Overview
About SPARC.
Opened in February 2021 at the Atlanta Falcons headquarters, SPARC is the Institute’s flagship research center — turning biomechanics, imaging and immersive technology into scalable tools for injury prevention and performance.
Focus areas
What happens here.
Biomechanics-driven biofeedbackMarkerless 3D poseHamstring & ACL injury preventionSensorimotor assessment (DASH)VR neurocognitive rehabPerformance & readiness testing
Featured work
Science in action.
Augmented neuromuscular trainingReal-time biofeedback that targets the movement mechanisms behind injury.
Dynamic sensorimotor assessmentSix VR tasks measure balance, reaction, coordination and eye tracking.
Rapid performance & readinessFast biomechanical reports that track performance and readiness over time.
Team
All peoplePeople at SPARC
Gregory D. MyerPhD, FACSM, CSCS*DDirector, Emory Human Performance InstituteSPARCCOBRAAtlanta VA→
Jed A. DiekfussPhDAssistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedics · Director of Motor Neuroimaging, Emory SPARCSPARCBiomotion LabCOBRAAtlanta VA→
Chris RiehmPhDAssistant ProfessorSPARCWu Tsai→
Tara FalkSenior Associate Director of Programs: Orthopaedics Clinical Research, Emory Human Performance InstituteSPARC→
Cambria BrownIntern / Biomechanics Research FellowSPARCBiomotion LabU.S. SoccerWu Tsai→
Andrew C. HagenPhDPostdoctoral Research FellowSPARCBiomotion LabAtlanta VA→
Jasmine HillCRC III-Regulatory and Clinical ResearchSPARC→
Tessa HulburtAssistant ScientistSPARCBiomotion Lab→SKSamuel KwakAssistant Bioinformatics ScientistSPARCGT LabWu Tsai→
Isabelle LeeWu Tsai Alliance FellowSPARCBiomotion LabU.S. SoccerWu Tsai→
April (McPherson) NewmyerAssociate Bioinformatics ScientistSPARCGT LabU.S. SoccerCOBRAWu Tsai→
Andrew SchilleResearch Technical SpecialistSPARCHawksBiomotion LabGT LabU.S. SoccerWu Tsai→
Angela SkarpelisSenior Research SpecialistSPARCHawksGT Lab→
Shayla WarrenManager of OperationsSPARC→
Taylor M. ZulegerPostdoctoral Research FellowSPARCCOBRAAtlanta VA→Research output
All publicationsRecent publications
2026Reduction in Fear of Movement Predicts Long-Term Decreases In Functional Disability Among Adolescents With Juvenile FibromyalgiaNuria Morales, Anne M. Lynch-Jordan, James Peugh, Kimberly A. Barnett, Mark A. Connelly, Kimberly L. Klages, Gregory D. Myer +7 more · Journal of Pain↗
2026Sport-Specific Virtual Reality Tasks Reveal Distinct Patterns of Biomechanical Adaptation Compared With the Drop Vertical JumpJennifer A. Hogg, Scott Bonnette, Christopher D. Riehm, Staci M. Thomas, Manish Anand, Christopher A. DiCesare, Jed A. Diekfuss, Gregory D. Myer +9 more · Sports Health A Multidisciplinary Approach↗
2026SPOT: An Early Detection Tool for Predicting Pain Trajectories Following Intra‐Articular InjectionsBrittany Nelson, Prathap Jayaram, Sd Boden, Kenneth Mautner, Michael Brandon Gottschalk, Gregory D. Myer, Jed A. Diekfuss +1 more · Journal of Orthopaedic Research®↗
2026Return-to-Sport in Young Patients after Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone, Hamstring Tendon, and Quadriceps Tendon Autograft Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisZaamin B. Hussain, Camryn B. Petit, Stephanie Ann Boden, April L. McPherson, Kalpaka Pradip, Mia S. White, Gregory D. Myer +4 more · Journal of Athletic Training↗
2026A Radiographic Predictive Model for Distinguishing Mobile Trap Door vs Locked Door Osteochondritis Dissecans Lesions of the KneeMatthew David Milewski, Patricia Miller, Emma C. Gossman, Marc A. Tompkins, The ROCK Study Group, Gregory D. Myer · Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine↗
Support
Funding & partnersFunding at SPARC
SponsorAwardTeamPeriodSite
FederalGeorgia Clinical & Translational Science Alliance (NIH NCATS)Development and feasibility of a pneumatic leg press device for use during brain functional magnetic resonance imagingAward UL1TR002378—SPARC
—SPARCIndustryGE HealthCareAdvanced muscle imaging to characterize recovery and predict secondary injury in female athletes with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction—SPARC
—SPARCIndustryArthrex · Investigator-Initiated ResearchLongitudinal effects of suture tape augmentation on quadriceps tendon autograft maturation following ACL reconstruction—SPARC
—SPARCIndustryAREAS SAS · Sponsored Research AgreementUnited States of America – France MRI data validation dataset for 510(k) qualification of a knee digital twin—SPARC
—SPARCPartners