Leading the Way in Sports Medicine Research

Since 2002, the Sports Medicine Research team at Cincinnati Children’s has been studying, creating, and implementing innovative pathways to improve patient care and treatment outcomes for student-athletes, active youth, and active young adults in the tri-state area.

The Division of Sports Medicine collaborates with other divisions throughout Cincinnati Children’s—including Orthopaedics, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Behavioral Health and Clinical Psychology, Rheumatology, and others. Working together, we produce hypothesis-driven discoveries and pioneering research for pediatric sports injury prevention and rehabilitation, as well as lifelong physical activity and wellness.

Through our leadership and studies on recovery and return to play, we’re taking the science from the lab to the clinic and playing field. Our revolutionary lab integrates research and diagnostic care with treatment and sports performance training, allowing us to create new models of sports medicine care. We’re happy to serve student-athletes and active youth across Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana with numerous outreach programs, on-site specialty services, and clinic partners, extending our reach beyond our hospital and laboratory walls.

Our Research

From mechanistic studies and observational cohort studies to randomized trials, we use a variety of scientific methods to study a range of topics affecting active youth and student-athletes between the ages of 8–25 years.

One main area of focus is improving outcomes after ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) injuries in young athletes. Following up on years of study to identify the incidence and mechanism of a second ACL injury after ACL reconstruction, we’re now building on our earlier work to create new criteria for releasing an athlete to resume activity after ACL reconstruction. We also are developing new models of care for safe and effective transitions back to playing sports.

Other recent research has influenced these key issues:

• Concussion protocols and depression screenings for student-athletes
• Long-term outcomes for lower extremity injuries
• Understanding of movement patterns underlying chronic pain and rheumatoid conditions
• Alternative therapies for improving sports performance
• Ways to address food insecurity
• Barriers to care for underserved populations

Whether it’s developing new diagnostic or treatment methods, identifying mental health issues for student-athletes, or improving access to care, our goal is to help young people stay healthy, active, and well throughout their lifetime.

We are proud to say the impact of our research extends beyond our lab.

In addition to driving high-quality clinical care at all Cincinnati Children’s locations, our findings have informed diagnostic and therapeutic care provided by athletic trainers and physical therapists at dozens of outpatient clinics, colleges, high schools, and rec leagues across the tri-state area.

Our Lab

The Human Performance Laboratory at Cincinnati Children’s Sports Medicine Center is a state-of-the-art facility with the most advanced technology. Equipped with everything from Phantom High-Speed cameras and motion analysis systems to force platforms, pressure distribution systems, dynamometers, arthrometers and electromyographs, our lab continually advances and validates cutting-edge injury prevention and athletic development programs.

As the only facility of its kind in the tri-state area, we have the tools and capability to do what very few children’s hospitals can do.