Red Wings donation powers new research tools for Wayne State physical therapy program

DETROIT - A Detroit Red Wings assist is helping Wayne State University researchers and students take a closer look at the science behind balance, performance and recovery.

The organization recently donated two AMTI (Advanced Mechanical Technology, Inc.) force plates valued at about $22,900 to Wayne State's Doctor of Physical Therapy program through the Division of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (DEED), which leads the university's efforts to stimulate growth throughout Detroit.

"The Red Wings' donation shows how corporate and community partners can leverage their assets to support organizations in their own backyard," said DEED's Danielle Manley, assistant vice president of corporate engagement and advancement. "This is a difference-making contribution we're proud to elevate."

The equipment will support teaching and research at the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences while giving students hands-on experience with technology widely used in sports performance and rehabilitation.

Force plates are specialized platforms that measure the forces produced between a person's body and the ground during movement. When someone stands, walks, jumps or shifts their weight on the plate, sensors capture detailed data about balance, gait and posture control. Researchers and clinicians use this information to better understand how people move and the degree to which injuries, training, or neurological conditions affect that movement.

The technology is also widely used in elite sports performance. Each year at the NHL Combine, a dual force plate setup is used to evaluate player performance. Many NHL teams also have AMTI force plates installed in their weight rooms for ongoing performance monitoring, helping performance staff track strength, power and potential injury risk throughout the season.

Kristina Reid, chair of the Department of Health Care Sciences and director and assistant professor of the physical therapy program at Wayne State, said the new equipment will expand the department's ability to study human movement and train future clinicians.

"We are hoping to use the force plates in the areas of research and teaching," Reid said. "The advanced force plate technology from AMTI will enhance the department's ability to study human movement, balance and functional performance while supporting both faculty research and student learning in the clinical sciences."

In rehabilitation clinics, the same technology helps physical therapists assess patients recovering from surgeries, injuries, or neurological conditions. For example, therapists can measure whether someone recovering from a knee injury is placing equal weight on both legs or compensating in ways that might slow recovery.

The new system donated to Wayne State also brings an important advantage. Reid said it is more portable than existing equipment in the department's labs, allowing it to be used in a wider range of research and clinical simulations.

"This new system is different than what we currently have in our labs, as it is designed to be more portable and has the potential to support ongoing and future research initiatives examining movement and balance in individuals living with neurological conditions, including Multiple Sclerosis," Reid said.

Faculty researchers in Wayne State's Neuroimaging and Neurorehabilitation Lab are studying how neurological changes affect mobility, stability and functional performance in people living with Multiple Sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases. Data collected from the force plates can help researchers understand subtle changes in balance and movement that may not be visible during routine clinical exams. That information can guide the development of more effective rehabilitation strategies aimed at improving mobility and quality of life.

For physical therapy students, access to technology used in professional sports and clinical research provides valuable hands-on experience.

Reid said exposure to advanced motion analysis tools helps students develop skills in evidence-based assessment and clinical decision making. Students learn how to interpret movement data and apply it to real patient scenarios.