Lawrence Abraham

Professor Emeritus, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education

Email: l.abraham@utexas.edu
View Curriculum Vitae (pdf)

Dr. Lawrence D. Abraham is a Professor Emeritus in Kinesiology and Health Education. He retired in June 2020 and previously served as Associate Dean in the School of Undergraduate Studies and as Co-Director of the UTeach Natural Sciences program for secondary certification in science and math education. He is now an associate member of the Graduate Studies Committees in Kinesiology and Health Education, Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, and STEM Education. His research interests include motor skill performance and learning, biomechanics, human motor coordination, and innovative uses of instructional technology.

Associate Dean, School of Undergraduate Studies, The University of Texas at Austin(2013)

Interim Dean, School of Undergraduate Studies, The University of Texas at Austin(2012 - 2013)

UT Austin representative, UVP Network, Reinvention Center/Collaborative(2012)

Member, Undergraduate Education Advisory Committee, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board(2011 - 2016)

Associate Dean, School of Undergraduate Studies, The University of Texas at Austin(2009 - 2012)

Coordinator, Movement Science Program Area, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, UT Austin(2008 - 2011)

Chair, Educational Policy Committee, The University of Texas at Austin(2007 - 2009)

Chair, College of Fine Arts Dean Search Committee, The University of Texas at Austin(2007)

Member, Committee for Undergraduate Degree Program Review, The University of Texas at Austin(2007)

Chair, Faculty Committee on Committees, The University of Texas at Austin(2004 - 2006)

Member, Task Force on Curricular Reform, The University of Texas at Austin(2004 - 2006)

Co-Director (College of Education), UTeach Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin(2003)

Chair, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education, The University of Texas at Austin(2000 - 2008)

Chair, Unrestricted Endowed Presidential Scholarship Selection Committee, The University of Texas at Austin(2000 - 2002)

Member, Explore UT Steering Committee, The University of Texas at Austin(2000 - 2002)

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs, Teacher Education, and Student Affairs, College of Education, The University of Texas at Austin(1998 - 2002)

Chair, Faculty Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Athletics and Academics, The University of Texas at Austin(1994 - 1997)

Member, Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects (IRB), The University of Texas at Austin(1993 - 1997)

Coordinator, Instructional Technology, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, UT Austin(1993 - 1998)

Director and Undergraduate Adviser, Departmental Undergraduate Programs, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, UT Austin(1989 - 1991)

Chair, University Recreational Sports Committee, The University of Texas at Austin(1986 - 1987)

Chair, Graduate Studies Committee, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, UT Austin(1986 - 1987)

Chair, Graduate Studies Committee, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, UT Austin(1981 - 1984)

Park, S., Spirduso, W., Eakin, T. & Abraham, L. (2018). Force level and directional force modulation effects on accuracy and variability in pinch force tracking. Journal of Motor Behavior, 50(2), 210–218.

Herring, T., Eakin, T., Abraham, L. & Spirduso, W. (2014). Maximum voluntary isometric contraction and force-matching from the fourth to the eighth decades of life. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 37(2), 159–166.

Decker, M., Griffin, L., Brandt, L. & Abraham, L. (2010). Effects of stimulation pattern on FES-cycling performance and mechanomyographic responses in persons with paralysis from spinal cord injury. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 20(6), 1163–69.

Teyhen, D., Flynn, T., Childs, J. & Abraham, L. (2007). Arthrokinematics in a sub-group of patients likely to benefit from a lumbar stabilization program. Physical Therapy, 87, 313–325.

Teyhen, D., Flynn, T., Childs, J., Kuklo, T., Rosner, M., Polly, D. & Abraham, L. (2007). Fluoroscopic video to identify aberrant lumbar motion. Spine, 32(7), E220–229.

Annaswamy, T., Mallempati, S., Allison, S. & Abraham, L. (2007). Measurement of plantarflexor spasticity in Traumatic Brain Injury: Correlational study of resistance torque compared with the Modified Ashworth Scale. American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 86, 404–411.

Teyhen, D., Flynn, T., Bovik, A. & Abraham, L. (2005). A new technique for digital fluoroscopic video assessment of sagittal plane lumbar spine motion. Spine, 30, E406–414.

Allison, S. & Abraham, L. (2002). Sensitivity of qualitative and quantitative spasticity measures to clinical treatment with cryotherapy. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 24, 15–24.

Hwang, I. & Abraham, L. (2001). Quantitative EMG analysis to investigate synergic coactivation of ankle and knee muscles during isokinetic ankle movement. Part II: Time frequency analysis.. Journal of Electromyography & Kinesiology, 11, 327–335.

Hwang, I. & Abraham, L. (2001). Quantitative EMG analysis to investigate synergic coactivation of ankle and knee muscles during isokinetic ankle movement. Part I: Time amplitude analysis. Journal of Electromyography & Kinesiology, 11, 319–325.

Hwang, I., Abraham, L. & Chou, S. (2000). The effect of ankle joint position and effort on quadriceps reflex sensitivity. Clinical Neurophysiology, Section: EMG and Motor Control, 111, 1175–83.

