Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2011, EMC - Mechanical Engineering

Head and spine injuries, such as traumatic brain injury, skull fracture, concussion and osteoligamentous cervical spine injury continue to be prevalent in motor vehicle crashes, athletics and the military. Automotive safety systems, athletic safety equipment and military personal protective paraphernalia designs have generally focused on protection discretely designed on a component basis – head or spine – but not a systems basis, considering the head-spine linkage simultaneously. But since the cervical spine acts as the attachment point for the head, the boundary conditions applied to the cervical spine influence the behavior of the head. Hence, in analyzing injury risk for the head and the spine, each structure composes one portion of an intrinsically linked osteoligamentous system; thus injury risk for the head and the cervical spine might be more appropriately considered concurrently as opposed to individually. Historically, component-based injury protection designs have utilized head and cervical spine injury risk criteria developed from human, animal and anthropomorphic surrogate studies. While a plethora of these prior studies separately analyzed head injury risk via linear acceleration, Head Injury Criterion (HIC) or Gadd Severity Index (GSI), or cervical spine injury risk via axial/shear forces, bending moments or the Neck Injury Criterion (Nij), relatively few of these studies employed a systems-based approach to understand coupled head-cervical spine injury risk behavior. Thus, designing for optimal head and cervical spine injury protection may not be as trivial as separate consideration of head or spine component injury thresholds. Therefore, through a series of six biomechanical engineering studies that comprised the chapters of this dissertation, the work presented here broadly investigated head and cervical spine injury protection on a systems-based approach considering head and cervical spine injury risk simultaneously. In C (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2003, Public Health

Using longitudinal data recently (1999-2001) collected from 4-H youth in central Ohio, this dissertation's objective was to develop Composite Measurement Scales (CMSs) that parents can use to assess injury risk among youth who perform agricultural tasks. Variables available for modeling include several youth-based (e.g., selected physical and neuropsychological characteristics) and parent-based (e.g., parenting style) factors. For up to 13 weeks, daily data were obtained on time spent on each of 52 chores, and on multiple characteristics of injuries experienced. This dissertation focuses on injuries that occurred while youth led/groomed animals. Multiple logistic regression was used to develop two CMSs: one with all variables and one with only variables readily knowable by a parent (e.g., youth age, gender, height, etc.). Regression coefficients from the fitted models were scaled and rounded to integers for ease of use. For each variable in the model, an integer score was obtained; a total score reflective of injury risk for leading/grooming animals was determined by summing the individual scores. The total scores were converted to probabilities. A nomogram was constructed so parents could easily determine their child's injury risk. Age, gender, and mean time spent leading/grooming animals per week were in both models. BMI, youth's ability in sports as reported by a parent, mean reaction time, and standing steadiness were also included in the all-variable model. Parental assessment of their child's sports and learning ability, along with their perception of harm people do to themselves when using substances in excess, were the remaining variables in the knowable-variable model, which performed as well as the CMS developed using all variables. This finding has implications for future research because it may be possible to develop useful CMSs with data collected by less sophisticated techniques. This dissertation serves as a template for future development of empirica (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science in Sport Studies, Miami University, 2009, Physical Education, Health, and Sport Studies

The psychology of injury literature has not addressed whether recreational male and female athletes have positive attitudes toward playing through injury or play through injury. The purpose of this investigation was to determine recreational basketball players' injury attitudes  and self-perceived behaviors, as a function of gender and athletic identity. Participants were 68 male and 62 female collegiate intramural basketball players, who completed the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale, Risk, Pain, & Injury Questionnaire-Rec, and a Self-Perceived Behavioral Questionnaire. Results of a factor analysis on the RPIQ-Rec indicated two factors of injury attitudes for recreational athletes. Results of a gender x athletic identity MANOVA indicated differences between high and low athletic identity in injury attitudes, and perceived playing through injury behaviors. However, no gender differences were found. Regression analyses showed athletic identity significantly predicted injury attitudes and behaviors. Results are discussed in regard to socio-psychological injury literature, and the gender similarities hypothesis.

