Dr Kirsty McDonald
Lecturer

Dr Kirsty McDonald

2014-18           PhD, School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia

2013                 BSc (Hons), School of Sport Science Exercise and Health, The University of Western Australia

2011                 BSc, School of Sport Science Exercise and Health, The University of Western Australia

Medicine & Health
School of Health Sciences

My research group investigates the multi-factorial prioritization schemes of walking and running to broaden our understanding of how humans balance competing locomotor objectives. We also explore control targets involved in sensing and regulating optimality criteria. We then apply this knowledge to improve the design of assistive technology and rehabilitation protocols. The overarching vision of this work is to enhance mobility through a deeper understanding of fundamental locomotor mechanics, energetics, and prioritization strategies.

Phone
+61-2-90654296
  • Journal articles | 2023
    Armitage L; McDonald KA; Kark L; Buller A; Ford B, 2023, 'Transtibial prosthetic socket fitting: Australian prosthetist perspectives on primary challenges, management strategies, and opportunities for workflow and technological innovation', Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 47, pp. 194 - 203, http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/PXR.0000000000000174
    Journal articles | 2023
    Ebrahimi A; Daniels KAJ; Gaffney BMM; Banks CL; McDonald KA; Kessler SE; Maharaj JN, 2023, 'International Women in Biomechanics: Promoting, supporting, and sustaining the careers of women in biomechanics', Journal of Biomechanics, 146, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2022.111419
    Journal articles | 2023
    Huang S; Teater RH; Zelik KE; McDonald KA, 2023, 'Biomechanical effects of an articulating prosthetic toe joint during stair navigation for individuals with unilateral, below-knee limb loss', Journal of Biomechanics, 161, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2023.111841
    Journal articles | 2023
    Molitor SL; Zelik KE; McDonald KA, 2023, 'Lower-limb dominance does not explain subject-specific foot kinematic asymmetries observed during walking and running.', J Biomech, 162, pp. 111877, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2023.111877
    Journal articles | 2023
    Nahan K; Héroux M; Kerr J; Bastia D; Finn H; McDonald KA, 2023, 'Effect of muscle fatigue on metabolic cost in running and implications for footwear design', Footwear Science, 15, pp. S132 - S133, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19424280.2023.2199398
    Journal articles | 2023
    Teater RH; Wolf DN; McDonald KA; Zelik KE, 2023, 'Unilateral transtibial prosthesis users load their intact limb more than their prosthetic limb during sit-to-stand, squatting, and lifting', Clinical Biomechanics, 108, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2023.106041
    Journal articles | 2023
    Ziemnicki DM; McDonald KA; Wolf DN; Molitor SL; Egolf JB; Gupta M; Zelik KE, 2023, 'Combining an Artificial Gastrocnemius and Powered Ankle Prosthesis: Effects on Transtibial Prosthesis User Gait', Journal of biomechanical engineering, 145, pp. 1 - 48, http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/1.4056706
    Journal articles | 2022
    McDonald KA; Cusumano JP; Hieronymi A; Rubenson J, 2022, 'Humans trade off whole-body energy cost to avoid overburdening muscles while walking', Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 289, http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2022.1189
    Journal articles | 2022
    McDonald KA; Teater RH; Cruz JP; Zelik KE, 2022, 'Unilateral below-knee prosthesis users walking on uneven terrain: The effect of adding a toe joint to a passive prosthesis', Journal of Biomechanics, 138, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2022.111115
    Journal articles | 2021
    McDonald KA; Teater RH; Cruz JP; Kerr JT; Bastas G; Zelik KE, 2021, 'Adding a toe joint to a prosthesis: walking biomechanics, energetics, and preference of individuals with unilateral below-knee limb loss', Scientific Reports, 11, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-81565-1
    Journal articles | 2021
    Ziemnicki DM; Caputo JM; McDonald KA; Zelik KE, 2021, 'Development and Evaluation of a Prosthetic Ankle Emulator With an Artificial Soleus and Gastrocnemius', Journal of Medical Devices, Transactions of the ASME, 15, http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/1.4052518
    Journal articles | 2020
    Yandell MB; Ziemnicki DM; McDonald KA; Zelik KE, 2020, 'Characterizing the comfort limits of forces applied to the shoulders, thigh and shank to inform exosuit design', PLoS ONE, 15, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0228536
    Journal articles | 2019
    McDonald K; Honert E; Cook O; Zelik K, 2019, 'Ankle joint complex power during walking and running: effects of marker location, and shoe- vs. skin-mounted markers', Footwear Science, 11, pp. S51 - S52, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19424280.2019.1606073
    Journal articles | 2019
    McDonald KA; Cusumano JP; Peeling P; Rubenson J, 2019, 'Multi-objective control in human walking: Insight gained through simultaneous degradation of energetic and motor regulation systems', Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 16, http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2019.0227
    Journal articles | 2019
    McDonald KA; Devaprakash D; Rubenson J, 2019, 'Is conservation of center of mass mechanics a priority in human walking? Insights from leg-length asymmetry experiments', Journal of Experimental Biology, 222, http://dx.doi.org/10.1242/jeb.195172
    Journal articles | 2019
    McDonald KA; Honert EC; Cook OS; Zelik KE, 2019, 'Unholey shoes: Experimental considerations when estimating ankle joint complex power during walking and running', Journal of Biomechanics, 92, pp. 61 - 66, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.05.031
    Journal articles | 2019
    Nicholas JC; McDonald KA; Peeling P; Jackson B; Dimmock JA; Alderson JA; Donnelly CJ, 2019, 'Pole Dancing for Fitness: The Physiological and Metabolic Demand of a 60-Minute Class', Journal of strength and conditioning research, 33, pp. 2704 - 2710, http://dx.doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000002889
    Journal articles | 2016
    Caulfield S; McDonald KA; Dawson B; Stearne SM; Green BA; Rubenson J; Clemons TD; Peeling P, 2016, 'A comparison of haemolytic responses in fore-foot and rear-foot distance runners', Journal of Sports Sciences, 34, pp. 1485 - 1490, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2015.1119300
    Journal articles | 2016
    McDonald KA; Stearne SM; Alderson JA; North I; Pires NJ; Rubenson J, 2016, 'The Role of Arch Compression and Metatarsophalangeal Joint Dynamics in Modulating Plantar Fascia Strain in Running', PLOS ONE, 11, pp. e0152602 - e0152602, http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0152602
    Journal articles | 2016
    Stearne SM; McDonald KA; Alderson JA; North I; Oxnard CE; Rubenson J, 2016, 'The Foot's Arch and the Energetics of Human Locomotion', Scientific Reports, 6, http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep19403
  • Preprints | 2023
    Teater RH; Wolf DN; McDonald KA; Zelik KE, 2023, Unilateral Transtibial Prosthesis Users Load Their Intact Limb More than Their Prosthetic Limb During Sit-To-Stand, Squatting, And Lifting, , http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4423214
    Preprints | 2022
    McDonald KA; Cusumano JP; Hieronymi A; Rubenson J, 2022, Humans trade-off whole-body energy cost to avoid overburdening muscles while walking, , http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/2022.03.16.484670
    Preprints |
    McDonald KA; Teater RH; Cruz JP; Zelik KE, Unilateral Below-Knee Prosthesis Users Walking on Uneven Terrain: The Effect of Adding a Toe Joint to a Passive Prosthesis, , http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3969845

