Educational Background

Ph.D. University of Iowa (1980)

M.A. University of Iowa (1976)

B.S. Buena Vista University (1969)

Teaching Responsibilities

Undergraduate Courses: Motor Behavior, Motor Development, Biomechanics, Seminar in Kinesiology
Graduate Courses: Motor Control, Motor Development, Biomechanics

Research Interests

Investigation of why motor patterns change as a result of development and learning from a dynamic systems perspective.

Selected Publications

Southard, D. (2009). Throwing Pattern: Changes in Timing of Joint Lag According to Age Between and Within Skill Level. Research Quarterly for Exercise & Sport, 80, 213-222.

Southard, D. (2006). Changing throwing pattern: Instruction and control parameter. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 77, 316-325.

Southard, D. (2003). Warm-up with baseball bats of varying moments of Inertia: Effect on bat velocity and swing pattern. Research Quarterly for Exercise & Sport, 74, 270-276.

Southard, D. (2002). Change in throwing pattern: Critical values for control parameter of velocity. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 73, 396-407.

Southard, D. (2000). Control Parameters for the Development of Throwing. In J. Clark & J. Humphrey (Eds.). Motor Development: Selected Research. Princeton Book Co.

Southard, D. (1998). Mass and velocity: Control Parameters for the development of throwing. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 69, 355-367.

Southard, D., & Amos, B. (1996). Rhythmicity and pre-performance ritual: Stabilizing a flexible system. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 67, 78-89.

Current Project Titles

Learning Motor Skills: A Dynamic Systems Perspective

Selected Presentations

Changing Throwing Patterns: Instruction and Control Parameter, NASPSPA Conference. (2003), Savannah.
Why Can't We Throw as Well with the Non-dominant Arm? NASPSPA Conference, (2001) St. Louis.
Velocity as a Control Parameter for Throwing. NASPSPA Conference, (1999) Clearwater, Florida.

Shift in Point Attractor for an Ontogenetic Skill. NASPSPA Conference, (1997) Denver.

Professional Memberships & Activities

AAHPERD
NASPSPA
Society for Neuroscience
Reviewer for Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport
Reviewer for Journal of Motor Behavior
Reviewer for Perceptual & Motor Skills

Personal Information

Married to Kari Hauser Southard

Three children: Heidi, John and Kelli

Three grandchildren: Cooper, Dylan and Rilee

Enjoy outdoor activity and making sawdust in the Shop