Master of Arts, Miami University, 2021, Speech Pathology and Audiology

The percentage of concussions self-reported by collegiate athletes continues to be less than 50% despite the implementation of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) mandated concussion protocol. Unreported concussions leave affected athletes without beneficial medical, academic, and athletic intervention. This study's primary purpose was to identify factors positively and negatively influencing concussion reporting patterns in NCAA Division one (DI) athletes. A secondary purpose was to obtain the perspective of former collegiate athletes with a history of concussion on factors which may positively or negatively influence the culture of concussion reporting patterns in the future. Seven former NCAA DI athletes completed individual interviews to discuss their concussion experience in college including perceived support from various personnel, concussion education, and suggestions for changing the culture of concussion reporting. Athletic trainers (ATs) and parents were perceived to be supportive of concussion reporting, while participants relayed mixed feelings about coaches. All participants reported that the education received about concussion while in college was unmemorable and a majority expressed a lack of knowledge regarding symptoms of concussion. Suggestions for change included meetings dedicated solely to concussion education presented by a speaker with a personal history of concussion and increased use of visual educational materials.

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2018, Biomedical Engineering

Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are lung disorders characterized by increased permeability of the alveolar barrier, resulting in fluid buildup and hypoxia. Patients with ALI or ARDS often require mechanical ventilation to displace occluded fluid and restore blood oxygenation. However, mechanical ventilation exposes alveolar and small airway epithelial cells to abnormal mechanical forces, which can exacerbate lung inflammation and injury, known as ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). MicroRNAs, short RNAs with post-translational regulatory roles in gene expression, have emerged as promising therapeutic targets to protect against VILI. MicroRNAs 146a and 155 have been implicated in innate immunity, and shown to modulate inflammatory response during simulated lung injury . Delivery of microRNA cargos is critical for clinical translation into future VILI therapy. Endogenous extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as potential drug carriers capable of delivering microRNAs of interest. To study EV-mediated delivery of microRNA-146a, A549 epithelial cell or differentiated THP-1 macrophage monocultures were incubated with either EVs containing pre-miR-146a or scramble gene, or reduced-serum media for 24 hours. MicroRNA expression levels were evaluated via qRT-PCR. EVs delivered pre-miR-146a into A549 and THP-1 cell cocultures, then oscillatory pressure (20 cmH2O, 0.2Hz) was applied for 16 hours. Secretion of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and IL-8 was quantified via ELISA. MicroRNA-146a was overexpressed in monocultures of A549 and PMA-differentiated THP-1 cells. In cocultures with applied oscillatory pressure, dampening of IL-1ß and IL-6 secretion was inconclusive. Secretion of IL-8 significantly increased between pressure and no-pressure groups, with EVs potentially increasing pro-inflammatory response. Relative fold-change in cytokine secretion between treatment groups did not change. Overexpression of microRNA-146a (open full item for complete abstract)

Bachelor of Arts, Wittenberg University, 2015, Psychology

Pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability in children and affects approximately 322,000 children under the age of nine every year. Thus, concussion rates and outcomes in adolescents and young adults have received much attention in recent years. Separately from concussions, repeated subconcussive head injury is thought to increase risk for cognitive and behavioral decline. In particular, the relationship between subconcussive head injury and mental health requires study. For example, the effects of subconcussive head injury on ability to manage anxiety remain unknown. Previous work has shown that TBI can lead to deficits in ability to manage anxiety. The present study examined the relationship between subconcussive head injury and ability to manage anxiety. Subconcussive head injury frequency and severity was measured using a subconcussive head injury scale adapted from Marchi et al. (2013). Results revealed no significant correlation between scores on the anxiety inventory and scores on the subconcussive head injury scale. Findings from this study imply that an increased number of head hits does not lead to an increase of anxiety symptoms.

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2014, Biomedical Engineering

Second anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury after ACL reconstruction occurs at reported rates ranging from 5 to 20 times greater than for primary injury, and results in significantly poorer patient outcomes. In athletes, the majority of second ACL injuries occur within the first two years of return to sport. Significant functional impairments and deficits in neuromuscular control are frequently reported up to two years post-reconstruction. Targeted neuromuscular training (NMT) alters high-risk biomechanics and reduces rates of primary ACL injury, but its efficacy in ACL-injured subjects is currently unknown. External loads during dynamic motion, specifically knee abduction moment (KAM), internal tibial rotation moment (ITR), and proximal anterior tibial shear force (ATS) increase ACL strain. These factors are reportedly influenced by modifiable and non-modifiable factors. Thorough determination of post-operative biomechanical impairments, modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors, and the effects of NMT on these factors will likely aid in eventual reduction of second ACL injury rates. The goals of this dissertation were: 1) Define the relationships between select modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for second ACL injury, and high-risk biomechanics after ACL reconstruction. 2) Determine the clinical and biomechanical efficacy of NMT in ACL-reconstructed subjects, and 3) Model effects of NMT at the tissue-level using finite element (FE) modeling. We hypothesized that modifiable risk factors would be most strongly associated with KAM, a known predictor of primary injury. We also hypothesized that that NMT would significantly improve biomechanics and patient outcomes, and result in reduced finite element (FE) model-predicted ACL strain during landing. Thirteen ACL-reconstructed subjects (7 males, 6 females, 20.15±7.97 years) were enrolled in the NMT group and evaluated at 36.0±18.3 weeks post-operative, and were re-tested after participation in a 12 ses (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2012, Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