2023     Chief Investigator. UNSW Medicine + Health, School of Health Sciences, Seed Grant Scheme. Development of a novel system for administering a pain stimulus during locomotion. McDonald, K.A., Aplin, F.P., Birznieks, I., Gibbs, M., Dickson, B., Thom, J. $14,647 AUD

2023     Co-Investigator. UNSW Medicine & Health Neuroscience, Mental Health and Addiction Theme Collaborative Seed Funding. Development and Validation of a Paddle Trip System to Deliver Unanticipated, Controlled and Realistic Obstacle Trips in Older People. Investigators: Okubo, Y., McDonald, K., Wu, L., Silva Pelicioni, P.H., Treacy, D., Lord, S., Brodie, M.A., Humburg, P., Walker, M., McCouat, K. $36,755 AUD

2022     Chief Investigator. ASICS Oceania. Adding a spring to your step: can footwear reduce muscle fatigue in running? Investigators: McDonald, K.A., Héroux, M. Nahan, K. $7,100 AUD

2022     Co-Investigator. UNSW Research Infrastructure Scheme. Mobile Motion Capture Suite. Investigators: Modenese, L., Kark, L., Stevens, M., Argha, R., Shivdasani, M., Brodie, M., Bolseterlee, B., Gustin, S., Alam, M., Shariati, N., McDonald, K., Ward, R., Pelicioni, P., Sturnieks, D. $131,117 AUD

2022     Chief Investigator. UNSW Medicine + Health, School of Health Sciences, Seed Grant Scheme. Adding a spring in your step: can the “Super Shoe” reduce muscle fatigue in running? Investigators: McDonald, K.A., Nahan, K., Broderick, C., Lee, M., Héroux, M. $3,936 AUD

