Gary Mirka

Professor and Chair

Office: 3014 Black Engineering
Email: mirkaiastate.edu
Curriculum Vitae
Tel: 515.294.8661
Fax: 515.294.3524

Research Description

Dr. Mirka’s research interests are in the area of occupational safety and ergonomics with particular emphasis on spine biomechanics, low back injury prevention and ergonomic intervention effectiveness research.  His research efforts have taken him into the construction, agriculture, commercial fishing, and furniture manufacturing industries.  Dr. Mirka was the recipient of the 1993 Volvo Award for Low Back Pain Research.

 

Recent Journal Publications

(1)  Xu, X, GA Mirka, SM Hsiang (2008) “The Effects of Obesity on Lifting Performance”, Applied Ergonomics 39(1): 93-98.

(2)  Anderson, AP, KA Meador, LR McClure, D Makrozahopoulos, DJ Brooks and GA Mirka (2007) “A Biomechanical Analysis of Anterior Load Carriage”, Ergonomics, 50(12): 2104-2117.

(3) Shin, G, and GA Mirka (2007) “An In-Vivo Assessment of the Low Back Response to Prolonged Flexion: Interplay Between Active and Passive Tissues”, Clinical Biomechanics, 22:  965-971.

(4) Reid, S, and GA Mirka (2007) “Learning Curve Analysis of a Patient Lift Assist Device”, Applied Ergonomics, 38(5):  765-771.

(5) Southard, S and GA Mirka (2007) “An Evaluation of Backpack Harness Systems in Non-Neutral Torso Postures”, Applied Ergonomics, 38(4):  541-547.

(6) Southard, SA, JH Freeman, JE Drum and GA Mirka (2007) “Ergonomic Interventions for the Reduction of Back and Shoulder Biomechanical Loading when Weighing Calves”, International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 37(2): 103-110.

(7) Shu, Y and GA Mirka (2006) “A Laboratory Study of the Effects of Wrist Splint Orthoses on Forearm Muscle Activity and Upper Extremity Posture”, Human Factors, 48(3):  499-510.

(8) Jiang, Z, Y Shu, J Drum, S Reid, and GA Mirka (2006) “Effects of Age on Muscle Activity and Upper Body Kinematics during a Repetitive Forearm Supination Task”, International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 36(11): 951-957. 

(9) Shin, G, M Nance and GA Mirka (2006) “Differences in Trunk Kinematics and Ground Reaction Forces between Older and Younger Adults during Lifting”, International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 36:  767-772.

(10) Joines, SMB, CM Sommerich, GA Mirka, JR Wilson and SD Moon (2006) “Low-Level Exertions of the Neck Musculature: A Study of Research Methods”, Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 16:  485–497.

(11) Bajaj, K, GA Mirka, CM Sommerich, and H Khachatoorian (2006) “Evaluation of a Redesigned Self-Checkout Station for Wheelchair Users”, Assistive Technology, 18(1): 15-24.

(12) Lawrence, BM, GD Buckner and GA Mirka (2006) “An Adaptive System Identification Model of the Biomechanical Response of the Human Trunk during Sudden Loading”, Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, 128(2):  235-241.

 

Working Papers

(1) Noack, K, CM Sommerich and GA Mirka (Accepted) “College students and computers: Profile of use and musculoskeletal discomfort and their comparison with those of professional computer users”, To Appear in International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics.

(3) Shu, Y, Z Jiang, X Xu, and GA Mirka (Accepted) “The Effect of a Knee Support on the Biomechanical Response of the Low Back”, To Appear in Applied Biomechanics.

(4) Anderson, AP, KA Meador, LR McClure, D Mkrozahapoulos, DJ Brooks and GA Mirka (Accepted) “A Biomechanical Analysis of Anterior Load Carriage”, To Appear in Ergonomics.

(6) Kucera, K, GA Mirka, D Loomis, S Marshall, H Lipscomb, and J Daniels (Accepted) “Quantifying Ergonomic Stresses in North Carolina Commercial Crab Pot and Gill Net Fishermen”, To Appear in Journal of Occupational & Environmental Hygiene.

(7) Xu, X, SM Hsiang and GA Mirka (In Review) “Coordination Indices between Lifting Kinematics and Kinetics”, Submitted to Journal of Biomechanics.