Sport-related concussion defines a phenomenon of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that occurs within a sport context. For example, when a football quarterback suffers a hit from the blind side, and his head snaps back and forth before being smashed into the turf, the mechanics of a sport-related concussion have happened. Whether or not an actual brain trauma has occurred will be known only through observation, symptom report, and evaluation of cognition, balance, and coordination. In Florida Tech’s Sports-Related Concussion Project housed in the Neuropsychology Laboratory, Drs. Frank Webbe and Kevin Mulligan along with many graduate and undergraduate students attempt to answer several critical questions:
Undergraduate students have he opportunity to become involved in interesting studies such as these, learning more about the intricacies of the brain and how it controls behavior, and also seeing first-hand how sophisticated research is conducted. (They also may get to watch sports while working, which is pretty incredible.) Participation is available at an entry level (PSY2413) and would require 3-4 hours per week. At a more advanced level (PSY4413), students must commit 5-10 hours per week and be prepared to assist with data analysis and collection of data from research participants.
Please contact Dr. Frank Webbe for more information.