Civitatis Award, The University of Texas at Austin (2013)

Ruth Glassow Award, National Association for Sport and Physical Education (2012)

Inductee, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society (2011)

Dean's Fellowship, College of Education, The University of Texas at Austin (2008 - 2008)

Spence Centennial Professorship, University of Texas at Austin (2008)

Catherine Mae Parker Endowed Professorship, University of Texas at Austin (2007 - 2008)

Gold Award for Teaching with Technology, Innovative Instructional Technology Awards Program (2006)

Inductee, Kappa Delta Pi Education Honorary Society (2001)

Dean's Fellowship, College of Education, The University of Texas at Austin (1996 - 1996)

Visiting Lecturer, Faculty of Physical Education, University of Otago (1995)

Invited Speaker, National Association of Rehabilitation Medicine, Republic of China (1995)

TAHPERD Scholar, College Division of the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (1994)

William David Blunk Memorial Professorship, The University of Texas at Austin (1993 - 1994)

Research Associate, Laboratory of Neural Control, National Institutes of Health (1980 - 1981)

Fellow Status in the Research Consortium, American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD) (1978)

Pursuing peculiar paradoxes in performance,one foot at a time, McCraw Lecture, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX (2015)

Pursuing peculiar paradoxes in performance,one foot at a time, Biomechanics Academy Forum, National Association for Sport and Physical Education, Charlotte, NC (2013)

The UTeach story: Transforming secondary math and science teacher preparation locally and nationally, Teacher Preparation Initiative, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN (2010)

Pursuing peculiar paradoxes in performance,one foot at a time, Department of Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX (2009)

Addition of intertrial variability to Gentiles taxonomy of motor skills, Symposium: Ann Gentile: An Appreciation of Her Contributions To Science, Education, and Practice. Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY (2008)

Using core stabilization to enhance running performance, AT&T Austin Marathon Expo 2007 Education Series, Austin, TX (2007)

Using biomechanical analysis to study and improve running form, AT&T Austin Marathon Expo 2007 Education Series, Austin, TX (2007)

Models and Methods of Research in Education, Third Annual Innovations in Health Science Education Conference, University of Texas System, Austin, TX (2006)

The Texas teacher education laptop initiative, American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education, New Orleans (2003)

Mechanisms and treatment of muscle spasticity following traumatic brain injury, Second Annual UT Symposium on Neuroscience, Austin, TX (1997)

Rehabilitation bioengineering, Aprivate forum titled Building Biomedical Engineering Partnerships sponsored by The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX (1997)

Multidimensional analysis of human movement, Biomedical Engineering Society, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX (1996)

Quantification of muscle spasticity in traumatic brain injury patients, Neuroscience Research Group, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand (1995)

Biomechanical models and issues in motor control, Motor Control Interest Group, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand (1995)

Magic and science in human movement analysis, "Understanding Movement: Culture, Science, Practice" conference, School of Physical Education, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand (1995)

Multidimensional analysis of human movement, Rehabilitation Medicine staff at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan (1995)

Applications of biomechanics in medicine, sport, and engineering, Rehabilitation Medicine staff at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan (1995)

Quantification of muscle spasticity, Annual meeting of the Rehabilitation Medicine Association, Taipei, Taiwan (1995)

Neuromuscular mechanisms controlling rapid movement onset, Department of Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX (1994)

In search of objective spasticity measures, Regional workshop titled "Traumatic Brain Injury: Limitations to Skilled Movement" (Department of Physical Therapy, University of Florida), Gainesville, FL (1994)

Applications of exercise science in physical education and sport, Rice University, Houston, TX (1994)

Using musculoskeletal models to study neuromotor control, University of Houston, Houston, TX (1994)

The once and future biomechanist, TAHPERD Scholar Lecture, Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Austin, TX (1994)

Studying elite athletic performance, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, UT Austin, Austin, TX (1992)

Paradoxes in analysis of movement, Austin Area Physical Therapy Association, Austin, TX (1992)

Issues and trends for the future of physical education, Miami University, Miami, OH (1991)

Movement analysis research, Healthcare Rehabilitation Center, Austin, TX (1991)

Neuromuscular mechanisms controlling rapid movement onset, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio (1990)

Effects of load and initial resistance on rapid movement initiation, Kansas State University, Mangattan, KS (1990)

Skill-related differences in human neuromuscular activity, Teachers College Conference on Motor Control, New York, NY (1987)

The role of whip in rip entries, Annual Sport Sciences Symposium of the U.S.Diving Association, Bloomington, IN (1983)

Biomechanical analysis for running efficiency: the BARE facts, Travis County Podiatry Society and Austin YMCA, Austin, TX (1982)

The goals of motor control, The Winter Conference on Brain Research, Steamboat, Colorado (1982)

Neurokinesiological analysis of normal cat locomotion, Teachers College Conference on Motor Control, New York, NY (1981)

Current techniques and research in neurokinesiology, Maryland Kinesiological Society, College Park, MD (1981)

An analysis of coordination: the basis for improving movement, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH (1981)

Biomechanical analysis of running style., Capitol 10,000 Running Clinic, Austin, TX (1980)

Courses by year and semester
Year	Semester	Course
2020	Spring	KIN 336: Neuromuscular Control
2019	Fall	KIN 395: 9-Motor Cntrl: Perf And Learn
2019	Fall	KIN 320: Appld Biomechs Of Human Movmnt
2019	Spring	KIN 335C: Motor Learning
2018	Fall	KIN 335C: Motor Learning
2018	Spring	KIN 395: 4-Biomechanics Of Sport
2017	Fall	KIN 395: 9-Motor Cntrl: Perf And Learn
2017	Spring	KIN 336: Neuromuscular Control
2016	Fall	KIN 395: 59-Biomechs In Clincl Settings
2016	Spring	KIN 336: Neuromuscular Control
2015	Fall	KIN 315: Motor Learning
2015	Spring	KIN 395: 9-Motor Cntrl: Perf And Learn
2014	Fall	KIN 315: Motor Learning
2014	Spring	KIN 395: 4-Biomechanics Of Sport

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