Richard DeMont, PhD, CAT(C), ATC

After working clinically and serving as the athletic therapist at St. Francis Xavier University for six years, Dr. DeMont returned to graduate studies and followed on to Concordia University in January of 1999. He won writing awards from the Journal of Athletic Training and from the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA) for his work in muscle function of lower extremities in dynamic conditions. He served on the Program Accreditation Committee of the CATA, including two terms as Chairperson. Dr. DeMont also served as CATA President for 3 terms. Internal to Concordia, he served as Vice-Chair, of the Concordia University Human Research Ethics Committee, multiple Department Chairperson search committees, Chair of the Dept Curriculum committee, and currently serves as the Athletic Therapy Program Director.

Education

PhD (University of Pittsburgh); MSc (Indiana State University); Diploma (Sport Injury Management, Sheridan College); BSc (St. Francis Xavier University).

Certifications

Richard DeMont is certified by the Canadian Athletic Therapists Association (CATA) as an Athletic Therapist [(CAT(C)]. He also holds the certified credential from the National Athletic Trainer's Association (Board of Certification) [ATC].

Research interests

Dr. DeMont is co-Director of the Athletic Therapy Research Laboratory. His focus of research is on the neuromuscular system and movement competence as it relates to injury, prevention, and rehabilitation. 

Specifically, Dr. DeMont has studied the role of muscle activation as a form of dynamic joint stability (including cognitive distraction on neuromuscular control, musculoskeletal loading when exposed to whole body vibration or perturbations, and movement patterns). Additional aspects of this joint stability theme examine relationship of children’s development of physical skill with movement competence, and applying these links with injury prevention strategies. 

Selected publications

Fraser SA, Li KZ, DeMont RG, Penhune VB. Effects of Balance Status and Age on Muscle Activation While Walking Under Divided Attention. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences 62:P171-P178 (2007).

Mandapuram S, Rakehja S, Ma S, DeMont R, Boileau P-E. Influence of back support conditions on the apparent mass of seated occupants under horizontal vibration. Industrial Health, Industrial Health, 43(3), July 2005.

DeMont RG, Lephart SM. The effects of gender on pre-activation of the gastrocnemius and hamstring muscles. Brit J Sports Med. 38(2):120-124, 2004 (Winner, Canadian Athletic Therapists Association, Writing Award)

Riemann BL, DeMont RG, Ryu KH, Lephart SM, Rubinstein EN. The effects of sex, joint angle, and the gastrocnemius muscle on ankle joint complex stiffness.J Athl Train. 36(4):369-376, 2001. (Runner Up, Journal of Athletic Training (NATA), Kenneth L Knight Award, Outstanding Research Manuscript)

DeMont RG, Lephart SM, Giraldo JL, Swanik CB, Fu FH. Muscle pre-activity of anterior cruciate ligament deficient and reconstructed females during functional activities. J Athl Train. 34(2);115-120, 1999. (Winner, Canadian Athletic Therapists Association, Writing Award)

Swanik CB, Lephart SM, Giraldo JL, DeMont RG, Fu FH. Reactive muscle firing of anterior cruciate ligament deficient and reconstructed females during functional activities. J Athl Train. 34(2);121-129, 1999. (Winner, Journal of Athletic Training (NATA), Kenneth L Knight Award, Outstanding Research Manuscript)