Student research poster presentations showcased the Department of Physical Therapy-Athletics Department collaboration by sharing findings on Wednesday November 28th, highlighting points that will help coaches, athletic trainers, and strength and conditioning coaches prevent injuries and improve performance.
Students at Elon’s Department of Physical Therapy Education (DPTE) start learning to be clinician-scientists in a first-year course taught by Research Director Srikant Vallabhajosula, an effort that will culminate in a research poster presentation of research at the end of the year.
This year marks a new collaboration between the DPTE and the Athletics Department that’s possible thanks to the support of Director of Athletics Dave Blank, Senior Associate Director of Athletics Clay Hassard and Deputy Director of Athletics Mike Ward. DPTE faculty members Shefali Christopher and Mary Kay Hannah worked with Director of Athletics Training Services Eric Storsved and Nick DiMarco, director of strength and conditioning. Physical therapy student research groups worked with men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, softball, soccer and baseball teams.
The research poster presentations on Wednesday, Nov. 28, showcased the collaboration that included DPTE students sharing research findings with the Athletics Department and highlighting points that will help the coaches, athletic trainers, and strength and conditioning coaches prevent injuries and improve performance.
Cross country athletes worked with DPTE students Emile Fonke, David Guthrie, Chris Montenyohl and Assistant Professor Shefali Christopher investigating stability with runners. Atttending the presentation, Cross Country Coach Kevin Jermyn commented, “We are thrilled to benefit from our collaboration with the Elon DPT program as we support our student-athletes with evidence based training and programming.”
DPTE students Raina Stevens, Andrew Jones, and Stephen Gunderson along with second year student Chelsea L. Martin and Assistant Professor Mary Kay Hannah worked with baseball and softball players and found a connection between hip strength and players who have shoulder pain with throwing. Softball Coach Kathy Babcock, Softball Athletic Trainer Eric Roman, and Baseball Athletic Trainer Veronica Mondaca were excited to see the presentation and to employ the new injury prevention tips gleaned from the research. They are eager to continue collaborating.
Men’s Basketball Coach Matt Matheny had a chance to see the research presentation of DPTE students Sarah Benson, Sam Methot, and Zack Collins with Assistant Professor Wendy Herbert and Christopher on patella tendonopathy, a common injury that sidelines jumping athletes.
The DPTE and Athletics Department look forward to a bright future of more win-win collaboration.