Based on current sports science and technology that advances athletics’ performance, Curt Tomasevicz, and his team research and analyze data for the 23 University sports programs. Unlike any other research conducted here at the University, the Nebraska Athletic Performance Laboratory conducts what it calls performance-based research to help the Husker teams win. Using a multi-system, multi-measurement, multi-disciplinary model to approach challenges in athletic performance domains, the employees of the Nebraska Athletic Performance Laboratory employ cutting-edge technology and academic expertise to address student-athlete performance, health, safety, and long-term well-being.
Some of the projects Curt is involved with are very short term. He and his team run tests with athletes and then analyze the data as quickly as they can to get it back to the coaches. Curt mostly works with biomechanics within the laboratory. He breaks down athletes’ movements to see if they move efficiently and minimize the risk of injury. Curt and his team are measuring the limits of how much a human body can handle so that they can safely push those boundaries.
Working with the volleyball team, Curt and his team conducted a hitting analysis of a volleyball swing. They looked at the timing between the pelvis, torso, shoulders and wrists, and what makes the most efficient volleyball swing. Then they analyzed their data to help the coaches perfect their players’ swings. Curt’s research is based not only on his own interest and ideas but also on questions coaches have to max out their athletes' potential.
Within the Performance Lab, Curt collaborates with different academic programs and is working on getting more programs to be a part of his research. He currently works with exercise science and nutrition, engineering and computer science, psychology and many more programs. Curt loves seeing how students can use the lab too.
Aside from his research, Curt also teaches BSE 206, Engineering Economics, and is in the process of putting together a specialized course that will be offered spring 2020 on human movement in biomechanics. This class will include a lot of what they do in the Performance Lab. Students will look into the biomechanics of how humans move and, from an engineering aspect, will look at the velocity and acceleration of movement and how that plays a role in human joints. The class includes the opportunity to work with the Performance Laboratory. As part of the class, students will conduct a project which will give them experience and a chance to help out the Performance Laboratory team. Curt is looking forward to taking his research within the lab to the classroom and giving students a hands-on experience.
Article written by Emi Lesser