Injury Labs
There are numerous opportunities for innovative state-of-the art injury-related research across the University through multiple programs, disciplines, and resources. Communicating and fostering these opportunities is one of CIRCL’s important goals.
- Neuromuscular Research Laboratory at the Center for Sports Medicine
- Human Movement and Balance Laboratories
- Injury Risk Assessment and Prevention Laboratory (iRAP)
- The Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL)
- Safar Center
- Brain Trauma Research Center (BTRC)
- Hand Research Laboratory
A multimedia montage of these resources can be downloaded here (Windows media)
Neuromuscular Research Laboratory at the Center for Sports Medicine
The Neuromuscular Research Laboratory (NMRL), directed by Scott Lephart, PhD, is the applied research laboratory of the Sports Medicine program at the University. Located in the new Sports Medicine Complex, the laboratory also functions as the clinical research division of the Musculoskeletal Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The NMRL conducts research in the areas of proprioception and neuromuscular control. Biomechanical and neuromuscular assessments under sport simulated and virtual environments are used to determine specific variables including investigating the influence of weight distribution, muscle function, balance, flexibility, muscle memory, gender, aging and fatigue, as well as the effects of injury, surgery, and rehabilitation on joint stability. Deficiencies in body mechanics and muscle function are used to develop programs not only to improve performance but also minimize injury potential. The laboratory is staffed by 3 faculty members and 5 PhD research associates from the Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition with backgrounds in biomechanics, exercise physiology, athletic training, physical therapy, and engineering. Clinical faculty of the laboratory include numerous orthopaedic and sports medicine physicians for the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. The lab contains over $500,000 in special equipment including high speed and electromagnetic sensing video analysis, electromyography, forces plate, isokinetic dynamometry, postural stabilometry, and custom designed devices for measuring movement mechanics. The NMRL has ongoing research projects in the recognition and prevention of golf related injuries in players of all levels and abilities and a female ACL Injury Prevention Project designed to examine the risk factors surrounding the alarming rate of ACL injuries in female athletes.
Human Movement and Balance Laboratories
The Human Movement and Balance Laboratories (HMBL), directed by Mark Redfern, PhD, are dedicated to understanding postural control and the prevention of fall injuries. The HMBL includes a whole body motion detection and biomechanics laboratory in Benedum Engineering Hall and the Medical Virtual Reality Center (MVRC) in the Eye & Ear Institute. The HMBL also work in collaboration with the Jordan Center for Balance Disorders at the UPMC. Research projects include the evaluation of postural control in patients with vestibular disorders, biomechanical investigations into the causation and prevention of slips and falls in the workplace, influence of aging on postural control towards the prevention of elderly falls, and rehabilitation of patients with balance disorders. The laboratories include faculty researchers, including Patrick Sparto, PhD, Rakie Cham, PhD, and Susan Whitney, PhD, and collaborations with numerous faculty members in the School of Medicine, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and the School of Engineering. The HMBL is staffed by 2 research associates, 1 research engineer, 4 PhD students and 5 undergraduates. The lab contains over $500,000 in special equipment including a virtual reality CAVE, motion detection systems, a VICON 3D motion analysis system, 4 force plates, Noroxon EMG system, and an Equitest Dynamic Posturography system. This lab had a project in CIRCL’s first round of CDC funding.
Injury Risk Assessment and Prevention Laboratory (iRAP)
The Injury Risk Assessment and Prevention (iRAP) Laboratory at the University of Louisville is a multi-disciplinary laboratory that conducts state-of-the-art research through the application of engineering and medical principles to real world and clinical problems in the areas of child abuse, pediatric falls, wheelchair transportation safety and rehabilitation. Biomechanical analysis is used to study pediatric falls to gain an improved understanding of injury risk to aid clinicians in distinguishing between inflicted and non-inflicted injuries. In the area of wheelchair transportation safety, investigators utilize computer simulation modeling and sled impact testing to gain an understanding of injury risk when using a wheelchair as a motor vehicle seat. These same techniques are used to understand crash loading patterns on wheelchairs and to improve wheelchair designs so that they are safe under crash conditions. iRAP investigators also study the effects of rehabilitation on canine patients who have undergone orthopedic surgery. Through these studies and the multidisciplinary lab environment, research training is provided to engineering students, medical residents, fellows and post-docs.
The Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL)
The Human Engineering Research Laboratories, directed by Rory Cooper, PhD, involves approximately twenty people working on numerous coordinated projects in rehabilitation. HERL is composed of four interconnected laboratories at the VA, the University, and UPMC including the: biomechanics and neuromotor control laboratory; assistive device testing and quality assurance laboratory; assistive device prototyping laboratory; and ride comfort laboratory. HERL works closely with industry, regulatory bodies, and other research institutions throughout the world. Current projects involve analysis of upper extremity pain and injury due to manual wheelchair propulsion, development of wheelchair standards, analysis of wheelchair road loads and rider comfort, and investigation of intelligent control interfaces. HERL researchers perform basic, clinical, and applied rehabilitation research. Dr. Cooper has served on the CIRCL ‘s Internal Monitoring Committee since 1999.
Safar Center
The global mission of the Safar Center is to improve understanding of the mechanisms of secondary injury after traumatic brain injury, cardiopulmonary arrest, severe hemorrhage, and to contribute to the development and implementation of novel and effective therapies. Mitigation of secondary injury after these life-threatening catastrophic events is a major goal in each venue of investigation. To reach these goals, the Center has four objectives: 1) To understand the mechanisms of cell death after catastrophic insults such as traumatic brain injury, cardiac arrest or severe hemorrhage, with a particular focus on how cerebral neurons die, 2) To understand the cellular, molecular, pathophysiologic, and environmental mechanisms that contribute to the development of secondary damage after the start of resuscitation or limit recovery after catastrophic insults, 3) To design and evaluate new mechanism-directed therapies for the above insults, including studies in experimental laboratory, clinical, and field settings and 4) To contribute to the education of young investigators, physicians, and others in resuscitation medicine, and of the lay public in the area of life supporting first aid. Investigators in the Center published 49 peer-reviewed papers, 29 chapters, 88 abstracts, and 7 editorials during the 99-00 academic year under twenty-eight active grants. The resources for the full award period of these grants totaled $14,589,445. The Safar Center is directed by Patrick M. Kochanek, MD, FCCM, tenured Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and CCM, and Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Brain Trauma Research Center (BTRC)
The Department of Neurological Surgery's BTRC is a multidisciplinary, multi-departmental research program aimed at improving outcome following severe traumatic brain injury. As one of only six NIH-designated head injury research centers in the United States, the BTRC has a mandate to provide improved quality of care and outcomes for severely head-injured patients. Research clearly demonstrates the potential for improving outcome using therapies designed to treat biochemical derangements that occur following impact to the brain. In order to identify the most critical of these sequelae and to find therapies that are effective in treating them, the BTRC has established several basic science laboratories and clinical research projects. Researchers are studying the mechanisms of secondary brain injury, the role of inflammation, excitotoxicity, and reactive oxygen species in causing brain tissue injury following experimental blunt impact. There is also a focus on the study of global and focal cerebral ischemia and therapeutic moderate hypothermia. Ed Dixon, PhD, is the Director. The BTRC has had a long history of quality basic science research and translation of its laboratory efforts into meaningful acute care interventions.
Hand Research Laboratory
The Hand Research Laboratory, directed by Dr. Zong-Ming Li is committed to the scientific study of the human hand. We strive to achieve excellence through dedicated effort, innovative research, multidisciplinary collaboration, educational activities, and professional service. The research team, together with collaborators, possesses a wide spectrum of expertise in engineering, kinesiology, biomechanics, motor control, orthopaedics, occupational therapy, biology, and neurology. The laboratory is outfitted with cutting-edge engineering equipment and clinical facilities for hand research. The current research studies focus on biomechanics and motor control of the human hand, with clinical applications to carpal tunnel syndrome. The team works to generate innovative knowledge that will assist in improved management of hand disorders.