2022     Co-Investigator. American Society of Biomechanics Grants for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (GRADE) Program. Ensuring a sustainable future for the International Women in Biomechanics Community. Investigators: Banks, C., Daniels, K., Ebrahimi, A., McDonald, K. (alphabetic order). $5,000 USD

2021     Chief Investigator. UNSW Research Infrastructure Scheme. A portable solution for metabolic measurements. Investigators: McDonald, K., Arnold, R., Endre, Z., Héroux, M., Kark, L., Letton, M., Sturnieks, D., Thom, J., van Schooten, K., Ward, R. $83,045 AUD

2021     Chief Investigator. UNSW Medicine + Health, School of Health Sciences, Networking Seed Grant Scheme. Exploring device use recommendations to optimize health outcomes for children who use lower limb prostheses. Investigators: McDonald, K.A., Broderick, C., van Doorn, N., Scott, T. $5,000 AUD

2022                 Early Career Educator of the Year, School of Health Sciences, University of New South Wales

2014-17            Australian Postgraduate Award and The University of Western Australia Safety Net Top-Up Scholarship, The University of Western Australia

2016                 Semi-finalist, Nike Ease Challenge

2014                 Valedictorian, The University of Western Australia

2013                 Rod Fry Prize, The University of Western Australia

2013                 Frank Pyke Memorial Scholarship, The University of Western Australia

Peer-Reviewed Publications

2023     Teater, R.H., Wolf, D.N., McDonald, K.A., Zelik, K.E. Unilateral transtibial prosthesis users load their intact limb more than their prosthetic limb during sit-to-stand, squatting, and lifting. Clinical Biomechanics. 108; 106041. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2023.106041

2023     Nahan, K.Y., Heroux, M., Kerr, J., Bastia, D., Finn, H., McDonald, K.A. Effect of muscle fatigue on metabolic cost in running and implications for footwear design. Footwear Science. 15(Sup1); S132-S133. doi:  10.1080/19424280.2023.2199398

2023     Ziemnicki, D.M., McDonald, K.A., Wolf, D.N., Molitor, S.L., Egolf, J.B., Gupta, M., Zelik, K.E. Combining an Artificial Gastrocnemius and Powered Ankle Prosthesis: Effects on Transtibial Prosthesis User Gait. Journal of Biomechanical Engineering. 145(6); 061009. doi: 10.1115/1.4056706

2022     Ebrahimi, A., Daniels, K.A.J., Gaffney, B.M.M., Banks, C.L., McDonald, K.A., Kessler, S.E., Maharaj, J. International Women in Biomechanics: Promoting, Supporting, and Sustaining the Careers of Women in Biomechanics. Journal of Biomechanics. 146; 111419. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2022.111419

2022     McDonald, K.A., Cusumano, J.P., Hieronymi, A., Rubenson, J. Humans trade-off energetic cost with fatigue avoidance while walking. Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 289; 20221189. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1189

2022     Armitage, L., McDonald, K.A., Kark, L., Buller, A., Ford, B. Transtibial prosthetic socket fitting: Australian prosthetist perspectives on primary challenges, management strategies and opportunities for workflow and technological innovation. Prosthetics and Orthotics International. 47(2); 194-203. doi: 10.1097/PXR.0000000000000174

2022     McDonald, K.A., Teater, R.H., Cruz, J.P., Zelik, K.E. Unilateral below-knee prosthesis users walking on uneven terrain: the effect of adding a toe joint to a passive prosthesis. Journal of Biomechanics. 138; 111115. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2022.111115

2021     Ziemnicki, D., Caputo, J., McDonald, K.A., Zelik, K.E. Development and Evaluation of a Prosthetic Ankle Emulator with an Artificial Soleus and Gastrocnemius. Journal of Medical Devices. 15(4); 045001. doi: 10.1115/1.4052518

2021     McDonald, K.A., Teater, R.T., Cruz, J.P., Kerr, J.T., Bastas, G., Zelik, K.E. Adding a toe joint to a prosthesis: walking biomechanics, energetics, and preference of individuals with unilateral below-knee limb loss. Scientific Reports. 11; 1924. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-81565-1

2020     Yandell, M., Ziemnicki, D., McDonald, K.A., Zelik, K.E. Characterizing the Comfort Limits of Forces Applied to the Shoulders, Thigh and Shank to Inform Exosuit Design. PLOS ONE. 15(2); e0228536. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228536

2019     McDonald, K.A., Cusumano, J.P., Peeling, P., Rubenson, J. Multi-objective control in human walking: insight gained through simultaneous degradation of energetic and motor regulation systems. Journal of The Royal Society Interface. 16(158); 20190227. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2019.0227

