The American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) is a national and international leader in sports medicine research related to clinical and surgical outcomes, biomechanics, and rehabilitation. The foci of ongoing studies at ASMI includes both clinical and biomechanical research, and our team includes researchers with expertise in motion capture biomechanics, cadaver joint biomechanics, outcomes research, clinical trials, biostatistics, and human anatomy.
ASMI’s mission is to improve the understanding, prevention, and treatment of sports-related injuries through research and education. In our strive for this mission, ASMI studies are regularly published in high-impact sports medicine journals, presented at scientific meetings, publicized in the media, and utilized in bodies creating sports safety policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is sports medicine?
Sports medicine is a field of medicine concerned with the prevention and treatment of injuries and disorders that are related to participation in sports.
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Does your research only include athletes?
The mission of ASMI is to improve the understanding, prevention, and treatment of sports-related injuries through research and education. This includes everyone from youth to professional athletes, as well as recreational adult athletes and people working to be healthy and fit. Our research team also explores treatment outcomes of non-athletes, particularly those with orthopaedic injuries or surgeries.
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What is the difference between biomechanical research and clinical research?
ASMI’s biomechanics studies the motions and forces to minimize injury risk and maximize performance in sports. Other biomechanical studies at ASMI investigate the strength of human joints after surgery compared to their natural, undamaged state.
Clinical research at ASMI involves both observational studies and clinical trials. Observational studies generally include examination of what is already occurring (no intervention), whereas clinical trials are carefully designed experiments that involve a specific treatment or intervention. Specifically, our clinical team works to evaluate surgical outcomes, rehabilitation efficacy, as well as injury mechanisms and prevention to improve treatment of sports-related and orthopaedic injuries.
Importantly, our biomechanical and clinical research teams work closely together to fulfill the mission of ASMI. -
How can I get involved in research at ASMI?
Being involved in ASMI research means contributing to knowledge that directly improves the prevention and treatment of sports-related injuries. We work closely with our local physician and surgeon partners and other collaborators around the country and world to achieve these impactful research goals. Opportunities to participate in research at ASMI’s center in Birmingham are available for students and scholars of all levels. Learn more about how to get involved here.
Biomechanical Research
Our Biomechanical Research department works extensively to further our goal of preventing injury in sports.
Clinical Research
Our Clinical Research department is instrumental in improving treatment for sports related injuries.
Student Researcher Program
The Student Researcher Program is an opportunity for college undergraduate students, graduate students, and others to participate in research at ASMI for thesis or school credit.