Department of Rehabilitation Sciences

Education

• Bachelor of Science, Athletic Training, Boston University
• Master of Science, Exercise Science / Sports Medicine, University of Delaware
• Doctor of Philosophy, Biomechanics & Movement Science, University of Delaware

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

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

• 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. In press.
• 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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