Hao-Yuan Hsiao

Associate Professor, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education
Director, Biomechanics and NeuroRehabilitation Graduate Program
Joe R. & Teresa Lozano Long Endowed Faculty Fellows Fund (Holder)

Phone: +1 512 232 1782
Email: hhsiao@austin.utexas.edu
Office: BEL 532
Office Hours: By appointment or Tuesday/Thursday 11-noon
View Curriculum Vitae (pdf)

Hao-Yuan Hsiao is an assistant professor at The University of Texas at Austin. He received a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from National Taiwan Ocean University in Taiwan before acquiring a M.Eng. in Biomedical Engineering from Cornell University. In 2015, Hsiao earned his Ph.D. in Biomechanics and Movement Science from the University of Delaware, where his dissertation was titled "Mechanisms For Increasing Propulsive Force During Walking In Individuals Poststroke." He then completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science at the University of Maryland Baltimore.

Smith, J., Siddicky, S. & Hsiao, H. (2025). Wearable visual biofeedback of vertical ground reaction force enables more symmetrical force production during deadlifting and squatting. Biomechanics.

Foroughi, F., Sadeh, S. & Hsiao, H. (2025). Effect of vertical ground reaction force biofeedback on knee and hip neuromechanical characteristics during walking in older adults. Applied Sciences.

Shen, K., Lee, R. & Hsiao, H. (2025). Temporal evolution of frontal plane body transfer asymmetry in post-stroke gait. IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems & Rehabilitation Engineering.

Lowe, T., Griffin, L. & Hsiao, H. (2025). Prolonged hamstrings vibration reduces limb stiffness following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Journal of Orthopaedic Research.

Foroughi, F., Prible, D. & Hsiao, H. (2024). Age-associated changes in vertical limb support force generation strategy during walking. Gait and Posture, 107, 162–168.

Sadeh, S., Shen, K., Foroughi, F. & Hsiao, H. (2024). Leading Limb Biomechanical Response Following Compelled Forward and Descending Body Shift in Old Versus Young Adults.. Clinical Biomechanics.

Shen, K., Gray, V., Borrelli, J., Rogers, M. & Hsiao, H. (2024). Lower limb vertical stiffness and frontal plane angular impulse during perturbation-induced single leg stance and their associations with gait in individuals post-stroke.. Journal of Biomechanics.

Smith, J., Parikh, D., Tate, V., Siddicky, S. & Hsiao, H. (2024). Validity of Valor inertia measurement unit for upper and lower extremity joint angles. Sensors.

Smith, J., Jackson, T., Liu, W., Gelfond, J. & Hsiao, H. (2024). Combined effects of Tai-Chi gait with mediolateral ground support perturbation on dynamic balance control. Sports Medicine and Health Science.

Dunlap, E., Alhalimi, T., McLaurin, N., Foroughi, F., Hsiao, H. & Tanaka, H. (2024). Aquatic cognitive-motor exercise for cognition, balance, and functional mobility in older adults. Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine.

Sadeh, S., Shen, K., Foroughi, F., Rogers, M. & Hsiao, H. (2024). Biomechanical responses following compelled forward versus backward body shift: how aging and perturbation direction alter balance recovery?. Human Movement Science.

Pew, C., Sadeh, S., Hsiao, H. & Neptune, R. (2023). A perturbation platform system for balance testing and rehabilitation interventions. Journal of Medical Devices, 17(2), 021001.

Jeon, W., Borrelli, J. & Hsiao, H. (2023). Effect of visual input on control of postural stability during balance recovery following lateral surface perturbations in older and younger adults.. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 39(3), 184–192.

Sadeh, S., Gobert, D., Shen, K., Foroughi, F. & Hsiao, H. (2023). Biomechanical and Neuromuscular Control Mechanisms of Balance during Sit-to-Stand in Older versus Younger Adults. Clinical Biomechanics, 109, 106068.

Odanye, P., Steffensen, E., Hedrick, E., Bierner, S., Hsiao, H. & Knarr, B. (2023). Treadmill handrail-use increases the anteroposterior margin of stability in Individuals Post-stroke. Journal of Motor Behavior, 23, 1–10.

Prible, D., Fey, N. & Hsiao, H. (2022). Biomechanical mechanism of peak braking force modulation during increased walking speed in healthy young adults. Journal of Biomechanics, 144.

Hinton, EH., Likens, A., Hsiao, H., Binder-Markey, BI., Binder-Macleod, SA. & Knarr, BA. (2022). Ankle stiffness modulation during different gait speeds in individuals post-stroke. Clinical Biomechanics, 99.

