David J Clark

David J Clark, Sc.D.

Professor

Department: MD-BEHAVIORAL NEUROLOGY
Business Phone: (352) 376-1611
Business Email: davidclark@ufl.edu

About David J Clark

I am the Associate Chief of Staff for Research Service (“Chief of Research”) at the North Florida / South Georgia Veterans Health System, and Professor in the UF Department of Neurology. My research focuses on enhancing walking function in people with neurological impairments, particularly older adults and people post-stroke. Ongoing studies involve neurorehabilitation, neuroimaging, non-invasive brain stimulation, electrophysiology, and biomechanics. Grant funding listed below includes only projects administered by UF. For a full listing (including funding from the US Dept of Veterans Affairs) please see the attached curriculum vitae. Publications from my lab group are available at the following links for Pubmed and Google Scholar.

Additional Positions:
Acting Deputy Chief of Staff for Research
2022 – Current · North Florida / South Georgia Veterans Health System
Research Health Scientist
2007 – Current · Malcom Randall VA Medical Center
Related Links:

Accomplishments

PECASE (Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers)
2019 · The White House

Teaching Profile

Courses Taught
2018
GMS7980 Research for Doctoral Dissertation
2018
BMS6812 Intro Clin Med 2
2016-2017
RSD7980 Research for Doctoral Dissertation
2017
RSD6930 Special Topics in Rehabilitation Science
2016,2024
RSD7979 Advanced Research
2015,2022-2024
RSD6910 Supervised Research
2015
RSD6905 Individual Work

Research Profile

Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID)

