Up to 85% of Veterans using the US Department of Veteran Affairs health care system are classified as overweight or obese. Excessive body weight and body fat have been associated with higher mortality rate and concomitant risk for many chronic diseases. We are initiating a pilot study to identify social determinants, physical, physiological, psychosocial, and behavioral characteristics that contribute to overweightness and obesity in Veterans.

Since 2015, SMRI has collaborated with the UK Army and Air Force ROTC programs to share over a decade’s worth of research and provide consultation on fitness improvement and injury prevention.  

In March 2018, Dr. Heebner presented to regional Army ROTC cadre regarding the lessons learned from our research in performance and injury research in the military. The presentation encouraged ROTC leaders to discuss the future fitness requirement of Army recruits. 

In the spring of 2018, the Kentucky Army National Guard developed a new program for Soldiers that have under-performed in their Physical Fitness Test (PFT). This program instructs on topics of health lifestyle habits, diet, and exercise techniques. The SMRI delivered a presentation on programming and strategies for improving PFT scores and overall health and wellness in the military. The goal of this new initiative, headed by LTC Eddie Simpson, was to provide Soldiers with a support system and resources needed to improve their health and fitness and remain in the National Guard.

Students from the Army Baylor Physical Therapy program, completing their clinical rotations at William Beaumont Army Medical Center, were hosted by the SMRI for one week in 2017 and 2018 to learn various laboratory and clinical based research procedures. These students are in the final phase of their curriculum and preparing for their first active duty positions as Physical Therapists in which they will have the opportunity to engage in sports medicine research. 

The Lexington VA Medical Center 5K was an event was a fundraiser for the Fisher House, a comfort home where military and veteran’s families can stay while their loved one is receiving treatment at the Lexington VA. The SMRI provided race-day support to the runners along the race route.

While surgical options are successful at restoring the stability of the knee joint, the damage suffered during the injury extends beyond the ligament and predisposes the majority of patients with an ACL tear to early wear of the articular cartilage. We hypothesized that early antiinflammtory intervention post-ACL reconstruction reduces inflammatory and chondrodegradatory biomarkers, and improves patient reported outcomes.

Athletes who sustain a sport-related concussion are at significantly greater risk of future musculoskeletal injuries. This heightened musculoskeletal injury risk persists for at least 12 months, adding a complex dimension to sport-related concussion management. While this relationship has been well-documented, the underlying mechanisms have not been identified.

Most video game research has centered around the negative effects of game play.  Recent research revealed that video game play is not as detrimental as how it is often portrayed in the media, with neurocognitive benefits being reported across numerous populations and age groups following action game play.  However, little to no research has examined the effects of more advanced and immersive technologies, such as mixed or augmented reality (AR) platforms.  AR technology platforms differ from traditional video game play, in that it creates a hybrid blend of the virtual and the

Ketone bodies produced by the liver in a process known as ketosis, as an alternative fuel source during fasting or carbohydrate caloric restriction, and is readily used as fuel throughout the body, including in the brain.  Exogenous ketone bodies is safe to administer orally, and enhances energy and physical performance.

In parallel to the SMRI’s concussion recovery initiative new relationships and collaborations have begun in support of those efforts. The SMRI and Bertec Corporation (Columbus, OH), a technology company focusing on clinical and research tools to assess balance and performance, have joined forces to improve and validate new clinical tools for concussion and sport performance. These instruments include a portable force plate system, dynamic visual acuity, and a vision/reaction time trainer.