Allison Altman Singles

Allison Altman Singles serves as an Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Mechanical Engineering at Pennsylvania State University, specifically at the Penn State Berks campus. Her dual appointment spans the College of Engineering and College of Health and Human Development, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of her work at the intersection of biomechanics, engineering, and human movement science.

Dr. Singles holds a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Rochester, followed by both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Biomechanics and Movement Sciences from the University of Delaware's Running Research Laboratory. She completed her postdoctoral training in Orthopaedics and Bioengineering at the McKay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania.

Her research focuses on the mechanical consequences of gait and functional movement on bone and the musculoskeletal system. One major branch investigates the effect of impact loading during running on bone injury, utilizing gait analysis techniques to map 3D body motion and estimate forces on the body during activity. These forces serve as inputs for computational models derived from clinical CT images to estimate forces experienced by bone tissue. Another significant research line examines how bone pathology and disease affect functional movement, using advanced bone imaging techniques to visualize tissue and estimate responses to everyday activities.

Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on practical biomechanics applications, particularly examining how running with a stroller alters running form and impacts injury risk. Her research shows that stroller running reduces impact force by 16% (potentially decreasing risks of shin splints, runner's knee, and stress fractures) but increases torsion by 36% (potentially increasing lower leg stress fracture risk).

Dr. Singles co-founded the Biomechanics and Gait Evaluation Laboratory (BaGEL) at Penn State Berks with Joseph Mahoney, where they employ high-speed motion capture technology and force plates to study running mechanics. The lab's work combines engineering principles with kinesiology to address real-world movement challenges.

Her research has practical implications for runners, particularly parents who run with strollers, and contributes to broader understanding of how mechanical loading affects bone health and injury risk. Future research directions include studying how hills and uneven terrain affect stroller running mechanics and exploring alternative stroller designs that might allow for more natural running form.