About the Institute
Creation of the Institute was inspired by the unprecedented interest in sports medicine and sports science that has occurred over the past several years. It is now recognized that there is a scientific foundation for the training of athletes, both to improve performance as well as to reduce the risk of injury or re-injury. New surgical techniques allow athletes to return to competition sooner and with minimum effect on subsequent performance. Huffines faculty are researching new methods and technologies for improving athletic performance as well as treating and preventing athletic inuries.Understanding of the nutritional needs of the athlete have resulted in substantial improvements in athletic performance. Huffines researchers are continuing to look at new nutritional programs in an effort to maximize athletic performance as well as maintain optimal health for the athlete.
An important application of sports medicine involves the detection and treatment of the number one killer of both men and women in the western world: Coronary Heart Disease. Clinical and Applied Exercise Physiologists in the Huffines Institute use graded exercise in conjunction with electrocardiography to evaluate cardiovascular status and prescribe appropriate exercise and lifestyle adjustments to help prevent the disease. This service is usefull in screening for possible cardiac problems that cause sudden death in athletes. They also screen and council non-athletes who have previously had various forms of cardiac problems and cardiac surgeries as to how exercise may help them recover from these problems more quickly and avoid them in the future.
Finally, Huffines faculty are currently developing new and improved methods to increase the overall health, wellness, and well-being of the non-athlete. Current trends in nutrition and exercise are being scrutinized by Huffines researchers and new strategies for increasing one's quality of life through exercise and nutrition are being developed through experimental research.