Department of Public Health and Exercise Science

Education

• Doctor of Philosophy, Biomechanics & Movement Science, University of Delaware

• Master of Science, Exercise Science / Sports Medicine, University of Delaware

• Bachelor of Science, Athletic Training, Boston University

Teaching Specialties

• Evaluation and treatment of athletic injuries and illnesses
• Physiologic implications of injury
• Utilizing evidence to guide clinical decision-making in sports medicine
• Implementation of screening & treatment programs to reduce injury risk in clinical practice

Current Teaching

• AT 5200 - Functional Human Anatomy
• AT 5300 - Examination, Diagnosis, and Treatment I
• AT 5350 - Physiology of Injury
• AT 5570 - Clinical Inquiry I
• AT 5690 - Athletic Training Clinical Experience III
• AT 5830 - Applied Health & Prevention Strategies
• AT 5970 - Clinical Inquiry II 
• ES 5720 - Motor Behavior for Sport & Performance

Honors & Awards

• Fellow, National Athletic Trainers' Association (2024)
• Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity (2024)
• Distinguished Graduate Faculty (2024)
• Beaver College of Health Sciences Research & Scholarly Endeavors Award (2021)
• Board of Governors Appalachian State University School/College Teaching Award (2020)
• Appalachian State University Graduate Studies Academy of Outstanding Mentors (2020)

Professional Affiliations / Organizations

• Member, National Athletic Trainers Association
• Member, American College of Sports Medicine
• Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC)
• North Carolina Licensed Athletic Trainer (LAT)
• Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)

Laboratory Affiliation

• Injury Laboratory (Director)

Research Interests

• Neuromechanical implicatons of joint injuries
• Impact of attention and cognition on joint stability
• Central nervous system adaptations to training and rehabilitation
• Data processing & analysis in exercise science & sports medicine

Selected Publications

Needle AR, Howard JS, Downing MB, Skinner JW. Neural-Targeted Rehabilitation Strategies to Restore Typical Activation after Joint Injury. J Athl Train; 2024. In Press.

Kim KM, Needle AR, Kim JS, An YW, Cruz-Diaz D, Taube W. Disinhibitory Interventions for Chronic Ankle Instability: A systematic review with meta-analysis. Disabil Rehabil; 2024. 46(2):241-256.

Needle AR, Tinsley JE, Cash JJ, Koeval BK, Barton JA, Howard JS. The effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation to the ankle pronators on neural excitability & functional status in patients with chronic ankle instability. Phys Ther Sport; 2023. 60:1-8.

Bruce AS, Howard JS, van Werkhoven H, McBride JM, Needle AR. The effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on chronic ankle instability. Med Sci Sport Exerc. 2020; 52(2):335-344. 

Needle AR, Rosen AB. Why re-think injury rehabilitation? Athl Train Sport Health Care. 2020; 12(6):243-244.

Kaminski TW, Needle AR, Delahunt EA. Prevention of Lateral Ankle Sprains. J Athl Train. 2019. 54(6):650-661.

Burcal CJ, Needle AR, Custer LC, Rosen AB. The effects of cognitive loading on motor behavior in injured individuals: a systematic review. Sports Med. 2019. In press.

Stirling AM, McBride JM, Merritt EK, Needle AR. Nervous system excitability and joint stiffness following short-term dynamic ankle immobilization. Gait Posture. 2018;59(Supplement C):46-52.

Rosen AB, Needle AR, Ko J. Ability of Functional Performance Tests to Identify Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis. Clin J Sport Med. 2017;In Press

Needle AR, Lepley AS, Grooms D. Evidence of Neurological Adaptation after Ligamentous Injury: A summary of assessment, findings, and clinical interpretation.  Sports Med. 2017. 47(7): 1271-1288.

Kim AS, Needle AR, Thomas SJ, Higginson CI, Kaminski TW, Swanik CB. A sex comparison of reactive knee stiffness under cognitive loads. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2016; 35: 86-92. 

Needle AR, Swanik CB, Baumeister J, Schubert M, Reinecke K, Higginson JS, Farquhar WB, Kaminski TW, Higginson JS. Decoupling of Laxity & Cortical Activation in Unstable Ankles during Ligamentous Loading. Eur J Appl Phys. 2014; 114:2129-2138.

Needle AR, Baumeister J, Kaminski TW, Farquhar WB, Higginson JS, Swanik CB. Neuromechanical coupling in the regulation of muscle tone and joint stiffness. Scand J Med Sci Sport. 2014; 24 (5): 737-748.

Needle AR, Palmer JA, Kesar TM, Binder-McLeod SA, Swanik CB. Brain regulation of muscle tone in healthy and functionally unstable ankles. J Sport Rehab. 2013; 22(3):202-11.

My NCBI Bibliography

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