For more infromation on Academics and Research, please visit our website for the Athletic Training Education Program
Sports Medicine Concentration
Mission
The primary focus of the laboratory within the domain of Sports Medicine is to study sensorimotor & neurocognitive aspects of musculoskeletal related injury.
Background
The Athletic Training Research Laboratory was established in Fall of 2003 under the guidance of Dr. Thomas Kaminski. Since then, the laboratory has grown to include another faculty member, Dr. Charles Buz Swanik, along with UD Sports Medicine Physicians Dr. Geoffrey Gustavsen & Dr. Andrew Reisman, and 6 PhD and 7 Master’s students providing research opportunities to both undergraduate and graduate students. Collaborative projects have been developed within the University of Delaware including the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, Departments of Physical Therapy, Mechanical & Chemical Engineering, Student Health Services and Intramural Athletics and Recreation Services. In addition, several State of Delaware interscholastic (high school) sports programs and regional Sports Medicine specialists are involved with current research efforts. The laboratory research group has numerous annual peer-reviewed scientific publications, published abstracts, and a multitude of professional presentations ranging from regional clinical meetings to international sports medicine conferences.
Research Goals
1. Examine injury mechanisms, prevention & rehabilitation strategies in athletes for accelerated return to competition.
2. Apply what is learned from the uniqueness of competitive athletes to improve the health & well-being of all physically active individuals.
Research Interests
A variety of testing models and instrument/software platforms are used to advance this research agenda including the study of chronic ankle instability, the role of fatigue with injuries, the neuropsychological effects of purposeful heading in soccer, the neurocognitive and biomechanical factors related to non-contact injuries, including stability, proprioception and muscle stiffness. The laboratory is equipped with unique combination of clinical instruments and technology including a KinCom AP125 Isokinetic Dynamometer, a Bortec 8 channel EMG system, a pneumatically-driven ankle perturbation device, a custom-designed muscle stiffness and proprioception testing device, a pair of computerized neuropsychological testing batteries on 14 laptops for portable testing platforms, and a Biopac MP150 Data Acquisition System for reflex and nerve conduction studies.
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Tom Kaminski, Ph.D. Professor Athletic Training Telephone/email: (302) 831-6402 / kaminski@udel.edu Campus Address: 159 Human Performance Lab Biosketch: Biosketch |
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Charles 'Buz' Swanik, Ph.D. Associate Professor Athletic Training Telephone/email: (302) 831-2306 / cswanik@udel.edu Campus Address: 151 Human Performance Lab Biosketch: Swanik_biosketch.pdf |
