Richard K. Shields, PT, Ph.D.

Portrait: Richard Shields, Ph.D., PT

Director & Professor

Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science Graduate Program

The University of Iowa
1-254 Medical Education Building
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1190
Tel.: (319) 335-9803
richard-shields@uiowa.edu

Education, Training & Experience

  • 1972-76 Bachelor's degree in Biology, Catawba College, Salisbury, North Carolina.
  • 1979-81 Physical Therapy Certificate, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
  • 1983-85 Advanced Master's degree in Physical Therapy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.
  • 1988-92 Doctoral (Ph.D.) degree in Exercise Science, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.
  • 1981-98 Clinical Specialist (Neurology), University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) Department of Physical Therapy, Iowa City, Iowa.

Research Activities

  • Director, NEUROMUSCULAR RESEARCH / MOTOR CONTROL LABORATORY, Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science, College of Medicine.
  • Director, CLINICAL MEASUREMENT LABORATORY, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
  • Neuromusculoskeletal plasticity in individuals with spinal cord injury
  • Neuromuscular control of the knee after acute and chronic adaptation from pathology
  • Computerized Medical Record, Clinical Outcomes Research

Teaching Responsibilities

  • DPT--Principles of Motor Control (101:224)
  • PhD--Sensory Motor Analysis in Health and Disease (101:275)

Academic & Professional Activities

Recent Publications

  • Iguchi M, Shields RK. Cortical and segmental excitability during fatiguing contractions of the soleus muscle in humans. Clin Neurophysiol 2011 Jul 29.
  • Chang SH, Dudley-Javoroski S, Shields RK. Gravitational force modulates muscle activity during mechanical oscillation of the tibia in humans. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2011; 21(5):847-53.
  • Iguchi M, Shields RK. Prior heat stress effects fatigue recovery of the elbow flexor muscles. Muscle Nerve 2011; 44(1):115-25.
  • Goldstein MS, Scalzitti DA, Bohmert JA, Brennan GP, Craik RL, Delitto A, Field-Fote EC, Magistro CM, Powers CM, Shields RK. Vitalizing practice through research and research through practice: the outcomes of a conference to enhance the delivery of care. Phys Ther 2011; 91(8):1275-84.
  • Kunkel SD, Suneja M, Ebert SM, Bongers KS, Fox DK, Malmberg SE, Alipour F, Shields RK, Adams CM. mRNA expression signatures of human skeletal muscle atrophy identify a natural compound that increases muscle mass. Cell Metab 2011; 13(6):627-38.
  • Shields RK, Dudley-Javoroski S, Oza PD. Low-frequency H-reflex depression in trained human soleus after spinal cord injury. Neurosci Lett 2011; 499(2):88-92.
  • Chang YJ, Shields RK. Doublet electrical stimulation enhances torque production in people with spinal cord injry. Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2011; 25(5):423-32.
  • Dudley-Javoroski S, Littmann AE, Chang SH, McHenry CL, Shields RK. Enhancing muscle force and femur compressive loads via feedback-controlled stimulation of paralyzed quadriceps in humans. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2011; 92(2):242-9.
  • Adams CM, Suneja M, Dudley-Javoroski S, Shields RK.  Altered mRNA expression after long-term soleus electricals timulation training in humans with paralysis. Muscle Nerve 2011; 43(1):65-75.
  • Goldstein MS, Scalzitti DA, Craik RL, Dunn SL, Irion JM, Irrgang J, Kolobe TH, McDonough CM, Shields RK. The revised research agenda for physical therapy. Phys Ther 2011; 91:165-74.
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