Colby Mangum is a tenure earning assistant professor with the Athletic Training Program in the College of Health Professions and Sciences at the University of Central Florida. Mangum’s research focuses on the lumbopelvic-hip complex, low back pain, and the connection between core stability and lower extremity function. She also has specific interest in musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging and muscle function in chronic lower extremity injuries.
Mangum graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with her Bachelor of Arts in Exercise and Sport Science – Athletic Training. She went on to the University of Virginia where she earned her Post-Professional Athletic Training Master’s degree and her Ph.D. in Sports Medicine.
In addition to her ongoing research, Mangum is responsible for all master’s level athletic training research courses and directing all capstone projects. She is also an advisor to undergraduate students outside the major through the Burnett Honors College, Office of Honors Research.
Credentials
- Ph.D., Doctor of Philosophy, Sports Medicine, University of Virginia
- MEd, Master of Education, Athletic Training, University of Virginia
- LAT, Licensed Athletic Trainer
- ATC, Certified Athletic Trainer, Athletic Training, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Sports medicine and movement science research tackle many topics that plague patient quality of life, level of activity, and chronic pain. This chronic pain and disability has a resounding effect on how these individuals live out their daily lives and what level of physical activity they are able to achieve, which all has a profound effect regarding muscular activity and therapeutic exercise. Exploring innovative methods of quantifying muscle activity and using those methods to supplement traditionally used measurement techniques has become a large focus within Dr. Mangum’s research agenda to date. Various muscle activity measurement techniques provide us with similar, yet unique information to one another and can provide clinicians and researchers very useful information in the assessment and treatment of individuals with musculoskeletal injury, especially low back pain and chronic lower extremity conditions. Dr. Mangum has utilized ultrasound imaging to measure muscle thickness and cross-sectional area of deeper musculature surrounding the lumbar spine, hips, and lower extremity, with a focus on the transverse abdominis, lumbar multifidus, gluteus maximus, and gluteus medius. Connection of this lumbopelvic-hip muscle function to overall lower extremity function, injury, and rehabilitation is at the center of Dr. Mangum’s research agenda.
Areas of Specialty
- Lumbopelvic-Hip Complex Muscle Function
- Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging
- Core Stability and Athletic Function
- Innovative Assessment and Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain, Patellofemoral Pain
Research Lab Affiliations
Research Grants
Optimizing Clinical Outcomes for Patients with Patellofemoral Pain Using Strength Training Rehabilitation Incorporating Power Exercises (STRIPE)
ATR5617: Athletic Training Research I
ATR6618: Athletic Training Research II
ATR6619: Athletic Training Research III
PET6521: Exercise Physiology Instrumentation
APK 7980: Dissertation
APK 6908: Independent Study
ATR 4912: Directed Independent Research
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