Publications | National Presentations

NHMI contributes to the field of musculoskeletal research, working independently and in conjunction with the University of New Hampshire Biomechanics Lab and others. Research topics and projects include:

• Football Face Mask Removal
• Monitored Rehab Functional Squat
• Hamstring Stretching
• Gender & Development in Landing Biomechanics
• Joint Hypermobility
• ACL Bracing Surveys
• Other Projects

Football Face Mask Removal

The football face mask generally acts to protect the athlete from injury. However, the facemask is a barrier to treatment of the injured athlete's airway. Researchers from NHMI and the University of New Hampshire have performed several studies investigating the best tools and methods for face mask removal and research in this area is ongoing.

• ATC Experience with EMTs During On-Field Emergencies
• Face Mask Removal Time, Movement and Difficulty Comparing a Traditional Helmet to Two Newly-Designed Face Mask Attachment Systems
• Face Mask Removal Efficiency in a Newly Designed Quick Release Face Mask Attachment System. J Athl Train, Vol 43(Suppl); Swartz, EE, Decoster LC, Raskow J, Hernandez A.  
• In-Season Success Rate and Time Required for Football Face Mask Removal with an NCAA Division II Team. J Athletic Training, Vol 43 (1), 14-20, 2008; Gale SD, Decoster LC, Swartz, EE.
• Combined Tool Approach is 100% Successful for Emergency Football Face Mask Removal. Clin J Sports Med, Vol 17(6), 452-457, 2007; Copeland AJ, Decoster LC, Swartz EE, Gattie ER, Gale SD.  This project was fully supported by a grant from NOCSAE.
• The Influence of Various Factors on High School Football Helmet Face Mask Removal: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis. J Athletic Training, Vol 42 (1), 11-19, 2007; Decoster LC, Swartz, EE, Norkus SA, Cappaert TA.  This project was fully supported by a grant from NOCSAE. 
• Football face mask removal using a cordless screwdriver following helmet use for at least one season of play.  J Athletic Training, Vol 40 (3), 2005, Decoster LC, Shirley CP, Swartz EE.
• Football equipment design affects face mask removal efficiency. Am J Sports Med, Vol 33(8), 1210-1219, 2005, Swartz EE, Norkus SA, Cappaert TA, Decoster LC.   This project was fully supported by a grant from NOCSAE.
• Comparison of Four Popular Tools for Number of Cuts Required, Correlated with Time, and Success in First Attempt to Remove a Football Face mask (Abstract). J Athletic Training, Vol 37, Suppl , 2002, Hall MC, Decoster LC, Norkus SA, Swartz EE.
• Comparison of Football Facemask Retraction and Removal Times (Abstract). J Athletic Training, Vol 37, Suppl , 2002, O'Sullivan PT, Decoster LC, Swartz EE.

Monitored Rehab Functional Squat

The Monitored Rehab System (MRS) Functional Squat Machine System (Functional Squat System, Monitor Rehab Systems, Haarlem , The Netherlands) replicates a standing squat (in a reclining position) while providing visual feedback to the user. The associated software offers the clinician/researcher the opportunity to train and test coordination and proprioception. Very little research has been done with the device; before embarking on a line of research with the it, NHMI researchers are performing reliability and validity assessments.

• Reliability and Validity of the Monitored Rehabilitation Functional Squat Proprioception Test Component
• Monitored Rehab Functional Squat Coordination Test: Reliability, Learning Curve and Eccentric-Concentric Performance Comparisons. J Athl Train, Vol 43(Suppl), 2008.  Decoster LC, Labore LL, Boquiren ML, Russell PJ.

Hamstring Stretching

This research consists of comparisons of various hamstring stretching methods.