The number of occupational injuries occurring to agricultural workers is likely underreported and difficult to quantify. Available data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the rate of fatal and non-fatal injury to agricultural workers is as high or higher than any other private sector of industry in the U.S. (U.S. Department of Labor, 2010a, 2010b). Despite the need felt by state and national entities, a comprehensive surveillance program has not been established to systematically capture and report injuries as they occur (NORA Agricultural, Forestry, and Fishing Sector Council, 2008; Ohio Commission on the Prevention of Injury, 2003). The study covers a ten-year period in Ohio (1999-2008). Insurance claims were extracted based on type of occupation of the worker and each claim was reviewed to determine its relationship to agriculture. Descriptive analyses were performed on demographic information. The Barell Diagnosis Matrix was used to organize all ICD-9 coded injuries into location and biological damage categories. Claim cost data and return to work time were calculated using existing data with Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation. A total of 14,344 injury claims were identified with a mean cost per injury of $6,623. Medical-only claims constituted 82.6% of the dataset. Sprains and strains were the most occurring injury type; upper extremities were the most frequent injury site. A decreasing injury rate was observed from 2001-2008. Nursery Employees and Drivers constituted the majority of injuries reported, followed by Poultry or Egg Producers & Drivers and Florists & Drivers. Logging or Tree Removal – Non-mechanized occupation group reported the highest mean return to work time followed by Gardening – Market or Truck & Drivers.

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2007, Psychology

The dimensions of post-concussive symptoms (PCS) associated with pediatric mild traumatic head injuries (mild TBI) were examined in a prospective, longitudinal study of 186 8- to 15-year-old children with MHI and a comparison group of 99 children with orthopedic injuries (OI). Parents and children completed a 50-item questionnaire within 2 weeks of injury and again at 3 months post injury, rating the frequency of PCS on a 4-point scale. Common factor analysis with target rotation was used to rotate the ratings to four hypothesized dimensions, representing cognitive, somatic, emotional, and behavioral symptoms. The rotated factor matrix for baseline parent ratings was consistent with the target matrix. The rotated matrix for baseline child ratings was consistent with the target matrix for cognitive and somatic symptoms but not for emotional and behavioral symptoms. The rotated matrices for ratings obtained 3 months post injury were largely consistent with the target matrix derived from analyses of baseline ratings, except that parent ratings of behavioral symptoms did not cluster as before. Additional exploratory analyses comparing younger children to older children revealed similar results to the total group for both child-rated and parent-rated symptoms. Injury group exploratory analyses suggested that child- and parent-rated symptom dimensions may be different for the OI group than the mild TBI group. Parent and child ratings of PCS yield consistent factors reflecting cognitive and somatic symptom dimensions, but dimensions of emotional and behavioral symptoms are less robust across time and raters.

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2024, Medicine: Neuroscience/Medical Science Scholars Interdisciplinary

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an incredibly heterogenous pathology, yet many of the current mechanisms under exploration involve a common phenotype, traumatic axonal injury (TAI), and a commonly overlooked sensor, the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER). TBI research shows that there are immediate and prolonged disturbances in calcium signaling, oxidative stress, metabolic deficits, lipid synthesis, and protein folding – all of which rely on, or effected by, the ER. Neuronal ER is unique in that it is the largest organelle with one continuous membrane. It adapts to the changing demands of its environment be that for protein synthesis, calcium storage, or inter-organelle communication. While the ER is equipped with a stress fighting response, the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), this pathway can either adapt to stress or initiate apoptosis. Accordingly, studies attempting to successfully balance ER stress are met with mixed results. Variability has been attributed to the involvement of other stress pathways, interventional windows, variation in injury type/severity, etc. Taking a new perspective, the hypothesis of this thesis proposes that the inconsistency of ER stress interventions is less about inter-cellular responses and more about intra-cellular differences. Thus, I hypothesized that ER stress, and its shared mechanisms, would vary between cell soma and axon. Using a closed-head weight drop mouse model of TBI that induces axonal injury to the optic nerve, termed traumatic optic neuropathy, this body of work reveals the importance of the ER as it relates to axon injury responses. To start, we characterized the cell loss, degeneration, and functional deficits associated with our model followed by confirmation of both acute and chronic ER stress (Chapter 2). We then utilized three interventions to determine the response of the cell soma compared to the axon (i.e., rough ER versus smooth ER respectively). First, we used an indirect change to the oxidative environm (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2023, Biomedical Engineering

