Student Research

As a Trine DPT student, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful research related to physical therapy practice, which is very rare for students in entry-level DPT programs. Below are a few highlights of our program’s impressive track record of student scholarship, as well as a list of ongoing research collaborators. 

Peer-Reviewed Publications with Trine DPT Students as Co-Authors

Bold - current or former Trine DPT student

Waite L, Stewart M, Sackiriyas KSB, Jayawickrema J, Almonroeder TG. Female athletes exhibit greater trial-to-trial coordination variability when provided with instructions promoting an external focus. J Mot Behav. 2022;54(6):686-693 - link

VanZile AW, Snyder MJ, Watkins EA, Jayawickrema J, Widenhoefer TL, Almonroeder TG. Kinetic asymmetry during a repetitive tuck jump task in athletes with a history of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2021;16(5):1278-1285 - link

Stewart MA, Waite LA, Jayawickrema J, Almonroeder TG. Neuromuscular training programs predominantly include instructions that promote an internal focus. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2021;61(7):1020-1026 - link

Wilder JN, Riggins ER, Noble RA, Lelito CM, Widenhoefer TL, Almonroeder TG. The effects of drop vertical jump technique on landing and jumping kinetics and jump performance. J Electromyogr Kinesiol. 2021;56:102504 - link

Stricker M, Hinde D, Rolland A, Salzman N, Watson A, Almonroeder TG. Quantifying step length using two-dimensional video in individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Physiother Theory Pract. 2021;37(1):252-255 - link

Almonroeder TG, Jayawickrema J, Richardson CT, Mercker KL. The influence of attentional focus on landing stiffness in female athletes: a cross-sectional study. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2020;15(4):510-518 - link

Almonroeder TG, Benson L, Madigan A, Everson D, Buzzard C, Cook M, Henriksen B. Exploring the potential utility of a wearable accelerometer for estimating impact forces in ballet dancers. J Sports Sci. 2020;38(2):231-237 - link

Almonroeder TG, Tighe SM, Miller TM, Lanning CR. The influence of fatigue on decision-making in athletes: a systematic review. Sports Biomech. 2020;19(1):76-89 - link

Almonroeder TG, Watkins E, Widenhoefer T. Verbal instruction reduces patellofemoral joint loading during bodyweight squatting. J Sport Rehabil. 2019;29(4):463-468 - link

Widenhoefer TL, Miller TM, Weigand MS, Watkins EA, Almonroeder TG. Training rugby athletes with an external focus promotes more automatic adaptations in landing forces. Sports Biomech. 2019;18(2):163-173 - link

Lucas LA, England BS, Mason TW, Lanning CR, Miller TM, Morgan AM, Almonroeder TG. Decision making influences tibial impact accelerations during lateral cutting. J Appl Biomech. 2018;34(5):414-418 - link

DPT Student Presentations at National Conferences

Bold - current or former Trine DPT student

Warfield, K, Smith, M, Kaldahl, L, Taylor, E, Sandvik, J. Establishing Balance Norms for Individuals with Visual Impairments. Poster presentation, APTA Combined Sections Meeting, February 2023, San Diego, CA

Berry J, Widenhoefer T, Sullivan S, Jenkins T. Personal and Professional Impacts of Student Loan Debt on Physical Therapists and Physical Therapists Assistants. Poster presentation, APTA Combined Sections Meeting, February 2023, San Diego, CA

Widenhoefer T, Sullivan S, Berry J, Jenkins T. Would You Do PT School over Again? Impact of Student Loan Debt on Physical Therapists. Poster presentation, APTA Combined Sections Meeting, February 2023, San Diego, CA

Sullivan S, Widenhoefer T, Berry J, Jenkins T. Would You Do PTA School Again? Impact of Student Loan Debt on Physical Therapist Assistants. Poster presentation, APTA Combined Sections Meeting, February 2023, San Diego, CA

Baumgartner H, Brockhouse C, Bickel J, Flynn E, Recker N, Dombkowski R, Baumgartner M. Do Light Plyometric Exercises Increase Plantar Flexion Strength in Patients after Achilles Surgery? Platform presentation, APTA Combined Sections Meeting, February 2023, San Diego, CA

Hosinski S, Bonadies M, Johnson C, Aikins N, Sandvik J. The Effect of Positional Release Therapy on Resting Pectoralis Minor Length. Poster presentation,  APTA’s Combined Section Meeting, February 2022, San Antonio, Tx

