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Athens OH 45701
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College of Health Sciences and Professions
Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine
Russ College of Engineering and Technology
Faculty
Ohio Expert
Dustin Grooms
Ohio Expert

Dustin Grooms

Professor, Physical Therapy and Principle Investigator of the Neuromuscular Biomechanics and Health Assessment Laboratory
Biomedical Engineering
Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute
740.593.2552
Grover Center
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Education

  • Ph.D. Neuroscience and Biomechanics, The Ohio State University (2015)
  • M.Ed. Kinesiology, University of Virginia (2009)
  • B.S. Athletic Training and Mathematics, Northern Kentucky University (2008)

Research Interests

  • Brain reorganization (neuroplasticity) associated with musculoskeletal injury, aging, and therapy
  • Biomechanical predictors of injury risk and interventions for motor control improvement
  • Post-concussion neurocognitive therapies
  • Integration of neuroimaging, motion capture, virtual reality, and sensory feedback systems in rehabilitation

Courses Taught

  • Neuromechanics of Sports Injury Rehabilitation
  • Evidence-Based Practice in Physical Therapy
  • Clinical Reasoning in Physical Therapy Practice
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Biography

Dr. Dustin Grooms' research investigates the neurological and biomechanical changes that occur after musculoskeletal injuries. His work is rooted in understanding neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize after trauma, and its implications for rehabilitation. Through innovative approaches such as virtual reality, cognitive-motor dual-tasking, and sensorimotor integration therapies, his lab aims to enhance recovery and reduce injury recurrence.

Breakthroughs from his lab include:

  • Discovery of neuroplastic changes post-injury, revealing how the brain adapts to trauma.
  • Development of sensory reweighting therapies and cognitively loaded return-to-activity protocols, which integrate advanced technologies like virtual reality.
  • Introduction of novel testing paradigms to improve orthopedic therapy and rehabilitation outcomes.

Selected Awards and Grant Funding

Awards

  • Presidential Research Scholar, Ohio University (2024)
  • Faculty Research Award, College of Health Sciences and Professions, Ohio University (2023)
  • Outstanding Research Award, National Athletic Trainers’ Association (2023)
  • Award of Appreciation, Army Airborne Corps, for advancing military healthcare through research (2022)
  • New Investigator Award, National Athletic Trainers’ Association (2020)

Grant Funding

  • National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 Observational Grant:
    Discovery of the Neural Drivers Underlying Injury-Risk Biomechanics (Principal Investigator)
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH) R01 Ancillary Grant:
    Neuroplastic Mechanisms for the Acquisition and Transfer of Injury-Resistant Movement Patterns Assessed in Virtual Reality Simulated Sport (Principal Investigator)
  • Department of Defense (DoD) Peer Reviewed Orthopaedic Research Program:
  • Rehabilitation 2.0: Addressing Neuroplasticity in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation (Principal Investigator)
  • Bayesian inference as a way of understanding sensorimotor deficits resulting from ACL Injury (Co-investigator)
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH):
  • Innovative Neurophysiological Techniques for Trunk Muscle Control and Function (Co-Investigator)
  • Targeting Neuroplasticity to Augment Orthopedic Rehabilitation (LRP program)
  • Mental Practice in Chronic Stroke-Induced Hemiparesis (Consultant)
  • Establishing Cognitive-Motor Function as a Missing Therapeutic Target after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (Co-Investigator)
  • National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA):
    Functional Evaluation to Optimize Patient-Reported Outcomes and Decrease Subsequent Lower Extremity Injury Risk (Co-Investigator)

Recent Publications

Dr. Grooms has published extensively in the field, with over 100 refereed publications. Since 2020, notable works include:

  • Zuleger TM, Slutsky-Ganesh AB, Kim H, Anand M, Warren SM, Grooms DR, et al. "Differential neural mechanisms for movement adaptations following neuromuscular training in young female athletes with a history of sports-related concussion." Neuroscience, 2024.
  • Chaput M, Simon JE, Taberner M, Grooms DR. "From Control to Chaos: Visual-Cognitive Progression During Recovery from ACL Reconstruction." JOSPT, 2024.
  • Farraye BT, Simon JE, Chaput M, Kim H, Monfort SM, Grooms DR. "Development and Reliability of a Visual-Cognitive Reactive Triple Hop Test." Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 2023.
  • Andrushko JW, Carr JC, Farthing JP, Lepley LK, Grooms DR, et al. "Potential role of cross-education in early-stage rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction." British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2023.
  • Criss CR, Lepley AS, Onate JA, Clark BC, Grooms DR, et al. "Brain activity associated with quadriceps strength deficits after ACL reconstruction." Scientific Reports, 2023.

