2024-2025 Capstone Projects
2023-2024 Capstone Project Abstracts
2022-2023 Capstone Project Abstracts
Standardization of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema Limb Circumference and Volume Calculation
Mentor: Dr. Meredith Wampler-Khun
Summary: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) impacts approximately 65% of women treated for breast cancer. It is common clinical practice to estimate limb volume using circumference measures with frustum calculations of volume. There is a gap in the literature describing which increment of circumference measure is most responsive to change over time. Answering this question will be important to help clinicians select the best increment of measure that will represent treatment progress or worsening of lymphedema over time.
Physical Activity in Adaptive Sports Programs (Qualitative)
Mentors: Dr. Kathryn Lent & Dr. Christina Inman
Summary: The purpose of the study of this study is to examine physical activity of individuals with a physical disability due to neuropathology who are participating in an adaptive sports program. For this qualitative project, semi-structured interviews will be conducted on individuals participating in the program.
Physical Activity in Adaptive Sports Programs (Quantitative)
Mentors: Dr. David Phillips & Dr. Erin Fitzgerald
Summary: The purpose of the study of this study is to examine physical activity of individuals with a physical disability due to neuropathology who are participating in an adaptive sports program. For this quantitative project, physical activity will be tracked using wrist-mounted devices, while laboratory tests will measure functional capacity.
The Effect of Trail Running Footwear on Downhill Running Biomechanics
Mentor: Dr. JJ Hannigan
Summary: Trail running is dramatically increasing in popularity, yet very little research has been done on running biomechanics in a trail environment. This study aims to compare running biomechanics between different footwear variations (maximal and traditional footwear with and without trail shoe lugs) while running downhill on a trail surface.
Wearable Technology in Trail Running
Mentors: Dr. JJ Hannigan & Dr. Holly Gullickson
Summary: Trail running is dramatically increasing in popularity, yet very little research has been done on running biomechanics in a trail environment. This study aims to compare running biomechanics between runners who are healthy and runners who have sustained an injury within the past year using wearable technology, including RunScribe sensors and plantar pressure insoles.
Prognostic Factors Affecting Fall Risk in Adults Participating in Physical Therapy Treatment
Mentors: Dr. David Seck, Dr. Shannon Compton, & Jenna Gates
Summary: Existing research literature indicates that participation in physical therapy has many benefits for patients with diagnoses such as Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and concussion. This study aims to play a role in determining prognostic factors affecting ongoing fall risk in patients with these diagnoses.
Injury Risk Factors in Pickleball Players
Mentors: Dr. Petery Schrey & Dr. Jen Mitol
Summary: Pickleball has been the fastest growing sport in the US for five consecutive years, but little research on the sport has been performed to date. Therefore, the overall purpose of the proposed study is to measure knee strength, agility, endurance and balance in a variety of pickleball players, comparing data across age, gender, sport experience, and level of skill.
Upper Extremity Joint Position Sense and Motor Learning
Mentors: Dr. David Phillips
Summary: Joint position sense measures whether an individual is aware of where their limbs are in space without visually being able to see the limb. It is hypothesized that poor proprioception places you at risk of injury and makes learning new skills slower or more difficult. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the association between upper extremity joint position sense and motor learning.
The Biomechanics of Snowboarding Jumps
Mentor: Jay Dicharry
Summary: The biomechanics of snowboarding is vastly under-studied as compared to skiing. The purpose of this initial study is to assess how snowboarding stance affects jump performance in elite snowboarders.