Our Research Focus

The primary focus of the Sports Neuromechanics Lab is on improving our understanding of factors that contribute to common acute and chronic sports injuries (e.g. anterior cruciate ligament tears, patellofemoral pain). In addition, we also work to develop/study novel approaches to injury prevention and rehabilitation in sports medicine.

Our Team

Tricia Widenhoefer, MSPT, CBIS
Taylor Miller, SPT, CSCS
Emily Watkins, SPT
Jithmie Jayawickrema, SPT
Kristin Mercker, SPT, ATC
Mark Weigand, SPT, MS
Kendall Hermann

Current Projects

  • The Influence of Squat Instruction on Patellofemoral Joint Loading
  • Inter-limb Symmetry during Walking and Running following ACL Reconstruction
  • The Influence of Attentional Focus on Drop Landing Mechanics in Female Athletes
  • The Effect of Movement Training on Landing Forces in High School Rugby Athletes
  • The Influence of Attentional Focus on Landing Kinetics
  • Using Visual Feedback to Augment Lower Extremity Control During Single-Leg Squats

* E-mail almonroedert@trine.edu if you have questions or are interested in collaborating

Publications from Our Lab Members

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Almonroeder TG, Watkins EA, & Widehoefer TL. Verbal instruction reduces patellofemoral joint loading during bodyweight squatting. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation. Accepted on 3/5/19.

Widenhoefer TL, Miller TM, Weigand MS, Watkins EA, & Almonroeder TG. Training athletes with an external attentional focus promotes more automatic adaptations in landing forces. Sports Biomechanics. Accepted on 2/12/19.

Stricker M, Hinde D, Rolland A, Salzman N, Watson A, & Almonroeder TG. Quantifying step length using two-dimensional video in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. Accepted on 2/2/19.

Kernozek TW, Knaus A, Rademaker T, & Almonroeder TG. (2018). The effects of habitual foot strike patterns on Achilles tendon loading in female runners. Gait & Posture. [Epub ahead of print].
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30243212

Almonroeder TG, Tighe SM, Miller TM, & Lanning CR. (2018). The influence of fatigue on decision-making in athletes: a systematic review. Sports Biomechanics. [Epub ahead of print].
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29902127

Lucas LA, England BS, Mason TW, Lanning CR, Miller TM, Morgan AM, & Almonroeder TG. (2018). Decision-making influences tibial impact accelerations during lateral cutting. Journal of Applied Biomechanics. [Epub ahead of print].
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29809103

Nelson A, Koslakiewicz N, & Almonroeder TG. (2018). Assessment of knee kinetic symmetry using force plate technology. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation. [Epub ahead of print]. 
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29809086

Almonroeder TG, Kernozek T, Cobb S, Slavens B, Wang J, & Huddleston W. (2018). Cognitive demands influence lower extremity mechanics during a drop vertical jump task in female athletes. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 48 (5), 381-387.
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29320946

Almonroeder TG, Kernozek T, Cobb S, Slavens B, Wang J, & Huddleson W. (2017). Divided attention during cutting influences lower extremity mechanics in female athletes. Sports Biomechanics, [Epub ahead of print]. 
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29129134

Benson LC, Almonroeder TG, & O'Connor KM. (2017). Quantifying knee mechanics during balance training exercises. Human Movement Science, 51, 138-145.
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28027463

Almonroeder TG & Benson LC. (2017). Sex differences in lower extremity kinematics and patellofemoral kinetics during running. Journal of Sports Sciences, 35 (16), 1575-1581.
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27571504

Almonroeder TG, Benson LC, & O'Connor KM. (2016). The influence of a prefabricated foot orthosis on lower extremity mechanics during running in individuals with varying dynamic foot motion. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 46 (9), 749-755.
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27494054

Collins JD, Almonroeder TG, Ebersole KT, & O'Connor KM. (2016). The effects of fatigue and anticipation on the mechanics of the knee during cutting in female athletes. Clinical Biomechanics, 35, 62-67.
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27128767

Almonroeder TG, Benson LC, & O'Connor KM. (2015). Changes in patellofemoral joint stress during running with the application of a prefabricated foot orthotic. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 10 (7), 967-975.
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26673987

Almonroeder TG, Garcia E, & Kurt M. (2015). The effects of anticipation on the mechanics of the knee during single-leg cutting tasks: a systematic review. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 10 (7), 918-928.
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26673276

Almonroeder TG, Benson LC, & O'Connor KM. (2015). The effect of a prefabricated foot orthotic on frontal plane joint mechanics in healthy runners. Journal of Applied Biomechanics. 31 (3), 149-158.
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26673276

Almonroeder T, Willson JD, & Kernozek TW. (2013). The effect of foot strike pattern on Achilles tendon load during running. Annals of Biomedical Engineering, 41 (8), 1758-1766.
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23640524

Wouters I, Almonroeder T, Dejarlais B, Laack A, Willson JD, & Kernozek TW. (2012). Effects of a movement training program on hip and knee joint frontal plane running mechanics. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 7 (6), 637-646.
Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23316427 

Other Publications

Almonroeder TG & Tighe SM. Does athletes’ divided attention affect mechanics associated with ACL injury? Lower Extremity Review; April 2018.

Almonroeder TG & Willson JD. Foot posture, orthoses, and patellofemoral pain. Lower Extremity Review; March 2017.

Almonroeder TG & O'Connor KM. Foot orthoses and patellofemoral pain: frontal plane effects during running. Lower Extremity Review; May 2015.

** Current/former members of the Sports Neuromechanics Lab in bold