Zachary A. Riley, Ph.D
Sensory Motor Performance Program
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
345 E. Superior St. Chicago, IL
EMAIL: z-riley@northwestern.edu
Education
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Ph.D., Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO. 2008
o Title: “Motor Unit Activity in Human Biceps Brachii during Sustained
Contractions”, Supervisor- Prof. Roger M. Enoka.
M.S., Clinical Biomechanics, Ball State University, Muncie IN. 2004
B.S., Ball State University, Muncie IN. 2002 Cum Laude
Professional Experience
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
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Spring 2008 – Present, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Neuromuscular Control &
Plasticity Laboratory, SMPP, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
University of Colorado
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Fall 2004 - Spring 2008, Doctoral Candidate, Neurophysiology of Movement
Laboratory, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO.
Spring 2005 - Spring 2006, Lead Teaching Assistant. Neurophysiology,
Department of Integrative Physiology , University of Colorado, Boulder, CO.
2004 - Spring 2006, Teaching Assistant. Neurophysiology, Department of
Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO.
Ball State University
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2002 - 2004, Research Assistant, Biomechanics Laboratory, Ball State University,
Muncie, IN.
2002 – 2004, Teaching Assistant, Biomechanics, Department of Physical
Education, Ball State University, Muncie, IN
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2004, Instructor, Weightlifting, Department of Physical Education, Ball State
University, Muncie, IN.
2002 - 2003, Graduate Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach, Ball State
University Athletic Department, Muncie, IN.
2002-2004, Youth Strength and Conditioning Camp Coordinator, YMCA,
Muncie, IN
Publications
K.S. Maluf, B.K. Barry, Z.A. Riley, and R.M. Enoka. Reflex responsiveness of a human
hand muscle when controlling isometric force and joint position. Clin Neurophysiol
118(9): 2063-71, 2007.
Z.A. Riley, A.H. Maerz, J.C. Litsey, and R.M. Enoka. Motor unit recruitment in human
biceps brachii during sustained voluntary contractions. Journal of Physiology, 586(8):
2183-2193, 2008.
Z.A. Riley, M.E. Terry, A.M. Villanueva, J.C. Litsey, and R.M. Enoka. Motor unit
recruitment and bursts of activity in the surface electromyogram during a sustained
contraction. Muscle and Nerve, In Press.
B.K. Barry, Z.A. Riley, M.A. Pascoe, and R.M. Enoka. A spinal pathway contributing to
the modulation of elbow flexor activity. Submitted.
Z.A. Riley, S. Baudry, and R.M. Enoka. Reflex inhibition in human biceps brachii
decreases with practice of a fatiguing contraction. Submitted.
A.M. Villanueva, Z.A. Riley, and T. Rudroff. Recovery time between intermittent
contractions influences the sites of impairment with muscle fatigue. Submitted.
Abstracts
B.K. Barry, M.A. Pascoe, Z.A. Riley, S. Riek, R.G. Carson, and R.M. Enoka. Neural
constraints on functional distinction within m. biceps brachii. Progress in Motor Control
IV Pennsylvania State University, August 17-20, 2005.
K.S. Maluf, Z.A. Riley, M.K. Anderson, B.K. Barry, S.S. Aidoor, and R.M. Enoka.
Effects of load type on electrically and mechanically evoked reflexes in a human hand
muscle. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts #515.16 2005.
K.S. Maluf, Z.A. Riley, M.K. Anderson, B.K. Barry, S.S. Aidoor, and R.M. Enoka.
Heteronymous reflexes in the primary agonist are enhanced when supporting an inertial
load APTA Combined Sections Meeting, San Diego, CA, February 2006.
Z.A. Riley, B.K. Barry, M.A. Pascoe, and R.M. Enoka. Task dependent modulation of
afferent feedback within biceps brachii. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 38:
S000, 2006.
M.A. Pascoe, B.K. Barry, Z.A. Riley, and R.M. Enoka. Radial nerve inhibition onto the
biceps brachii is independent of the functional nerve branch. Medicine and Science in
Sports and Exercise 38: S000, 2006.
Z.A. Riley, B.K. Barry, M.A. Pascoe, and R.M. Enoka. Forearm posture and reflex
inhibition from brachioradialis onto motor units in biceps brachii. Society for
Neuroscience Abstracts #656.3 2006.
Z.A. Riley, M.E. Terry, A.M. Villanueva, J.C. Litsey, and R.M. Enoka. Detecting the
transient recruitment of motor units in the surface electromyogram during a sustained
contraction. American Society of Biomechanics Meeting, 2007. (Podium Presentation)
A. Mendez-Villanueva, T. Rudroff, Z.A. Riley, and R.M. Enoka. Recovery time between
intermittent contractions influences the rate of increase in motor unit activity and the time
to task failure. European College of Sports Science. Annual Congress in Jyväskylä,
Finland, 2007.
Z.A. Riley, A.H. Maerz, J.C. Litsey, D. Mani, and R.M. Enoka. Tonic and transient
motor unit recruitment during sustained voluntary contractions. Society for Neuroscience
Abstracts #000.0 2007.
Z.A. Riley, R.M. Enoka. Adjustments in motor unit activity during sustained submaximal
contractions. IBRO World Congress of Neuroscience Satellite Meeting, 2007.
Funding
American College of Sports Medicine Foundation- Doctoral Student Research Grant
(2007), $5000- "Reflex Inhibition, Muscle Fatigue, and Practice"
Ball State Graduate Student Grant- Funded (2003), $500- "The Effect of Familiarization
Sessions on Maximal Strength Testing in Pre-pubescent Children"
Manuscript Reviews
Journal of Applied Biomechanics
Professional Memberships
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American Physiological Society
American College of Sports Medicine
International Society of Biomechanics
Society for Neuroscience
National Strength and Conditioning Association (CSCS certification)
Publications (Non-Peer Reviewed)
T.L. Doyle, Z.A. Riley, and B. Humphries. Balance Suffers for High-Heeled Fashion.
Biomechanics 11: 69-76, 2004.
Z.A. Riley, T.L. Doyle. Lack of Research Hinders Evolution of Hammer Throw.
Biomechanics 12, 2005.