Search Weight Loss Topics:

Home » Exercise Programs » Research by App State alumna shows ankle injuries can be treated by targeting the brain – Appalachian State University

BOONE, N.C. Research conducted by Amelia Bruce 19 while a graduate student at Appalachian State University suggests ankle injuries can be better treated by targeting the brain. The results of this groundbreaking study have been published in the February issue of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, the official journal of the American College of Sports Medicine.

Bruce, who is from Taylorsville, earned an M.S. in exercise science from Appalachian and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in kinesiology at the University of Virginia.

While clinicians primarily treat the musculoskeletal side (during the rehabilitation phase), there is a whole neural system that is impacted by these injuries and needs just as much attention during treatment.

Appalachian alumna Amelia Bruce 19 on her research into treating ankle injuries.

While at Appalachian, Bruce worked with Dr. Alan Needle, associate professor in the Beaver College of Health Sciences Department of Health and Exercise Science. Needles previous research had shown the brains of people with ankle instability need more brain activation to do simple tasks. Bruce took the lead with the next step, testing the impact of brain stimulation in treating ligamentous injuries.

Appalachian alumna Amelia Bruce 19, standing, prepares a study participant in order to measure the effect of brain stimulation on treating ankle injuries. Photo submitted

Highlights of the study:

This topic was of importance to me because injuries in ligaments happen every day. If this intervention worked, it could reshape how clinicians treat these types of injuries during the rehabilitation phase, Bruce said.

While clinicians primarily treat the musculoskeletal side (during the rehabilitation phase), there is a whole neural system that is impacted by these injuries and needs just as much attention during treatment, she added.

When a sprain occurs in ankle ligaments, the brain directs the body to compensate by changing the patients gait, Bruce explained. This subconscious compensation causes a weakness in the ankle that leads to recurrent sprains over a patients lifetime potentially leading to inactivity and related obesity, cardiovascular disease and other health problems.

We want to nip that in the bud before it gets to that point by changing the way the brain reacts to the injury, Bruce said.

Amelia Bruce 19, a 2019 graduate of Appalachians M.A. in exercise science program from Taylorsville. Photo submitted

Bruce presented her research findings at several conferences, including the following:

Bruce plans to continue her research at the University of Virginia by testing patients with knee ligament injuries.

Share your feedback on this story.

The Master of Science degree in Exercise Science prepares qualified professionals for employment in athletics programs, exercise/fitness centers and other locations, or for advanced study. Students can choose one of three concentrations: Research, Clinical Exercise Physiology, and Strength and Conditioning.

May 3, 2019

Undergraduates Bryson Honeycutt, Carly Maas and John Stevens IV, along with graduate students Amelia Bruce, Liz Derrick and Tom Hastings, were recognized as the winners of the celebrations 10th Student Poster Competition.

The Department of Health and Exercise Science in Appalachian State Universitys Beaver College of Health Sciences delivers student-centered education that is accentuated by quality teaching, scholarly activity and service. The department includes two undergraduate academic disciplines: exercise science and public health. The department also offers two masters degrees: athletic training, which leads to professional licensure, and exercise science, which prepares students for advanced study in a variety of related fields as well as research. Learn more at https://hes.appstate.edu.

Appalachian's Beaver College of Health Sciences opened in 2010 as the result of a strategic university commitment to significantly enhance the health and quality of life for individuals, families and communities in North Carolina and beyond. In 2015, the college was named for an Appalachian alumnus and pioneer in the health care industry Donald C. Beaver 62 64 of Conover. The college offers nine undergraduate degree programs and seven graduate degree programs, which are organized into six departments: Communication Sciences and Disorders; Health and Exercise Science; Nursing; Nutrition and Health Care Management; Recreation Management and Physical Education; and Social Work. Learn more at https://healthsciences.appstate.edu.

Appalachian State Universitys Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies helps individuals reach the next level in their career advancement and preparedness. The school offers 70 graduate degree and certificate programs in a range of disciplines, including doctoral programs in education (Ed.D.) and psychology (Psy.D.). Classes are offered at the main campus in Boone as well as online and face-to-face at locations around northwestern North Carolina. The graduate school enrolls nearly 1,800 students. Learn more at https://graduate.appstate.edu.

As the premier public undergraduate institution in the state of North Carolina, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls more than 19,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.

See original here:
Research by App State alumna shows ankle injuries can be treated by targeting the brain - Appalachian State University

Your Full Name
Your Email
Your Phone Number
Select your age (30+ only)	30313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120
Select Your US State	Select Your StateAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington,DCWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
Program Choice	Select Your ProgramInjectable HGHInjectable TestoteroneInjectable SermorelinInjectable Weight LossInjectable HCG DietInjectable Vitamins
Confirm over 30 years old	Yes
Confirm that you resident in USA	Yes
This is a Serious Inquiry	Yes
Message:

Home » Exercise Programs » Research by App State alumna shows ankle injuries can be treated by targeting the brain – Appalachian State University