Michael E. Cinelli

I am primarily interested in the perceptual and cognitive factors that affect the control of locomotion as well as measuring and understanding the changes in the dynamic control of locomotion in cluttered environments over a life span. My research provides insights into how the brain processes sensory information (inputs) and executes skilled behaviours (motor outputs) in every day situations during the middle developmental stages as well as during later stages of life. My research interests have also been directed towards understanding perception-action integration dysfunctions in concussed individuals. 

• Wilfrid Laurier University Category B Internal Equipment grant to purchase a new eye tracking system (2017)
• Wilfrid Laurier University Alumni Association Faculty Mentoring Award (2017)
• Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty of Science Merit Award recipient (2016)
• Wilfrid Laurier University Category A Internal Grant Award (2016)
• Mitacs Globalink Research Internship (2015)
• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery Grant (2014).
• Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Summer Experience Program (2014).
• Laurier Graduate Enhancement Fee Program (2014).
• Laurier Undergraduate Research Assistantship (2014).
• Laurier Research Equipment Grant (2014).
• University of Waterloo Chronic Disease Prevention Initiative at the Propel Centre for Population Health Impact (2013-2014).

Peer-reviewed Journals

2017

• Ramautar, S., Prangley, A. & Cinelli, M.E. (2017). Response Time and Gaze Behaviour in Individuals with Post Concussion Syndrome. Brain Inj 17:1-7. Epub Aug 17.
• Pragley, A., Aggerholm, M., and Cinelli, M.E. (2017). Vestibular training intervention for individuals with post-concussion syndrome. Gait Posture 8(58):229-231. Epub Aug 8.
• Baker, C. and Cinelli, M.E. (2017). The effects of obstacle proximity on aperture crossing behaviours. Experimental Brain Research, 235(2): 497–506
• Gonzalez, D.A., Scharoun, S.M., Cinelli, M.E., Bryden, P.J., Lyons, J.L., & Roy, E.A. (2017). Object-Tool-Actor interaction: Object information drives intended action. Journal of Motor Behavior, DOI: 10.1080/00222895.2017.1283293

2016

• Scharoun, S.M., Bryden, P.J., Cinelli, M.E., Gonzalez, D.A., & Roy, E.A. (2016). Do children have the same capacity to perceive affordances as adults? An investigation of tool selection and use. Journal of Motor Learning and Development, 4(1):59-79
• Yeh, T-T, Cinelli, M.E., Lyons, J., & Lee, T.D. (2016). Using a manipulation check to uncover age-related difference in focus of attention instruction during a balance task. Experimental Aging Research. 42(3): 307–313
• Chagdes, J.R., Rietdyk, S., Haddad, J.M., Zelaznik, H.N., Cinelli, M.E., Denomme, L.T., Powers, K.C., and Raman, A. (2016). Limit cycle oscillations in human standing posture. Journal of Biomechanics, 49, 1170-79.

2015

• Hackney, A. L., Cinelli, M. E., & Frank, J. S. (2015). Does the passability of apertures change when walking through human versus pole obstacles?. Acta psychologica, 162, 62-68.
• Ramautar, S.A., & Cinelli, M.E. (2015). Cognitive function in recently concussed athletes using a choice reaction time task. Curr Res Concussion, 2(2): 38-42
• Yeh, T-T, Cinelli, M.E., Lyons, J., & Lee, T.D. (2015). Age-related changes in postural control to the demands of a precision task. Human Movement Sciences, 44:134-142. doi: 10.1016/j.humov.2015.08.021
• Hackney, A.L., Cinelli, M.E., Denomme, L.T., & Frank, J.S. (2015). The effects of narrow and elevated path walking on aperture crossing. Human Movement Science, 41:295-306. DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2015.04.002
• Baker, C.S. & Cinelli, M.E. (2015). Visuomotor deficits during locomotion in previously concussed athletes 30 or more days following return to play. Physiological Reports. 2 (e12252) DOI: 10.14814/phy2.12252
• Hackney, A.L., Zakoor, A., and Cinelli, M.E. (2015). The effects of specific athlete training and approach speed on path selection. Gait and Posture. 41(1): 323–325