View a complete list of Dustin Grooms publications

Journal Article, Academic Journal (46)

  • Kim, H., Onate, J., Simon, J., Mischkowski, D., Grooms, D. (2022). The relationship between drop vertical jump action-observation brain activity and kinesiophobia after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.. Brain and Behavior.
  • Moskowitz, S., Russ, D., Clark, L., Wages, N., Grooms, D., Woods, A., Suhr, J., Simon, J., O'Shea, A., Criss, C., Fadda, P., Clark, B. (2021). Is impaired dopaminergic function associated with mobility capacity in older adults?. 3. GeroScience; 43: 1383-1404.
  • Criss, C., Melton, M., Ulloa, S., Simon, J., Clark, B., France, C., Grooms, D. (2021). Rupture, reconstruction, and rehabilitation: A multi-disciplinary review of mechanisms for central nervous system adaptations following anterior cruciate ligament injury.. The Knee; 30: 78-89.
  • Li, Z., Song, F., Clark, B., Grooms, D., Liu, C. (2020). A Wearable Device for Indoor Imminent Danger Detection and Avoidance With Region-Based Ground Segmentation. IEEE Access; 8: 184808--184821.
  • Saunders, E., Clark, B., Clark, L., Grooms, D. (2020). Development of a trunk motor paradigm for use in neuroimaging.. 1. Translational neuroscience; 11: 193-200.
  • Lepley, A., Grooms, D., Burland, J., Davi, S., Kinsella-Shaw, J., Lepley, L. (2019). Quadriceps muscle function following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: systemic differences in neural and morphological characteristics. 5. Exp Brain Res; 237: 1267--1278. https://link.springer.com/10.1007/s00221-019-05499-x.
  • Simon, J., Yom, J., Grooms, D. (2019). SINGLE-LEG HOP PERFORMANCE IS A PREDICTOR FOR PATIENT-REPORTED OUTCOMES FOLLOWING A LOWER EXTREMITY INJURY. 3\_suppl. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine; 7: 2325967119S0017. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2325967119S00175.
  • Diekfuss, J., Grooms, D., Yuan, W., Dudley, J., Barber Foss, K., Thomas, S., Ellis, J., Schneider, D., Leach, J., Bonnette, S., Myer, G. (2019). Does brain functional connectivity contribute to musculoskeletal injury? A preliminary prospective analysis of a neural biomarker of ACL injury risk. 2. J Sci Med Sport; 22: 169--174.
  • Simon, J., Grooms, D., Docherty, C. (2019). The Long-Term Impact of Osteoarthritis Following Knee Surgery in Former College Athletes. 1. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation; 28: 33--38. https://journals.humankinetics.com/doi/10.1123/jsr.2017-0115.
  • Clark, B., Woods, A., Clark, L., Criss, C., Shadmehr, R., Grooms, D. (2019). The Aging Brain & the Dorsal Basal Ganglia: Implications for Age-Related Limitations of Mobility.. Advances in geriatric medicine and research; 1.
  • Simon, J., Grooms, D., Donahue, M., Wikstrom, E., Docherty, C., Kerr, Z., Dompier, T. (2018). Descriptive Epidemiology of Services Provided by Athletic Trainers for the Treatment of Ankle Sprains in High Schools. In Press.. Journal of Athletic Training.
  • Lepley, L., Grooms, D., Burland, J., Davi, S., Mosher, J., Cormier, M., Lepley, A. (2018). Eccentric cross-exercise after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: Novel case series to enhance neuroplasticity. Phys Ther Sport; 34: 55--65.
  • Millikan, N., Grooms, D., Hoffman, B., Simon, J. (2018). The Development and Reliability of Four Clinical Neurocognitive Single-leg Hop Tests: Implications for Return to Activity Decision Making. J Sport Rehabil; 1--26.
  • Grooms, D., Simon, J., Dalton, S., Dompier, T., Kerr, Z. (2018). High School Athletic Trainer Services for Knee Injuries. 10. J Athl Train; 53: 956--964.
  • Gokeler, A., Neuhaus, D., Benjaminse, A., Grooms, D., Baumeister, J. (2018). Principles of Motor Learning to Support Neuroplasticity after ACL Injury: Implications for Optimizing Performance and Reducing Risk of Second ACL Injury. In Press.. Sports Medicine.
  • Galloway, R., Xu, Y., Hewett, T., Barber Foss, K., Kiefer, A., DiCesare, C., Magnussen, R., Khoury, J., Ford, K., Diekfuss, J., Grooms, D., Myer, G., Montalvo, A. (2018). Age-Dependent Patellofemoral Pain: Hip and Knee Risk Landing Profiles in Prepubescent and Postpubescent Female Athletes. 11. Am J Sports Med; 46: 2761--2771.
  • Grooms, D., Kiefer, A., Riley, M., Ellis, J., Thomas, S., Kitchen, K., DiCesare, C., Bonnette, S., Gadd, B., Barber Foss, K., Yuan, W., Silva, P., Galloway, R., Diekfuss, J., Leach, J., Berz, K., Myer, G. (2018). Brain-Behavior Mechanisms for the Transfer of Neuromuscular Training Adaptions to Simulated Sport: Initial Findings From the Train the Brain Project. 5. J Sport Rehabil; 27: 1--5.
  • Howell, D., Myer, G., Grooms, D., Diekfuss, J., Yuan, W., Meehan, W. (2018). Examining Motor Tasks of Differing Complexity After Concussion in Adolescents. Arch Phys Med Rehabil.
  • Rausch, M., Simon, J., Starkey, C., Grooms, D. (2018). Smartphone virtual reality to increase clinical balance assessment responsiveness. Phys Ther Sport; 32: 207--211.
  • Simon, J., Grooms, D., Docherty, C. (2018). The Long-Term Impact of Osteoarthritis Following Knee Surgery in Former College Athletes. J Sport Rehabil; 1--6.
  • Yuan, W., Dudley, J., Barber Foss, K., Ellis, J., Thomas, S., Galloway, R., DiCesare, C., Leach, J., Adams, J., Maloney, T., Gadd, B., Smith, D., Epstein, J., Grooms, D., Logan, K., Howell, D., Altaye, M., Myer, G. (2018). Mild Jugular Compression Collar Ameliorated Changes in Brain Activation of Working Memory after One Soccer Season in Female High School Athletes. 11. J. Neurotrauma; 35: 1248--1259.
  • Diekfuss, J., Rhea, C., Schmitz, R., Grooms, D., Wilkins, R., Slutsky, A., Raisbeck, L. (2018). The Influence of Attentional Focus on Balance Control over Seven Days of Training. J Mot Behav; 1--12.
