Improving Upper Extremity Health in Manual Wheelchair Users
A foundational understanding of the biomechanics of wheelchair propulsion, anatomy of the shoulder, why so many wheelchair users experience shoulder pain, and tools to not only design an effective program but also coach the finer details of exercise execution that leads to better health and performance.
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Students will learn how to:
Course Content
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Introduction
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Biomechanics of Wheelchair Propulsion
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Health Trends and Activity Levels
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Anatomy of the Shoulder
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Program Design
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Case Study and Final Exam
Dr. Tyler Garner
Dr. Tyler Garner was born with Spina Bifida in 1986 and has been a participant and advocate for sport and physical activity participation for people with disabilities for most of his life. He has a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology and a PhD in Kinesiology with a focus on wheelchair-user physiology and biomechanics.
Dr. Garner has been an adaptive athlete for over 30 years, participating in sports ranging from wheelchair basketball, track and field, competitive swimming, powerlifting, and triathlon. He accomplished a lifelong goal of completing an Ironman triathlon in 2023, consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike on his handcycle, and a 26.2 marathon in his racing chair.
Dr. Garner has been an adaptive athlete for over 30 years, participating in sports ranging from wheelchair basketball, track and field, competitive swimming, powerlifting, and triathlon. He accomplished a lifelong goal of completing an Ironman triathlon in 2023, consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike on his handcycle, and a 26.2 marathon in his racing chair.
Tim Morris, MS
Tim Morris has a Master’s in Kinesiology and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He has been a wheelchair user for 17 years and is the owner of Move to Improve SCI, a personal trainer, a high school physical-education teacher, and head track coach.
He has coached hundreds of people of all abilities and at all levels, from D1 collegiate athletes to Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls; but mostly those with spinal cord injuries.
He has coached hundreds of people of all abilities and at all levels, from D1 collegiate athletes to Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls; but mostly those with spinal cord injuries.
Adam Bleakney, PLY
Adam Bleakney has served as the Head Coach of the University of Illinois Wheelchair Track and Road Racing team since 2005. In that time his athletes have won 55 medals across four Paralympic Games while setting 14 world records on the track, and have won the Boston Marathon, London Marathon, Chicago Marathon, and NY City Marathon.
In recognition of such performances, he has been named the USOPC U.S. Paralympic Coach of the Year on three occasions. In 2017, he established the UIUC Human Performance and Mobility Maker Lab, an interdisciplinary lab where students with and without disabilities collaborate to design and develop assistive technology. Adam is faculty in the School of Art + Design at UIUC and a research affiliate at the UIUC Beckman Institute.
Adam has consulted with BMW, Toyota, Bridgestone Americas, and several Champaign-based start-ups in advancing racing wheelchair and other accessible technology research and development initiatives.
In recognition of such performances, he has been named the USOPC U.S. Paralympic Coach of the Year on three occasions. In 2017, he established the UIUC Human Performance and Mobility Maker Lab, an interdisciplinary lab where students with and without disabilities collaborate to design and develop assistive technology. Adam is faculty in the School of Art + Design at UIUC and a research affiliate at the UIUC Beckman Institute.
Adam has consulted with BMW, Toyota, Bridgestone Americas, and several Champaign-based start-ups in advancing racing wheelchair and other accessible technology research and development initiatives.
Dr. Michael Curtin
Dr. Michael Curtin is currently a Physical Therapist for the New England Patriots. Prior to his position in the NFL, he completed a residency at The Ohio State University where he splits time between their outpatient sports medicine clinic and Division I athletics. He worked with the university’s Football, Rugby, Field Hockey, and Baseball teams as well as with the Columbus Crew MLS team.
He recently presented his research on force plate at CSM. His professional interests include helping athletes bridge the gap between physical therapy discharge and return to sport, working with rotational athletes, as well as optimizing strength and conditioning programs for athletes with previous injuries and/or disabilities.
Mike is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA as well as a Level One Titleist Performance Institute Certified Professional.
He recently presented his research on force plate at CSM. His professional interests include helping athletes bridge the gap between physical therapy discharge and return to sport, working with rotational athletes, as well as optimizing strength and conditioning programs for athletes with previous injuries and/or disabilities.
Mike is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the NSCA as well as a Level One Titleist Performance Institute Certified Professional.
417 Bolton Road, Lancaster, MA 01523
Phone number: 978-855-9141
Phone number: 978-855-9141
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