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FACULTY

Susan Sigward, PT, ATC, PhD

FACULTY PROFILE

Associate Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy

MAILING ADDRESS

1540 Alcazar St., CHP 155,
Los Angeles, CA 90033

PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS

Susan Sigward, PT, ATC, PhD is an associate professor in the USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, the director of the Division’s Human Performance Laboratory and the director of the MS Sports Science emphasis. She has a BS in Physical Therapy from Saint Louis University (St. Louis, MO) and an MS in Anatomy from Wright State University (Dayton, OH).

 

Dr. Sigward’s research aims to identify and ameliorate impaired mechanics that relate to lower extremity injury with a focus on knee injury and rehabilitation. Her work has contributed to the understanding of impaired mechanics following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), with a specific emphasis on early rehabilitation as well as how factors such as experience, age, training and sex influence the development of movement strategies that increase risk for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.

 

She is passionate about the translation of biomechanical assessments from the research laboratory to the clinic. Much of her current work aims to identify mechanisms that can simplify the process of using different technologies to identify movement impairment in the clinic.

EDUCATION
  • Post-Doctoral Fellow, Biomechanics, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, 2004-2005
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Biokinesiology, University of Southern California, 2004
  • Master of Science, Anatomy, Wright State University, 1999
  • Bachelor of Science, Physical Therapy, Saint Louis University, 1990

 

See Susan Sigward’s curriculum vitae.

MORE

Human Performance Laboratory

Selected Publications (2015-2023)

  • Chan MS, Sigward SM. Prioritizing limb loading improves symmetry during dual- tasking in individuals following ACL reconstruction. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living: Biomechanics and Control of Human Movement Volume 5 – 2023 | doi: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1090694
  • Chan MS, Sigward SM. Individuals following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction practice underloading strategies during daily activity. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 40(3) 565-572, 2022
  • Lin PE, Sigward SM. Influence of hamstrings on knee moments during loading response of gait in individuals following ACL reconstruction. Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 38(2) 378-386, 2020
  • Chan M-S, Sigward SM. Loading Behaviors Do Not Match Abilities Post Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 51(8)1626-1634, 2019
  • Lin PE, Sigward SM. Subtle Alterations in Whole Body Mechanics During Gait Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Gait & Posture, 68:494-499, 2019
  • Pratt KA, Sigward SM. Inertial Sensor Angular Velocities Reflect Dynamic Knee Loading during Single Limb Loading in Individuals following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Sensors, 18 (10), 3460, 2018.
  • Lin PE, Sigward SM. Contributors to Knee Loading Deficits During Gait in Individuals Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Gait & Posture, 66:83-87, 2018
  • Havens K, Ebner S, Prat KM, Sigward SM. Accelerations from Wearable Accelerometers Reflect Knee Loading During Running after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction, Clinical Biomechanics, 58:57-61, 2018
  • Pratt KA, Sigward SM. Detection of Knee Power Deficits Following ACL Reconstruction Using Wearable Sensors, Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 48(11), 895-902, 2018
  • Sigward SM, Chan MS, Lin P, Almonsouri SY, Pratt KA. Compensatory Strategies that Reduce Knee Extensor Demands During a Bilateral Squat Change from 3 to 5 Months Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 48(9), 2018
  • Padua D, DiStefano L, Hewett T, Garrett W, Marshall S, Gilchrist J, Golden G, Shultz S, and Sigward S. National Athletic Trainers’ Association Position Statement: Prevention of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury.Journal of Athletic Training,  53(1):5-19, 2018
  • Hashish R, Samarawickrame S, Sigward S, Azen S, Salem G. Lower-Limb Dynamics and Clinical Outcomes for Habitually Shod Runners who Transition to Barefoot Running. Physical Therapy in Sport, 29: 93-100, 2018
  • Cesar GM, Lewthwaite R, Sigward SM. Effect of Practice on the Control of Whole-Body Momentum in Active Children and Adults. Journal of Motor Learning and Development. 6 (1) 185-196: 2018
  • Pollard CD, Sigward SM, Powers CM. ACL Injury Prevention Training Results in Modification of Hip and Knee Mechanics During a Drop-landing Task. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, 5:2325967117726267: 7/9/2017
  • Pratt KA and Sigward SM. Knee Loading Deficits during Dynamic Tasks in Individuals following ACL Surgery. Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy. 47 (6):411-419, 2017
  • Sigward SM, Chan M-S and Lin PE. Characterizing Knee Loading Asymmetry in Individuals Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Inertial Sensors. Gait & Posture, 49: 114-119, 2016
  • Cesar GM and Sigward SM. Predictors for Dynamic Stability during Running Gait Termination: A comparison between adults and children. Human Movement Science, 48:37-43, 2016
  • Sigward SM, Lin PE, Pratt KA. Knee loading asymmetries during gait in early recovery are related to asymmetries in late recovery and during running following ACL reconstruction. Clinical Biomechanics, 32:249-54; Feb 2016.
  • Lawrence EL, Cesar GM, Bromfield M, Peterson R, Valero-Cuevas FJ, Sigward SM. Strength, multi-joint coordination, and sensorimotor processing are independent contributors to overall balance ability. BioMed Research International, Nov19; 2015
  • Cesar GM, Sigward SM. Dynamic stability during running gait termination: Differences in strategies between children and adults to control forward momentum. Human Movement Science, 43:138-145, 2015
  • Havens KL and Sigward SM. Whole Body Postural Mechanics of Running Turn Maneuvers. Gait & Posture, 42(3):240-245, 2015
  • Havens KL and Sigward SM. Joint and Segmental Mechanics of Running Turn Maneuvers. Gait & Posture,41(1):33-38, 2015
  • Havens KL and Sigward SM. Cutting Mechanics: Relationship to Performance and ACL Injury Risk. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 47(4): 818-824, 2015.
  • Sigward SM, Guilherme GM, Havens KL. Predictors of Frontal Plane Moments During Side-step Cutting to 45and 110in Men and Women: Implications for ACL Injury. Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, 25(6):529-534, 2015.

 

Grant Support

  • 2011-2016 – Scholar, NIH, National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NICHD), National Institutes of Health Rehabilitation Research Career Development Program, K12-HD055929 (Ottenbacher, PI)
  • 2014-2016 – PI, Boston Rehabilitation Outcomes Measurement Pilot Project (NIH R24 HD05688). “Tools to quantify gait behaviors in individuals recovering from anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction”. Award amount $30,000
  • 2014-2015 – PI,SC CTSI (NIH/NCATS; UL1TR000130), “ Effects of Gait Training on Knee Loading Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction”. Award amount $27,525
  • 2014-2015 – PI, California Physical Therapy Fund, “Does Early Gait Training Improve Lower Extremity Sagittal Plane Loading Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction?”. Award amount $9,095
  • 2012-2013 – PI, Zumberge Fund Individual Grant, “The Development of Postural Strategies in Children”. Award amount: $27,000
  • 2008-2010 – Recipient, NIH Clinical Loan Repayment Program for Clinical Researchers
  • 2006-2008 – Recipient, NIH Clinical Loan Repayment Program for Clinical Researchers
  • 2005-2009 – Project Manager (70% effort), “Mechanics of non-contact ACL injuries in female athletes”, NIH, R01 AR053073-01A1 Powers (PI)
  • 2002-2003 – Project Manager (50% effort), “Biomechanical and Neuromuscular aspects of non-contact ACL injuries: The influence of gender, experience and training”, National Athletic Trainer’s Foundation Grant (Powers, PI)
  • 2000-2001 – Promotion of Doctoral Studies (PODS) scholarship from American Physical Therapy Association