The Movement PhD

Neural plasticity is a normal property of the nervous system. In this episode, we look at how practice, learning, exercise, sensory experience, injury, and recovery can change neural function from the peripheral nervous system all the way to the brain. We cover changes in synaptic strength, potentiation and depression, structural changes at synapses, spinal cord processing, neural networks, cortic...

In this episode, we break down the major neural fiber types and connect their structure to their function. We compare the two major classification systems, examine how diameter and myelination affect conduction speed, and work through A-alpha, A-beta, A-gamma, A-delta, B, and C fibers along with their major receptors and roles in movement, sensation, pain, temperature, and autonomic function. Link...

What happens when a reflex hammer taps the patellar tendon? In this episode, Dustin Hardwick breaks down the stretch reflex from start to finish: tendon tap, muscle spindle , group Ia afferent , spinal cord, alpha motor neuron , and muscle contraction. Along the way, he reviews fiber types, conduction velocity, reciprocal inhibition, reflex latency , and how the stretch reflex compares with the wi...

Season 3 begins with a big-picture look at the motor system from the decision to move all the way to muscle force production. We trace movement through the cortex, corticospinal tract, spinal cord, motor units, and neuromuscular junction, then finish with how the nervous system grades force through rate coding and motor unit recruitment. This episode serves as the roadmap for the nervous system, m...

Season 2, Episode 11 — How the hand creates grip, precision, and fine motor control. In this episode of The Movement PhD , Dr. Dustin Hardwick reviews the anatomy and mechanics of the hand, including carpal bones, metacarpals, phalanges, and key joints. We explore thumb mechanics, finger arthrokinematics, intrinsic muscle function, and how grip strength is optimized through coordinated motion and...

Season 2, Episode 10 : How the forearm and wrist position the hand and transmit force. In this episode, Dr. Dustin Hardwick reviews the anatomy and mechanics of the forearm and wrist, including the radioulnar joints, interosseous membrane, and TFCC. We explore pronation and supination, wrist arthrokinematics, muscle function, and how forces are transmitted from the hand to the upper arm. Links: ⁠⁠...

This is Season 2, Episode 9: Understanding elbow mechanics, force transmission, and muscle function. In this episode, Dr. Dustin Hardwick reviews the elbow as a three-joint complex and explores how ligaments, arthrokinematics, and muscle function contribute to flexion, extension, pronation, and supination. We also examine force transmission through the forearm and how joint position influences tor...

In this episode of The Movement PhD , Dr. Dustin Hardwick brings together the key concepts from the shoulder unit to explain how scapular and glenohumeral mechanics integrate during overhead motion. We review scapulohumeral rhythm, rotator cuff stabilization, and the role of scapular force couples before analyzing common dysfunctional patterns such as scapular downward rotation, excessive protract...

Welcome to The Movement PhD! This is Season 2, Episode 7: The Shoulder: Muscles, Movement, and Stabilization In this episode, Dr. Dustin Hardwick reviews the scapulothoracic and glenohumeral muscles that produce and stabilize shoulder motion. We explore trapezius and serratus force couples, rotator cuff mechanics, deltoid interaction, dependent arm stability, and the biomechanics of scapulohumeral...

Welcome to The Movement PhD! This is Season 2, Episode 6: The Shoulder: Anatomy and Arthrokinematics In this episode, Dr. Dustin Hardwick reviews the anatomy of the shoulder complex, including the scapula, clavicle, humerus, and the SC, AC, scapulothoracic, and glenohumeral joints. We explore anatomy, osteokinematics, arthrokinematics, scapular movements, important structures, and capsular pattern...

Welcome to The Movement PhD! This is Season 2, Episode 5: The Thoracic Spine: Muscles, Movement, and Breathing In this episode, Dr. Dustin Hardwick breaks down the muscles that control thoracic motion and posture, along with the biomechanics of breathing. We explore diaphragm function, rib motion, spinal and abdominal muscle contributions, and how thoracic posture affects cervical spine health, sh...

Welcome to The Movement PhD! This is Season 2, Episode 4: The Thoracic Spine: Anatomy and Arthrokinematics In this episode, Dr. Dustin Hardwick reviews the anatomy and joint mechanics of the thoracic spine and thorax. We explore the anatomy of a thoracic vertebra and the thorax, spinal curvatures, rib articulations, thoracic motion across all three planes, and how the thorax provides stability, pr...

Welcome to The Movement PhD! This is Season 2, Episode 3: The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) . In this episode, Dr. Dustin Hardwick reviews the anatomy, osteokinematics, arthrokinematics, and muscle function of the TMJ. We explore disc mechanics, rotation–translation sequencing during mouth opening and closing, force couples for chewing, and how cervical posture alters TMJ loading and symptoms. Lin...

