Dr. Jarrod Plank utilizes new technology for exercise science 

Dr. Jarrod Plank (Class of 2019) wanted to pursue physical therapy and began that journey by studying exercise science at Morehead State University.  

Now, as an assistant professor of kinesiology at MSU, he is helping current and future MSU students pursue similar goals. He said it feels like a full-circle moment.  

"It is surreal in that the setting in which I once learned, I am now granted the opportunity to teach and continue learning myself," he said.  

Plank was excited to return to MSU to teach and prepare students when he was hired in August 2023. Thanks to funding through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the University purchased the new equipment to allow Plank and his students to participate and assist in beneficial exercise science research.  

Plank, a native of Mt. Sterling who is also a licensed physical therapist, said MSU's Human Performance Lab now has two state-of-the-art Woodway treadmills with VO2-measuring capabilities, a Biodex dynamometer for muscular torque assessment, and a BodPod for optimal body fat assessment.  

"With this equipment, the capabilities for teaching and scholarship are exponentially increased through classroom activities, projects, and undergraduate research — all of which will better prepare our students for their desired occupation and graduate school," he said.  

The current focus of Plank's exercise science research includes investigating hamstring torque among female athletes using MSU student-athletes and the effect of the Nordic hamstring exercise on hamstring torque.  

"With a focus on female athletes, who are at an increased risk of ACL strain, assessing the effectiveness of this exercise may yield significant implications for mitigating ACL injury in female sports," he said.  

Plank said he enjoys combining his instruction in his kinesiology classes and labs with his practicing clinical work as a physical therapist, which is "the best of both worlds with athletes at a sports performance level and working with patients on a functional level."  

By outfitting the Human Performance Lab with the best equipment for studying exercise science, MSU is enhancing students' educational experience and increasing their chances for success after graduation.   

"Therefore, it is my goal that students not only leave this program academically prepared for their next step but confident in their choosing of that step," Plank said. "I desire that my impact is that students leave this program feeling that they were assisted in all areas to yield personal success."  

Dr. Jarrod Plank can be reached at jtplank@moreheadstate.edu.  

To learn more about MSU's Department of Health, Kinesiology, Imaging & Psychological Sciences, contact kh@moreheadstate.edu or 606-783-2180.