At The Rehab Lab, students and professors are leading a transformation in rehabilitation science by redefining how strength training is used to promote skeletal muscle health and functional recovery. 

Research is not just about generating data—it’s about innovation, collaboration, and real-world impact. By participating in research at The Rehab Lab, our students gain hands-on experience in exercise science, biomechanics, and rehabilitation strategies. More than just learning theories in a classroom, they become active contributors in shaping the future of rehabilitation.  

Students play a crucial role in:  

• Designing evidence-based protocols that challenge conventional rehab practices  
• Conducting data collection and analysis to assess rehabilitation outcomes  
• Exploring innovative resistance training techniques to enhance recovery  
• Engaging in multidisciplinary collaboration with researchers, clinicians, and exercise scientists  

Through collaborative research, The Rehab Lab explores progressive resistance training techniques, from bodyweight movements to free weights, to improve motor control, joint stability, and overall functional strength. This real-world application of research allows our students to see the direct impact of their work—whether it’s helping a patient regain mobility or contributing to new protocols that can be implemented in clinical settings.  

By participating in the rehab lab, students develop critical research skills that set them apart in their academic and professional careers. This experiences also allows them to truly understand the real-world applications of what they study. Most importantly, they’ll make meaningful contributions to a field that directly improves people’s lives—before they even graduate. 

So what’s next for the Rehab lab? Barry Sports. Director Dr. Antonella Schwarz and her team are working on establishing a partnership with Barry Sports teams that promises to be mutually beneficial. 

“We hope to be able to collect and provide data that can potentially aid in performance and or rehabilitation.”

“From the data we collect, our students will be able to conduct research and potentially publish papers etc.”

Dr. Schwarz is also currently assisting with strength training for several teams here at Barry. Her vision will help create even more experiential learning opportunities for students on campus. 

At The Rehab Lab, students aren’t just studying rehabilitation—they’re innovating it, through their curiosity, dedication, and passion for discovery.

If you’re a student interested in exercise science, physical therapy, or rehabilitation research, The Rehab Lab is the perfect place to gain hands-on experience and contribute to research that is reshaping the future of rehabilitation. Together, you can push the boundaries of what’s possible in restoring strength, movement, and resilience.