Musolino, M., & Redfern, M.S. (2000). Heel Contact Dynamics during Slip Events. In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 44(28), (pp. 514-517).SAGE Publications. doi: 10.1177/154193120004402826.
Research Interests
Sports science and exercise Allied health and rehabilitation science Biomedical engineering Applied and developmental psychology Clinical sciences Ophthalmology and optometry
headshot of Rakie Cham
Contact Rakie Cham
Professor
rcham@pitt.edu
Work: (412) 624-7227
Fax: (412) 383-8788
Bioengineering Department