Youngmin Chun, Ph.D., CSCS

Office

Advising Area

• Exercise Science/pre-PT

Education

• Ph.D. in Education (Exercise Science – Biomechanics), University of Idaho, Moscow, ID (2021)
  • Dissertation: Lower Extremity Joint Stiffness Associated with Drop Jump Performance: Differences in Genders and Athletes
• M.S. in Physical Education (Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation), Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea (2016)
  • Thesis: The Existence of Different Static and Dynamic Postural Construct between Korean Male and Female
• B.S. in Physical Education, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea (2014)

Degrees

Academic Interests

Dr. Chun’s research examines the biomechanics of human performance:

• Joint stiffness in maximal jump performance – Quantifying stiffness of lower extremity joints and evaluating its role in jump optimization and landing strategies.
• Sex differences and training-related adaptations – Exploring how males, females, and athletes with different training backgrounds adopt distinct stiffness patterns that affect performance and injury risk.
• Injury prevention and performance optimization – Investigating biomechanical mechanisms linked to ACL injuries, ankle instability, and other musculoskeletal issues.
• Joint stiffness and endurance running performance – Extending stiffness frameworks to assess running economy and movement efficiency

Courses Taught

• KIN 242 – Functional Anatomy
• KIN 311 – Special Topics in Functional Anatomy
• KIN 350 / KIN 450 – Biomechanics

Selected Publications & Presentations

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

• Chun, Y., McGowan, C. P., Seegmiller, J. G., Baker, R. T., & Bailey, J. P. (2023). Differences in Lower Extremity Joint Stiffness during Drop Jump between Healthy Males and Females. Journal of Biomechanics, 111667.
  doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbiomech.2023.111667
• Krumpl, L., Martonick, N. J., Chun, Y., Brown, A. F., & Bailey, J. P. (2023). The Relationship Between Health and Movement Screens and Field-Based Physical Fitness Tests in Reserve Officer Training Corps Students. International Journal of Exercise Science, 16(4), 42.
  Link: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijes/vol16/iss4/3/
• Martonick, N. J., Chun, Y., Krumpl, L., & Bailey, J. P. (2022). Lower Extremity Kinematic Waveform Analysis During a Single Leg Drop Task–Including a Single Subject Design. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 17(7), 1271.
  doi: https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.55538
• Alfiero, C. J., Brown, A. F., Chun, Y., Holmes, A., & Bailey, J. P. (2022). The Effect of Foot Position and Lean Mass on Jumping and Landing Mechanics in Collegiate Dancers. Journal of Applied Biomechanics, 1(aop), 1-7.
  doi: https://doi.org/10.1123/jab.2021-0319
• Chun, Y., McGowan, C. P., Kim, J., & Bailey, J. P. (2022). Application of polynomial regression model for joint stiffness. International Journal of Exercise Science, 15(1), 1236.
  Link: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijes/vol15/iss1/9/
• Merica, C. B., Chun, Y., Bailey, J., & Egan, C. A. (2021). National Biomechanics Day: A Novel and Collaborative Recruitment Tool. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 92(6), 48-56.
  doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/07303084.2021.1936309
• Chun, Y., Bailey, J. P., Kim, J., Lee, S. C., & Lee, S. Y. (2021). Sex and limb differences in lower extremity alignment and kinematics during drop vertical jumps. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(7), 3748.
  doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18073748
• Kim, J., Lee, S. C., Chun, Y., Jun, H. P., Seegmiller, J. G., Kim, K. M., & Lee, S. Y. (2020). Effects of a 4-week short-foot exercise program on gait characteristics in patients with stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. Journal of sport rehabilitation, 30(1), 120-128.
  doi: https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2019-0211

Presentation

• Hernandez, C., Babcock, H., Winter-Hare, J., Nykamp, R., Chun, Y. Optimal Drop Height for Maximum Performance in Drop Jumps: Impact on Leg and Joint Stiffness
  2025 SSU Research, Scholarship & Creativity Symposium
• Hernandez, C., Rudis, M., Krumpl, L., Martonick, N., Chun, Y. The Effect of Gripping Handles During Isokinetic Strength Tests at Various Speeds on Torque Production in Knee Flexion and Extension
  2024 Southwest Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine (SWACSM)
• Rudis, M., Ngo, D., Gaona, L., Oggenfuss, M., Chun, Y. The Effect of Ergometer Mode in the Direct-Drive Power Trainer of Muscle Activations
  2024 SSU Research, Scholarship & Creativity Symposium
• Nash, S., Alvarado, K., Kimble, M., Salazar, T., Chun, Y. The Immediate Effect of Changing Foot Strike Patterns on Running Performance and Mechanics
  2023 School of Science & Technology Symposium
• Rudis, M., Martonick, N., Krumpl, L., Chun, Y. The Effect of Hand Grips on Knee Flexion and Extension Torque During Isokinetic/Isometric Strength Test
  2022 Southwest chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine (SWACSM)