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Neuroplasticity to Enhance Rehabilitation & Optimize Performance

Presenter: Dustin Grooms, PhD, ATC, CSCS; Ohio University

This session will review the emerging evidence indicating that changes in function and organization of the central nervous system (CNS) occur following common musculoskeletal injuries (with a focus of our lab on knee ACL injury, but with broad application to other injuries and prevention training). Current outcomes following injury are not optimal, characterized by reduced sport participation, poor self-reported function, chronic muscle dysfunction, and alarming high re-injury rates. Recent research suggests that alterations within the motor, sensory, and visual processing areas of the cortex are present after injury. It is plausible that injury induced alterations in the CNS may be contributing to blocking therapeutic progression and the less than optimal outcomes minimizing potential performance optimization strategies. This session will review the current literature suggesting CNS neuroplasticity and also discuss the clinical implications of these findings to provide clinicians with the vital tools and knowledge to address neuroplasticity in their practice.

Learning Objectives
1. Describe how brain function changes following musculoskeletal injury
2. Identify methods to induce adaptive neuroplasticity to improve patient outcomes and enhance performance
3. Interpret relevant and related neuroscience data with application toward musculoskeletal rehabilitation and injury prevention
4. Engage with and apply novel technologies and techniques such as virtual reality, stroboscopic glasses, motor learning feedback and eccentric cross-exercise

About the Presenter
Dustin Grooms, PhD, ATC, CSCS, is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Athletic Training in the School of Applied Health Sciences and Wellness at Ohio University. Dr. Grooms received his doctorate from the Ohio State University in health and rehabilitation sciences, with a focus on neuroscience and biomechanics. Prior to pursuing doctoral studies, Dr. Grooms was an assistant athletic trainer, strength coach and instructor at the College of Mount Saint Joseph in Cincinnati Ohio, completed a master’s degree from the University of Virginia in kinesiology, an internship with Cincinnati Bengals, and bachelor’s degree from Northern Kentucky University in Athletic Training. His current main research interest is how the brain and movement mechanics change after musculoskeletal injury and therapy. This work has led to several breakthroughs for how clinicians approach injury rehabilitation and prevention to optimize human performance and minimize injury risk.