About

Kathryn Havens is a professor associated with the Development of Infant Motor Performance Laboratory (DIMPL) at USC. The laboratory is dedicated to studying infant motor learning and motor control to inform early identification and intervention for infants at risk for neurodevelopmental disabilities. Her role involves advancing research in these areas, contributing to the understanding of early motor development and its implications for neurodevelopmental health.

Research topics

• Psychology
• Medicine
• Psychiatry
• Clinical psychology
• Computer Science
• Medical education
• World Wide Web
• Environmental health
• Multimedia
• Social psychology
• Developmental psychology

Selected publications

• Can Knee Extensor Loading Deficits Be Diagnosed Using Variables from Force Plates during Squats Post-ACLr?

  Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · 2026-02-02

  article

  The persistence of knee extensor moment (KEM) deficits across rehabilitation post-ACL reconstruction may be attributed to difficulty detecting and addressing deficits clinically. During squats, large KEM deficits are present along with much smaller differences in joint or segment angles, making them difficult to detect visually. Data outputs from force plates and video technology may improve clinical identification. PURPOSE: Investigate the accuracy of three approaches to estimate KEM deficits using outputs from the force plate and two-dimensional (2D) position data to identify individuals with surgical limb KEM deficits during a bilateral squat. METHODS: Forty individuals post-ACLr performed bilateral squats. Kinematic and ground reaction force (GRF) data were collected via 3D motion capture system and triaxial force plates. Surgical limb deficits were calculated using limb symmetry index (LSI: nonsurgical/surgical) at peak knee flexion. Gold-standard KEM was calculated using inverse dynamics. Vertical GRF was considered alone, and together with the center of pressure (COP) position to estimate deficits in GRF, and GRF-COP Approaches. Vector Approach used the product of vertical GRF and moment arm calculated using vertical and anterior/posterior GRF, COP, and knee position in trigonometric equations. Separate linear regression and intraclass correlation coefficient (2,k) examined concurrent validity between gold-standard LSI and LSI from GRF, GRF-COP, and Vector Approaches. Specificity and sensitivity (LSI threshold ≥0.85) determined diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS: GRF, GRF-COP, and Vector LSI's predicted gold-standard LSI ( R2 = 0.56, 0.74, and 0.85, respectively) with intraclass correlation coefficient (2,k) 0.49, 0.92, and 0.96; sensitivity of 72.2%, 94.4%, 100%, and specificity of 100%, 50%, 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Vertical GRF alone is not adequate to detect KEM deficits. Additional force plate and 2D position data (COP position and moment arm) can strengthen predictive ability and diagnostic accuracy, supporting translation of these variables into commercial products to enhance clinical assessments.

  PublisherDOI

• High G-Forces in Unintentionally Improper Infant Handling: Implications for Shaken Baby Syndrome Diagnosis

  Forensic Sciences · 2025-06-12 · 2 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Background/Objectives: Traditional diagnostic criteria for SBS include subdural, subarachnoid, and retinal hemorrhages. While intentional shaking is a known cause, the potential for similar forces acting on the head resulting from accidental trauma has not been fully explored. This study investigated the biomechanical forces on a model infant’s head during improper handling to determine if such forces could contribute to SBS without malicious intent. Methods: A realistic silicone infant model was equipped with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to quantify head accelerations during two conditions: (1) placement of the infant model on a table with the head unsupported, and (2) manual shaking at maximum effort by 2 participants holding the model by the torso. Peak head accelerations were recorded for both conditions, and the results were analyzed for comparative assessment of the forces involved. Results: The average peak head acceleration when placing the infant model on a table with the head unsupported was +31,000 ± 7000 mg, with a range of +19,000.00 to +43,000 mg across trials. The average peak head accelerations during maximum effort shaking were significantly lower than placing the infant on the table, averaging 11,000 ± 10,000 vs. 31,000 ± 7000 mg, p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in head accelerations between participants when placing the infant model on the table with the head unsupported (p = 0.89) nor with shaking the baby with maximum effort (p = 0.96). Conclusions: The study highlights that even accidental non-recommended handling of infants can result in high G-forces to the head, potentially leading to injuries similar to those observed in SBS. These findings highlight the necessity of supporting an infant’s head during handling and warrants caution against prematurely attributing physical abuse in SBS cases without considering unintentional causes.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Characterizing kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activity of postpartum mothers lifting their own infants during three everyday tasks

  Journal of Biomechanics · 2025-06-03

  article1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Unmasking the Toll of COVID-19 on Physical and Mental Health of Caregivers of Young Children in the United States