Objective: The purpose of this thesis was to determine the degree of difference between anthropometric and heel pad tissue characteristics of the lower extremities of PMHS compared to living populations as well as to establish a wholistic procedure for extensive measurements of the foot using methodology previously used in lower limb anthropometry, x-ray imaging, and ultrasound imaging studies. Methods: Thirty-seven PMHS were included in the anthropometry analysis, 21 PMHS were included in the x-ray analysis, and 32 PMHS were included in the ultrasound analysis. For the anthropometry, measurements were taken in seated and standing positions and included bimalleolar breadth, heel breadth, navicular height (medial prominence), navicular height (inferior medial border), talar head height, plantar curvature height, lateral malleolar height, medial malleolar height, acropodion foot length, hallux foot length, horizontal foot breadth, ball of foot length, and dorsum height. Comparisons were then made between left and right feet, seated and standing positions, males and females, and PMHS and living populations. For the x-ray analysis, two of the anthropometry measurements, navicular height (inferior medial border) and talar head height, had values for anthropometry compared against measurements determined through x-ray imaging. For the ultrasound analysis, ultrasound images were taken of the plantar foot at the calcaneus at loadings of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 Newtons. Thicknesses, stiffnesses, and compressibility indexes were determined using the images, and these values were then compared against values seen in living populations. Results: Left and right feet were found to have no significant differences in anthropometry. Seated and standing positions were found to be significantly different in 12 of the 13 measurements. Male values were found to be significantly different from female values in both seated and standing positions for all measurements except for plantar (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Arts in Speech Pathology and Audiology, Cleveland State University, 2022, College of Sciences and Health Professions

The purpose of this study was to identify whether public and private colleges or universities across the United States have procedures to assist student veterans who are facing academic challenges secondary to traumatic brain injury (TBI) or acquired brain injury (ABI). This study aimed to identify whether personnel in college and university veterans services offices, offices of disability services, academic success offices, tutoring centers, or other offices that support student veterans academically are aware of the role of speech-language pathologists in providing treatment to manage the effects of TBI/ABI on academic performance, along with the locations for speech-language pathology services to which their office refers student veterans, and whether their college or university has an on-campus speech-language pathology clinic. Further, this study identified whether such awareness differs based on public or private college or university status, college or university enrollment size, the type of office whose personnel responds to this survey, the employment status of the personnel who respond to this survey, and the region of the United States where the college or university is located. Results indicated that, as a whole, most public and private college or university personnel do not have awareness of the role of speech-language pathologists, do not have procedures for referrals, and are unaware of whether or not there is an existing university speech and hearing clinic. If referrals are made, most are to Veteran Affairs (VA) hospitals or facilities. The implications of these results suggest there is a need to boost awareness among campus personnel of the role of speech-language pathologists in treatment to manage the effects of TBI/ABI on academic performance, and to develop campus-wide procedures to refer veterans to on-campus speech and hearing clinics in order to promote accessibility and decrease the complexity of the referral process.

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2022, Neuroscience Graduate Studies Program