Shen, K., Gray, VL., Borrelli, J., Rogers, MW. & Hsiao, H. (2022). Neuromechanical mechanisms of impact absorption during perturbation-induced limb loading in individuals post-stroke. Scientific Reports, 12.

Jeon, W., Griffin, L. & Hsiao, H. (2021). Effects of initial foot position on postural responses to lateral standing surface perturbations in younger and older adults. Gait & Posture.

Jeon, W., Hsiao, H. & Griffin, L. (2021). Effects of different initial foot positions on kinematics, muscle activation patterns, and postural control during a sit-to-stand in younger and older adults. Journal of Biomechanics, 117. doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110251.

Awad, L., Hsiao, H. & Binder-Macleod, S. (2020). Central drive to the paretic ankle plantarflexors affects the relationship between propulsion and walking speed after stroke. Journal of Neurologic Physical THerapy.

Hsiao, H., Gray, V., Borrelli, J. & Rogers, M. (2020). Biomechanical Control of Paretic Lower Limb During Imposed Weight Transfer in Individuals Post-Stroke. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 17(1), 140.

Hsiao, H., Creath, R., Sanders, O., Inacio, M., Beamer, B. & Rogers, M. (2020). Acoustic Pre-stimulation Modulates Startle and Postural Reactions during Sudden Release of Standing Support Surface in Aging. Human Movement Science.

Hedrick, E., Parker, S., Hsiao, H. & Knarr, B. (2020). Mechanisms used to increase propulsive forces on a treadmill in older adults. Journal of Biomechanics.

Borrelli, J., Creath, R., Pizac, D., Hsiao, H., Sanders, O. & Rogers, M. (2019). Perturbation-evoked lateral steps in older adults: why take two steps when one will do?. Clinical Biomechanics, 63.

Sanders, O., Hsiao, H., Savin, D., Creath, R. & Rogers, M. (2019). Aging changes in protective balance and startle responses to sudden drop-perturbations. Journal of Neurophysiology.

Sanders, O., Hsiao, H., Savin, D., Creath, R. & Rogers, M. (2019). Aging effects of motor prediction on protective balance and startle responses to sudden drop perturbations.. Journal of Biomechanics.

Hsiao, H., Gray, VL., Creath, RA., Binder-Macleod, SA. & Rogers, MW. (2017). Control of lateral weight transfer is associated with walking speed in individuals post-stroke. Journal of Biomechanics, 60.

Palmer, JA., Hsiao, H., Wright, T. & Binder-Macleod, SA. (2017). A single session of FES-assisted walking produces changes in corticomotor symmetry that are related to changes in post-stroke walking mechanics. Physical Therapy, 97.

Hsiao, H., Zabielski, T., Palmer, JA., Higginson, JS. & Binder-Macleod, SA. (2016). Evaluation of measurements of propulsion used to reflect changes in walking speed in individuals post-stroke. Journal of Biomechanics, 49.

Hsiao, H., Higginson, JS. & Binder-Macleod, SA. (2016). Baseline predictors of treatment gains in propulsive force in individuals poststroke. Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation, 13.

Hsiao, H., Knarr, BA., Higginson, JS. & Binder-Macleod, SA. (2015). Mechanisms used to increase propulsive force following 12-weeks of gait training in individuals poststroke. Journal of Biomechanics, 49.

Hsiao, H., Awad, LN., Palmer, JA., Higginson, JS. & Binder-Macleod, SA. (2015). Contribution of paretic and non-paretic limb peak propulsive forces to changes in walking speed in individuals poststroke. Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, 30.

Palmer, JA., Hsiao, H., Awad, LN. & Binder-Macleod, SA. (2015). Symmetry of corticomotor input to plantarflexors influences the propulsive strategy used to increase walking speed post-stroke. Clinical Neuropysiology, 127.

Hsiao, H., Knarr, BA., Higginson, JS. & Binder-Macleod, SA. (2015). Mechanisms to increase propulsive force for individuals poststroke. Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation, 12.

Hsiao, H., Knarr, BA., Higginson, JS. & Binder-Macleod, SA. (2015). The relative contribution of ankle moment and trailing limb angle to propulsive force during gait. Human Movement Science, 39.

NIH R21: Control of Wight Transfer during Gait in Individuals Poststroke
We explore the feasibility and effectiveness of using treadmill oscillation to promote weight transfer during walking.