  • Grooms, D., Chaudhari, A., Page, S., Nichols-Larsen, D., Onate, J. (2018). Visual-Motor Control of Drop Landing After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. 5. J Athl Train; 53: 486--496.
  • Simon, J., Wikstrom, E., Grooms, D., Docherty, C., Dompier, T., Kerr, Z. (2018). Athletic Training Service Characteristics for Patients With Ankle Sprains Sustained During High School Athletics. J Athl Train.
  • Wilkerson, G., Grooms, D., Acocello, S. (2017). Neuromechanical Considerations for Postconcussion Musculoskeletal Injury Risk Management. 6. Curr Sports Med Rep; 16: 419--427.
  • Grooms, D. (2017). Change of Mind: Neuroplasticity in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation. 6. Training & Conditioning; 27: 32--35. https://training-conditioning.com/content/change-mind.
  • Kim, K., Kim, J., Grooms, D. (2017). Stroboscopic Vision to Induce Sensory Reweighting During Postural Control. 5. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation; 26: https://journals.humankinetics.com/doi/10.1123/jsr.2017-0035.
  • Morris, K., Simon, J., Grooms, D., Starkey, C., Dompier, T., Kerr, Z. (2017). The Epidemiology of Overuse Conditions in Youth Football and High School Football Players. 10. Journal of Athletic Training; 52: 976--981. https://natajournals.org/doi/10.4085/1062-6050-52.10.04.
  • Needle, A., Lepley, A., Grooms, D. (2017). Central Nervous System Adaptation After Ligamentous Injury: a Summary of Theories, Evidence, and Clinical Interpretation. 7. Sports Med; 47: 1271--1288.
  • Lepley, L., Lepley, A., Onate, J., Grooms, D. (2017). Eccentric Exercise to Enhance Neuromuscular Control. 4. Sports Health; 9: 333--340. https://doi.org/10.1177/1941738117710913.
  • Martinez, A., Grooms, D., Simon, J., Starkey, C. (2017). A Comparison of the Diagnostic Accuracy of Three Diagnositc Tests for ACL Lesions. 1. Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health; 3: Art. 6. https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/jsmahs/vol3/iss1/6.
  • Fraser, M., Grooms, D., Guskiewicz, K., Kerr, Z. (2017). Ball-Contact Injuries in 11 National Collegiate Athletic Association Sports: The Injury Surveillance Program, 2009–2010 Through 2014–2015. 7. Journal of Athletic Training; 52: 698--707. https://natajournals.org/doi/10.4085/1062-6050-52.3.10.
  • Fraser, M., Grooms, D., Guskiewicz , K., Kerr , Z. (2016). Ball Contact Injuries in 11 NCAA Sports: The National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance Program. Journal of Athletic Training.
  • Grooms, D., Page, S., Nichols-Larsen, D., Chaudhari, A., White, S., Onate, J. (2016). Neuroplasticity Associated With Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.. The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy; 1-27.
  • Grooms, D., Myer, G. (2016). Upgraded hardware─What about the software? Brain updates for return to play following ACL reconstruction.. British journal of sports medicine.
  • Kerr, Z., Simon, J., Grooms, D., Roos, K., Cohen, R., Dompier, T. (2016). Epidemiology of Football Injuries in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, 2004-2005 to 2008-2009.. 9. Orthopaedic journal of sports medicine; 4: 2325967116664500.
  • Clifton, D., Grooms, D., Hertel, J., Onate, J. (2016). Predicting Injury: Challenges in Prospective Injury Risk Factor Identification.. 8. Journal of athletic training; 51: 658-661.
  • Grooms, D., Onate, J. (2016). Neuroscience Application to Noncontact Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Prevention.. 2. Sports health; 8: 149-52.
  • Grooms, D., Page, S., Onate, J. (2015). Brain activation for knee movement measured days before anterior cruciate ligament second injury: Neuroimaging in musculoskeletal medicine. Brain activation for knee movement measured days before anterior cruciate ligament second injury: Neuroimaging in musculoskeletal medicine. Journal of Athletic Training. Advance online publication; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26418959.
  • Grooms, D., Page, S., Onate, J. (2015). Brain Activation for Knee Movement Measured Days Before Second Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: Neuroimaging in Musculoskeletal Medicine.. 10. Journal of athletic training; 50: 1005-10.
  • Clifton, D., Grooms, D., Onate, J. (2015). OVERHEAD DEEP SQUAT PERFORMANCE PREDICTS FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT SCREEN™ SCORE.. 5. International journal of sports physical therapy; 10: 622-7.
  • Ferguson, S., Grooms, D., Onate, J., Khan, S., Marras, W. (2015). Low back functional health status of patient handlers.. 2. Journal of occupational rehabilitation; 25: 296-302.
  • Grooms, D., Appelbaum, G., Onate, J. (2015). Neuroplasticity following anterior cruciate ligament injury: a framework for visual-motor training approaches in rehabilitation.. 5. The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy; 45: 381-93.
  • Grooms, D., Grindstaff, T., Croy, T., Hart, J., Saliba, S. (2013). Clinimetric analysis of pressure biofeedback and transversus abdominis function in individuals with stabilization classification low back pain.. 3. The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy; 43: 184-93.
  • Grooms, D., Palmer, T., Onate, J., Myer, G., Grindstaff, T. (2013). Soccer-specific warm-up and lower extremity injury rates in collegiate male soccer players.. 6. Journal of athletic training; 48: 782-9.
  • Saliba, S., Croy, T., Guthrie, R., Grooms, D., Weltman, A., Grindstaff, T. (2010). Differences in transverse abdominis activation with stable and unstable bridging exercises in individuals with low back pain.. 2. North American journal of sports physical therapy : NAJSPT; 5: 63-73.

