Dr. Ryan N. Moran, a faculty member at the University of Alabama (UA) and researcher in The Department of Health Science and the Athletic Training Research Laboratory, has received a prestigious research award from the Lakeshore Foundation’s Sport Science and Performance Center (SSPC) to explore innovative methods for detecting sport-related concussions in wheelchair athletes.
Dr. Moran’s project focuses on assessing postural control using pressure mapping systems, as a potential tool for detecting concussion in adaptive athletes—an area where validated, sport-specific tools are critically lacking. His research will continue to take place through the 2025 adapted athletics season at UA, with a focus on real-world data collection during wheelchair basketball, tennis, and track & field competitions.
“We know that concussion signs and symptoms can look different in wheelchair athletes, and the current tools aren’t designed or validated with that in mind,” said Dr. Moran. “This project is about ensuring our athletes receive the same level of care and inclusion in basic science research as their intercollegiate athletics peers.”
Data collection is currently underway at UA’s Adapted Athletics facility, using high-precision measurement tools to analyze postural control during various wheelchair movement tasks. This work has the potential to influence how sport-related concussions are detected, managed, and ultimately prevented in wheelchair sports, filling a critical gap in sports medicine and athlete safety.
Collaborating on this project is Alex C. Curry, the Director of Sports Medicine for UA Adapted Athletics and a Lakeshore SSPC Scholar. Under Dr. Moran’s mentorship, Curry is conducting a complementary study of her own on mental health in collegiate adapted athletes using the Sport Mental Health Assessment Tool. She has already collected data from over 130 athletes and will present findings at upcoming academic conferences.
The Lakeshore SSPC’s support has been instrumental in driving forward innovation in adaptive sport science. “Lakeshore’s investment has given us the resources and confidence to pursue ideas that directly benefit athlete safety and well-being,” said Moran.
This project exemplifies the University of Alabama’s leadership in adapted athletics and sport performance research, aligning with broader efforts to advance inclusion, safety, and evidence-based practice in elite parasport.