• The effect of gastrocnemius stretching on hamstring flexibility. Manuscript preparation phase.
• The impact of ankle position on a common measure of hamstring flexibility. 2006, Russell PJ, Decoster LC, MSSE, Vol 38 Suppl.
• The Effects of Hamstring Stretching on Range of Motion: A Systematic Literature Review. J Orthopedic and Sport Physical Therapy, Vol 35 (6), 377-387.  2005,  Decoster LC, Cleland J, Altieri C, Russell PJ:
• Standing and Supine Hamstring Stretches are Equally Effective. J Athletic Training, Vol 39, 4, 330-334. 2004, Decoster LC, Scanlon RL, Horn KD, Cleland J.

Gender& Development in Landing Biomechanics

This research investigates the impact of sex and developmental differences on biomechanics during landing from a vertical jump and is important in light of significantly higher ACL injury rates among women.  This research was supported by grants from the NATA Research Foundation and the New Balance Athletic Shoe Company.

• Knee-Muscle Activation during Landings:  Developmental and Gender Comparisons.  Med Sci Sprt Ex, Vol 39:1, 159-169. Russell PJ, Croce RV, Swartz EE, Decoster LC.
• Gender differences in landing using functional and non-functional tasks. ACL Summit, Lexington, KY 2006, Swartz EE, Metivier SJ, Decoster LC.
• Effects of developmental stage and gender on lower extremity kinematics and vertical ground reaction forces during landing. J Athletic Training, Vol 40 (1), 9-14. 2005, Swartz EE, Decoster, LC, Russell PJ, Croce RV.
• Knee Muscular Response Strategies Differ by Developmental Level but Not Gender During Jump Landing. J Electromyography and Clinical Neurophys., 2004, 44, 339-348. 2004, Croce RV, Russell PJ, Swartz EE, Decoster LC.
• Gender Comparison of Vertical Jump Landing Knee Angles Normalized by Kinetic Energy (Abstract). MSSE, Volume 36:5 Suppl , 2004, Decoster LC, Swartz EE, Russell PJ, Croce RV.
• Loading Rate in Self-Initiated Vertical Jump Landings: Developmental and Gender Comparisons, Proceedings of International Society of Biomechanics in Sports, Ottawa , August, 2004. Russell PJ, Swartz EE, Croce RV, Decoster LC.

Joint Hypermobility

Rheumatology research has shown an increased rate of joint pain in pathology among very flexible (hypermobile) patients. Some have extrapolated from research in rheumatology clinic populations and made the recommendation that people who are hypermobile avoid sports. However little research has been performed that confirms whether hypermobile athletes do participate in sports and if they do, whether they suffer from more frequent or more severe injuries.

• Generalized joint hypermobility and its relationship to injury patterns among NCAA lacrosse players. J Athletic Training, Volume 34, Number 2, 1999. Decoster LC, Bernier JN, Lindsay RH, Vailas JC.
• Generalized joint hypermobility and its relationship to injury patterns among NCAA basketball players (Abstract)." Med Sci Sprt Ex, Vol 30:5, Supplement. 1998, Decoster LC, Moran MJ, Bernier JN, Vailas JC
• Prevalence and features of joint hypermobility in adolescent athletes. Arch Ped & Adol Med, 151, October. 1997, Decoster LC, Vailas JC, Lindsay RH, Williams GR.

ACL Bracing Surveys

No objective scientific research supports claims that ACL braces can prevent injuries. However, bracing continues to be big business. In the absence of scientific direction, practitioners must rely on a combination of their own and others' anecdotal evidence. These surveys, spaced years apart, provide information about the changing bracing practices of members of the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine.

• Functional ACL bracing. Am J Orthopedics, Volume 24(11), November 1995, 838-842. Decoster LC, Vailas JC.
• Functional Anterior Cruciate Ligament Bracing: A Survey of Current Brace Prescription Patterns. Orthopedics, Vol. 26, No. 7, July, 2003, 701-706. 2003, Decoster LC, Vailas JC.

Other Projects

• Retrospective Survey of Rotator Cuff Repair Patients from Our Practice. Data Collection Phase.
• A comparison of head movement during backboarding by motorized spine board and log roll techniques. Journal of Athletic Training, Vol 40 (3). 2005, Swartz EE, Nowak JL, Shirley CP, Decoster LC.