Randy Hutchison

Associate Professor of Health Sciences

Curriculum Vitae
swipe to see more

My teaching philosophy revolves around the concept that each student carries with them their own experiences and a personal lens with which they interpret the world. They each have a unique opportunity to change the world in their own way and I have the challenge and opportunity to help guide them toward connecting their prior knowledge with present learning and future opportunities. My passion for kinesiology, or the study of human motion, stems from my engineering background for wanting to know “why things work” and ultimately applying these principles toward the amazing mechanisms of the human body. I particularly try to help students apply these principles and this knowledge toward making the world a better place.

I first came to “teaching as a passion” while working in the aerospace industry at Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines. I was helping to mentor students at a local high school in Hartford, CT when I realized the potential opportunity to better a student’s future trajectories from the connection between a them and the teacher. After eventually coming back to Greenville to teach high school AP/IB physics and Project Lead the Way pre-engineering, I transitioned back to graduate school at Clemson where I received my M.S. and PHD in bioengineering, specializing in biomechanics. Along the way, I also received an education certificate from the Clemson Engineering and Science Education department where part of my dissertation was focused on the dynamic transfer of knowledge in the context of biomechanics. I’ve used the education research to guide my interactions with students both in courses and in undergraduate research in the Molnar Human Performance Laboratory. The Health Sciences department, within the liberal arts setting of Furman University, has provided exciting opportunities to blend all of these experiences toward connecting with, and guiding our students toward changing and leading the world in their own unique way.

Outside of school, I enjoy time with my wife, Jen, our two daughters, and dog, Bozeman, playing in the outdoors. Additionally I enjoy running with my colleagues, cycling up the blue-ridge mountains and playing guitar with friends​​

Honors

  • Biomechanics of cycling as a rehabilitation tool and measure of human performance
  • Knowledge Transfer - How students activate and use their biomechanics knowledge to solve new problems

Education

  • Ph.D., Clemson University
  • M.S., Clemson University
  • B.S., Virginia Tech University

Research

We are also conducting research based on the biomechanics and muscle fatigue associated with cycling economy. From a mechanical standpoint of cycling, only the tangential force applied to the crank arm contributes to forward motion, yet typical forces on pedals during the pedaling have significant radial force contributions. The lower body must move the pedal through a circle by a combination of the use of extensors and flexors. Thanks in part to the contributions of Dr. Steve Kautz at MUSC, we will be able to use pedal force measurement equipment to measure the tangential and radial components of forces during cycling. We are focusing on training adaptations associated with feedback systems in order to further characterize cycling and running economy in terms of maximizing mechanical efficiency. These systems will also be beneficial in teaching real-life applications to kinesiology students.

Publications

*d​enotes undergraduate coauthor

  • *Tant, O.J., *Klabunde, N., Hutchison, R.E., Caterisano, A. (2015). Muscle Activity of a Standard Olympic Barbell Versus a Flexible Barbell for the Push Press. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 47(5S), 931. DOI:10.1249/01.mss.0000479258.36806.13
  • Hutchison, R. E., Caterisano, A., *Klabunde, N., *Tant, O. J. (2015). Comparison of Core Muscle Activity Between the Push Press and Squat Using a Flexible Barbell. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 47(5S), 351-352. DOI: 10.1249/01.mss.0000477377.22610.36
  • *Gambon, T., *Myers, J., Hutchison, R. E., Desjardins, J. D. (2014). Quantification of Leg Muscle Forces and Joint Reactions using a Novel Musculoskeletal Model of Human Cycling Motion. Proceedings from Sigma Xi International Research Conference-2014. Glendale, AZ. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.1393.8968
  • Hutchison, R. E., *Kuhar, M., Caterisano, A., *Jakiela, J. (2014). Correlation between Flexural Stiffness of the Tsunami Barbell™ and Reaction Force Production. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 46(5S). 146-150. DOI: 10.1249/01.mss.0000451126.56923.f2
  • *Jakiela, J., Caterisano, A., Hutchison, R. E., *Snook, T., *Rogers, G., Moss, R. F. (2013). Comparison of Muscle Activity Between the Tsunami Barbell™ and an Olympic Barbell. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 45(5S). 590-598.
  • Caterisano, A., Hutchison, R. E., Abernethy, D., *Jakiela, J. (2013). Improved Functional Power Over A 5-week Period: Comparison Of Traditional Training To Tsunami Barbell™ Training. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 45(5S). 590-598.
  • *Lucas, E., Hutchison, R. E., *Marro, J., *Gambon, T., Desjardins, J. D. (2014). The Effects of Simulated Knee Arthrodesis and Temporal Acclimation on Gait Kinematics. Conference Paper Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Conference-2013. New Orleans, LA.
  • *Lucas, E., O’Donnell, J., Desjardins, J. D., Hutchison, R. E. (2013). Estimation of Joint Forces and Moments Induced by Knee Fusion for the Purposes of the Design and Optimization of an Arthrodesis Implant. Conference Paper at 11th International Symposium on Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering-2013, Salt Lake City, Utah. ISBN: 978-1-63439-437-6
  • Caterisano, A., Hutchison, R. E., *Kuhar, M., *Jakiela, J. (2014). A Comparison of the Olympic Barbell to Tsunami Barbell™ Force Production: Man Verses Machine. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 46(5S):529–536. DOI: 10.1249/01.mss.0000451204.48887.c2
  • Hutchison, R. E., Caterisano, A., Moss, R. F., *Haggett, V. (2014). Comparison of Applied Forces between Flexible Tsunami Barbell and Olympic Barbell during Bench Press. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 45(5S):590–598. DOI: 10.1249/01.mss.0000433749.25037.24
  • *Myers, J. E., *Grove, K. E., Hutchison, R. E., Desjardins J. D. (2014). The Effect of Quadriceps Biofeedback on Muscle Activation During Cycling: A Case Study. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 46(5S):933–939.
  • Hutchison, R. E., Faber, C. J., Benson, L. C., Kirn, A., Desjardins, J. D. (2013). Assessing student knowledge transfer during group work. Conference Paper in Proceedings-Frontiers in Education Conference-IEEE-2013. Oklahoma City, OK. DOI: 10.1109/FIE.2013.6684971
  • Hutchison, R. E., Benson, L. C. (2012). Assessing Dynamic Transfer of Biomechanics Knowledge Using the Teaching interview. Proceedings of BMES Annual Meeting 2012. Atlanta, GA.
  • Hutchison, R., Desjardins, J., Benson, L. (2011). Use of Situated Cognition and Constructivist Theories to teach Movement Science and Biomechanics. ASEE Annual Conference Proceedings-2011. Louisville, KY.
  • Benson, L., Bowman, D., Hutchison, R., Wade, C. (2009). Tutorials And In-Class Activity For Improving Student Performance In A First-Year Engineering Course. ASEE Annual Conference Proceedings. Austin, TX.

0