Falk College strives to achieve excellence in education not only through good teaching but also through participation in active research. Our students benefit by learning from researchers who are working at the cutting-edge of knowledge, within well-equipped laboratories, and in projects that are both domestic and abroad. We encourage both undergraduates and graduate engagement to achieve not only a rewarding educational experience but also enhanced career opportunities upon graduation. Learn more about the different types of research awards.
Extramural AwardExploring FIFA Video Games as a Channel to Promote Football Participation, Football Literacy, and Psychosocial Well-being
This project is proposed to (1) investigate how FIFA video games usage is associated with football participation and psychological well-being, and (2) develop strategies to better utilize the video game series in stimulating football participation. Two survey-based studies are designed for the project, targeting adults in the U.S. and Canada. In Study 1, we compare four groups [FIFA video games usage (Y/N) x physical play in football (Y/N)] on their football enjoyment/involvement and physical and mental health. In Study 2, we focus on those who only play football online, and introduce/test the concept of ‘football literacy’ as a mediator explaining the football participatory effects of playing FIFA video game series.
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2020-2021 Falk Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Seed Grant AwardAge at League Entry and Early All-Cause Mortality Risk Among NFL Players
Is age at entry associated with all-cause mortality among NFL players, after controlling for position-of-play cluster, career NFL game exposure, birth year, body mass index, entry year, and ability? In this cohort study of 9,049 National Football League players, an earlier age at NFL entry was associated with a statistically significant increase in the hazard ratio of death controlling for position-of-play cluster, career NFL game exposure, BMI, birth year, and expected ability at League entry.
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2019-2020 SU CUSE GrantE-sport, psychological well-being, and sport participation: Data collection and natural field experimental analysis
E-sport participation can be conceptualized as competitive video game played at grassroot levels, where the video game of interest is played in professional competitions. In terms of the time use and prevalence, competitive online gaming is an important activity among American youth. According to the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, more than 92% of 1,641 sampled Americans age 17-27 had at least one experience with competitive online gaming.
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2018-2019 Falk Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Seed Grant AwardA Logistic Regression Analysis of Reported Concussion Risk among NCAA FBS Football Players
The present research seeks to analyze and estimate a salient concussion risk factor for NCAA FBS football players. The results of this study have the potential to inform NCAA student-athlete concussion policy. College gridiron play features student-athletes who are faster, larger, and stronger, on average than their high school counterparts. While learning this new level of play as freshmen and sophomores, players may be at increased risk of concussion due to increased incidence of improper positioning and lower average strength, ceteris paribus.
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2018-2019 SU CUSE GrantCause of Death, Longevity, and Career Statistical Characteristics among Former NFL Players: An Empirical Analysis using Categorical and Survival Models
The present research seeks to determine the relationships between on-field attributes/events, longevity, and cause of death among former NFL players. As the present NFL player concussion reporting protocol was not enacted until 2011, present data cannot determine the mortality risk factor presented by the elevated rate of concussion experienced by players during their career. That is, the complete pathway from concussion(s) to chronic traumatic encephalopathy and other neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s Disease) to mortality risk among former NFL players is empirically indeterminable given present data.
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