  Journal of Women s & Pelvic Health Physical Therapy · 2025-01-01 · 1 citations

  article1st authorCorresponding

  Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on perinatal health. While much research has focused on this topic, few studies have compared lived experiences during the pandemic to a truly pre-pandemic time point, which has limited our understanding of the pandemic’s influence. In this study, we asked caregivers about their physical health, including symptoms of back pain, urinary incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse, all common dysfunctions postpartum, and their mental health. We hypothesized that participants would identify similar physical but worsened mental health during the pandemic. Methods: We conducted an anonymous, voluntary survey in spring 2019 (pre-pandemic group) and readministered similar questions in fall 2021 to understand the pandemic’s impact (pandemic group). Results: A total of 3483 responded to the first survey and 318 during the pandemic. Compared to pre-pandemic, participants reported worsened scores for back pain, urinary incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse during the pandemic. They also reported worsened stress, anxiety, and depression. For the pandemic group, the greater perceived impact of COVID on daily life was related to greater (worse) scores for urinary incontinence, and all mental health measures. Discussion: This study adds to the body of literature showing the effects of COVID on maternal mental health and further shows that physical health, particularly areas of common postpartum dysfunction, has been detrimentally affected by the pandemic as well. This study highlights the need for health care providers and policymakers to prioritize flexible perinatal health support during times of crisis and in the long term.

  PublisherDOI

• Holding Ourselves Accountable: Use of a Bias Reporting Process in an Academic Physical Therapy Program

  Journal of Physical Therapy Education · 2025-11-06

  article

  BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Bias has been documented in physical therapy (PT) educational settings and poses a significant barrier to the achievement of educational equity and excellence. Bias reporting mechanisms can be used for the confidential reporting of harmful behaviors witnessed or experienced. CASE DESCRIPTION: This case report describes a process for a bias reporting mechanism in an academic PT program, the challenges faced, and strategies for building community engagement and trust in the process, and restorative actions used to meet individual and community needs. OUTCOMES: Five years after implementing this process, the bias reporting mechanism has had good community engagement with 36 reports received and an increasing percentage of non-anonymous reporters, which suggests growing organizational trust in the process. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: A bias reporting process may serve as a valuable mechanism for academic PT programs looking to achieve educational equity and excellence.

  PublisherDOI

• High G-Forces in Unintentionally Improper Infant Handling: Implications for Shaken Baby Syndrome Diagnosis

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2024-11-03

  preprintOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Introduction Abusive head trauma (AHT), commonly referred to as Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS), is diagnosed in approximately 33 per 100,000 infants annually in the United States. Traditional diagnostic criteria for SBS include subdural, subarachnoid, and retinal hemorrhages. While intentional shaking is a known cause, the potential for similar forces acting on the head resulting from accidental trauma has not been fully explored. This study investigates the biomechanical forces on a model infant’s head during improper handling to determine if such forces could contribute to SBS without malicious intent. Methods A realistic silicone infant model was equipped with an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to quantify head accelerations during two conditions: (1) placement of the infant model on a table with the head unsupported, and (2) manual shaking at maximum effort by 2 participants holding the model by the torso. Peak head accelerations were recorded for both conditions, and the results were analyzed for comparative assessment of the forces involved. Results The average peak head acceleration when placing the infant model on a table with the head unsupported was +30,952.67 ± 6,540.79 mg, with a range of +19,234.40 to +43,406.30 mg across trials. The average peak head accelerations during maximum effort shaking were significantly lower than placing the infant on the table, averaging 11,430.48 ± 9,539.06,867 vs. 30,952.67 ± 6,540.79 mg, p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in head accelerations between participants when placing the infant model on the table with the head unsupported (p = 0.93) nor with shaking the baby with maximum effort (p = 0.97). Discussion The G-force in this study resulted in higher forces than experienced in an 18-mph car crash and a 5-mph bumper car collision. The study highlights that even accidental non-recommended handling of infants can result in high G-forces to the head, potentially leading to injuries similar to those observed in SBS. These findings highlight the necessity of supporting an infant’s head during handling and warrants caution against prematurely attributing physical abuse in SBS cases without considering unintentional causes.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Accelerometer Thresholds for Estimating Physical Activity Intensity Levels in Infants: A Preliminary Study

  Sensors · 2024-07-09 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access

  Lack of physical activity (PA) at a young age can result in health issues. Thus, monitoring PA is important. Wearable accelerometers are the preferred tool to monitor PA in children. Validated thresholds are used to classify activity intensity levels, e.g., sedentary, light, and moderate-to-vigorous, in ambulatory children. No previous work has developed accelerometer thresholds for infancy (pre-ambulatory children). Therefore, this work aims to develop accelerometer thresholds for PA intensity levels in pre-ambulatory infants. Infants (n = 10) were placed in a supine position and allowed free movement. Their movements were synchronously captured using video cameras and accelerometers worn on each ankle. The video data were labeled by activity intensity level (sedentary, light, and moderate-to-vigorous) in two-second epochs using observational rating (gold standard). Accelerometer thresholds were developed for acceleration and jerk using two optimization approaches. Four sets of thresholds were developed for dual (two ankles) and for single-worn (one ankle) accelerometers. Of these, for a typical use case, we recommend using acceleration-based thresholds of 1.00 m/s to distinguish sedentary and light activity and 2.60 m/s to distinguish light and moderate-to-vigorous activity. Acceleration and jerk are both suitable for measuring PA.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The Combined Influence of Infant Carrying Method and Motherhood on Gait Mechanics

