Carly J. Sombric
Papers
1
Total Citations
4
H-Index
1
About
Carly J. Sombric’s research lies at the intersection of motor control, aging, and rehabilitation, with a focus on how the nervous system adapts walking patterns to changing environments. Her work explores the mechanisms of locomotor learning, particularly how older adults generalize learned movements across different walking contexts—a critical skill for maintaining mobility and preventing falls. In her highly cited 2021 study, Sombric demonstrated that older adults show broader generalization of gait adaptations than younger adults during split-belt treadmill walking, challenging assumptions about age-related motor decline. This finding has implications for designing more effective rehabilitation protocols for aging populations. With 4 citations, this paper has already influenced discussions in motor learning and geriatric rehabilitation. Sombric’s contributions illuminate the plasticity of the aging brain, showing that older adults may compensate for slower adaptation with more flexible generalization. Her work is essential reading for students and researchers in motor neuroscience, physical therapy, and aging studies, offering new perspectives on how we can harness the brain’s adaptive capacity to improve mobility across the lifespan.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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