The Center for Balance and Aging Studies (CBAS)
Program Director: Evie N. Burnet, PT, DPT, PhD
Program Supervisor: Michael Deschenes, PhD
The Center for Balance and Aging Studies, headquartered in the Department of Kinesiology at William & Mary, explores factors that increase fall risk in the geriatric population. CBAS research includes collaborations between the Departments of Kinesiology, Physics, and Psychological Sciences.
Current Projects
- Keeping You on Your Feet
Purposes: 1) To identify Williamsburg Landing independent and assisted living residents who are at greater risk of falling, and 2) To have those individuals participate in closely supervised exercise program (KINE 296) designed to reduce fall risk.
Proposed Projects
- Functional Exercise and Education to Thrive (FEET): A joint program between James City County CONECT and The Center for Balance and Aging Studies (CBAS)
In James City County, mobility related emergencies were 15.7% (n = 3,524) of the total number of Fire/EMS calls during FY 2017-2018. The purpose of this study is to identify gait parameters, and strength and/or balance deficits that predispose residents to future falls. Selected participants will have an opportunity to participate in a supervised exercise program focused on functional balance, strength, and flexibility (KINE 296).
Equipment
- GAITRite™ walkway
- MaxTRAQ and MaxMATE
- High speed cameras
Research Poster Presentations
Impact of Confidence and Environmental Lighting on Gait Parameters in Older Adults" presented at the Mid-South Biomechanics Conference at The University of Memphis. Authors: Isabelle Fortiz, Morgan Carr, Vaden Padgett, Kate Kibiloski, Evie N. Burnet.
Research Groups
Graduated Research Assistant
- Madison Duckworth, 2021
- Hope Fuller, 2021 – Occupational Therapy graduate school, Emory & Henry
- Angela Geraci, 2021 – Occupational Therapy graduate school, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Eliza Tilson, 2021
- Kendall Bayless, 2019 - Physical Therapy graduate school, Old Dominion University
- Carley Eldredge, 2020 - Physical Therapy graduate school, University of New England
- Josh Hemenway, 2020 – Physical Therapy graduate school, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Emma Homan, 2020
- Sydney Liles, 2020 - Physical Therapy graduate school, University of Delaware
- Taylor Noem, 2020 – Master’s program in Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Katie Pacak, 2020 – Physical Therapy graduate school, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Kelsey Short, 2020 – Clinical Research Technician, Weill Cornell Medical College
- Taylor White, 2020
- Grace Becker, 2019 – Master’s program in Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Jack Hasenkopf, 2019 – Dental School, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Abigail Hillerich, 2019
- Emily Lawson, 2019
- Jessica Pitts, 2019 – Master’s program in Kinesiology, Michigan Tech
- Kimberly Turner, 2019
- Sophie Zidlicky, 2019
- Andrew Allen, 2018 – Master’s program in Kinesiology, James Madison University
- Laura Anderson, 2018 – Occupational Therapy graduate school, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Makeda Jackson, 2018 –Occupational Therapy graduate school, Washington University in St. Louis
- Paige Whitney, 2018 – Occupational Therapy graduate school, Chatham University
- Samantha Whitney, 2018 – Occupational Therapy graduate school, University of Pittsburgh
