Dr. Steven Fischer, PhD (Waterloo)
Research summary
My research mission is to perform world class musculoskeletal biomechanics research to promote optimal functional performance.
Guided by this mission my research interests intersect traditional ergonomics (measuring demands) and kinesiology (measuring capacity) approaches in order to minimize injury risk and optimize performance in the workplace (Figure 1).
Within this framework I have three main objectives:
- To investigate and understand how biomechanics impacts how we move to perform occupational tasks. For example do we adopt postures to minimize loading on our joints while we work?
- To develop and improve biomechanical models and tools to help us measure or predict the biomechanical capacity of workers.
- To advance knowledge and practice in the prevention and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal disorders by improving the match between biomechanical demands and capacities.
Graduate student training opportunities
I am seeking students interested in studying at the MSc or PhD levels. Students will develop expertise in areas related to biomechanics, ergonomics and applied kinesiology. Internal funding is available. Prospective graduate students are encouraged to apply to the Ontario Graduate Scholarship Program, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca), the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (www.cihr.ca), and other agencies that provide support for graduate students. If you are interested, please contact me (see contact information above) and I would be happy to chat about this opportunity in more detail.
Recent publications
* underlined authors represent graduate and/or undergraduate students' work in which I had a supervisory or mentorship role.
- Fischer SL, Brenneman E, Wells RP, Dickerson CR. (In Press). Relationships between psychophysically acceptable and maximum voluntary hand force capacity in the context of underlying biomechanical limitations. Applied Ergonomics.
- Fischer SL, Picco BR, Wells RP, Dickerson CR. (In Press). The roles of whole body balance, shoe-floor friction and joint strength during maximum exertions: Searching for the “weakest link”. Journal of Applied Biomechanics.
- Fischer SL, Marshall MM, Woodcock K. (In Press). Musculoskeletal Disorders in Sign Language Interpreters: A systematic review and conceptual model of musculoskeletal disorder development. Work.
- Gallagher K, Fischer SL, Howarth SJ, Albert WJ, Callaghan JP. (2011). Surrogate representation of a task as a method of data reduction in calculating cumulative spinal loading. Theoretical Issues in Ergonomic Science, 12(6): 558-572.
- Fischer SL, Grewal T, Wells R, Dickerson CR. (2011). Maximum voluntary electrical activity in the shoulder musculature: Effect of bilateral versus unilateral exertion tests on signal amplitude and within-participant reproducibility. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 21(2):311-317.
- Chopp JN, Fischer SL, Dickerson CR (2011). The specificity of fatiguing protocols affects scapular orientation: implications for subacromial impingement. Clinical Biomechanics, 26(1):40-45.
- Perdeaux KM, Fischer SL, Dickerson CR (2010). Investigating the role of the shoulder musculature during maximum unilateral isometric exertions. Occupational Ergonomics, 9(3-4):141-151.
- Chopp JN, Fischer SL, Dickerson CR (2010). On the feasibility of obtaining multiple muscle voluntary excitation levels from test exertions: A shoulder example. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 20(5):896-902.
- Chopp JN, Fischer SL, Dickerson CR. (2010). The impact of work configuration, target angle and hand force direction on upper extremity muscle activity during sub-maximal overhead work. Ergonomics, 53(1):83-91.
- Picco B, Fischer SL, Dickerson CR. (2010). Quantifying scapula orientation and its influence on maximal hand force capability and shoulder muscle activity. Clinical Biomechanics, 25(1):29-36.
- Fischer SL, Belbeck A, Dickerson CR. (2010). The influence of providing feedback on force production and within-participant reproducibility during maximal voluntary exertions for the anterior deltoid, middle deltoid and infraspinatus. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 20(1):68-75.
- McClellan AJ, Albert WJ, Fischer SL, Seaman FA, Callaghan JP. (2009). Shoulder loading while performing automotive parts assembly tasks: A field study. Occupational Ergonomics, 8(2-3):81-90.
- Fischer SL, Wells R, Dickerson CR. (2009). The effect of added degrees of freedom and handle type on upper limb muscle activity during simulated hand tool use. Ergonomics, 52(1):25-35.