0000-0002-9921-1849

Publications

2024
Visuospatial cognition predicts performance on an obstructed vision obstacle walking task in older adults.
Experimental gerontology. 189 [DOI] 10.1016/j.exger.2024.112403. [PMID] 38490285.
2023
Age-related changes in gait biomechanics and their impact on the metabolic cost of walking: Report from a National Institute on Aging workshop.
Experimental gerontology. 173 [DOI] 10.1016/j.exger.2023.112102. [PMID] 36693530.
2023
Comparison of EEG Source Localization Using Simplified and Anatomically Accurate Head Models in Younger and Older Adults
IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering. 31:2591-2602 [DOI] 10.1109/tnsre.2023.3281356.
2023
Effects of Prefrontal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation on Retention of Performance Gains on an Obstacle Negotiation Task in Older Adults.
Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society. 26(4):829-839 [DOI] 10.1016/j.neurom.2022.02.231. [PMID] 35410769.
2023
Electrical Brain Activity during Human Walking with Parametric Variations in Terrain Unevenness and Walking Speed.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology. [DOI] 10.1101/2023.07.31.551289. [PMID] 37577540.
2023
Pain severity, distribution, and duration are associated with spatiotemporal gait performance in community-dwelling older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain.
Gait & posture. 103:178-183 [DOI] 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2023.05.011. [PMID] 37236053.
2023
Spatiotemporal strategies adopted to walk at fast speed in high- and low-functioning individuals post-stroke: a cross-sectional study.
Topics in stroke rehabilitation. 30(1):1-10 [DOI] 10.1080/10749357.2021.2008593. [PMID] 36524626.
2023
Sympathetic nervous system responses during complex walking tasks and community ambulation post-stroke.
Scientific reports. 13(1) [DOI] 10.1038/s41598-023-47365-5. [PMID] 37974001.
2023
Uneven terrain versus dual-task walking: differential challenges imposed on walking behavior in older adults are predicted by cognitive and sensorimotor function.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology. [DOI] 10.1101/2023.03.14.531779. [PMID] 36993462.
2022
Decreased cognitive function is associated with impaired spatiotemporal gait performance in community dwelling older adults with chronic musculoskeletal pain.
Brain and cognition. 159 [DOI] 10.1016/j.bandc.2022.105862. [PMID] 35358922.
2022
Enhancing Locomotor Learning With Transcutaneous Spinal Electrical Stimulation and Somatosensory Augmentation: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial in Older Adults.
Frontiers in aging neuroscience. 14 [DOI] 10.3389/fnagi.2022.837467. [PMID] 35309891.
2022
Feasibility of transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation combined with locomotor training after spinal cord injury.
Spinal cord. 60(11):971-977 [DOI] 10.1038/s41393-022-00801-1. [PMID] 35477745.
2022
Gait subgroups among older adults with chronic pain differ in cerebellum and basal ganglia gray matter volumes.
Experimental gerontology. 163 [DOI] 10.1016/j.exger.2022.111773. [PMID] 35341939.
2022
Kinematic analysis of speed transitions within walking in younger and older adults
Journal of Biomechanics. 138 [DOI] 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2022.111130. [PMID] 35569430.
2022
Somatosensory impairment of the feet is associated with higher activation of prefrontal cortex during walking in older adults.
Experimental gerontology. 165 [DOI] 10.1016/j.exger.2022.111845. [PMID] 35644417.
2022
Uneven terrain treadmill walking in younger and older adults
PLOS ONE. 17(12) [DOI] 10.1371/journal.pone.0278646. [PMID] 36534645.
2021
Brain activity during walking in older adults: Implications for compensatory versus dysfunctional accounts.
Neurobiology of aging. 105:349-364 [DOI] 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.05.015. [PMID] 34182403.
2021
Chronic Pain is Associated With Reduced Sympathetic Nervous System Reactivity During Simple and Complex Walking Tasks: Potential Cerebral Mechanisms.
Chronic stress (Thousand Oaks, Calif.). 5 [DOI] 10.1177/24705470211030273. [PMID] 34286166.
2021
Combining Frontal Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation With Walking Rehabilitation to Enhance Mobility and Executive Function: A Pilot Clinical Trial
Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface. 24(5):950-959 [DOI] 10.1111/ner.13250. [PMID] 32808403.
2021
Does Falls Efficacy Influence the Relationship Between Forward and Backward Walking Speed After Stroke?
Physical therapy. 101(5) [DOI] 10.1093/ptj/pzab050. [PMID] 33561276.
2021
Rehabilitation with accurate adaptability walking tasks or steady state walking: A randomized clinical trial in adults post-stroke
Clinical Rehabilitation. 35(8):1196-1206 [DOI] 10.1177/02692155211001682. [PMID] 33722075.
2020
A consensus guide to using functional near-infrared spectroscopy in posture and gait research.
Gait & posture. 82:254-265 [DOI] 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2020.09.012. [PMID] 32987345.
2020
A Cross-species Model of Dual-Task Walking in Young and Older Humans and Rats.
Frontiers in aging neuroscience. 12 [DOI] 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00276. [PMID] 32982717.
2020
Innovations in Geroscience to enhance mobility in older adults.
Experimental gerontology. 142 [DOI] 10.1016/j.exger.2020.111123. [PMID] 33191210.
2020
Obstacle Negotiation in Older Adults: Prefrontal Activation Interpreted Through Conceptual Models of Brain Aging
Innovation in Aging. 4(4) [DOI] 10.1093/geroni/igaa034. [PMID] 32995566.
2019
A Perspective on Objective Measurement of the Perceived Challenge of Walking.
Frontiers in human neuroscience. 13 [DOI] 10.3389/fnhum.2019.00161. [PMID] 31139069.
2019
Assessment of backward walking unmasks mobility impairments in post-stroke community ambulators.
Topics in stroke rehabilitation. 26(5):382-388 [DOI] 10.1080/10749357.2019.1609182. [PMID] 31081491.
2019
Multimodal Imaging of Brain Activity to Investigate Walking and Mobility Decline in Older Adults (Mind in Motion Study): Hypothesis, Theory, and Methods.
Frontiers in aging neuroscience. 11 [DOI] 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00358. [PMID] 31969814.
2018
A Backward Walking Training Program to Improve Balance and Mobility in Acute Stroke: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
Journal of neurologic physical therapy : JNPT. 42(1):12-21 [DOI] 10.1097/NPT.0000000000000210. [PMID] 29232308.
2018
Addressing limitations of the Gait Variability Index to enhance its applicability: The enhanced GVI (EGVI).
PloS one. 13(6) [DOI] 10.1371/journal.pone.0198267. [PMID] 29856818.
2018
Dynamic balance during walking adaptability tasks in individuals post-stroke.
Journal of biomechanics. 74:106-115 [DOI] 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2018.04.029. [PMID] 29724539.
2018
Mobility Function and Recovery After Stroke: Preliminary Insights From Sympathetic Nervous System Activity.
Journal of neurologic physical therapy : JNPT. 42(4):224-232 [DOI] 10.1097/NPT.0000000000000238. [PMID] 30138228.
2018
Prefrontal over-activation during walking in people with mobility deficits: Interpretation and functional implications.
Human movement science. 59:46-55 [DOI] 10.1016/j.humov.2018.03.010. [PMID] 29604488.
2018
Sympathetic nervous system activity measured by skin conductance quantifies the challenge of walking adaptability tasks after stroke
. 60:148-153
2018
Sympathetic nervous system activity measured by skin conductance quantifies the challenge of walking adaptability tasks after stroke.
Gait & posture. 60:148-153 [DOI] 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.11.025. [PMID] 29216598.
2017
EMG synchrony to assess impaired corticomotor control of locomotion after stroke.
Journal of electromyography and kinesiology : official journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology. 37:35-40 [DOI] 10.1016/j.jelekin.2017.08.007. [PMID] 28888972.
