Download Douglas Powell, PhD, presents research in K ln, Germany - November 2014

Dr. Powell Presents Research in Köln, Germany
November 13th
One goal of the research mission at Campbell University is to enhance the University’s exposure
and to build the brand of Campbell University across the nation and around the globe. By sharing
research findings and developing collaborative relationships with leading institutions nationally and
internationally, Campbell University faculty seek to enhance the reputation of Campbell, to expand the
number of potential students that may are aware of Campbell and its mission, and to improve the scope
and quality of research projects at Campbell.
In a recent trip to Cologne, Germany Dr. Powell presented ongoing research from the AIMS
Laboratory at the Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln (German Sport University). During his 6-day trip Dr.
Powell gave two presentations entitled “Postural Manifestations of Concussion: Toward a Better
Diagnostic Tool” and “Stiffness: Sport Injury & Clinical Applications”. The first presentation represented
the current progress of AIMS Laboratory research in the development of an objective assessment tool
for the accurate sideline assessment of sport-related concussion. The staff and faculty of the AIMS Lab
are using theories and techniques from several scientific fields including biomechanics, motor control,
neuroscience and computer science to develop an innovative concussion detection solution that is valid,
reliable and portable to be implemented on the sideline immediately following a traumatic head impact.
The second presentation focused on collaborative research investigating role of lower extremity
stiffness in mechanisms underlying running-related injury. This research represents a collaborative
project between several academic institutions including Campbell University (AIMS Lab), Virginia
Commonwealth University (ALL RUN), East Carolina University (Movement Analysis Laboratory) and the
University of Tennessee (Biomechanics/Sports Medicine Lab).
In addition to these lectures, Dr. Powell met with researchers at the Institut für Biomechanik
und Orthopädie to discuss the potential of academic and research collaborations. As a result, Dr. Powell
and Dr. Kiros Karamanidis are developing a research study to investigate changes in the stiffness of
passive elastic tissues in individuals with Parkinson’s disease and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease. Additionally, Dr. Kiros Karamanidis will be included as a co-investigator on an upcoming grant
proposal to the National Science Foundation to be submitted in January of 2015. Discussions pertaining
to the involvement of faculty from the Institut für Biomechanik und Orthopädie in the developing PhD
program in Rehabilitation and Movement Science as well as undergraduate and graduate student
exchange programs are ongoing.