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR), part of the nuclear receptor superfamily of transcription factors, is ubiquitously expressed in all cell types and regulates cellular responses to glucocorticoids (GCs). Stress, a recurring and unavoidable experience throughout life, causes the release of GCs into the bloodstream which exert actions through binding GR. While GRs mainly function to maintain homeostasis and regulate metabolism, they also act in specific cell types to diversely modulate their function. GCs induce structural plasticity in neurons and many other cells throughout the nervous system. While plasticity is essential for adaptation and learning and memory stress-induced plasticity can be maladaptive. Elevated GCs can alter neuron structure and function in the brain leading to cognitive impairment and contribute to the development of neuropsychiatric disorders. GCs also exacerbate neuropathic pain, but less is known about GR mediated structural plasticity in sensory neurons and in the context of pain. Here, we show that GR mediates growth and regeneration in sensory neurons. We found that basal GR expression in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) sensory neurons is 15-fold higher than in neurons in canonical stress-responsive brain regions, making them uniquely sensitive to GCs. In response to stress or applied GCs, adult DRG neurite growth in vitro increases through mechanisms involving GR-dependent gene transcription. We also identify a new set of regeneration associated genes (RAGs) (e.g., Gilz, Cebpa) that are increased by stress. In vivo, acute stress increases peripheral nerve regeneration, providing evidence for a structural correlate of stress-exacerbated pain. Building on these findings, we further investigate sensory neuron GRs in the context of a newly developed clinically relevant model of neuroma. We characterize this new model and find that sural nerve ligation induces allodynia in both male and female mice and develop neuromas with features consi (open full item for complete abstract)

MFIS, Kent State University, 2022, College of the Arts / School of Fashion

The aim of this study is to better understand how the construction of hamstring sleeve compression garments can be improved for collegiate track and field athletes with a focus on women athletes in particular. The production of the hamstring garments were produced on a Stoll ADF-3 industrial knitting machine in order to reduce waste and produce the garment more sustainably. Different compression garments were created and analyzed to determine if one can design a sustainable three-dimensional hamstring sleeve that does not limit an athlete's mobility and can alleviate pain. Liquid crystals were applied to the garments to examine how they can provide a visualization of the wearer's hamstring injury. Surveys were used to recruit and gather consensus on athletes' interest and usage of hamstring compression garments and to determine their hamstring health and past injuries in relation to hamstring strains. Kent State University track and field athletes were recruited to test the functionality of the three-dimensional knitted hamstring sleeves to provide critical feedback on overall functionality.

Specialist in Education (Ed.S.), University of Dayton, 2021, School Psychology

Objective: To examine the efficacy of an online traumatic brain injury (TBI) professional development intervention for preservice educators, In the Classroom After Concussion: Best Practices for Student Success. Design: A random total sample of 55 preservice educators, with 34 in the test group, and 21 in the control group. Test participants completed the pretest, nine online training modules, and the posttest. The control group completed only the pretest and posttest. Results: On the posttest assessment, in comparing the difference in scores from pretest to posttest, test group participants showed significantly greater gains in knowledge (M = 4.65, SD = 6.08) than the control group (M = .19, SD = 5.34). Conclusion: Given the increasing prevalence of TBI in school-aged children, it is paramount to develop and provide cost effect, evidence-based, and easily accessible trainings for TBI professional development. The In the Classroom trainings can be one solution. Implications for effective training will be discussed.

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2021, Mechanical Engineering

Automotive crashes are a leading cause of death in the US, with side-impacts being the most fatal. Thoracic injuries are among the leading causes of such fatalities in small, elderly females. Thus, a series of six realistic side-impact post-mortem human surrogate (PMHS) sled tests were conducted. Results showed serious thoracic injuries in all PMHS, despite current side-impact anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) predicting a <10% probability of such injuries. While this is partially due to the inaccuracy of injury risk scaling, it is hypothesized that combined thoracic loading, anteriorly-posteriorly (A/P) from the seatbelt pretensioner and laterally from the side airbag, increased rib fractures despite less-than-expected lateral chest deflection. The objectives of this study were to investigate the following in small, elderly female PMHS: 1) discrepancies between existing injury risk assessment tools and actual injury outcomes; 2) the effects of seatbelt pretensioners on thoracic injury; and 3) the effect of combined loading from the seatbelt pretensioner and side airbag on thoracic injury in side-impact. Prior to PMHS testing, SID-IIs ATD tests were run to match conditions to the previous study. A foam-padded pneumatic lateral impactor was used as a repeatable airbag surrogate. Three PMHS were tested, each under three different loading conditions: 1) A/P-only (seatbelt pretensioner), 2) lateral-only (airbag surrogate), and 3) combined loading (both). Anterior and posterior aspects of right and left ribs were instrumented with strain gages to detect potential fractures and fracture timing. Chest deflection was measured by axillary- and xiphoid process- level chestbands. Seatbelt load and spine motion were also measured. An anatomical dissection was completed after each test series to document all injuries. Each PMHS first underwent an A/P-only test, resulting in A/P chest compressions of 7-12% and no rib fractures. While the goal was to conduct one (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2020, Speech Language Pathology

The subtle cognitive-communication challenges experienced by students with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are often missed, leaving these students with unmet needs in the school environment and increasing the likelihood for negative social, academic, and vocational outcomes. For children and adolescents with TBI, nonstandardized assessment offers several advantages over standardized assessment procedures and may improve speech-language pathologists' ability to identify students who might benefit from intervention services. This paper presents a scoping review of current practice in the realm of nonstandardized assessment of students with identified TBI, as well as an exploration of how these procedures may be implemented in various clinical settings.