2017
Walking on uneven terrain in healthy adults and the implications for people after stroke.
NeuroRehabilitation. 41(4):765-774 [DOI] 10.3233/NRE-172154. [PMID] 28946584.
2016
Locomotor Adaptability Task Promotes Intense and Task-Appropriate Output From the Paretic Leg During Walking.
Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation. 97(3):493-6 [DOI] 10.1016/j.apmr.2015.10.081. [PMID] 26525528.
2015
Aging, the Central Nervous System, and Mobility in Older Adults: Neural Mechanisms of Mobility Impairment.
The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences. 70(12):1526-32 [DOI] 10.1093/gerona/glv130. [PMID] 26386013.
2015
Aging, the Central Nervous System, and Mobility in Older Adults: Neural Mechanisms of Mobility Impairments
. 70(12):1526-1532
2015
Automaticity of walking: functional significance, mechanisms, measurement and rehabilitation strategies.
Frontiers in human neuroscience. 9 [DOI] 10.3389/fnhum.2015.00246. [PMID] 25999838.
2015
Comparative effects of light or heavy resistance power training for improving lower extremity power and physical performance in mobility-limited older adults.
The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences. 70(3):374-80 [DOI] 10.1093/gerona/glu156. [PMID] 25199912.
2015
Successful Aging: Advancing the Science of Physical Independence in Older Adults
Ageing Research Reviews. 24(B):304-327 [DOI] 10.1016/j.arr.2015.09.005. [PMID] 26462882.
2015
Successful Aging: Advancing the Science of Physical Independence in Older Adults
. 24:304-327
2015
Successful aging: Advancing the science of physical independence in older adults.
Ageing research reviews. 24(Pt B):304-27 [DOI] 10.1016/j.arr.2015.09.005. [PMID] 26462882.
2015
Utility of rotational atherectomy and outcomes over an eight-year period.
Catheterization and cardiovascular interventions : official journal of the Society for Cardiac Angiography & Interventions. 86(4):626-31 [DOI] 10.1002/ccd.26077. [PMID] 26152449.
2015
Validity of the gait variability index in older adults: effect of aging and mobility impairments.
Gait & posture. 41(4):941-6 [DOI] 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2015.03.349. [PMID] 25882115.
2014
Does quadriceps neuromuscular activation capability explain walking speed in older men and women?
Experimental gerontology. 55:49-53 [DOI] 10.1016/j.exger.2014.03.019. [PMID] 24703887.
2014
Enhanced somatosensory feedback reduces prefrontal cortical activity during walking in older adults.
The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences. 69(11):1422-8 [DOI] 10.1093/gerona/glu125. [PMID] 25112494.
2014
Longitudinal decline of lower extremity muscle power in healthy and mobility-limited older adults: influence of muscle mass, strength, composition, neuromuscular activation and single fiber contractile properties.
European journal of applied physiology. 114(1):29-39 [PMID] 24122149.
2014
Optimizing the benefits of exercise on physical function in older adults.
PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation. 6(6):528-43 [DOI] 10.1016/j.pmrj.2013.11.009. [PMID] 24361365.
2014
Site-specific differences in the association between plantar tactile perception and mobility function in older adults.
Frontiers in aging neuroscience. 6 [DOI] 10.3389/fnagi.2014.00068. [PMID] 24782765.
2014
Utilization of central nervous system resources for preparation and performance of complex walking tasks in older adults.
Frontiers in aging neuroscience. 6 [DOI] 10.3389/fnagi.2014.00217. [PMID] 25202270.
2014
Walking adaptability after a stroke and its assessment in clinical settings.
Stroke research and treatment. 2014 [DOI] 10.1155/2014/591013. [PMID] 25254140.
2013
Eccentric versus concentric resistance training to enhance neuromuscular activation and walking speed following stroke.
Neurorehabilitation and neural repair. 27(4):335-44 [DOI] 10.1177/1545968312469833. [PMID] 23292848.
2013
Longitudinal decline of neuromuscular activation and power in healthy older adults.
The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences. 68(11):1419-25 [DOI] 10.1093/gerona/glt036. [PMID] 23676250.
2013
Modular control of varied locomotor tasks in children with incomplete spinal cord injuries.
Journal of neurophysiology. 110(6):1415-25 [DOI] 10.1152/jn.00676.2012. [PMID] 23761702.
2013
Neuromuscular determinants of maximum walking speed in well-functioning older adults.
Experimental gerontology. 48(3):358-63 [DOI] 10.1016/j.exger.2013.01.010. [PMID] 23376102.
2013
Synchronous EMG activity in the piper frequency band reveals the corticospinal demand of walking tasks.
Annals of biomedical engineering. 41(8):1778-86 [DOI] 10.1007/s10439-013-0832-4. [PMID] 23740367.
2013
The influence of locomotor rehabilitation on module quality and post-stroke hemiparetic walking performance.
Gait & posture. 38(3):511-7 [DOI] 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2013.01.020. [PMID] 23489952.
2012
Muscle power failure in mobility-limited older adults: preserved single fiber function despite lower whole muscle size, quality and rate of neuromuscular activation.
European journal of applied physiology. 112(6):2289-301 [DOI] 10.1007/s00421-011-2200-0. [PMID] 22005960.
2012
Neuromuscular contributions to age-related weakness.
The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences. 67(1):41-7 [DOI] 10.1093/gerona/glr041. [PMID] 21415261.
2012
The specific contributions of force and velocity to muscle power in older adults.
Experimental gerontology. 47(8):608-13 [DOI] 10.1016/j.exger.2012.05.010. [PMID] 22626972.
2011
Comparison of motor control deficits during treadmill and overground walking poststroke.
Neurorehabilitation and neural repair. 25(8):756-65 [DOI] 10.1177/1545968311407515. [PMID] 21636831.
2011
Muscle performance and physical function are associated with voluntary rate of neuromuscular activation in older adults.
The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences. 66(1):115-21 [DOI] 10.1093/gerona/glq153. [PMID] 20829294.
2010
Evaluation of abnormal synergy patterns poststroke: relationship of the Fugl-Meyer Assessment to hemiparetic locomotion.
Neurorehabilitation and neural repair. 24(4):328-37 [DOI] 10.1177/1545968309343215. [PMID] 19794132.
2010
Impaired voluntary neuromuscular activation limits muscle power in mobility-limited older adults.
The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences. 65(5):495-502 [DOI] 10.1093/gerona/glq012. [PMID] 20156882.
2010
Lower extremity strength and power asymmetry assessment in healthy and mobility-limited populations: reliability and association with physical functioning.
Aging clinical and experimental research. 22(4):324-9 [DOI] 10.3275/6676. [PMID] 19940556.
2010
Merging of healthy motor modules predicts reduced locomotor performance and muscle coordination complexity post-stroke.
Journal of neurophysiology. 103(2):844-57 [DOI] 10.1152/jn.00825.2009. [PMID] 20007501.
2010
Modular control of human walking: Adaptations to altered mechanical demands.
Journal of biomechanics. 43(3):412-9 [DOI] 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.10.009. [PMID] 19879583.
2009
Modular control of human walking: a simulation study.
Journal of biomechanics. 42(9):1282-7 [DOI] 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2009.03.009. [PMID] 19394023.
2006
Activation impairment alters muscle torque-velocity in the knee extensors of persons with post-stroke hemiparesis.
Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. 117(10):2328-37 [PMID] 16926111.
2006
Reliability of concentric and eccentric torque during isokinetic knee extension in post-stroke hemiparesis.
Clinical biomechanics (Bristol, Avon). 21(4):395-404 [PMID] 16403594.
2005
Reliability of elbow stretch reflex assessment in chronic post-stroke hemiparesis.
Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. 116(8):1870-8 [PMID] 15979400.

