Headshot of Matt Wittstein

Matt Wittstein

Associate Professor of Exercise Science and Director of Neuroscience

Department: Exercise Science

Office and address: Koury Center (Athletics), Office 201A 2525 Campus Box Elon, NC 27244

Phone number: (336) 278-6693

Professional Expertise

Biomechanics, Motor Control, Dance Science, Aging and Mobility

Brief Biography

Dr. Wittstein uses principles of biomechanics and motor control to understand how people move and control their movements. He regularly teaches in the core Exercise Science curriculum, including Biomechanics and Neuromotor Control. His scholarly work includes the use of Virtual Reality to assess and improve gait and balance, electroencephalography (EEG) to understand brain activity in the context of physical rehabilitation and training, and using a dynamical systems approach to evaluate the patterns and rhythms in movement and physiological functions (such as stride patterns and cardiac rhythms). Much of Dr. Wittstein's current scholarly work reflects his enthusiasm for mentoring undergraduate students and supporting their research ideas. In addition to working at Elon, he has also been involved as a youth swim coach and still has a passion for sport.

News & Notes

Education

Ph.D. Kinesiology - Applied Neuromechanics
University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC

M.S. Kinesiology - Sport Biomechanics
Indiana University, Bloomington, IN

B.S. Biomedical Engineering – Biomaterials
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN

Courses Taught

Intro to Exercise Science (ESS 1110)

Medical Terminology (ESS 1200)

Neuromotor Control (ESS 2160)

Variability in Human Movement (ESS 270)

Practicum in Exercise Science (ESS 2981)

Biomechanics (ESS 3110) and Lab (ESSL 3110)

Senior Seminar in Exercise Science (ESS 4970)

Dance Science Senior Seminar (DSC 4970)

Integrative Neuroscience (NEU 1100)

Examining Identities: Hollywood and Sport Culture (COR 3900 - Capstone)

Elon 1010

Leadership Positions

Director of Neuroscience

Assistant Director of Core Capstones and Independent Majors

Publications

Wittstein, M. W., Starobin, J. M., Schmitz, R. J., Shulz, S. J., Haran, F. J., & Rhea, C. K. (2019). Cardiac and gait rhythms in healthy younger and older adults during treadmill walking tasks. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research, 31(3), 367–375.

Glass, S. M., Rhea, C. K., Wittstein, M. W., Ross, S. E., Florian, J. P., & Haran, F. J. (2018). Changes in Posture Following a Single Session of Long-Duration Water Immersion. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 34(6), 435–441.

Wittstein, M., Hadgis, N., & Moisand, M. (2017). Exercise intensity may affect variability and complexity of stride time differently. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 39, S208–S208.

Stout, R. D., Wittstein, M. W., LoJacono, C. T., & Rhea, C. K. (2016). Gait dynamics when wearing a treadmill safety harness. Gait and Posture, 44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2015.11.012

Rhea, C. K., Kiefer, A. W., Wittstein, M. W., Leonard, K. B., MacPherson, R. P., Wright, W. G., & Haran, F. J. (2014). Fractal gait patterns are retained after entrainment to a fractal stimulus. PLoS ONE, 9(9). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0106755

Rhea, C. K., Wittstein, M. W., Kiefer, A. W., & Haran, F. J. (2013). Retaining fractal gait patterns learned in virtual environments. International Conference on Virtual Rehabilitation.