Tyler Wood, Ph.D., LAT, ATC

Associate Professor

Department

School of Rehabilitation and Performance Sciences

Research Interests

• Motor Control
• Rehabilitation
• Concussion

Education

• Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Kinesiology
• M.S., Saint Louis University, Health Sciences
• M.A.T., Saint Louis University, Athletic Training
• B.S., Saint Louis University, Exercise Science

Biography

Tyler Wood, PhD, LAT, ATC, is an Associate Professor of Athletic Training at Northern Illinois University within the Master of Science in Athletic Training program. His research focuses on human movement and rehabilitation, with an emphasis on identifying persistent neuromuscular and movement impairments following concussion. His work seeks to improve concussion assessment and rehabilitation through objective measures of gait, balance, and motor control. Dr. Wood is committed to mentoring students through research, clinical education, and professional development. His scholarship has resulted in numerous peer-reviewed publications and national and regional presentations. He received the 2026 Great Lakes Athletic Trainers’ Association Outstanding Educator Award, 2025 Journal of Athletic Training – Education and Practice Outstanding Manuscript, the 2025 NIU College of Education Excellence in Research and Artistry Award, and the 2023 Illinois Athletic Trainers Association Young Professionals’ Award.

Recent Publications

• Wood TA, Grahovec NE, Harris A, Wilson M. Student-athletes’ perceptions of serial 7s dual-task concussion testing paradigm. Journal of Athletic Training. 2026;61(5)322-328. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-0597.25
• Gonzalez N, Grahovec NE, Wood TA. Effects of Functional Ankle Instability on Muscle Activity in Ice Hockey Athletes. Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine. 11(3):1. https://doi.org/10.25035/jsmahs.11.03.01
• Wood TA, Grahovec NE. Modified Gait Support in Adults Three to Eighteen Months After Concussion.Sensors. 2026; 26(14):4346. https://doi.org/10.3390/s26144346
• Elsava CPV, Haga M, Rohl B, Grahovec NE, Wood TA. An examination into factors that impact hip and groin pain in ice hockey players. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 2025;45:295-298.
• Needham R, Grahovec NE, Prange N, Wood TA. Frequency and attributing factors to food insecurity experienced by professional athletic training students. Journal of Athletic Training – Education and Practice. 2025;20(1):33-37.
• Puga J* Grahovec NE, Wood TA. The qualitative investigation into current return-to-activity protocols, persistent effects, and the perceived feasibility of exercise interventions in individuals who have sustained a concussion. Journal of Rehabilitation Practices and Research. 2025;6(1):167.
• Wood TA, Kamari M, Grahovec NE, Wilson M. Long-term neurodegenerative sequelae of concussion: implications for musculoskeletal injury risk and neuromuscular interventions. Frontiers in Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2025;3:1567611.
• Wood TA, Casas R, Hill CM, Grahovec NE. Gait initiation alone may be insufficient to identify a neuromuscular mechanism underlying concussion-related kinematic alterations. Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2024 Jun 26;22(3), Article 3.
• Wood TA, Tablerion JM, Ballard RA, Zimmerman J, Sosnoff JJ. Head acceleration and sub-concussive head impacts in collegiate divers: a pilot study. International Journal of Athletic Therapy and Training. 2021;26:212-215.
• Wood TA, Hernandez ME, Sosnoff JJ. Age-related differences to neck muscle activation latency as a potential risk factor to fall-related traumatic brain injuries. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology. 2020;51:102405.

Funded Projects

• Wood TA, Grahovec NE, Harris AM. Student-Athletes’ Perceptions of Three Dual Task Concussion Testing Paradigms. 2025 – 2026. Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association Professional Research Grant. Awarded $1,700.
• Wood TA, Grahovec NE. Translating Principles of Clinical Pilates to Decrease Concussion-Related Disability. Great Lakes Athletic Trainers Association Pilot Grant. 2023. Awarded $500.
• Wood TA. Student-Athletes’ Perceptions of Three Dual Task Concussion Testing Paradigms. 2025 – 2026. Northern Illinois University College of Education Dean’s Research Grant. Awarded $5,000.
• Wood TA, Hill CM, Grahovec NE, Sebastiao E. Examining Impaired Long-Term Neuromuscular Control Mechanisms Following Concussion. Northern Illinois University Research and Artistry Opportunity Grant. 2021 - 2022. Awarded $15,000.

Courses Taught

• ATTR 501 Foundations of Athletic Training
• ATTR 520 Integrated Therapeutic Interventions in Athletic Training I
• ATTR 521 Integrated Therapeutic Interventions in Athletic Training I Lab
• ATTR 522 Integrated Therapeutic Interventions in Athletic Training II
• ATTR 523 Integrated Therapeutic Interventions in Athletic Training II Lab
• ATTR 600 Research Methods and Evidence Based Practice in Athletic Training
• ATTR 650 Directed Research and Applied Evidence Based Practice in Athletic Training