Anita Vasavada

Research Interests

Biomechanics and neural control of the musculoskeletal system, utilizing anatomically-based models complemented with experimental data. Most of my research is focused on the human head and neck system, addressing areas such as ergonomics, concussion, whiplash injury and gender differences in neck biomechanics.  My goal is to apply the knowledge gained from modeling and experiments to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of neck musculoskeletal disorders.

Specific Research Projects

Ergonomics of Mobile Devices

Forward or flexed head posture occurs frequently while using mobile devices and are implicated in neck pain, although the mechanisms are not well understood. We have quantified the increase in head and neck flexion and musculoskeletal load while subjects used tablet computers in different conditions (with and without a desk; with and without an accessory stand). We calculated gravitational demand, a measure of load required by neck muscles to hold up the head, which is related to increased soft tissue loads on other neck structures (e.g., facet joints, intervertebral discs) and neck muscle fatigue. We found that gravitational demand in tablet usage conditions increased 3-5 times the gravitational demand in neutral posture.

Postural stability of the human head and neck

Neck muscles are important for both static postural stability (i.e., holding up the head) and restoring head posture under dynamic conditions, such as those that might occur during a blow to the head or an automobile accident (e.g., whiplash injury). When muscles are unable to stabilize the head, it can lead to injury and chronic neck pain. We are examining how the activation of neck muscles complements passive tissue stiffness to achieve postural stability using experimental studies in human subjects integrated with biomechanical model analysis.

Mechanisms of whiplash injury

The anatomical site and mechanism of injury during whiplash (a rapid acceleration of the head and neck) are still unclear. We have utilized a biomechanical model of the neck musculoskeletal system with experimental data of human subjects undergoing 5 mph whiplash-like perturbations to calculate the strains, and thus potential for injury, in neck muscles.

Gender differences in the neck musculoskeletal system

The goal of this work is to evaluate factors responsible for the increased incidence of whiplash injury and neck pain in females vs. males. We have found that female neck geometry is not a simple scaled version of male neck geometry, which implies that gender-specific biomechanical models are necessary to evaluate gender differences in neck musculoskeletal disorders. We are currently developing a biomechanical model of the female neck musculoskeletal system.

Improving the geometric representations of neck muscles in biomechanical models

Our current models of the neck musculature represent neck muscles as straight lines. We are incorporating curved muscle paths into our models by defining geometrical constraints that approximate the curved neck muscle paths based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data.

Biographical Information

Dr. Vasavada received a B.A. in Mathematics/Physics from Whitman College and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University in 1990. She received an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University in 1991. From 1991 to 1993, she worked as an engineer in the Biomechanics Laboratory in the Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation at Yale University. She received a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University in 1999. After graduation, Dr. Vasavada was a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Neurology at Emory University. In January 2001, she joined the faculty of Washington State University as an assistant professor in the departments of VCAPP and Bioengineering.

Honors and Awards

• • Convocation Speaker, Washington State University (2019)
  • Sahlin Award for Excellence in Instruction (university-level award; 2019)

• Reid Miller Excellence in Teaching Award (Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture; 2019)
• Outstanding Researcher, National Center for Simulation in Rehabilitation Research (2017, 2012)
• Access Center Award (for demonstrating commitment to equal access at WSU; 2017)
• Outstanding Teacher in Bioengineering, Washington State University (2016, 2005)
• National Science Foundation CAREER Award (2008)

Selected Publications

1. Gallagher, KM, Vasavada, AN, Fischer, L, Douglas, EC. Cervical spine musculotendon strains when reading a tablet in three seated positions. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, (in press), 2020.
2. Vasavada, A., Hughes, E., Nevins, D. D., Monda, S., Lin, D. Effect of Subject-Specific Vertebral Position and Head and Neck Size on Calculation Of Spine Musculoskeletal Moments. Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 46(11):1844-1856, 2018.
3. Suderman, BL, Vasavada AN. Neck muscle moment arms obtained in vivo from MRI: Effect of curved and straight modeled paths. Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 45(8):2009-2024, 2017.
4. Cohen, RG, Vasavada,AN, Wiest, M, Schmitter-Edgecombe, M. Mobility and Upright Posture Are Associated With Different Aspects of Cognition in Older Adults. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 8:257, 2016.
5. Vasavada, AN, Nevins, DD, Monda, SM, Hughes, E, Lin, DC. Gravitational Demand on the Neck Musculature during Tablet Computer Use. Ergonomics, 58(6):990-1004, 2015. * This paper was nominated for the Liberty Mutual Prize in Ergonomics
6. Zheng, L, Siegmund, GP, Ozyigit, G, Vasavada, AN. Sex-specific prediction of neck muscle volumes. Journal of Biomechanics, 46:899-904, 2013.
7. Vasavada, AN, Danaraj, J, Siegmund, GP. Head and neck anthropometry, vertebral geometry and neck strength in height-matched men and women. Journal of Biomechanics, 41:114-121, 2008.
8. Vasavada, AN, Brault, JR, Siegmund, GP. Musculotendon and fascicle strains in anterior and posterior neck muscles during whiplash injury. Spine, 32(7):756-765, 2007.
9. Vasavada, AN, Peterson, BW, Delp, SL. Three-dimensional spatial tuning of neck muscle activations in humans. Experimental Brain Research, 147:4:437-448, 2002.
10. Vasavada, AN, Li, S, Delp SL. Influence of muscle morphometry and moment arms on the moment-generating capacity of human neck muscles. Spine, 23(4):412-422, 1998.