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 2020, Speech and Hearing Science

The current study aims to evaluate the utility of time to follow commands (TFC), post-traumatic amnesia (PTA), and total duration of impaired consciousness (TFC + PTA) in predicting functional outcome after pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI), as assessed by the Glasgow Coma Scale—Extended, Pediatric Revision (GOS-E Peds). Given the life-long needs of children with TBI, further research is necessary to identify predictors of functional outcomes. These predictors could guide clinicians when educating a child's caregivers about potential outcomes and prognosis for their child's long-term needs following TBI in order for them to utilize necessary support services following injury. This study obtained information from 60 children with complicated mild to severe TBI (mean age at injury = 13.7 years, range = 5-20 years) in the setting of a pediatric inpatient rehabilitation hospital and associated multidisciplinary brain injury follow-up clinic. Severity measures and outcomes were scored retrospectively on the basis of documentation from each patient's inpatient stay and outpatient follow-up evaluations at two-months and one-year post-injury. Correlations between measures of severity and functional outcome were obtained. TFC and TFC + PTA were found to be moderately correlated with GOS-E Peds scores at both the two-month follow up and the one-year follow-up. The results of this study suggest that TFC and TFC + PTA are important predictors of functional outcomes after TBI.

Master of Science in Exercise and Health Studies, Miami University, 2019, Exercise and Health Studies

Ankle ligament sprains and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are two of the most common injuries. Both injuries have major implications on long-term functional health with chronic instability and in ACL injuries, with arthritis. While medial ankle sprains are not as common as lateral ankle sprains, both the short-term and long-term implications are more difficult with the acute difficulties of rehabilitation and chronic instability. Time to stabilization has been found to be a possible predictor of ACL injuries, specifically with backwards jumps. This same approach has not been taken for ankle sprains. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine if time to stabilization could be a predictive value for ACL injuries and ankle injuries, specifically medial ankle ligament sprains. Independent sample and single sample T tests were run to examine the differences between an injured group and an uninjured group. No significance values were found in the average time to stabilization of backwards and forwards jumps (p=.735 and .876 respectively), or between the fastest time to stabilization of backwards and forwards jumps (p=.157 and .849 respectively). This preliminarily data suggests that time to stabilization is not a predictive value of ACL or medial ankle sprain injury.

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2019, Mechanical Engineering

Millions of head and brain injuries occur each year in the United States with severities ranging from mild to traumatic. Mild traumatic brain injuries, commonly known as concussions are common among sporting activities, specifically American Football. Most research of football concussion injuries focuses on professional and collegiate level athletes. Work is needed to quantify how modern football helmets protect against concussion injuries at the youth level. For this investigation, two studies were carried out. These studies focused on determining how both helmet mass and head-helmet relative motion may affect a youth athlete's concussion risk during impact events. In these studies, impacts were carried out on a child crash test dummy (ATD) wearing youth football helmets of varying mass. The relative motion between the ATD head and football helmets was quantitatively measured throughout each impact using a motion capture system. Results from these studies displayed that both helmet mass and head-helmet relative motion can have a significant effect on injury metrics commonly used to predict concussion. However, helmet mass was found to have less of an effect on injury criteria values than other parameters such as helmet brand and impact direction. Additionally, head-helmet relative motion was found to be positively related to rotationally based injury criteria. The amount of relative motion between the head and helmet was dependent on each helmet's stand-off distance and padding design. While concussions are a mild brain injury with a large prevalence, drone, or UAS head impacts pose a risk for more traumatic head injuries but currently have a low prevalence. However, the rate of drone impacts is likely to increase as the industry is expanding at a rapid rate and benefits associated with drone use are driving new federal regulations which would allow for more widespread UAS flights over people. Before UAS flight over people is made legal, the risk of huma (open full item for complete abstract)