AIR Labs is a collaborative sports medicine research laboratory on Michigan State University’s campus.
Directed by three faculty within the Department of Kinesiology, our lab is centered around wellness after injury. We examine two main groups who have experienced injuries: those who have experienced concussions (especially in sport-related settings), and those who have a history of knee injury.
Broadly, we question and answer: What happens after these often-traumatic injuries? How can we provide better support systems before, during and after? And, how can we prevent the injuries from happening again?
Research Areas
Who We Are
Lab location: 308 W. Circle Dr., IM Circle Building, Room 1
Parking Location: Lot 62W (North side of Spartan Stadium)
Concussion Research
The concussion research group focuses on investigating the neurocognitive and psychological effects of concussion with specific focus in youth populations. In addition, we assess optimal methods for the development and implementation of coach, parent and athlete education on the topic of sport-related concussion.
Contact: Dr. Tracey Covassin or Dr. Nikki Hoffman
Knee Injury Research
The knee injury research group focuses on investigating the effect of knee joint injury on physical activity characteristics, neuromuscular function, and knee joint cartilage health among individuals with a history of knee injury. We identify individuals at elevated risk for poor knee-related and health-related outcomes following knee injury utilizing innovative assessment techniques while facilitating a timely and safe return to physical activity.
Contact: Dr. Matthew Harkey
Knee Osteoarthritis (OA)
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is typically a slowly progressive disorder, but at least 1 in 5 people develop advanced-stage knee OA with dramatic rapidity (i.e., normal to advance-stage disease within 4 years; often within 12 months). Therefore, we urgently need to be able to detect which individuals are at greatest risk of accelerated knee OA prior to the development of this debilitating disease.
Go to Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) Research
