Stephanie Jones is movement scientist whose research focuses on two themes: understanding how habitual movements may increase injury susceptibility, and how pain and neuromuscular dysfunction impact locomotion and balance. To evaluate these questions, Jones employs motion tracking techniques as well as force and myoelectric sensors to assess human motion. These concepts have broad application to clinical and aging populations, but also to athletes, where the potential for cumulative trauma through repetitive movement patterns may be high.

Jones completed her master’s degree in biomechanics, researching the role of two-joint muscles in ballistic movements, and prior to continuing graduate studies, she was a research staff member in the Sensory Motor Performance Program at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, and held research and lecture appointments at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and the University of Vermont. Her doctoral research investigated the relationship between altered movement patterns and low back pain, and her postdoctoral work at the University of Massachusetts examined the influence of sensory dysfunction and fatigue on balance in individuals with multiple sclerosis.

Jones’ current research examines how sensory feedback impacts movement within the context of athletic performance and among individuals with pain or balance impairment. She is currently assessing movement characteristics that may predispose collegiate rowers to back pain and investigating the link between impaired proprioception and balance dysfunction among those with multiple sclerosis.

Selected Publications

Jones SL, Hitt JR, Henry SM. Dual goals of trunk restriction and stability are prioritized by individuals with chronic low back pain during a volitional movement. Gait & Posture. 2021 Oct:90, pp. 16-20

Van Emmerik REA, Jones SL, Busa MA, Baird JL. A systems perspective on postural and gait stability: Implications for Physical Activity and Disease. Kinesiology Review. 2013 Feb: 2(1), pp. 17-28.

Jones SL, Hitt, JR, DeSarno, MJ, Henry, SM. Individuals with non-specific low back pain in an active episode demonstrate temporally altered torque responses and direction-specific enhanced muscle activity following unexpected balance perturbations. Experimental Brain Research. 2012 Sep: 221(4), pp. 413-26.

Van Emmerik REA, Jones SL, Busa MA, Remelius JG, Averill JL. (2014) Enhancing Postural Stability and Adaptability in Multiple Sclerosis. In M. Levin (ed.), Progress in Motor Control: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology. New York, USA: Springer Science + Business Media.

Jones SL, Henry SM, Raasch CC, Hitt JR, Bunn JY. Individuals with non-specific low back pain use a trunk stiffening strategy to maintain upright posture. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. 2012 Feb: 22(1), pp. 13-20.

Jones SL, Henry SM, Raasch CC, Hitt JR, Bunn, JY. Responses to multi-directional surface translations result in redistribution of proximal versus distal strategies to maintain upright posture. Experimental Brain Research. 2008: 187, pp. 407-17.

Jones SL, & Caldwell, G.E. Mono- and biarticular muscle activity during jumping in different directions. Journal of Applied Biomechanics. August 2003:19(3), pp. 205-222.