Welcome to The Movement PhD! This is Season 2, Episode 2: The Cervical Spine : Muscles & Movement In this episode, Dr. Dustin Hardwick explores the muscles responsible for cervical motion and stability, distinguishing between deep stabilizers and global movers. We connect muscle function to posture, scapular mechanics, thoracic alignment, and forward head posture, with clear clinical implicati...

Welcome to The Movement PhD! This is Season 2, Episode 1: The Cervical Spine: Bony Anatomy, Alignment, and Arthrokinematics . In this episode, Dr. Dustin Hardwick introduces the upper-extremity biomechanics series by reviewing cervical spine anatomy, spinal curvatures, regional motion differences, and detailed arthrokinematics. We explore how structure dictates motion, why coupling patterns exist,...

A complete guide to lower-extremity arthrokinematics, from lumbar facets to the subtalar joint. This topic-focused episode reviews lower-extremity arthrokinematics from the lumbar spine to the ankle and foot . Dr. Dustin Hardwick (PhD in Movement Science, Physical Therapist) walks through planes and axes, spin/roll/glide mechanics, and the convex–concave rule, then applies these concepts to the lo...

Welcome to The Movement PhD! Tissue Mechanics & Healing: Bone, Cartilage, Tendons, Ligaments, and Muscle. In this episode, Dr. Dustin Hardwick (PhD in Movement Science, Physical Therapist) explains how biological tissues absorb force, deform under load, fail, and heal. We review viscoelastic properties, phases of healing, fracture mechanics, cartilage biology, tendon and ligament structure, an...

Explore how the ankle and foot muscles guide pronation, propulsion, and gait efficiency. Welcome to The Movement PhD! This is Season 1, Episode 13: The Ankle and Foot: Muscles and Gait Mechanics . In this episode, Dr. Dustin Hardwick explores the muscles of the ankle and foot and how it guides pronation, supination, arch stability, and efficient gait. We review dorsiflexors, plantar flexors, inver...

Welcome to The Movement PhD! This is Season 1, Episode 12: The Ankle and Foot — Bony Anatomy, Alignment, and Arthrokinematics. In this episode, Dr. Dustin Hardwick (PhD in Movement Science, Physical Therapist) introduces the ankle and foot unit, breaking down the anatomy and function of the talocrural, subtalar, and transverse tarsal joints. You’ll learn how the bones of the foot align, move, and...

Welcome to The Movement PhD! This is Season 1, Episode 11: The Knee Part 2: Meniscus, Ligaments, Muscles, and Gait. In this episode, Dr. Dustin Hardwick (PhD in Movement Science, Physical Therapist) explores the connective tissue and muscular structures that stabilize and move the knee. You’ll learn how the menisci distribute load and guide motion, how each ligament contributes to joint stability,...

Welcome to The Movement PhD! This is Season 1, Episode 10: The Knee: Bony Anatomy, Alignment, and Arthrokinematics. In this first part of the knee unit, Dr. Dustin Hardwick (PhD in Movement Science, Physical Therapist) reviews the anatomy and mechanics of the knee joint. You’ll learn about the tibiofemoral, patellofemoral, and proximal tibiofibular joints, normal alignment angles, and how forces a...

Explore how the sacroiliac joint and posture contribute to lumbar movement and pain syndromes. Welcome to The Movement PhD! This is Season 1, Episode 9: The Sacroiliac Joint and Lumbar Movement Syndromes. In this episode, Dr. Dustin Hardwick (PhD in Movement Science, Physical Therapist) explains the role of the sacroiliac joint as the bridge between the spine and lower limbs and explores how postu...

Welcome to The Movement PhD! This is Season 1, Episode 8: The Lumbar Spine Part 2: Lower Back and Abdominal Muscles In this episode, Dr. Dustin Hardwick (PhD in Movement Science, Physical Therapist) reviews the muscles that move and stabilize the lumbar spine and abdomen. You’ll learn how the abdominals, deep back muscles, diaphragm, and pelvic floor work together to create stability, manage load,...

Explore the lumbar spine’s anatomy and arthrokinematics Welcome to The Movement PhD!This is Season 1, Episode 7 . In this episode, Dr. Dustin Hardwick (PhD in Movement Science, Physical Therapist) explains the structure and movement mechanics of the lumbar spine. You’ll learn how spinal curves distribute load, how vertebrae and discs handle compression and shear, and how the facet orientation guid...

This is Season 1, Episode 6: Hip Function in Normal and Pathological Gait In this final part of the hip series, Dr. Dustin Hardwick (PhD in Movement Science, Physical Therapist) connects anatomy and muscle function to real-world movement. You’ll learn how the hip contributes to each phase of gait, from initial contact to terminal swing, and how internal and external moments shape stability and pro...