The grant is largely funded by FEMA with some matching support by the Florida Chiropractic Research Foundation

Tampa, FL (Sept. 4, 2014) — The University of South Florida’s  John Mayer, DC, PhD,  recently received a $1.3 million Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters grant — an award that will help build upon cumulative research assessing the effectiveness of targeted exercise programs to reduce the risk of low back pain and disability in firefighters.   The grant total includes a 5 percent extramural funding match from the Florida Chiropractic Research Foundation.

Dr. Mayer is the Lincoln Endowed Chair of Biomechanical & Chiropractic Research and coordinator of research for  USF Health’s School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences.  The new funding supports  the third phase of an ongoing FEMA-funded research project  investigating the link between poor back muscular fitness and low back pain in firefighters and ultimately identifying exercise interventions that would be safe and effective in helping prevent low back injury and illness in this at risk population.

For the latest study, a full-scale randomized controlled prevention trial, USF Health will partner with the Tampa Bay region’s three largest fire departments, employing a total of 2,000 firefighters: Tampa Fire Rescue, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and St. Petersburg Fire Rescue.  The researchers will compare the clinical effectiveness of two intervention groups — one receiving a directly supervised exercise regimen at the fire station and the other receiving the same exercise regimen only as a web-based, remote interaction  — with a control group.

A smaller randomized controlled trial conducted by Dr. Mayer and colleagues published online earlier this year in the American Journal of Health Promotion demonstrated  that a two-time a week, 24-week supervised exercise program targeting  back and core muscles in firefighters was safe and effective. Firefighters in the supervised exercise program experienced 12 percent and 21 percent greater gains in back and core muscular endurance, respectively, than did firefighters performing the usual physical fitness regimen (control group).

Back injuries are the leading cause of permanent disability and early retirement among firefighters, who often carry more than 50 pounds of protective gear in their jobs, haul heavy firehoses, and lift and maneuver stretchers around tight corners or contort themselves to extract accident victims from cars.

“Our research thus far indicates that worksite exercise training for back and core muscles is a potentially useful countermeasure to reduce risk of low back pain in firefighters,” Dr. Mayer said.

                                                                                                                                                                -USF Health-

USF Health’s mission is to envision and implement the future of health. It is the partnership of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the College of Pharmacy, the School of Biomedical Sciences and the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences; and the USF Physician’s Group. The University of South Florida is a Top 50 research university in total research expenditures among both public and private institutions nationwide, according to the National Science Foundation. For more information, visit www.health.usf.edu

New program responds to need for more faculty to prepare health rehabilitation workforce

Tampa, FL  (June 19, 2014) — The Florida Board of Governors gave the University of South Florida the green light to move ahead in implementing a PhD Degree in Rehabilitation Sciences with applied concentrations in chronic disease, veteran’s health and reintegration, and neuromusculoskeletal disability.  The proposed interdisciplinary research doctoral program was approved today by the Board.

USF’s new program will be only the second offered by a public university in Florida. The state’s other rehabilitation sciences doctoral degree was established at the University of Florida more than 20 years ago.

The USF School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences expects to begin offering the PhD degree program in 2015, increasing enrollment from four to 20 students within five years.  The program, designed to take three to five years to complete, will be supported by existing state funds, tuition fees and pursuit of grants and contracts to assist students.

The interdisciplinary field of rehabilitation sciences draws from disciplines spanning the physiological, health, social and engineering sciences as they relate to understanding and restoring human function and performance.

The USF PhD program will prepare its students to teach and conduct research in various rehabilitation-related programs, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, prosthetics and orthotics, speech therapy, audiology and rehabilitation counseling. Graduates would also be qualified for leadership roles in industry or government.

“We will help meet the state’s growing demand for faculty to prepare future health professionals with expertise in rehabilitation,” said William S. Quillen, DPT, PhD, associate dean at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and director of the School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences. “This workforce need is fueled by medical advances that are helping people live longer and survive otherwise deadly injuries.  More people are living with temporary or chronic disabilities and need therapies to recover, adjust and adapt to changes in health and functional performance.”

John Mayer, DC, PhD, the Lincoln Endowed Chair in Biomechanical and Chiropractic Research and associate professor in the USF School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, will coordinate the new PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences program.

  
Dr. William S. Quillen, left, directs the USF School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitative Sciences, and Dr. John Mayer will coordinate the school’s new PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences program.

Founded in 1998, the school offers a clinical Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree, and in 2011 launched a distance-learning transitional DPT degree program for Florida-licensed physical therapists.  USF’s physical therapy graduate program is one of three in Florida nationally ranked in the top third by U.S. News & World Report.

 -USF Health-

USF Health’s mission is to envision and implement the future of health. It is the partnership of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Public Health, the College of Pharmacy, the School of Biomedical Sciences and the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences; and the USF Physician’s Group. The University of South Florida is a Top 50 research university in total research expenditures among both public and private institutions nationwide, according to the National Science Foundation. For more information, visit www.health.usf.edu

Photos by Eric Younghans, USF Health Communications

CARMICHAEL, Calif. (Aug. 1, 2012) – Prior to advancing its human spaceflight sector, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) addressed the heightened risk of musculoskeletal injuries threatening astronauts, and discussed its concerns during a Spinal Deconditioning Injury Risk Summit.  Among experts invited to the Summit was the University of South Florida’s John Mayer, DC., PhD, a supporter of the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP), who believes chiropractic care represents advancement in prevention and protection protocols.

“Deconditioning — the breakdown of the spine’s musculoskeletal support system – is a very common and serious condition occurring in astronauts,” says Dr. Mayer, Lincoln College Endowed Chair in Biomechanical and Chiropractic Research and associate professor of the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences at USF Health.  “It is crucial that NASA continues to aggregate data and develop strategies to mitigate this problem.  More times than not,  this initial breakdown leads to other debilitating health concerns, such as disc herniation – an ailment space crews are five times more at risk for than average individuals.”

John Mayer, DC, PhD, is a member of NASA’s multidisciplinary panel that will recommend measures to counteract spinal deconditioning experienced by space crews.

During the Summit, a multidisciplinary panel of experts addressed various issues including identifying impacting factors — such as microgravity exposure, flight weight and landing forces — and defining potential protection and prevention options.  Going forward, NASA expects to develop and test new measures to counteract spinal deterioration in space crews, based on the panel’s recommendations.  

“Possible options to enhance safety measures for astronauts can include everything from developing new equipment to altering spaceflight exercise procedures to new healthcare practices,” says Dr. Mayer. “The use of an effective specialized musculoskeletal care, like chiropractic, may ultimately prove to be effective in reducing the incidence of injuries for individuals exposed to a variety of physical demands, such as astronauts.”

 Gerry Clum, D.C., a spokesperson for the F4CP, notes the inclusion of chiropractic in these discussions as a positive signal from NASA.  “With extensive experience in the chiropractic approach to addressing spinal conditions, Dr. Mayer will be an important asset to the NASA panel.” 

About Foundation for Chiropractic Progress  

A not-for-profit organization, the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress aims to inform and educate the general public about the many benefits associated with chiropractic care.   To learn more about the Foundation, please visit us on the web at www.yes2chiropractic.org.

Media contact:
Lauren Kennedy
201-641-1911 (14) or lkennedy@cpronline.com