Research

UK Sports Medicine Research Institute Opens

Rendering of the Sports Medicine Research Institute at the University of Kentucky
A rendering of the UK Sports Medicine Research Institute demonstrates how sophisticated equipment will help both military and civilian athletes avoid injury and maximize performance.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 14, 2017) — Today marks the opening of University of Kentucky's Sports Medicine Research Institute (SMRI), spearheaded by the UK College of Health Sciences and supported in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Defense.

The SMRI is a 10,000-square-foot facility outfitted with sophisticated biomechanical, physiological, musculoskeletal, and neurocognitive equipment, including a "Concussion Room," and a biomechanics laboratory with technology like that used for video game development. Equipment shaped like a horse can simulate movement for jockeys and other equestrians.  The lab studies important contributors to strength, endurance, operational performance and injury risk for both civilian and military athletes.

There is no similar facility within 400 miles of Lexington.

The SMRI was launched in part by a $4.2 million grant from the Department of Defense to study performance optimization and injury reduction for the tactical athletes of the U.S. Military.

The event will be live streamed at https://youtu.be/bOMGh0CxRzU

See full story about this state-of-the-art facility and the people it serves.