Portable audiovisual biofeedback system to improve weight bearing during walking
This project aims to develop and test a portable system that provides audio and visual feedback of weight bearing information during locomotion. This system has the potential to improve weight bearing in individuals post-stroke.

Frontal-plane biomechanical model to predict weight bearing during walking
This project aims to develop a mathematical model using frontal plan biomechanical variables to predict weight bearing during gait. Success development of this model will allow us to understand how individuals modulate these biomechanical factors to change weight bearing and how impairments in frontal plane movements may affect weight bearing during walking in clinical populations such as older adults and individuals post-stroke

Phase-specific treadmill belt speed modulation to assist rate of limb loading during walking
This project applied changes in unilateral treadmill belt speed during a specific phase of gait to study neuromechanical mechanisms of limb loading rate.

Modifying multi-dimensional mechanical demands of weight transfer in stroke

Pairing treadmill oscillation walking with vagal nerve stimulation to restore gait function after stroke.

Advanced Robotic-Assisted and Customized Rehabilitation Technology for Improving Recovery from Musculoskeletal and Stroke Conditions
In collaboration with Roboligent and Human Centered Robotics Laboratory, this project leverage AI, machine learning, and robotics to develop a therapeutic robot that is capable of learning movements from the therapists. Our research group will pilot human subject testing on this advanced robotic system.

VA Maryland Exercise and Robotics Center of Excellence Pilot Award
Postural Reaction to Unilateral Vertical Displacement of Ground Support in Individuals Post-stroke.

NIH R21: Neuromuscular and Biomechanical Control of Lower Limb Loading in Individuals with Chronic Stroke

Using Functional Electrical Stimulation to Assist Lateral Weight Transfer in Individuals Post-stroke

Control of Lateral Stability during Unilateral Ground Support Perturbation in Older Adults.

Combined effect of Tai-Chi Stepping and ground support perturbation on dynamic stability in older adults
This project studies how Tai-Chi stepping and ground support perturbation affects lateral stability.

Jason Tsai (Supervisor)

Zachary J Zegub (Supervisor)

Zekun Liu (Supervisor)

Anthony Ziegler (Supervisor)

Sonu Maharjan (Supervisor)

Donald (Mac) Prible, Ph.D., 2025 (Supervisor)
University of Texas at Austin

Keng-Hung Shen, Ph.D., 2024 (Supervisor)

Forouzan Foroughi, 2024 (Supervisor)

Talieh Jannesar, M.S., 2024 (Supervisor)

Jacob Smith, M.S., 2024 (Supervisor)

Shun Nakamura, M.S., 2024 (Supervisor)

Soroosh Sadeh, Ph.D., 2024 (Supervisor)

Mariah Smither, M.S., 2022 (Supervisor)

Edward Williams, M.S.W., 2022 (Supervisor)

Troilyn Jackson, M.S., 2022 (Supervisor)

Aaron Simmons, M.S., 2021 (Supervisor)

Courses by year and semester
Year	Semester	Course
2024	Spring	KIN 326K: Biomech Anly Of Movement
2023	Fall	KIN 326K: Biomech Anly Of Movement
2023	Summer	KIN s326K: Biomech Anly Of Movement-Wb
2023	Spring	KIN 326K: Biomech Anly Of Movement
2022	Fall	KIN 326K: Biomech Anly Of Movement
2022	Spring	KIN 386: 1-Rsch Meths: Proposal Writing
2022	Spring	KIN 326K: Biomech Anly Of Movement
2021	Fall	KIN 326K: Biomech Anly Of Movement
2021	Spring	KIN 326K: Biomech Anly Of Movement
2020	Fall	KIN 386: 1-Rsch Meths: Proposal Writing
2020	Fall	KIN 197: Research Problems
2020	Fall	KIN 397: Research Problems
2020	Spring	KIN 320: Appld Biomechs Of Human Movmnt
2019	Fall	KIN 386: 1-Rsch Meths: Proposal Writing
2019	Spring	KIN 395: 59-Biomechs In Clincl Settings
2018	Fall	KIN 382: 4-Biomechanics Laboratory

Neurorehabilitation and Biomechanics Laboratory
The mission of the Neurorehabilitation and Biomechanics laboratory is to understand the mechanisms of biomechanical and neuromuscular control of normal and pathological movements, and to apply this knowledge to design interventions that improve functional movements such as walking. We use motion analysis and modeling techniques to develop a mechanism-based framework to advance the understanding of human movement. In addition, we are interested in integrating novel technologies to develop therapeutic interventions.

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