  Journal of Applied Biomechanics · 2023-11-20 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Postpartum mothers are susceptible to lumbopelvic pain which may be exacerbated by loading, like carrying their infant in arms and with baby carriers. Nulliparous women carrying infant mannequins may biomechanically mimic mother-infant dyad, but this has not been studied. The purpose of our study was to investigate biomechanical differences of 10 mothers carrying their infants and 10 nulliparous women carrying infant mannequins under 3 gait conditions: carrying nothing, carrying in arms, and carrying in a baby carrier (babywearing). Spatiotemporal gait parameters, peak ground reaction forces and impulses, and lower extremity and trunk kinematics were collected using motion capture and force plates and compared using a mixed 2 × 3 (parity × condition) analysis of variance (α ≤ .05). The largest differences occurred between carrying conditions: carrying in arms or babywearing increased vertical and anteroposterior ground reaction forces, trunk extension, ankle dorsiflexion, and hip and knee flexion. Kinematic differences were identified between arms and babywearing conditions. Together this suggests alterations in joint loading for both groups. Our study also contributes a novel understanding of postpartum health by demonstrating alterations in step time, anterior forces, and ankle and knee mechanics, suggesting that during gait, mothers carrying their own infants choose different propulsive strategies than nulliparous women carrying mannequins.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Determining fall risk change throughout pregnancy: the accuracy of postpartum survey and relationship to fall efficacy

  Ergonomics · 2023-12-22 · 5 citations

  article

  This study investigated the accuracy of postpartum survey of fall risk during pregnancy and the possibility of fall efficacy as a covariate. We used three corresponding surveys. We found inaccuracies in postpartum survey, not explain by fall efficacy.

  PublisherDOI

• Behavioral coping phenotypes and associated psychosocial outcomes of pregnant and postpartum women during the COVID-19 pandemic

  Scientific Reports · 2022 · 49 citations

  • Medicine
  • Clinical psychology
  • Psychology

  The impact of COVID-19-related stress on perinatal women is of heightened public health concern given the established intergenerational impact of maternal stress-exposure on infants and fetuses. There is urgent need to characterize the coping styles associated with adverse psychosocial outcomes in perinatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic to help mitigate the potential for lasting sequelae on both mothers and infants. This study uses a data-driven approach to identify the patterns of behavioral coping strategies that associate with maternal psychosocial distress during the COVID-19 pandemic in a large multicenter sample of pregnant women (N = 2876) and postpartum women (N = 1536). Data was collected from 9 states across the United States from March to October 2020. Women reported behaviors they were engaging in to manage pandemic-related stress, symptoms of depression, anxiety and global psychological distress, as well as changes in energy levels, sleep quality and stress levels. Using latent profile analysis, we identified four behavioral phenotypes of coping strategies. Critically, phenotypes with high levels of passive coping strategies (increased screen time, social media, and intake of comfort foods) were associated with elevated symptoms of depression, anxiety, and global psychological distress, as well as worsening stress and energy levels, relative to other coping phenotypes. In contrast, phenotypes with high levels of active coping strategies (social support, and self-care) were associated with greater resiliency relative to other phenotypes. The identification of these widespread coping phenotypes reveals novel behavioral patterns associated with risk and resiliency to pandemic-related stress in perinatal women. These findings may contribute to early identification of women at risk for poor long-term outcomes and indicate malleable targets for interventions aimed at mitigating lasting sequelae on women and children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Beth A. Smith

  University of Southern California

  15 shared

• Susan M. Sigward

  14 shared

• Cassandra L. Hendrix

  12 shared

• Denise M. Werchan

  11 shared

• Autumn Austin

  11 shared

• Carly Lenniger

  University of Pittsburgh

  11 shared

• Brittany Howell

  Virginia Tech

  10 shared

• Dani Dumitriu

  10 shared

Labs

• Development of Infant Motor Performance Laboratory (DIMPL)PI

Education

• Ph.D., Biokinesiology

  University of Southern California

  2004

• M.S., Biokinesiology

  University of Southern California

  2001

• B.S., Biokinesiology

  University of Southern California

  1999