headshot of April Chambers

April Chambers

Associate Professor
ajchambers@pitt.edu
(412) 624-9898
(412) 383-8788
HMBL Website Bioengineering Department

overview

I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Health and Human Development with a secondary appointment in Bioengineering. Her research expertise is in the fields of human movement, biomechanics, and injury prevention. Dr. Chambers is a Principal Investigator at the Human Movement and Balance Laboratory. She is Affiliate Faculty of the Healthy Lifestyle Institute and the Human Engineering Research Laboratories in VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System and School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.

The overall goal of her research is musculoskeletal injury prevention in healthy and diverse populations while improving health and human performance. Dr. Chambers collaborates with clinicians, physical or occupational therapists, radiologists, engineers, exercise scientists and physiologists, and behavioral scientists. She frequently partners with companies in her translational work and development of medical devices.

She has received support from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, National Institute of Health, Center for Medical Innovation, foundations, and industry partners. Dr. Chambers serves both nationally and locally with a focus on supporting diversity- and inclusion-related initiatives and programs that support underrepresented students in STEM.

about

PhD, Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 2007 - 2011

MS, Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 2003 - 2005

BS, Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 1999 - 2003

McCrory, J.L., Chambers, A.J., Daftary, A., & Redfern, M.S. (2020). Torso kinematics during gait and trunk anthropometry in pregnant fallers and non-fallers. GAIT & POSTURE, 76, 204-209.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2019.11.012.

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.

Chambers, A.J., Haney, J.M., Huppert, T., & Redfern, M.S. (2019). The Effect of Prolonged Walking With Intermittent Standing on Erector Spinae and Soleus Muscle Oxygenation and Discomfort. JOURNAL OF SPORTS SCIENCE AND MEDICINE, 18(2), 337-343.

Chambers, A.J., Robertson, M.M., & Baker, N.A. (2019). The effect of sit-stand desks on office worker behavioral and health outcomes: A scoping review. APPLIED ERGONOMICS, 78, 37-53.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2019.01.015.

Merrill, Z., Perera, S., Chambers, A., & Cham, R. (2019). Age and body mass index associations with body segment parameters. JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS, 88, 38-47.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.03.016.

Redfern, M.S., Chambers, A.J., Sparto, P.J., Furman, J.M., & Jennings, J.R. (2019). Inhibition and decision-processing speed are associated with performance on dynamic posturography in older adults. EXPERIMENTAL BRAIN RESEARCH, 237(1), 37-45.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1007/s00221-018-5394-0.

Rekant, J.S., Wiltman, S.A., & Chambers, A.J. (2019). A Novel Method of Analysis for Prolonged-Standing Data: Accounting for Joint and Muscle Discomfort. IISE Trans Occup Ergon Hum Factors, 7(2), 142-152.Informa UK Limited. doi: 10.1080/24725838.2019.1640810.

Merrill, Z., Bova, G., Chambers, A., & Cham, R. (2018). Effect of Trunk Segment Boundary Definitions on Frontal Plane Segment Inertial Calculations. JOURNAL OF APPLIED BIOMECHANICS, 34(3), 232-235.Human Kinetics. doi: 10.1123/jab.2016-0319.

Redfern, M.S., Chambers, A.J., Sparto, P.J., Furman, J.M., & Jennings, J.R. (2018). Perceptual Inhibition Associated with Sensory Integration for Balance in Older Adults. DEMENTIA AND GERIATRIC COGNITIVE DISORDERS, 46(5-6), 266-274.S. Karger AG. doi: 10.1159/000493748.

Merrill, Z., Chambers, A.J., & Cham, R. (2017). Arm reactions in response to an unexpected slip-Impact of aging. JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS, 58, 21-26.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2017.04.011.

Redfern, M.S., Chambers, A.J., Jennings, J.R., & Furman, J.M. (2017). Sensory and motoric influences on attention dynamics during standing balance recovery in young and older adults. EXPERIMENTAL BRAIN RESEARCH, 235(8), 2523-2531.Springer Science and Business Media LLC. doi: 10.1007/s00221-017-4985-5.

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. JOURNAL OF ELECTROMYOGRAPHY AND KINESIOLOGY, 28, 61-66.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2016.02.007.

Smith, L.J., Trout, J.M., Sridharan, S.S., Guyer, J.R., Owens, G.E., Chambers, A.J., & Rosen, C.A. (2015). Comparison of Microsuspension Laryngoscopy Positions: A Randomized, Prospective Study. LARYNGOSCOPE, 125(3), 649-654.Wiley. doi: 10.1002/lary.24932.

Beschorner, K.E., Albert, D.L., Chambers, A.J., & Redfern, M.S. (2014). Fluid pressures at the shoe-floor-contaminant interface during slips: Effects of tread & implications on slip severity. JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS, 47(2), 458-463.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2013.10.046.

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. JOURNAL OF NUTRITION HEALTH & AGING, 18(6), 586-590.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1007/s12603-014-0017-3.

McCrory, J.L., Chambers, A.J., Daftary, A., & Redfern, M.S. (2014). The pregnant "waddle": An evaluation of torso kinematics in pregnancy. JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS, 47(12), 2964-2968.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2014.07.009.

McCrory, J.L., Chambers, A.J., Daftary, A., & Redfern, M.S. (2014). Ground reaction forces during stair locomotion in pregnant fallers and non-fallers. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon), 29(2), 143-148. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2013.11.020.

