About Dr. Missy Thompson
Dr. Missy Thompson is a professor in the Health & Human Performance Department at Fort Lewis College. She holds a B.A. and M.S. in Integrative Physiology from the University of Colorado at Boulder. During her master’s studies, Dr. Thompson gained international research experience at the Laboratoire de Physiologie de l'Exercice at the Université Jean Monnet in Saint-Étienne, France, where she studied sports bra biomechanics for Victoria’s Secret. Dr. Thompson received her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Idaho, where she worked in the Comparative Neuromechanics Laboratory studying locomotion across species, including humans, grizzly bears, and kangaroo rats. Her doctoral work focused on neuromechanics—the intersection of neuroscience and biomechanics.
A primary focus of Dr. Thompson’s research is the role of sensory feedback in human locomotion, with a specific emphasis on how plantar sensory information influences walking and running mechanics. These investigations have contributed to understanding the role of deep dermal and subcutaneous sensory receptors in gait adaptations. She continues to expand this line of work in more clinical directions, particularly investigating gait alterations in conditions such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy that affect plantar sensation.
As a former professional cyclist and member of the U.S. National Cycling Team, Dr. Thompson also integrates her experience as an elite athlete with her academic expertise. She conducts sports biomechanics and physiology research aimed at understanding variables related to performance and injury risk. She and her students have conducted research in this area on cycling, ski mountaineering, ice climbing, and trail running.
Dr. Thompson’s work also includes developing culturally responsive and experiential approaches to undergraduate research, with a particular emphasis on expanding access and opportunities for students in STEM.
Dr. Thompson loves spending time in the mountains of southwest Colorado and is an avid backcountry skier and mountain biker.
Selected publications and presentations
Thompson M, Hoffman K. Biomechanics of footwear types and implications for musculoskeletal injury and rehabilitation. Oral presentation at: Colorado Athletic Trainers Association 2024 Annual Clinical Symposium; June 1, 2024; Golden, CO.
Abraham E, Hayden S, Wilborn C, Thompson M. The Science of Exhilaration. Oral presentation at: Western Society for Kinesiology & Wellness; October 9-11, 2019; Reno, NV.
Thompson M, Hoffman K. The Absence of Plantar Sensory Feedback Results in Reduced Plantar Pressure Variability. Oral presentation at: American Society of Biomechanics & International Society of Biomechanics Joint Meeting; July 31- August 4, 2019; Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Thompson M, Curtin K, Owens A, Rowton L, Hoffman K. Sensory Feedback Controls Ground Contact Variability in Running. Oral presentation at: American Society of Biomechanics Annual Meeting; August 8-11, 2018; Rochester, MN.
Thompson M, Blair D, Shippen M, Toma S. Biomechanical Analysis of Mixed Climbing Performance. Oral presentation at: International Rock-Climbing Research Congress; July 8-14, 2018; Chamonix, France.
Thompson M, Bent C, Pryor K, Hoffman K. Barefoot Gait Adaptations Remain with Use of the Barefoot Orthotic. Oral presentation at: American College of Sports Medicine Conference; May 29-June 2, 2018; Minneapolis, MN.
Thompson M, Knight-Maloney M. Physiological and Biomechanical Mechanisms of Distance Specific Human Running Performance. Oral presentation at: Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting; January 4-8, 2017; New Orleans, LA.
Thompson M, Hoffman K. Cutaneous Sensory Feedback is a Primary Determinant of Gait Changes Observed in Barefoot Running. Oral presentation at: American Society of Biomechanics Annual Meeting; August 2-5, 2016; Raleigh, NC.
Thompson MA, Blair D, Shippen M, Toma S. Biomechanical Analysis of Elite Ice-Climbing Performance. Biomechanics. 2024; 4(3): 452-9. DOI: 10.3390/biomechanics4030031
Thompson MA, St Pierre A, Earl SB and Bontrager S. Effectiveness of Dry Needling of the Tibialis Posterior for Control of the Medial Longitudinal Foot Arch. Journal of Yoga & Physiotherapy. 2024; 11(3): 555813. DOI: 10.19080/JYP.2024.11.555813
Thompson MA, Bent C, Pryor K, Hoffman K. Barefoot Orthotic Allows Barefoot Walking and
Running Gait Adaptations. Academic Journal of Sports Science & Medicine. 2024; 1(4): AJSSM.MS.ID.000520. DOI: 10.33552/AJSSM.2024.01.000520
Thompson M, Blythe L, Hassler R, Longtain M, Hoffman, K. The Coupling of Stride Length and Footstrike in Running. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, section Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation. 2022; 4: 768801. DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2022.768801
Thompson M, Hoffman KM. Superficial Plantar Cutaneous Sensation Does Not Trigger Barefoot Running Adaptations. Gait & Posture. 2017; 57,305-309. DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2017.06.269
Thompson M. Physiological and Biomechanical Mechanisms of Distance Specific Human Running Performance. Integrative & Comparative Biology. 2017;57(2),293-300. DOI: 10.1093/icb/icx069
In the media
So, what DOES cause a change in strike pattern with barefoot running?, The Gait Guys, July 2017
Plantar sensation fails to explain shift in foot strike during barefoot running, Lower Extremity Review, June 2017