Apply
UHart

Sarah Ridge

Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy

Rehabilitation Sciences

College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions
860.768.5367 D 401G Google Scholar Profile
Education

PhD, Biomechanics and Movement Science, University of Delaware

MS, Biomechanics, University of Delaware

BS, Exercise Science, Skidmore College

Sarah Ridge is an assistant professor of Physical Therapy in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences. Her expertise is in biomechanics, specifically biomechanics of lower extremities during activities such as walking, running, jumping, and landing. To perform research in this area, she uses a variety of kinematic and kinetic measurement tools including 2d and 3d video motion analysis, force plates and other custom force transducers, and inertial measurement units. Recent research projects include gaining understanding about the movement of the foot and the role of foot muscles, the effect of footwear on lower extremity mechanics, and the use of inertial measurement units to quantify athletic activity. Dr. Ridge teaches Biomechanics and is involved in the research series in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. She appreciates collaboration with other faculty, students, and clinicians from a variety of areas.

  • Assistant Professor, University of Hartford, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Education, Nursing, and Health Professions, August 2022 – present
  • Associate Professor, Brigham Young University, Department of Exercise Sciences, College of Life Sciences, August 2019 – August 2022
  • Assistant Professor, Brigham Young University, Department of Exercise Sciences, College of Life Sciences, April 2010 – August 2019
  • Lower extremity biomechanics
  • Foot function
  • Prevention and treatment of chronic/overuse injuries
  • Biomechanics of figure skating
  • Ridge, ST, Rowley, KM, Kurihara, T, McClung, M, Tang, J, Reischl, S, Kulig, K. (2022) Contributions of intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles during functional standing postures. BioMed Research International, vol. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/7708077
  • Ridge, ST, McLean, D, Bruening, DA, Richards, JG. (2022) Up in the air: the efficacy of weighted gloves in figure skating jumps. Sports Biomechanics. https://doi.org/10.1080/14763141.2022.2046844
  • Davis, IS, Hollander, K, Lieberman, DE, Ridge, ST, Sacco, ICN, Wearing, SC. (2021) Stepping back to minimal footwear – applications across the lifespan. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, https://doi.org/10.1249/JES.0000000000000263
  • Henderson, AD, Johnson, AW, Rasmussen, LG, Peine, WP, Symons, SH, Scoresby, KA, Ridge, ST, Bruening, DA. Early-stage diabetic neuropathy reduces foot strength and intrinsic but not extrinsic foot muscle size. (2020) Journal of Diabetes Research. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/9536362
  • Ridge, ST, Olsen, MT, Bruening, DA, Jurgensmeier, K, Griffin, D, Davis, IS, Johnson, AW. Walking in minimalist shoes is effective for strengthening foot muscles. (2019) Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 51(1):104-113. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000001751
  • Olsen, MT, Bruening, DA, Johnson, AW, Ridge, ST. The role of the midfoot in drop landings. (2019) Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 51(1):114-122. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000001765
  • Bruening, DA, Reynolds, RE, Adair, CW, Zapalo, P, Ridge, ST. A sport-specific wearable jump monitor for figure skating. (2018) PLoS ONE, 13(11): e0206162. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0206162
  • Bruening, D, and Ridge, S. (2014). A comparison of automated event detection algorithms in pathological gait. Gait and Posture, 39(1), 472-477. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2013.08.023
  • Ridge, S, Johnson, A, Mitchell, U, Hunter, I, Robinson, E, Rich, B, Brown, SD. (2013). Foot bone marrow edema after 10 week transition to minimalist running shoes. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 45(7), 1363-1368. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b013e3182874769
  • Ridge, S, Henley, J, Manal, K, Miller, F & Richards, J. (2013) Kinematic and kinetic analysis of planned and unplanned gait termination in children. Gait and Posture, 37(2), 178-182. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2012.06.030