2019     McDonald, K.A., Honert, E.C., Cook, O.S., Zelik, K.E. Unholey shoes: experimental considerations when estimating ankle joint complex power during walking and running. Journal of Biomechanics. 92; 61-66. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2019.05.031

2019     McDonald, K.A., Devaprakash, D., Rubenson, J. Is conservation of center of mass mechanics a priority in human walking? Insights from leg-length asymmetry experiments? Journal of Experimental Biology. 222(9); jeb195172. doi: 10.1242/jeb.195172

2019     Nicholas, J.C., McDonald, K.A., Peeling, P., Jackson, B., Dimmock, J.A., Alderson, J.A., Donnelly, C.J. Pole dancing for fitness: the physiological and metabolic demand of a 60-minute class. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 33(10); 2704-10. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002889

2019     McDonald, K.A., Honert, E.C., Cook, O.S., Zelik, K.E. Ankle joint complex power during walking and running: effects of marker location, and shoe- vs. skin-mounted markers. Footwear Science. 11(Sup1); S51-S52. doi: 10.1080/19424280.2019.1606073

2016     McDonald, K.A., Stearne, S.M., North, I., Alderson, J.A., Pires, N.J., Rubenson, J. The role of arch compression and metatarsophalangeal joint dynamics in modulating plantar fascia strain in running. PLoS ONE. 11(4); e0152602. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152602

2016     Stearne, S.M., McDonald, K.A., Alderson, J.A., North, I., Oxnard, C.E., Rubenson, J. The foot’s arch and the energetics of human locomotion. Scientific Reports. 6; 19403. doi: 10.1038/srep19403

2015     Caulfield, S., McDonald, K.A., Dawson, B., Stearne, S.M., Green, B.A., Rubenson, J., Clemmons, T.D., Peeling, P. A comparison of haemolytic responses in fore-foot and rear-foot striking distance runners. Journal of Sport Sciences. 34(15); 1485-1490. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2015.1119300

Conference Abstracts

2023     Lim, M., van Schooten, K.S., McDonald, K.A., Okubo, Y., Jung, D., Sturnieks, D. Effects of anxiety on reactive balance following trip-like perturbations in older people. Australia and New Zealand Falls Prevention Society & World Falls Congress 2023 Joint Conference, Perth, Australia (Accepted)

2023     Jung, D., Sturnieks, D.L., McDonald, K.A., Song, P.Y.H., Davis, M.K., Lord, S., Okubo, Y. Treadmill belt accelerations do not replicate kinematic responses to trips on a walkway in older people. International Society of Posture & Gait Research World Congress 2023, Brisbane, Australia

2023     Nahan, K., Heroux, M., Kerr, J., Bastia, D., Finn, H., McDonald, K.A. The effect of knee extensor fatigue on metabolic cost in running. XXIX Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, Fukuoka, Japan

2023     Nahan, K., Heroux, M., Kerr, J., Bastia, D., Finn, H., McDonald, K.A. Effect of muscle fatigue on metabolic cost in running and implications for footwear design. 16th Biennial Footwear Biomechanics Symposium, Osaka, Japan

2023     Huang, S., Teater, R.H., Zelik, K.E., McDonald, KA. Biomechanical effects of adding a flexible toe joint to foot prostheses during stair ascent and descent. American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists 49th Academy Annual Meeting & Scientific Symposium, Nashville, USA

2023     Teater, R.H., Wolf, D.N., McDonald, KA., Zelik, K.E. Lower-limb loading asymmetries persist for tasks prosthesis users don’t find challenging. American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists 49th Academy Annual Meeting & Scientific Symposium, Nashville, USA

2022     Ziemnicki, D.M., Molitor, S., Egolf, J., Cruz, J.P., Zelik, K.E., McDonald, K.A. Design and evaluation of a bimodal pediatric prosthetic foot for walking and running. North American Congress on Biomechanics 2022, Ottawa, Canada

2022     Teater, R., Wolf, D., McDonald, K., Zelik, K. Characterizing Strategies and Exploring Interventions for Transtibial Prosthesis Users during Activities of Daily Living. RehabWeek 2022, Rotterdam, The Netherlands

2022     Teater, R.T., Wolf, D., Ausec, B., McDonald, K.A., Zelik, K.E. Transtibial Prosthesis User Biomechanics during Functional Tasks: Characterizing Strategies and Evaluating Effects of Increased Prosthetic Ankle and Toe Range of Motion. 9th World Congress of Biomechanics, Taiwan

