5869 UNIVERSITY AVE., HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA | CANADA B3H 4R2 | +1 (902) 494-2524
Dr. Marie Earl
Assistant Professor
BSc (PT) (University of Western Ontario), PhD (Waterloo)
Office: Room 317, Forrest Building
Tel: (902) 494-2633
Email: marie.earl@dal.ca
Dr. Marie Earl (BSc Physiotherapy, University of Western Ontario) completed her doctoral work on the neuromuscular control of posture and movement at the University of Waterloo (PhD Kinesiology). At the School of Physiotherapy, Dalhousie University, her teaching and research activities focus on exercise techniques to reduce falling and improve function of seniors who have balance problems. Changes in muscle and sensory function can have major effects on a person’s mobility. By applying better knowledge of muscle and sensory systems to clinical assessment and treatment options, Dr. Earl is working to find better ways to protect or restore balance and mobility of people whose health is threatened by inactivity, illness, or injury.
Much of Dr. Earl's work deals with factors that affect the balance and mobility of older adults. She places particular emphasis on sensory integration (vestibular, hearing, proprioception, and vision systems) and effective recruitment of muscles to control balance during routine standing and walking tasks. This provides the basis for developing appropriate assessments, and for learning how properly prescribed exercise can prevent the impairments and activity limitations that affect the health and independence of seniors who live in the community, in hospital, and in continuing care settings.