Dr. Matt S. Stock is an Associate Professor in the School of Kinesiology and Physical Therapy (Division of Physical Therapy) at the University of Central Florida (UCF). Dr. Stock is also the Director of the Neuromuscular Plasticity Laboratory and Co-Director of the Institute of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation Science. Kylie K. Harmon, M.S. and Ryan M. Girts, M.S. are both second year PhD students at UCF. Together, Dr. Stock, Kylie, and Ryan conduct original research in the UCF Neuromuscular Plasticity Laboratory using applied neuromuscular techniques such as TMS, motor unit analysis, electromyography, and nerve/muscle stimulation. The lab’s main emphasis area is to better understand neuromuscular adaptations associated with resistance training, aging, and disuse. You can learn more about the UCF Neuromuscular Plasticity Laboratory’s previous and ongoing work at http://ucfnpl.org.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is being increasingly relied upon by researchers to study the human neuromuscular system. While these developments are exciting and open the door for new scientific discovery, use of TMS presents several methodological nuances and technical challenges. As such, learning about TMS from reading the literature alone is very challenging. 

The purpose of this talk is to describe the basics of using TMS in research, with an emphasis on key terms and considerations for future work. The second half of the talk will allow for fun, hands-on demonstrations of TMS. The overall goal of this presentation is for attendees to feel more comfortable reading TMS studies found in the scientific literature.