2021     Eveld, M.E., Wolfe, A.E., Cruz, J.P., Sifuentes, N.J., Ausec, B.N., Zelik, K.E., McDonald, K.A. Task-specific device use in paediatric prosthesis users. 12th Australasian Biomechanics Congress, Virtual

2021     McDonald, K.A., Teater, R., Zelik, K.E. Does a prosthetic toe joint affect mechanics or preference when persons with limb loss walk on uneven terrain? XXVIII Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, Virtual

2021     Teater, R.T., McDonald, K.A., Zelik, K.E. Exploring Effects of Prosthetic Ankle and Toe Joint Range of Motion on Activities of Daily Living. XXVIII Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, Virtual

2021     Ebrahimi, A., Kessler, S., Montgomery, J., Banks, C., McDonald, K., Daniels, K., Maharaj, J. What womxn want: Using the International Womxn in Biomechanics organization to help womxn in biomechanics thrive. XXVIII Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, Virtual

2021     Ziemnicki, D.M., Caputo, J., McDonald, K.A., Zelik., K.E., Effects of an artificial gastrocnemius and powered ankle prosthesis on transtibial prosthesis user gait. 45th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, Virtual

2020     Molitor, S., Zelik, K., McDonald, K. On the importance of applying appropriate joint angle normalization to multi-segment foot models. Biomedical Engineering Society Conference, Virtual

2020     Molitor, S., Zelik, K., McDonald, K. Comparison of joint mechanics of the dominant vs non-dominant lower limbs during locomotion. 44th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, Virtual

2020     Teater, R.T., McDonald, K.A., Bastas, G., Zelik, K.E. Asymmetry, Instability and Functional Deficits in Transtibial Prosthesis Users During Squatting, Lifting and Sit-to-Stand. 44th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, Virtual

2020     Ziemnicki, D.M., McDonald, K.A., Zelik., K.E. Combining an Artificial Gastrocnemius and Powered Ankle Prosthesis: Effects on Transtibial Prosthesis User Gait. 44th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, Virtual

2020     McDonald, K.A., Cusumano, J.P., Hieronymi, A., Rubenson, J. Decoupling the metabolic and neuromuscular cost of human walking. Dynamic Walking 2020, Virtual

2019     McDonald, K.A., Teater, R.H., Cook, O.S., Bastas, G., Zelik, K.E. The Biomechanical and Met-toe-bolic Effects of Walking on a Passive Prosthetic Foot with an Added Toe Joint. XXVII Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, Calgary, Canada

2019     Teater, R.H., McDonald, K.A., Cook, O.S., Bastas, G., Zelik, K.E. Addition of a Passive Toe Joint: Considerations for Passive and Powered Ankle-Foot Prosthesis Design. XXVII Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, Calgary, Canada

2019     McDonald, K.A., Honert, E.C., Cook, O.S., Zelik, K.E. Ankle joint complex power during walking and running: effects of marker location, and shoe- vs. skin-mounted markers. XXVII Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, Calgary, Canada

2019     McDonald, K.A., Hieronymi, A., Cusumano, J.P., Rubenson, J. Optimization in Human Walking: Decoupling Whole-Body Energetics and Local Muscle Effort. XXVII Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, Calgary, Canada

2019     McDonald, K.A., Honert, E.C., Cook, O.S., Zelik, K.E. Ankle joint complex power during walking and running: effects of marker location, and shoe- vs. skin-mounted markers. 14th Biennial Footwear Biomechanics Symposium, Kananaskis, Canada

2018     Nicholas, J.C., McDonald, K.A., Peeling, P., Jackson, B., Dimmock, J.A., Alderson, J.A., Donnelly, C.J. The physiological and metabolic demand of a standardized 60-minute pole dancing class. 23rd Annual Congress of the European College for Sport Science, Dublin, Ireland

2016     McDonald, K.A., Peeling, P., Rubenson, J. Preferred walking speed selection in normal and perturbed gait environments. 40th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics, Raleigh, USA

2016     McDonald, K.A., Peeling, P., Rubenson, J. Preferred walking speed selection in normal and unstable gait environments. Biomechanics and Neural Control of Movement, Sterling, USA

2015     McDonald, K.A., Stearne, S.M., North, I., Alderson, J.A., Rubenson, J. The role of arch compression and metatarsophalangeal joint dynamics in modulating plantar fascia strain in running. XXV Congress of the International Society of Biomechanics, Glasgow, UK

My Research Supervision

2023-present    Phillip Ringer, BEng (Hons) student

2023-present    Jason Ta, BSc (Med) (Hons) student

2022-present     John Kerr, PhD student 

2021-present     Key Nahan, PhD student

My Teaching

HESC2451: Biomechanics

HESC2452: Movement Assessment and Instruction