Faculty - Physical Therapy

Chad received a B.S. in Kinesiology from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor). He continued his graduate education at the University of Michigan, completing a M.S. and a Ph.D. in Movement Science with emphasis on pediatric disabilities. During his graduate career, Chad worked on numerous research projects, including treadmill training for infants with Down syndrome and cerebral palsy. He has also conducted research in the areas of autism and gerontology. Dr. Tiernan’s current research interests involve using approaches from dynamic systems to understand how social, cognitive, and physical development impact motor behavior and physical activity in children with and without disabilities. He has a number of peer-reviewed publications and presentations in this area.

I believe that higher education is not solely about academics. Students should also enhance their ability to think critically and freely. I want all of my students to demonstrate respect and empathy towards their patients, fellow classmates, and members of the community as well. Therefore, I try to devise my courses in a manner that will promote both academic success and personal growth. I also encourage students to engage in a variety of volunteer activities.

Research

Chad has a strong preference for inter-disciplinary research. Specifically, he is interested in applying principles from dynamic systems theory to understand how various developmental domains (e.g., physical, socio-emotional, cognitive) interact to affect motor behavior and participation in children with and without disabilities. Most recently, Chad investigated the impact of socio-emotional and physical factors on gross motor skills and physical activity in school-aged children with and without Down syndrome. Dr. Tiernan is also interested in pursuing inter-disciplinary research to further understand and promote physical activity and well-being in older adults.

Recent Publications

A. Peer-Reviewed Manuscripts

Tiernan, C., Lysack, C., Neufeld, S., & Lichtenberg, P.A. Community engagement: An essential component of well-being in older African American adults. Revised submission to International Journal on Aging & Human Development (March 2012).

Tiernan, C., Lysack, C., Neufeld, S., Goldberg, A., & Lichtenberg, P.A. Falls efficacy and self-rated health in older African American adults. Revised submission to Archives of Gerontology & Geriatrics (March 2012).

Angulo-Barroso, R.M., Tiernan, C., Chen, L-C, Valentin-Gudiol, M., & Ulrich, D. Minimal effects of treadmill training in infants at mild risk for neuromotor delay. Initial submission to Australian Journal of Physiotherapy (March 2012).

Ulrich, D.A., Burghardt, A.R., Lloyd, M., Tiernan, C., & Hornyak, J. (2011) Physical activity benefits of learning to ride a two-wheel bicycle in children with Down syndrome: A randomized trial. Physical Therapy, 91(10), 1463-1477.

Angulo-Barroso, R.M., Tiernan, C.W., Chen, L., Ulrich, D., & Neary, H. (2010). Treadmill responses and physical activity levels in infants at risk for neuromotor delay. Pediatric Physical Therapy, 22(1), 61-68.

Tiernan, C.W., Angulo-Barroso, R.M. (2008). A constrained motor-perceptual task in infancy: Effects of sensory modality. Journal of Motor Behavior, 40(2), 133-42.

Ulrich, D.A., Lloyd, M.C., Tiernan, C.W., Looper, J.E., & Angulo-Barroso, R.M. (2008). Effects of intensity of treadmill training on developmental outcomes and stepping in infants with Down syndrome: a randomized trial. Journal of Physical Therapy, 88(1), 114-22.

Wu, J., Ulrich, D., Looper, J., Tiernan, C.W., & Angulo-Barroso, R.M (2008). Strategy adoption and locomotor adjustment of newly walking toddlers with Down syndrome following different treadmill interventions. Journal of Experimental Brain Research, 186(2), 261-72.

B. Book Chapters

Angulo-Barroso, R.M. & Tiernan, C.W. (2008). Motor systems development. In C. Nelson & M.
Luciana (Eds.), Handbook of Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, (pp.147-160), Cambridge, MA:MIT Press. Recent presentations

Tiernan, C., Neufeld, S., & Lysack, C. (March 2012). How are neighborhood conditions related to participation and well-being in older African Americans in Detroit? Paper presented at the Generations: Rethinking Age and Citizenship Conference, Detroit, Michigan.

Tiernan, C., Neufeld, S., & Lysack, C. (June 2012). The effects of neighborhood conditions and disability on community participation in African American seniors living in Detroit. Poster presented at the International Conference on Aging, Mobility, & Quality of Life, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Angulo-Barroso R, Chen, L.C., Looper, J., Tiernan, C., & Ulrich, D.A. (June 2009). Treadmill training & gait patterns in infants at moderate risk for neuromotor disabilities. Paper presented at the biannual conference of the International Society for Posture & Gait Research, Bologna, Italy.

Tiernan, C., Angulo-Barroso, R., Lloyd, M., Neary, H., & Ulrich, D. (September, 2008). Examining effects of treadmill training in infants at risk for neuromotor deficits. Poster presented at the annual North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity Symposium, Indianapolis, IN.

Hornyak, J.E., Tiernan, C., Lloyd, M., & Ulrich, D.A. (September, 2008). The benefits of learning how to ride a two wheel bicycle in children with Down syndrome. American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation/acadaME Podcast. www.me.aapmr.org

Ulrich, D., Burghardt, A., Lloyd, M., & Tiernan, C. (September, 2008). The relationship between anthropometric and fitness variables and physical activity level in youth with Down syndrome. Paper presented at the annual North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity Symposium, Indianapolis, IN.

Tiernan, C.W., Angulo-Barroso, R.M., Ulrich, D.A., & Burghardt, A. (June, 2007). Treadmill
performance and physical activity in infants at risk for cerebral palsy. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, San Diego, CA.

Tiernan, C.W., Ulrich, D., Burghardt, A., and Hornyak, J. (October 2006). The benefits of learning how to ride a two-wheel bicycle in 8-15 year-old children with Down syndrome. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity Symposium, Ann Arbor, MI.

Ulrich, D.A., Tiernan, C.W., Burghardt, A., and Hornyak, J. (February 2006). The benefits of learning how to ride a two wheel bicycle in 8-15 year old children with Down syndrome. An Invited Paper presented at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway.

Tiernan, C., Angulo-Barroso, R.M., & Ulrich, D.A. (October, 2004). Treadmill response in infants at risk for cerebral palsy. Paper presented at the 7th annual North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity Symposium, Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Tiernan, C.W. & Angulo-Barroso, R.M. (June, 2004). Examining 3-month-old infants’ abilities to increase alternating kicks. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, Vancouver, British Columbia.

Tiernan, C.W. & Angulo-Barroso, R.M. (May, 2004). Examining 3-month-old infants’ abilities to increase alternating kicks. Poster presented at annual meeting of the International Society of Infant Studies, Chicago, IL.

Angulo-Barroso, R.M., Ulrich, D., Tiernan, C., Rosebrough, A., & Ehn, L. (May, 2004). Clearing an obstacle during gait: A problem to solve in new walkers with Down syndrome. Paper presented in a symposium (Anderson, D.I. & Corbetta, D. chairs) titled Learning to walk as an illustration of and catalyst for infant problem solving at the International Society of Infant Studies, Chicago, IL.

Angulo-Barroso, R.M., Ulrich, D.A., & Tiernan, C.W. (March, 2004). Adaptive treadmill stepping patterns in infants at risk for cerebral palsy. Paper presented in a symposium (Ulrich, D. chair) titled Motor Behavior in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: Theory, Modeling, & Evidence-based Intervention at the 37th Annual Gatlinburg Conference on Research & Theory in Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities, San Diego, CA.