Athletic Training Research
The Department of Athletic Training is involved in a wide array of research such as biomechanics, neurocognition, health assessment and outcomes, artistic performance, injury prevention, and injury epidemiology.
We have three laboratories: Neuromuscular Biomechanics and Health Assessment Lab (NMBHAL), Science and Health in Artistic Performance Lab (SHAPe Lab), and Neurocognitive and Balance Assessment Lab.
Our goals are to advance the state of knowledge by conducting relevant research to the fields of athletic training, biomechanics, neuroscience, performing arts medicine and public health. We seek to prepare well qualified professionals at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Neuromuscular Biomechanics and Health Assessment Lab (NMBHAL)
Description: Musculoskeletal disease is the most common, costly, and debilitating form of injury or illness. Over 135 million people (>46% of the US population) report musculoskeletal disease as a primary health concern annually. Of these individuals, over 61 million seek medical treatment each year due to musculoskeletal injury resulting in over $950 billion dollars spent each year on total costs associated with musculoskeletal disease. The negative consequences of musculoskeletal injury go beyond initial trauma as 31% of men and 24% percent of women permanently stop exercise after suffering musculoskeletal injury. Chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, neurocognitive decline, and arthritis are linked to a lack of physical activity. To address this public health problem, the NMBHAL lab is focused on identifying mechanisms, risk factors, and preventive solutions for musculoskeletal injury, with an emphasis on the lower extremities. The lab comprises over 1500 square feet of state-of-the-art research equipment for testing and screening individuals of all ages and skill levels. This facility is designed for motion analysis of sports and daily activities. It includes a 15'x15' open space with a passive optical motion capture system to allow natural walking, running, and jumping.
Directors: Dustin Grooms, Janet Simon, and Melissa Anderson
Grover Center E116
Equipment
- 13 Camera Vicon Passive Optical 3-D Motion Capture System
- Two Bertec Embedded Force Plates
- Bertec Instrumented Staircase with Two Force Plates
- 16 Channel Delsys Trigno Electromyography (EMG) System
- Noraxon Inertial Measurement Unit System (In-the-field 3D kinematics)
- Software: Matlab, Visual 3D, SPSS, Labview
Science and Health in Artistic Performance Lab (SHAPe Lab)
Description: Performing artists endure many high-intensity physical demands as part of their training and performance. For example, the number of participation hours for performing artists greatly exceeds the time spent by traditional athletes playing sports, with 4 to 10 hours per day being typical. Some theater students have even longer daily exposures, with activity requirements increasing during performance weeks. Moreover, performing arts students have a greater tendency than athletes to be underprepared for the demands of their work. As a result, these "athletic artists" are prone to injury; associated with this is the need for research-based injury prevention and care.
The SHAPe Lab focuses on various methods of quantifying the demands of performing arts on the body and applying them to performing arts ergonomics, injury prevention, injury care, and artist wellness. In partnership with a related facility, the Clinic for Science and Health in Artistic Performance (SHAPe Clinic, Putnam Hall 304), the lab draws attention to the health needs of performing artists and gives specialized research attention to concussion in theater and dance, risk factors for injury in musicians, detrimental sound exposure in marching band, and osteopathic care in performing arts.
SHAPe Lab: Grover Center E116
SHAPe Clinic: Putnam Hall 304
Equipment
- Noraxon 8-channel surface electromyography
- Noraxon Inertial Measurement Unit system
- Noraxon Pressure Sensor Measurement system
- Bertec 600 x 1200 mm force plate
- Etymotic ER-200D personal noise dosimeters
- Acumar Dual Digital Inclinometer
Neurocognitive and Balance Assessment Lab
Description: In order to improve clinical management of concussion this space houses a state-of-the-art Senaptec sensory system and portable balance platforms. A concussion is a form of brain trauma that is usually from direct or indirect impacts that result in multifactorial symptoms encompassing cognitive, sensory, and motor deficits. This space allows for quiet undistracted assessment and treatment of integrated sensory-motor-cognitive function. In addition, this space houses our mock fMRI scanner for completion of preliminary research trials and participant practice of neuroimaging studies we complete at the local Holzer 3T Philips MRI.
Director: Dustin Grooms
Grover Center W264
Equipment
- Bertec Balance Force Plate
- Bertec Portable Force Plate
- Senaptec Sensory Station
- Senaptec Stroboscopic Glasses
- Mock fMRI scanner