Dr. Tyler Richardson

Biography

Tyler Richardson is an Associate Professor in Kinesiology at Penn State Harrisburg. He received his undergraduate training in Mechanical Engineering and completed both master’s and doctoral degrees in Biomechanics and Movement Science at the University of Delaware. His research focuses on advancing the understanding of shoulder and upper extremity function with the aim of applying this knowledge to improve individuals' lives. His work employs both joint-specific and global approaches to evaluate upper extremity functionality, utilizing novel, non-invasive techniques to measure scapular motion and its contributions to overall shoulder motion. Dr. Richardson's current clinical research investigates shoulder function following surgical interventions for children with brachial plexus birth injuries and cerebral palsy, in collaboration with institutions such as Philadelphia Shriners Hospital for Children and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. He also examines age-related changes in upper extremity function in healthy adults and their implications for maintaining independent living. In addition, his work in sports biomechanics explores the relationship between shoulder mechanics, injury risks, and performance among baseball pitchers, with collaborations including Wake Forest University and the University of Nebraska Omaha. He is currently the director of the Kinesiology Biomechanics Laboratory.

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Courses