University of Oregon

Faculty Navigation

• Previous Faculty Member
• | Next Faculty Member

Louis R. Osternig, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus
Office Location: 168 Gerlinger Annex
Phone: (541) 346-3384
Email: louiso@uoregon.edu

Louis R. Osternig’s teaching expertise is in the area of sports medicine, the study of the health implications of physical activity. His research focuses on the exercise-induced adaptations of the musculoskeletal system and how these adaptations benefit or adversely affect health. Current research studies include injury, surgery and proprioceptive function, muscle viscoelasticity and motor performance, orthopedic bracing and running efficiency, and muscle control in rehabilitation.

Dr. Osternig began teaching in 1971 as an assistant professor of physical education at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. A year later, he came to the University of Oregon (UO) where he became a full professor in 1983. During his tenure with the UO, Osternig has served in a number of administrative roles. From 1973 until 1990, he was the director of the program in sports medicine and the accredited graduate program in athletic training. Concurrently, between 1981 and 1984, he served as head of the Division of Exercise Science in the Department of Physical Education and Human Movement Studies, followed by his leadership of the Division of Graduate Studies, a position he held until 1990. Between 1990 and 1991, Osternig served as acting head of the Department of Physical Education.

Education

Ph.D. -- Physical Education, 1971 - University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
M.S. -- Physical Education, 1967 - California State University, Hayward, CA
B.S. -- Physical Education, 1965 - California State University, Hayward, CA

Professional Organizations

Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine
Member, International Society for Biomechanics

Professional and Community Service

Dr. Osternig is a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Sport Rehabilitation and serves as a reviewer of Medicine and Science in Exercise and Sport, Journal of Sports Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine.

Publications and Presentations

Dr. Osternig has co-authored approximately forty research articles that appeared in journals such as the American Journal of Sports Medicine, Journal of Physical Medicine, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. He also has several contributions to the Proceedings of the International Society for Biomechanics.