Education
Ph.D. in Biomechanics, Simon Fraser University, Canada
M.Sc. in Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Canada
B.HSc. in Physical Therapy, Yonsei University, Korea
Employment
2021-current Associate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Yonsei University, Korea
2017-2021 Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Yonsei University, Korea
2014-2017 Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Chapman University, USA
Awards
2019, 2021, 2022 Excellence in Teaching, Yonsei University, Korea
2016 Research Award (faculty advisor), Chapman University, USA
2015 Harold M. Frost Young Investigator Award, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR)
2008 Clinical Biomechanics Award (Finalist), North American Congress on Biomechanics (NACOB)
Selected Publications
- S. Lee, K. Lim, W. J. Choi. Characterizing the compressive force at L5/S1 during patient transfer from bed to
wheelchair. Journal of Applied Biomechanics (In press).
- J. W. Choi, J. W. Park, W. J. Choi. Effects of hip joint kinematics on the effective pelvis stiffness and hip impact force
during simulated sideways falls. Journal of Biomechanics. 2024.
- S. Kim, K. Lim, J. Park, J. Choi, C. Yi, S. N. Robinovitch, W. J. Choi. Effects of hip muscle activation on the stiffness
and energy absorption of the trochanteric soft tissue during impact in sideways falls. Journal of the Mechanical
Behavior of Biomedical Materials. 2023.
- K. Lim, W. J. Choi. The effect of the hip impact configuration on the energy absorption provided by the femoral soft
tissue during sideways falls. Journal of Biomechanics. 2021.
- K. Lim, W. J. Choi. Effect of fall characteristics on the severity of hip impact during a fall on the ground from
standing height. Osteoporosis International. 31(9):1713-19, 2020
- K. Lim, W. J. Choi. Soft tissue stiffness over the hip increases with age and its implication in hip fracture risk in
older adults. Journal of Biomechanics. 93:28-33, 2019
- C. Van Ramshorst, W. J. Choi. Characteristics of contact force and muscle activation during choreographed falls
with two common landing techniques in contemporary dance. Journal of Applied Biomechanics. 35(4):256-262,
2019
- W. J. Choi, S. N. Robinovitch. Effect of pelvis impact angle on stresses at the femoral neck during falls. Journal of
Biomechanics. 74:41-49, 2018
- W. J. Choi, S. N. Robinovitch, S. Ross, J. Phan, D. Cipriani. Effect of activation of the neck flexor muscles on impact
velocities of the head during backward falls in young adults. Clinical Biomechanics. 49: 28-33, 2017
- W. J. Choi, J. Wakeling, S. N. Robinovitch. Kinematic analysis of video-captured falls experienced by older adults in
long-term care. Journal of Biomechanics. 48(6):911-20, 2015
- W. J. Choi, C. M., Russell, C. M, Tsai, S. Arzanpour, S. N. Robinovitch. Age-related changes in dynamic compressive
properties of soft tissue over the hip region. Journal of Biomechanics. 48(4):695-700, 2015
- W. J. Choi, P. Cripton, S. N. Robinovitch. Effects of hip abductor muscle forces and knee boundary conditions on
femoral neck stresses during simulated falls. Osteoporosis International. 26(1):291-301, 2015
- W. J. Choi, H. Kaur, S. N. Robinovitch. Measurement of the effect of playground surface materials on hand impact
forces during upper limb fall arrests. Journal of Applied Biomechanics. 30(2) 276-81, 2014
- W. J. Choi, S. N. Robinovitch. Pressure distribution over the palm region during forward falls on the outstretched
hands. Journal of Biomechanics. 44(3):532-9, 2011.
- W. J. Choi, J. A. Hoffer, S. N. Robinovitch. Effect of hip protectors, falling angle and body mass index on pressure
distribution over the hip during simulated falls. Clinical Biomechanics. 25(1):63-9, 2010.
- W. J. Choi, J. A. Hoffer, S. N. Robinovitch. The effect of positioning on the biomechanical performance of soft shell
hip protectors. Journal of Biomechanics. 43(5):818-25, 2010.
Injury Prevention and Biomechanics Laboratory
Falls are the number one cause of injuries in older adults, including more than 90% of hip fractures and wrist fractures, and 60% of head injuries. Some of these injuries are life - threatening, and often cause a major decline in independence. However, most falls do not result in serious injuries (i.e., only 1 - 2% of falls result in hip fracture). This suggests that there exist factors that determine injurious and non - injurious falls, but we have limited information on this area. Age - related decline in bone strength is just one of many biomechanical factors.
My research involves in vivo or in vitro biomechanical experiments, to understand factors that influence risk of fall - related injuries in older adults. In particular, the research focuses on how the injury risk is affected by muscle forces, shock - absorbing properties of soft tissue, body habitus, kinetics and kinematics of a fall impact, physical functions (i.e., gait, balance), cognitive functions, medications, disease diagnoses (i.e., Parkinson’s, dementia, stroke), and use of protective devices (i.e., hip protectors, wrist guards, helmets, or compliant flooring).
My research also involves the development of safe landing strategies and exercise programs for prevention and treatment of fall-related injuries in older adults, based on knowledge acquired from the biomechanical research. In particular, the research is currently focused at developing a very simple but effective exercise program for prevention of fall - related hip fracture, which can be easily used by residents in long term care as well as healthy community dwellers. My research also involves clinical trials, to examine effectiveness of the developed interventions in reducing incidence of fall-related injuries in older adults.
Prospective Trainees
Please contact Dr. CHOI if you are interested in available positions (undergrad, MSc, PhD, Post-Doc).