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Thomas Kernozek

Professor
Health Professions University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

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Thomas Kernozek

Professor

Health Professions

Specialty area(s)

Biomechanics of Human Movement, Clinical Research Methodology, Biomechanics Instrumentation and Statistics

 

Brief biography

Have taught in the Physical Therapy Program since 1996.  Developed the Strzelczyk Clinical Biomechanics Laboratory in the Health Science Center. Serve as the founding director of the La Crosse Institute for Movement Science (LIMS)  (est. 2005). 

We currently have two active biomechanics laboratories where we study lower extremity injury mechanics.  Our work often involves joint/soft-tissue loading with computer-based musculoskeletal models informed by testing human subjects. Many of our projects have examined the biomechanical factors related to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, patellofemoral joint loading, and Achilles tendon loading during therapeutic exercise, walking, running, jumping, and landing.  We also currently use biomechanical instrumentation to provide augmented feedback to performers that blends biomechanics with motor control/motor learning to reduce injury risks in female athletes.  We work with various athletic programs at UW-La Crosse and within the region.

Currently, I serve as the Director of the La Crosse Institute for Movement Science (LIMS), teach graduate courses in the Physical Therapy program, and serve as the Chair of the Department of Health Professions. 

Students have access to advanced technology and equipment, enabling cutting-edge research in motion analysis, biomechanics, and rehabilitation.

Here is an article highlighting my research at UWL that was once featured in the La Crosse Tribune.  My work has been also recently featured in this blog from Motion Analysis Corporation.

Here are some links to our laboratory, instruments, and published research -
La Crosse Institute for Movement Science (LIMS) est. 2005. LIMS website
Strzelczyk Clinical Biomechanics Laboratory and Performance Analysis for Clinical Exercise and Running Performance (PACER) Laboratory Lab website

Education

Post doctoral associate, University of Minnesota
PhD, University of Minnesota (GO GOPHERS!)

Career

Professional history

Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, member of the American Society of Biomechanics, Associate Editor for the Journal of Applied Biomechanics.

Research and publishing

Have published over 145 research manuscripts with my colleagues and graduate students. Our physical therapy students have excellent opportunities to be mentored by faculty on clinically relevant research projects in one of our laboratories.  I treat my research agenda as a faculty/student partnership. Have had great outcomes working with colleagues and students on various projects.  Often, students are listed as co-authors on publications or presentations at professional meetings for their efforts in furthering our research. 

Follow these links to see what we are currently publishing within our LIMS research group  (Pubmed Publications website). Our research has been cited by many other scientists in the field.  Follow the Google link to learn more about which papers have been most often cited by other scientists (Google Scholar Kernozek Citations website)  Here is my profile in Web of Science (https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/B-1446-2009) and my orcid https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3044-6076.

UWL has exciting clinical research partnerships with the Gundersen Sports Physical Therapy residency program and the Mayo Clinic Healthcare System in La Crosse.

If you want to become a physical therapist and become engaged in contemporary research in movement science, UW-La Crosse is a really great place to be!  Become involved in LIMS research!

Kudos

published

Thomas Kernozek and Drew Rutherford, both Health Professions; and C. Nathan Vannatta, Alex Olver, Haley Reierson and Amanda Thiers, all Physical Therapy; co-authored the article "Sex Differences in Achilles Tendon Loading in Healthy Recreational Runners: A Cross-Sectional Study" in the "Journal of Sport Rehabilitation," which was accepted for publication by Human Kinetics.

C. Nathan Vannatta collaborates with our LIMS research group with support from the Gundersen Medical Foundation.

Submitted on: Feb. 3

published

Thomas Kernozek and Drew Rutherford, both Health Professions; and Kellie Hierl, Sidney Smith, C. Nathan Vannatta and Kaelyn Wagner, all Physical Therapy students; co-authored the article "Exploration of Achilles Tendon Loading Symmetry in Female Recreational Runners" in Biomechanics and was accepted for publication by MDPI.

Submitted on: Jan. 14

published

Thomas Kernozek and Drew Rutherford, both Health Professions; Grace Rudek and C. Nathan Vannatta, both Physical Therapy students; and Emma Heinert, Biology; co-authored the article "Use of concurrent auditory, tactile, and visual cueing and estimated cadence increases on Achilles tendon loading in running" in PT in Sport, published on Monday, Nov. 10 by Elsevier. Grade Rudek is a current graduate student in the Doctoral Program in Physical Therapy. Emma Heinert was a CSH Dean's Distinguished Fellow.

Submitted on: Nov. 10, 2025

presented

Thomas Kernozek, Health Professions, presented "Biomechanics Careers Demystified" at the American College of Sports Medicine Webinar on Sept. 24 online. Kernozek served as a panelist with the Biomechanics Interest Group within ACSM, where they explored the educational and research possibilities existing in the field. It was a nice experience to share insights and engage with students learning about careers in biomechanics and how to get involved.

Submitted on: Sept. 25, 2025

published

Thomas Kernozek and C.N. Vannatta, both Physical Therapy, co-authored the article "Isometric hip strength does not directly influence injury in collegiate cross-country runners: a prospective cohort study" in Physical Therapy in Sport and was accepted for publication by Elsevier. C. Nathan Vannatta is a UWL alumnus in Physical Therapy and a research collaborator with Emplify/Gundersen Health System, specializing in sports medicine. Nathan directs the research component of the Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program with Gundersen Medical Foundation. This research has been conducted over a span of 10 years involving running athletes.

Submitted on: Aug. 20, 2025