Grants

Jul 2023 ACTIVE
The function of descending and ascending pathways in spastic hypertonia and hyperreflexia after stroke
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NINDS
May 2023 ACTIVE
Cognitively engaging walking exercise and neuromodulation to enhance brain function in older adults
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NIA
Sep 2022 ACTIVE
Transcutaneous Spinal Direct Current Stimulation to Enhance Locomotor Rehabilitation after SCI
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: CRAIG H NEILSEN FOU
Sep 2022 ACTIVE
IPA-HWANG
Role: Other
Funding: US DEPT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Sep 2021 – Sep 2023
Efficacy of balance training with intermittent sensory perturbations
Role: Other
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NIA
Oct 2018 – Jun 2021
National Resource Center for High-Impact Clinical Trials in Medical Rehabilitation: Pilot Projects Component
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: UNIV OF ALABAMA BIRMINGHAM via NATL INST OF HLTH NICHD
Sep 2018 ACTIVE
Multimodal imaging of brain activity to investigate walking and mobility decline in older adults
Role: Co-Project Director/Principal Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NIA
Jul 2018 – Jun 2020
Neuromodulation of spinal circuits to enhance practice-related performance on a complex walking task (Pilot Project).
Role: Co-Investigator
Funding: MEDICAL UNIV OF SOUTH CAROLINA via NATL INST OF HLTH NICHD
Jun 2017 – May 2020
Combining tDCS and neurorehabilitation to treat age-related deficits of mobility and cognition
Role: Principal Investigator
Funding: NATL INST OF HLTH NIA

Education

Doctor of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences
2007 · Boston University
Bachelors of Science in Exercise Physiology
2001 · University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Contact Details

Phones:
Business:
(352) 376-1611
Emails:
Business:
davidclark@ufl.edu
Addresses:
Business Mailing:
PO BOX 100236
GAINESVILLE FL 3261
Business Street:
1149 NEWELL DR
GAINESVILLE FL 32610