Whitney Wolff, PhD
Instructor of Practice
Division of Health Sciences
Professional Areas of Interest
- Biomechanics and human movement
- Neuromuscular contributors to chronic musculoskeletal pain
- Ergonomic interventions and injury prevention
Overview
I’m an instructor of practice in the undergraduate health sciences program. I design student-centered, evidence-based learning experiences that bridge theory with practical application. My research focuses on neuromuscular contributors to chronic musculoskeletal pain and the use of ergonomic interventions to improve health outcomes. I regularly integrate my research into the classroom to prepare students to apply scientific knowledge in clinical and professional settings.
Recent Publications
C. Heinemann, E. Walker, W. Wolff, D. Lipps, “The Effect of Acute Cervical Traction on Neck Muscle Stiffness: A Case-Control Examination in Individuals with Idiopathic Chronic Neck Pain”, Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 2025. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2025.04.020.
W. Wolff, C. Heinemann, J. Kartes, J. Ashton-Miller, D. Lipps, “The Influence of Chair Recline on Upper Trapezius Activity and Stiffness during Seated Computer Work”, Applied Ergonomics, 2024. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104227.
W. Wolff, C. Heinemann, D. Lipps, “The Influence of Idiopathic Chronic Neck Pain on Upper Trapezius and Sternocleidomastoid Muscle Activity and Elasticity during Functional Reaching: A Cross- Sectional Study”, Journal of Biomechanics, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2022.111223.
Recent Presentations
W. Wolff, J. Leonardis, “Neck and Shoulder Kinematics During Seated Computer Work in Males and Females with Chronic Neck Pain”, Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society, Columbus, Ohio, 2025.
W. Wolff, J. Leonardis, “The Influence of Chair Recline on Neck and Shoulder Kinematics”, International Society of Biomechanics, Stockholm, Sweden, 2025.
C. Heinemann, E. Walker, W. Wolff, D. Lipps, “The Effect of Acute Cervical Traction Exercises on the Stiffness of the Upper Trapezius and Middle Scalene Muscles”, Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, Knoxville, Tennessee, 2023.
W. Wolff, C. Heinemann, J. Ashton-Miller, & D. Lipps, “The Effect of Chair Recline on Neck Muscle Function during Seated Computer Work”, North American Congress on Biomechanics, Ottawa, Canada, 2022.
Major Awards
AWARDS
Education
- PhD, Movement Science, University of Michigan
- MEd, Kinesiology, Bowling Green State University
- BS, Exercise Science, Bowling Green State University