Making a Difference in Kinesiology Research
Research is an integral part of what makes Michigan great and what makes an education at Michigan so valuable. The Kinesiology campaign objectives define funding opportunities for four specific Kinesiology research centers. Three of those centers focus on the prevention and rehabilitation of diseases and injuries that are critical issues in today’s society. Those centers and their research initiatives are described below.
Center for Motor Behavior and Pediatric Disabilities
($1 million)
Kinesiology Faculty
U-M Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- Dr. Rita Ayyangar
- Dr. Joseph Hornyak
- Dr. Ed Hurvitz
The Center for Motor Behavior in Down Syndrome, established in 1999 in Kinesiology, has expanded to include Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and spina bifida. The center is the national leader in studying the underlying movement problems faced by infants and children born with Down syndrome. The one million dollars will be used in the following areas:
- Pilot Research Projects -- $300,000 ($50,000 annually)
One of the most tangible and significant benefits from increased support will be to fund pilot projects prior to submitting major research grant proposals. One recent pilot project is a study of foot orthoses that are inserted into the shoes of infants with Down syndrome to help stabilize the foot and ankle during early walking.
- Clinical Research Evaluation -- $150,000 ($30,000 annually)
Funding is needed to evaluate how innovative early intervention programs improve the cognitive, social and language development of infants and young children with disabilities. It will also allow us to monitor the physical activity levels of children with disabilities over many years and seek methods for increasing their activity level and quality of health.
- Parent and Caregiver Conferences -- $75,000 ($25,000 annually)
An annual conference would provide parents and other caregivers of children with disabilities with new information on methods to promote their child’s health and education. Funds would be used to invite professionals to make presentations on topics of interest to parents. One example of parent outreach is a summer bicycle training program to teach children with Down syndrome to ride a two-wheeled bicycle.
- Undergraduate Student Stipends -- $175,000 ($40,000 annually)
Expendable gifts will be used to pay stipends to undergraduate students who are interested in medicine and pediatric therapies for children with disabilities. The plan would be to pay students after they have volunteered for one year.
CMBPD page
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Center for Exercise Research (CXR)
($1.5 million)
Kinesiology Faculty
The Center for Exercise Research conducts multidisciplinary studies on the effects of exercise on human physiology and health. Regularly performed exercise is perhaps the most effective first-line treatment and/or preventative approach for many chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity. CXR members collaborate with faculty in the School of Public Health, the Life Sciences Institute and the Department of Internal Medicine. The $1.5 million will be used in the following areas:
- Graduate Student Research Endowment Fund -- $750,000
Providing support for graduate student research projects will facilitate the development of top scholars in Exercise Physiology from the Michigan Kinesiology.
- Endowment for Exercise and Health Information -- $500,000
This endowment would be used to disseminate information on exercise and health to the genral public. CXR seeks support to improve the dissemination of scientific information to non-scientific audiences. The distribution methods would include an interactive website, an annual symposium, and speaking tours to schools and community centers.
- Postdoctoral Training and Visiting Scholar Support -- $250,000 ($50,000 annually)
These funds would be used to help recruit and support outstanding young investigators and distinguished scholars from around the world to work in CXR on a rotating basis.
Laboratories:
Exercise Endocrinology Laboratory
Muscle Biology Laboratory
Substrate Metabolism Laboratory
Vascular Biology Laboratory
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Center for Human Motor Research (CHMR)
($1 million)
Kinesiology Faculty
The Center for Human Motor Research (CHMR) is comprised of faculty and students whose overall research focus is the control, adaptation, and learning of voluntary movement in healthy individuals and those with motor disorders. The research conducted by CHMR faculty is interdisciplinary, combining knowledge in the areas of neurophysiology, psychology, and developmental and clinical disciplines. The $1 million will be used in the following areas:
- Pilot Clinical Research Projects -- $300,000 ($60,000 annually)
Pilot projects will demonstrate the significance of CHMR research and enhance the applications for federal grant funding. The funds will be used for such areas as state-of-the-art movement evaluations of various mobility conditions affecting locomotion, hand function, and balance, which is critical in monitoring recovery and determining the efficacy of new treatment protocols.
- Hands-On Classroom Training -- $200,000 ($40,000 annually)
These funds would be used to enhance the experience for undergraduate students. Resources would be used for such equipment as new workstations, computer software, equipment and a part-time teaching lab manager.
- Summer Undergraduate Program -- $100,000 ($20,000 annually)
These funds would be used to give students the opportunity to gain experience in clinically relevant research areas. Funding for summer internships would not only enhance the undergraduate educational experience, but would also contribute to a variety of research projects during the summer months.
These funds would be used to purchase new equipment, such as three dimensional motion analysis systems, which would facilitate research and provide students with state-of-the-art training facilities.
Laboratories:
Motor Control Laboratory
Developmental Neuromotor Control Laboratory
Movement Dynamics Laboratory
Neuromotor Behavior Laboratory
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Michigan Center for Sport Management
($1.5 million)
Kinesiology Faculty
The faculty in the Michigan Center for Sport Management conduct research on organizations in the sport industry. These organizations include professional and amateur teams; manufacturers and merchandisers of sport equipment, sportswear, and apparel; media; services (e.g., agents and events managers), sponsors, public relations and marketing firms, and advertisers. The $1.5 million will be used in the following areas:
- Industry Partnership Initiatives -- $200,000 ($40,000 annually)
These partnerships will ultimately develop research projects and create internship opportunities for undergraduate students, and job opportunities for undergraduate and master’s students. Examples of past team projects include the Detroit Grand Prix, General Sport and Entertainment Academy, Palace Sports and Entertainment, and the Detroit Lions/Ford Field.
- Workshops -- $200,000 ($40,000 annually)
These funds will be used to organize workshops for leading scholars and executives involved with sport. Examples of past successful workshops include “Sport and Organizational Studies: Exploring Synergy,” which was held in 2000, and “Sport Management: Benchmarking Excellence,” which was held in 2002.
- Visiting Faculty/Senior Executive Position -- $300,000 ($50,000 annually)
These funds will be used to support visits to campus by faculty and senior executives in sport management who will share their expertise with faculty and students.
- Administrative and Travel Support -- $250,000
These funds will be used for day-to-day operations and for faculty and students to travel to professional conferences and visit corporate partners on site.
- Student Internship Support -- $250,000 ($60,000 annually)
These funds will be used to assist students with housing, transportation, food and other living costs while participating in student internships.
- Graduate Student Scholarships -- $300,000
These funds will be used to offer graduate students financial assistance, allowing us to recruit the brightest and best to Michigan.
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