Department of Kinesiology

Applied Neuromechanics Research Lab (ANRL) - Lower Extremity Division

Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: Produce highly competent clinicians, educators and researchers who possess the knowledge and skills to be distinctly competitive in the job market, and who appreciate and value their role as a contributing professional in the sports medicine community at large.

1. Offer quality educational programs through UNCG´s Department of Kinesiology that prepare undergraduate, masters and doctoral level students for careers in athletic training and sports medicine, biomechanics, motor control and related disciplines.
2. Provide teaching assistant and mentoring opportunities for doctoral students through the undergraduate sports medicine and entry-level graduate athletic training concentrations.
3. Provide research assistantships and training for undergraduate and graduate students in biomechanics, sports medicine, motor control and related disciplines.
4. Promote professional development through student involvement in local, regional and national professional meetings and activities; providing networking opportunities with nationally recognized scholars and clinicians through invited lectures; engaging in dialogue that promotes understanding of current professional and employment practices; and mentoring students in the dissemination of their research through abstract presentations at appropriate professional meetings.

Goal 2: Improve the health and performance of the physically active across the lifespan through research and education.

1. Promote scientific inquiry leading to clinical knowledge of lower extremity neuromechanics and injury risk factors using quantitative techniques of electromyography, kinematics, kinetics and isokinetics.
2. Disseminate findings in a timely fashion through peer reviewed journal publications, and abstract presentations and professional presentations at local, regional and national meetings.
3. Collaborate with area clinicians to promote clinically applied research that bridges scientific inquiry with clinical practice.
4. In conjunction with the broader curriculum, provide educational, research and clinical services to the local community (e.g. sport club organizations, local clinics, high schools and colleges) through outreach activities.

Goal 3: Promote and support student and faculty initiated research activities in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.

1. Promote the undergraduate research mission of the University by securing undergraduate research assistantships through the UNCG Office of Research and partnering undergraduate students with graduate student and faculty mentors on ongoing research activities.
2. Conduct regular laboratory meetings to communicate research ideas andbscientific findings, to critically examine the literature, and to initiate collaborative projects.
3. Identify faculty / student research teams to address and advance the laboratory research agenda.
4. Maintain state of the art instrumentation for assessment of joint neuromechanics and functional performance.
5. Collaborate with the School of Health and Human Sciences Center for Women´s Health and Wellness on research related to women´s health and physical activity.
6. Establish relationships that foster network and collaboration among faculty and students at peer institutions.

Goal 4: To seek and procure internal and external funding to support and advance student and faculty research.

1. Encourage students to apply for undergraduate and graduate summer research assistantships to support independent research projects.
2. Offer doctoral level students an intensive experience in grant writing that culminates in a grant submission.
3. Maintain a strong faculty track record in seeking internal grants through the Office of Research as seed funds to initiate or enhance their research, scholarship, and creative activity.
4. Develop and submit competitive proposals to appropriate foundation and federal granting agencies to support investigator initiated projects and graduate student research assistantships.
5. Utilize the services and support of the HHP Associate Dean for Research in seeking funding opportunities.

Goal 5: Attract and integrate students, faculty and clinicians from diverse professional backgrounds, experiences and scientific perspectives.

1. Bring together students, clinicians, and faculty from biomechanics, motor control, athletic training, exercise physiology, and exercise and sport psychology through weekly laboratory meetings, seminars, and graduate colloquia.
2. Be an integral and contributing unit within the Department of Kinesiology, School of Health and Human Sciences, University and surrounding educational institutions.
3. Value and respect ethnic diversity and socio-cultural influences in professional interactions and the care of the physically active.
4. Be recognized for excellence in research and education at the local, regional, national and international levels.