Book, Scholarly (1)

  • Grooms, D., Onate, J. (2018). Return to Sport After ACL Reconstruction and Other Knee Operations: Limiting the Risk of Reinjury and Maximizing Athletic Performance.

Book, Chapter in Scholarly Book (1)

  • Wages, N., Criss, C., Grooms, D., Clark, B. (2018). Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation in Occupational Therapy.

Conference Proceeding (3)

  • Song, F., Li, Z., Clark, B., Grooms, D., Liu, C. (2020). Camera-Based Indoor Navigation in Known Environments with ORB for People with Visual Impairment. IEEE GHTC (Global Humanitarian Technology Conference).
  • Onate, J., Starkel, C., Borchers, J., Chaudhari, A., Clifton, D., Comstock, D., Cortes, N., Grooms, D., Hertel, J., McNally, M., Miller, M., Pan, X., Schussler, E., Van Lunen, B., Best, T. (2016). Injury History Predicts Musculoskeletal Lower Extremity Injury Risk in High School Athletes: The FPPE Project: 187 Board #24 June 1, 11: 00 AM - 12: 30 PM.. 5 Suppl 1. Medicine and science in sports and exercise; 48: 36.
  • Grooms, D., Chaudhari, A., Page, S., Nichols-Larsen, D., White, S., Onate, J. (2016). The Brain-Behavior relationship after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: 2903 June 3 1: 00 PM - 1: 15 PM.. 5 Suppl 1. Medicine and science in sports and exercise; 48: 813.