Neyman A, Littlejohn T, Edmonds N, Sullivan S. Representation of Minorities in Graduate Physical Therapy Programs.  Poster presentation,  APTA’s Combined Section Meeting, February 2022, San Antonio, Tx

Sullivan S, WidenhoeferT, Berry J, Jenkins T. Recommended Changes to Lower DPT and PTA Student Loan Debt. Educational session, APTA Educational Leadership Conference, October 2022, Milwaukee, WI

Widenhoefer T, Sullivan S, Berry J, Jenkins T. Financial Management Education: A Black Hole in Physical Therapy Education Programs. Poster presentation, APTA Educational Leadership Conference, October 2022, Milwaukee, WI

Widenhoefer T, VanZile A, Watkins E, Jayawickrema J, Almonroeder TG. Asymmetry in Impact Forces During a Repetitive Jump-Landing Task in Athletes with a History of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Poster presentation, APTA Combined Sections Meeting, February 2021, virtual due to COVID-19

Sullivan S, Blystone H, Helgeson-Henderson B, White E. Designing and Implementing an Effective Intraprofessional Educational Event. Poster presentation, APTA Combined Sections Meeting, February 2021, virtual due to COVID-19

Hirsch P, Sullivan S, Bakken N, Verreault C. Predicting Ankle Injury Based on Preseason Ankle Strength, Range of Motion and Proprioception Measurements. Poster presentation, APTA Combined Sections Meeting, February 2021, virtual due to COVID-19

Reece K, Ray D, Widenhoefer, T, Sullivan, S. Telehealth Integrated Clinical Education in a Physical Therapy Program using Vidyo During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Poster presentation, APTA Combined Sections Meeting, February 2021, virtual due to COVID-19

Riggins ER, Lelito C, Manus RA, Wilder JN, Widenhoefer TL, Almonroeder TG. The Effects of Drop Vertical Jump Technique on Interlimb Kinetic Symmetry. Poster presentation, APTA Combined Sections Meeting, February 2021, virtual due to COVID-19

Boettner S, Depew A, Owusu V, Pass K, Widenhoefer, T. Effects of a Pilates Program on a Person with an Incomplete C5 Spinal Cord Injury: A Case Report. Poster presentation, APTA Combined Sections Meeting, February 2021, virtual due to COVID-19

Almonroeder TG, Jayawickrema J, Richardson CT, Mercker K. The Influence of Attentional Focus on Landing Stiffness in Female Athletes. Platform presentation, APTA Combined Sections Meeting, February 2020, Denver, CO

Buzzard C, Carbone S, Cook MK, Welsh LR, Almonroeder TG. Assessment of Landing Forces via a Wearable Sensor in Female Athletes. Poster presentation, APTA Combined Sections Meeting, February 2020, Denver, CO

Sullivan S, Groenhagen K, Reif E, Widenhoefer T, Truex M.  Student Loan Debt and Methods of Repayment. Poster presentation, APTA Combined Sections Meeting, February 2020, Denver, CO

Widenhoefer T, Almonroeder TG, Miller T, Weigand M, Watkins E. Training Rugby Athletes with an External Attentional Focus Promotes more Automatic Adaptations in Landing Forces. Platform presentation, APTA Combined Sections Meeting, January 2019, Washington, DC

Lucas LA, England BS, Mason TW, Lanning CR, Miller TM, Morgan AM, Almonroeder TG. Decision-Making Influences Tibial Impact Accelerations During Lateral Cutting. Poster presentation, American Society of Biomechanics Annual Meeting, August 2018, Rochester, MN

Almonroeder TG, Watkins E, Widenhoefer T. Verbal Instruction Reduces Patellofemoral Joint Loading During Bodyweight Squatting. Poster presentation, American Society of Biomechanics Annual Meeting, August 2018, Rochester, MN

Hugus S, Sank K, O’Daniel K, Baumgartner M, Dombkowski R, Ruediger T. The Effects of Physical Activity and Sleep on the Physiologic Response to Stress in Doctor of Physical Therapy Students. Indiana American Physical Therapy Association Fall Conference. November 2016, Indianapolis, IN 

Dombkowski R, Bacon N, Flint S, Baumgartner M. Simultaneous Identification of Bilateral Subclavius Pposticus, Coracocostal Ligaments, Kyphosis, and Cervical Disc Protrusion.  Indiana American Physical Therapy Association Fall Conference. November 2016, Indianapolis, IN 

Research Collaborators

  • Turnstone
  • Parkview Health
  • Optimum Performance Therapy
  • Mayo Clinic Health System
  • Misty's Dance Unlimited