University of Georgia Athletics
UGA Spine Injury Research Study Advances Emergency Care for Athletes
May 31, 2026 | Football
ATHENS, Ga. — The University of Georgia Athletic Association, in collaboration with the UGA School of Medicine and Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center, recently completed a groundbreaking interdisciplinary research study focused on improving outcomes for athletes who sustain catastrophic cervical spine injuries.
The study titled "Improving Outcomes for Catastrophic Cervical Spine-Injured Athletes" was funded through a UGA Presidential Interdisciplinary Seed Grant and brought together physicians, athletic trainers, emergency medical services personnel, biomechanical researchers and sports and emergency medicine leaders from both the University and the University of Florida.
Conducted at the UGA School of Medicine anatomy laboratory and supported by advanced imaging and procedural collaboration at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center, the study examined spinal motion restriction and athlete extrication techniques utilizing fresh frozen, lightly fixed cadaver models outfitted in football equipment. Researchers evaluated and compared current emergency care techniques with the goal of improving patient safety, minimizing spinal movement during care and advancing evidence-based best practices for emergency response in athletics.
The project reflects a unique partnership between athletics, medicine, emergency care and academic research institutions, reinforcing the University of Georgia's commitment to innovation and athlete health and safety.
"This study represents the type of collaborative, evidence-based research that can truly impact emergency care in sport at every level," said UGA Athletic Association Executive Associate Athletic Director Ron Courson. "By bringing together experts from athletics, medicine, biomechanics and emergency response, we have an opportunity to generate meaningful data that may help improve outcomes for catastrophically injured athletes and guide future standards of care."
Researchers utilized advanced vertebral motion analysis technology to objectively measure cervical spine movement during various immobilization, transfer and equipment removal techniques. Findings from the study are expected to contribute to future peer-reviewed publications, educational initiatives, and national best-practice recommendations related to emergency care and catastrophic spine injury management in sport.
The study also highlights the growing collaboration between the UGA Athletic Association and the UGA School of Medicine, as well as the importance of partnerships with regional healthcare providers such as Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center in advancing translational sports medicine research.
Additional analysis of collected data is ongoing, with future presentations and publications anticipated over the coming year.
The study titled "Improving Outcomes for Catastrophic Cervical Spine-Injured Athletes" was funded through a UGA Presidential Interdisciplinary Seed Grant and brought together physicians, athletic trainers, emergency medical services personnel, biomechanical researchers and sports and emergency medicine leaders from both the University and the University of Florida.
Conducted at the UGA School of Medicine anatomy laboratory and supported by advanced imaging and procedural collaboration at Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center, the study examined spinal motion restriction and athlete extrication techniques utilizing fresh frozen, lightly fixed cadaver models outfitted in football equipment. Researchers evaluated and compared current emergency care techniques with the goal of improving patient safety, minimizing spinal movement during care and advancing evidence-based best practices for emergency response in athletics.
The project reflects a unique partnership between athletics, medicine, emergency care and academic research institutions, reinforcing the University of Georgia's commitment to innovation and athlete health and safety.
"This study represents the type of collaborative, evidence-based research that can truly impact emergency care in sport at every level," said UGA Athletic Association Executive Associate Athletic Director Ron Courson. "By bringing together experts from athletics, medicine, biomechanics and emergency response, we have an opportunity to generate meaningful data that may help improve outcomes for catastrophically injured athletes and guide future standards of care."
Researchers utilized advanced vertebral motion analysis technology to objectively measure cervical spine movement during various immobilization, transfer and equipment removal techniques. Findings from the study are expected to contribute to future peer-reviewed publications, educational initiatives, and national best-practice recommendations related to emergency care and catastrophic spine injury management in sport.
The study also highlights the growing collaboration between the UGA Athletic Association and the UGA School of Medicine, as well as the importance of partnerships with regional healthcare providers such as Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center in advancing translational sports medicine research.
Additional analysis of collected data is ongoing, with future presentations and publications anticipated over the coming year.
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