Muscle contractile force changes during pregnancy: We are currently funded by the National Science Foundation to determine how pregnancy changes the ability of muscle to produce force, both in terms of strength and speed. We are determining these for muscles directly affected by stretching (e.g. abdominal muscles) and indirectly affected by systemic laxity from pregnancy hormones. We will use this information to build musculoskeletal computer models that will allow for intervention development without trial-and-error testing on real pregnant women.
Gait prioritization changes during pregnancy: We know that walking patterns change during pregnancy. But why? We are currently funding by the National Science Foundation to determine what pregnant women prioritize (e.g. reducing energy expenditure or reducing joint pains) in their walking pattern at different timepoints of pregnancy. We will use this information to develop computer biomechanical simulations that will allow us to determine the evolution of bipedal locomotion and sexual dimorphisms to accommodate pregnant bipedal evolution.
