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UPITT Warrior Human Performance Research
Neuromuscular Research Laboratory
Department of Sports Medicine and Nutrition, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

 

Current News

 

Dr. Beals (Crawford) Receives Sir Henry Wellcome Medal & Prize from AMSUS

Dr. Beals (Crawford) of the University of Pittsburgh's Neuromuscular Research Laboratory and UPitt Warrior Human Performance Center will be awarded the Henry Wellcome Medal and Prize on November 14th, 2012 for her publication in the journal of Military Medicine "Less Body Fat Improves Physical and Physiological Performance in Army Soldiers".

The Journal of Military Medicine is the official monthly journal of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States. Each year an author of an article published in the journal or other peer reviewed professional journal during the previous year is selected for the award. This award was developed to encourage all federal healthcare personnel to take an active role in biomedical research and development. Dr. Beals (Crawford) has been selected to receive this award because of her outstanding scholarly contribution to current military medicine research through her published work.

UPitt Warrior Human Performance Research Center Expands with Air Force

The NMRL and UPitt Warrior Human Performance Research Center has recently received a grant to work with the United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) based out of the Hurlburt Field, FL. The Principal Investigator for this project is Timothy C. Sell and the project will focus on the prevention of unintentional injury and performance optimization of AFSOC Operators.

The specific group that the UPitt-WHPRC will be working with is the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron. This unit trains, equips, and employs combat control, pararescue, and support personnel and its primary task is to integrate, synchronize, and/or control the elements of air and space power in the objective area. This specialized unit is able to perform various tasks that include austere airfield control, terminal attack control, personnel rescue and recovery, assault zone assessment, battlefield trauma care, direct action, and special reconnaissance. The NMRL and UPitt-WHPRC is honored and excited to begin working with this group.

NMRL Research Spotlighted in the Summer 2012 FACETS Magazine

"On the front line of change"

Beginning on page 18, another article describes the recent advancements the NMRL's UPitt Warrior Human Performance Research Center has made with the U.S. Department of Defense. Highlights include remote laboratory expansions with Naval Special Warfare Command (NSW-C) and the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) and a collaboration effort with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

Read the Article (3.2 MB)

SEALs Ethos Magazine Features UPitt-NSW Research With Opening of Coronado Lab

Ethos is the official magazine of the Naval Special Warfare Command Public Affairs Office and is focused on promoting the character, culture, and actions of Naval Special Warfare. The most recent issue (issue 16) features the opening of the UPitt Warrior Human Performance Research Laboratory at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, in San Diego, CA.

The article takes you through the general model of the UPitt-NSW research collaboration and discusses the importance of each research phase and the overall goal.

Read the Article (22.6 MB)

Dr. Sell Attended DARPA's Warrior Web Workshop

On Wednesday, February 15, 2012 a multi-disciplinary group made up of faculty members from across West Point Academy and representatives from the University of Pittsburgh (Dr. Sell), Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) (Army and Air Force), the US Marine Corps, Natick Soldier Research Development and Engineering Center (SRDEC). MEDCOM, KACH and industry took part in a full-day workshop in support of DARPA's WarriorWeb initiative.

Jointly sponsored by DARPA and West Point's Center for Innovation and Engineering (CIE), this meeting was the third of its kind seeking to update researchers on current research and development efforts, gain feedback from collaborators, and build new teams for nascent lines of inquiry. This meeting specifically focused on discussion regarding current technology efforts related to the DARPA WarriorWeb and Army Soldier Initiatives.

Presentations during this meeting included updates on the guidance from soldier Army leadership, historical perspectives on the issues of soldier load and its effect on physical and operational performance. The status of ongoing research efforts including cognitive load, use of social networks to better identify the linkage between all relevant aspects of the soldier load problem, use of energy harvesting systems to provide local power supplies, and effects of mechanical prosthetic systems to enhance soldier performance.

Continuation and Expansion of Naval Special Warfare Projects

Since 2007 the NMRL has been investigating musculoskeletal injuries and human performance in the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Group 2 in Little Creek, VA. Over the past year this effort has expanded to NSW Group 4, Special Boat Team-22, in Stennis, MS. These projects are focused on the development and refinement of the NSW’s Tactical Athlete Program in collaboration with their human performance, medical, and training personnel. In addition to the continuation of funding for the NSW Group 2 and Group 4 projects, the NMRL and NSW will begin a new research project with the Naval Special Warfare Center regarding Seal Qualification Training (SQT) and Crewman Qualification Training (CQT) at Coronado Naval Base in San Diego, CA.

 

 

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