Geoff Dover, PhD

Geoff Dover is a Certified Athletic Therapist and a Certified Athletic Trainer. After earning his undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph he completed his Athletic Therapy training at Sheridan College. He then earned his masters degree and PhD at the University of Florida. For the last three years Dr. Dover was the director of the Graduate Athletic Training program at the University of Florida before starting his position here at Concordia in 2008.

Education

PhD (University of Florida), MS (University of Florida), Dip SIM (Sheridan College), BSc (Human Kinetics, University of Guelph).

Research interests

My research interests include implementing a novel biopsychosocial model that considers the potentially interactive roles played by psychological and functional risk factors in the development of chronic pain. Chronic pain is a prevalent, disabling, and costly problem for our society. Clinical outcomes following treatment of musculoskeletal  disorders are often unfavourable and, as a result, unresolved chronic pain represents a significant source of disability. My research attempts to determine the risk factors that lead to increased pain perception and decreased function in a variety of populations.

The Athletic Therapy Research Laboratory

The focus of our lab is to evaluate the kinetic and kinematics variables in humans. We evaluate healthy subjects as well as injured patients undergoing treatment. We assess strength, range of motion, and performance in various populations. In addition we measure pain and psychological responses to pain and injury. Some of the equipment we currently use includes a Kin-Com isokinetic dynamometer, algometry, and EMG analysis.

Selected publications

Kakon G*, Mohamadi AK*, Levtova N, Maurice-Ventouris M, Benoit E, Chouchou F, Darlington PJ, Dover GC. Elevated heart rate and pain during a cold pressor test correlates to pain catastrophizing. Accepted in Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback.

 

Fortin M, Rye M*, Roussac A*, Naghdi N, Macedo LG, Dover GC, Elliot JM, Demont R, Weber MH, Pepin V. The effects of combined motor control and isolated extensor strengthening versus general exercise on paraspinal muscle morphology and function in patients with chronic low back pain: a randomized controlled trial protocol. Accepted in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.

 

Hindle M*, Aldinger K*, Dover GC. The influence of chronic pain and catastrophizing on patient outcomes in an athletic therapy setting. Accepted in Journal of Sport Rehabilitation.

 

Berger Lebel F*, DeMont R, Eberman L, Dover GC. Patient outcomes significantly improve when receiving treatment by Athletic Therapy students. Accepted in Journal of Athletic Training. Epub May 2021 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33975356/

 

Lentini, M*, Scalia J*, Berger Lebel F*, Touma F, Jhajj A, Darlington PJ, Dover GC. Catastrophizing in athletes correlates with pain and cardiovascular changes during a painful cold pressor test. Journal of Athletic Training, 2021, 56(5):473-483.

 

Miller MB*, Roumanis MJ*, Kakinami L, Dover GC. Chronic pain patients’ kinesiophobia and catastrophizing are associated with activity intensity at different times of the day. Journal of Pain research, May 2020, 13:273-284.

 

Di Lemme S*, Sanderson J, Celebrini RG, Dover GC. A comprehensive nonoperative rehabilitation program including blood flow restriction for a talus fracture in a professional hockey player: A case report. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training 2020, 25(3):121-130.