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. AGING NEUROPSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITION, 21(3), 283-295.Informa UK Limited. doi: 10.1080/13825585.2013.802760.

McCrory, J.L., Chambers, A.J., Daftary, A., & Redfern, M.S. (2013). Ground reaction forces during stair locomotion in pregnancy. GAIT & POSTURE, 38(4), 684-690.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2013.03.002.

Alseraye, F.M., Zuo, Z., Bueso-Ramos, C., Wang, S., Medeiros, L.J., & Lu, G. (2011). Trisomy 11 as an isolated abnormality in acute myeloid leukemia is associated with unfavorable prognosis but not with an NPM1 or KIT mutation. Int J Clin Exp Pathol, 4(4), 371-377.

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. JOURNAL OF APPLIED BIOMECHANICS, 27(3), 197-206.Human Kinetics. doi: 10.1123/jab.27.3.197.

McCrory, J.L., Chambers, A.J., Daftary, A., & Redfern, M.S. (2011). The effect of pregnancy on ground reaction forces during stair locomotion. The effect of pregnancy on ground reaction forces during stair locomotion, 43(5), S110.

McCrory, J.L., Chambers, A.J., Daftary, A., & Redfern, M.S. (2011). Ground reaction forces during gait in pregnant fallers and non-fallers. Gait Posture, 34(4), 524-528.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2011.07.007.

McCrory, J.L., Chambers, A.J., Daftary, A., & Redfern, M.S. (2011). Ground reaction forces during gait in pregnant fallers and non-fallers. GAIT & POSTURE, 34(4), 524-528. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2011.07.007.

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. CLINICAL BIOMECHANICS, 25(2), 131-136.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2009.10.015.

McCrory, J.L., Chambers, A.J., Daftary, A., & Redfern, M.S. (2010). Dynamic postural stability during advancing pregnancy. JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICS, 43(12), 2434-2439.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.09.058.

McCrory, J.L., Chambers, A.J., Daftary, A., & Redfern, M.S. (2010). Dynamic postural stability in pregnant fallers and non-fallers. BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, 117(8), 954-962.Wiley. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2010.02589.x.

McCrory, J.L., Chambers, A.J., Daftary, A., & Redfern, M.S. (2010). The effect of pregnancy on ground reaction forces during gait. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 42(S193).

Wyszomierski, S.A., Chambers, A.J., & Cham, R. (2009). Knee Strength Capabilities and Slip Severity. JOURNAL OF APPLIED BIOMECHANICS, 25(2), 140-148.Human Kinetics. doi: 10.1123/jab.25.2.140.

Chambers, A.J., & Cham, R. (2007). Slip-related muscle activation patterns in the stance leg during walking. GAIT & POSTURE, 25(4), 565-572.Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2006.06.007.

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.Informa UK Limited. doi: 10.1080/00140130500478553.

Chambers, A.J., Margerum, S., Redfern, M.S., & Cham, R. (2002). Kinematics of the foot during slips. Occupational Ergonomics, 3(4), 225-234.

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.

Wiltman, S., & Chambers, A. (2017). Weight Shifting Strategies and Discomfort during Prolonged Standing. In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 61(1), (pp. 1360-1364).SAGE Publications. doi: 10.1177/1541931213601823.

McCrory, J.L., Chambers, A.J., Daftary, A., & Redfern, M.S. (2014). Ground reaction forces during stair locomotion in pregnant fallers and non-fallers. In CLINICAL BIOMECHANICS, 29(2), (pp. 143-148).Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2013.11.020.

Runhaar, J., Trout, J.M., Chambers, A.J., Bierma-Zeinstra, S.M., & Tashman, S. (2014). OARSI SCHOLARSHIP: KNEE KINEMATICS DURING GAIT IN OBESE AND NORMAL-WEIGHT WOMEN USING HIGH-SPEED BIPLANE RADIOGRAPHY. In OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE, 22, (p. S118).Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2014.02.216.

McCrory, J.L., Chambers, A.J., Daftary, A., & Redfern, M.S. (2013). Within-subject Variability Of Step Width And Trunk Kinematics During Gait In Pregnant Fallers And Non-fallers. In MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE, 45(5), (p. 309).

Maikala, R.V., Mehta, R.K., Ferguson, S.A., Parasuraman, R., Redfern, M.S., & Chambers, A.J. (2012). Application of Near-infrared Spectroscopy in Ergonomics and Human Factors: A Discussion Panel. In Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Annual Meeting, 56(1), (pp. 1155-1157).SAGE Publications. doi: 10.1177/1071181312561251.

McCrory, J.L., Chambers, A.J., Daftary, A., & Redfern, M.S. (2012). The Effect of Pregnancy on Torso Kinematics during Gait. In MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE, 44, (p. 776).

McCrory, J.L., Chambers, A.J., Daftary, A., & Redfern, M.S. (2011). The Effect of Pregnancy on Ground Reaction Forces during Stair Locomotion. In MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE, 43(5), (p. 158).Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). doi: 10.1249/01.MSS.0000400414.79359.72.

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).American Society of Mechanical Engineers. doi: 10.1115/sbc2011-53597.

McCrory, J.L., Chambers, A.J., Daftary, A., & Redfern, M.S. (2010). The Effect of Pregnancy on Ground Reaction Forces during Gait. In MEDICINE AND SCIENCE IN SPORTS AND EXERCISE, 42(5), (p. 273).Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). doi: 10.1249/01.MSS.0000384361.60048.41.

Pham, T. (2000). Research review. University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering Visiting Committee.Canada.