2014

• Hackney, A.L., Cinelli, M.E., & Frank, J.S. (2014). “Is the safety margin for aperture crossing adapted to the person-plus-object system?” Journal of Motor Behavior 23:319-327.
• Denomme, L.T., Mandelfino, P., and Cinelli, M.E. (2014). “Understanding balance differences in individuals with multiple sclerosis with mild disability: An investigation of differences in sensory feedback on postural control during a Romberg task”. Exp Brain Res. 232(6):1833-42.
• Denomme, L.T. Mandelfino, P., and Cinelli, M.E. (2014). “Strategies used by individuals with multiple sclerosis with mild disability to maintain dynamic stability during a steering task”. Exp Brain Res. 232(6):1811-22.
• Powers, K.C., Cinelli, M.E., and Kalmar, J.M. (2014). “Cortical hypoexcitability persists beyond the symptomatic phase of a concussion”. Brain Injury 28(4):465-71.
• Hackney, A.L., van Ruymbeke, N., Bryden, P., and Cinelli, M.E. (2014). “Direction of single obstacle circumvention in middle-aged children”. Gait and Posture 40(1):113-7.
• Powers, K.C., Kalmar, J.M., and Cinelli, M.E. (2014). “Dynamic Stability and steering control following a Concussion”. Gait and Posture, 39(2): 728-32.
• Powers, K.C., Kalmar, J.M., & Cinelli, M.E. (2014). “Recovery of static stability following a concussion”. Gait & Posture, 39(1): 611–614.

2013

• Hackney, A.L. and Cinelli, M.E. (2013). “Action strategies used by children to avoid two vertical obstacles in non-confined space”. Exp. Brain Res., 229(1): 13-22.
• Hackney, A.L. and Cinelli, M.E. (2013). “Young and older adults use body-scaled information during a non-confined aperture crossing task”. Exp Brain Res., 225(3): 419-429.
• Hackney, A.L., Vallis, L.A., and Cinelli, M.E. (2013). “Action strategies of individuals during aperture crossing in unconfined space”. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 66(6):1104 -1112.
• Hackney, A.L. and Cinelli, M.E. (2013). “Older adults are guided by their dynamic perceptions during aperture crossing”. Gait and Posture. 37(1): 93-7.

2012

• Cinelli, M.E. and Warren, W.H. (2012). “Do walkers follow their heads? Investigating the role of head rotation in locomotor control”. Experimental Brain Research, 219(2): 175-90.

2011

• Hackney, A.L. & Cinelli, M.E. (2011). “Action strategies of older adults walking through apertures”. Gait & Posture, 33(4): 733-36.

2010

• Higuchi, T., Cinelli, M.E., and Patla, A.E. (2010). “Gaze behavior during locomotion through apertures with extensions to the body”. Human Movement Science, 28: 760–771.

2009

• Cinelli, M.E., Patla, A.E., Allard, F. (2009). “Behaviour and Gaze Analyses During a Goal-Directed Locomotor Task”. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 62(3): 483-99.

Undergraduate Courses

• KP166- Fundamentals of Motor Learning and Control
• KP221/HN210 (formerly KP223)- Human Functional Anatomy
• KP465- Balance, Posture, and Gait
• KP323-Human Growth and Motor Development
• KP122-Biodynamical Aspects of Physical Activity

Graduate Courses

• KP651- Neurocognition of Movement
• KP697K- Selected topics in Neuromechanics of Human Movement

• Concussion research shows athletes return to action with slower reaction time (Kitchener Post)
• Testing athletes with history of concussions on CTV News
• Laurier to host concussion education symposium
• Responses to concussions need to be monitored by an impartial medically trained bystander (570 News)