Fisher Research Team on Cutting Edge of Sport Science

Dr. Bob Enck, visiting assistant professor of physics and sport science coordinator, and a team of student researchers had an active spring attending and presenting at conferences, building momentum for a strong summer of research.

The Sports Science Research Team assesses athletes to help improve performance and prevent injuries through the use of force plates, VERT sensors, direct video analysis, video software, and motion detectors.

Members of the team attended the International Rugby Strength and Conditioning Association’s (IRSCA) virtual conference, which brought together a global audience of professionals in the field. Makena Evans, Connor McJury, and Enck delivered two presentations, “Building a Foundation for Effective Force Plate Use in Athletics” and “Applied Force Plate Data Analysis: Strategies for Teams and Individuals.”

In May, Enck, Evans, and Emily Wyman traveled to Boston for the Open Data Science Conference (ODSC), participating in hands-on workshops, seeing live demonstrations of new technology, and hearing cutting edge research in the field.

“It was a wonderful experience—timely, inspiring, and very much aligned with the work we’re doing. We came away energized and full of ideas to elevate our summer research,” Enck said.

Evans and Wyman are also putting their learnings to use this summer as they work alongside Enck to set up a system for injury prediction in athletes.

“We already measure athleticism metrics and visualize the metrics for coaches to use for understanding the most effective workload plans for their athletes,” Enck explained. “The injury prediction system will collect force plate metrics and video analysis of joint angles during a countermovement jump. This will flag athletes that need to be tested further for injury possibilities.”  

The research will consist of finding metrics that will cause the flag and what next tests will be useful. The students will also set up the video capture system.  

Evans, a physics and chemistry double major, has been working with Enck since she arrived at Fisher. Her first project was focused on researching the best ways to use force places for athletic performance assessment.

“From there, everything took off—learning how to collect accurate data, implementing force-plate technology in strength and conditioning, and guiding coaches on incorporating our findings into their training programs,” she said. “Being involved in this emerging program has completely transformed my undergraduate experience and opened up a career path I never would have imagined exploring as a physics major alone.”

As the assistant sport science coordinator for the research team, Evans keeps every facet of the project moving smoothly. She has led testing sessions and data analysis, and today, leads a small team of student technicians in operating the force plates and working with Fisher’s strength and conditioning staff.

“My responsibilities now span project planning, student mentorship, data question-and-answer, advanced analytics, and interactive dashboard development. I also serve as the primary point of contact for coaches and external collaborators, translating our findings into actionable performance insights and forging partnerships with other institutions,” she said.

As a young adult, Wyman, who is an athletic performance major with a minor in psychology, experienced firsthand the positive impact sports and physical discipline can have on mental health. For her, this career path is a way to share that passion.

“As a sports scientist, I want to be able to be a light to athletes, as well as help them to achieve their athletic abilities,” she explained. “Working on injury prevention research has allowed me to put what I’m currently learning in Fisher’s Athletic Performance curriculum to use in real-time.”

Wyman analyzes pre-existing force plate data from athletes and identifies key biomechanical metrics that are historically predictive of ACL and hamstring injuries.

“My goal then, is to create and validate an easy-to-use practical injury risk scoring system,” she explained.

In addition to the leadership skills she has built as a member of the research team, Wyman has also learned how to contribute to evidence-based practices and how to navigate the trial-and-error nature of project-based research. She is also now well-equipped in understanding how to not only use but analyze force plates.

At the end of June, Enck, Evans, and Wyman plan to attend a conference at the Hawkin Dynamics headquarters, where sports scientists from around the world will gather to explore how force plates are being used to evaluate athletic performance.

Evans and Wyman will also share the work they have completed over the last three years. For Enck, it’s an opportunity to showcase the growth of the program and the work it has accomplished.

“Fisher is starting to be a role model of how to start and run a sports science program at a small university,” he said.