about duquesne Sports Medicine

Duquesne University Sports Medicine is committed to providing comprehensive medical care, personalized attention, injury prevention, and rehabilitative services to all Duquesne University Division I student-athletes.

Under the oversight of Associate Athletic Director Jessica Johns, MEd, ATC, LAT, the department has grown to a team of 10 full-time athletic trainers.

Through its affiliation with UPMC Sports Medicine, physicians who specialize in sports medicine oversee the practice of the athletic training staff. The team of physicians is headed by primary care/sports medicine physician Dr. Eric Anish. Working with Dr. Anish are Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Albert Lin and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians Dr. Ryan Nussbaum and Dr. Jenny Chiang. In addition to these outstanding physicians, our athletes have access to over 50 specialists and consultants throughout the Pittsburgh area.

All of Duquesne's athletic trainers serve as Approved Clinical Instructors for the CAATE accredited Athletic Training Education Program in the Rangos School of Health Sciences. The athletic training students work with our full-time staff as part of their educational experience and clinical requirements of their academic program.

GOALS AND PHILOSOPHY

The Duquesne University Sports Medicine staff provides athletic training services to the student athletes of Duquesne University. The sports medicine staff is committed to providing the best quality health care for student athletes. This commitment is achieved through using the most modern techniques, skills and equipment available and by consistently seeking the best ways to deliver quality and timely health care to our student-athletes.

The services provided by the sports medicine staff are divided into five domains established by the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer. The domains are: (1.) Risk Reduction, Wellness and Health Literacy, (2.) Assessment, Evaluation and Diagnosis, (3.) Critical Incident Management, (4.) Therapeutic Intervention and (5.) Health Care Administration and Professional Responsibility.

The main goal and philosophy of the sports medicine staff is to make the health care needs of the student athletes our first priority. Also, the certified athletic trainers who provide health care will practice with the highest standards of quality consistent with the Code of Ethics established by the National Athletic Trainers' Association. The Duquesne University Sports Medicine staff will not tolerate the practice of illegal discrimination on the basis of race, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, social status, financial status, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation.

Student-Athlete Forms

Visiting Team Information

ABOUT DUQUESNE Sports Performance

Duquesne University’s Sports Performance mission is to provide student-athlete centric sports performance training and athletic healthcare through evidence-based practice and education. Our goal is to create a positive, energetic, and engaging environment in which student-athletes can develop peak performance, competitive excellence, and optimal health. Our mission and goal will be accomplished through the implementation of an interdisciplinary approach including Sports Medicine, Strength and Conditioning, Sports Nutrition, Mental Health and Sports Psychology.
 

GOALS AND PHILOSOPHY

The sports performance program at Duquesne University is designed to develop the athletes' total athletic performance capabilities. Strength and conditioning shall be conducted in a manner that plans multiple peaks throughout the athletes' competitive season as well as career. All programs are constructed around the following list of program goals and objectives to aid in the safe and effective development of athletic health and performance.

I. Injury Prevention

• Movement assessments using Functional Movement Screens or other acceptable screening tools will be conducted throughout the student-athletes career.   
• Work to attain optimal (not maximal) range of motion and flexibility for all joints and muscles.
• Development of balanced strength and stability around joints
• Training of balance and proprioception.
• Purposeful strength and flexibility of injury prone areas in general and specific to sport.
• Student-athletes will follow an appropriate on-boarding program such as Block 0 or an acceptable version in order to ensure a complete understanding and proficiency of exercise technique prior to more advanced training.
• Student-athletes will have a mastery of basic movements before advancing to more complex, ballistic exercises.

• Priority of training will be on movements, not muscles.
• Explosive power will be developed using Olympic lifts (clean, snatch, jerk and their derivative’s), velocity-based training of basic strength movements, and plyometrics.
• Core strength lifts will include squats, dead lifts, pressing and pulling lifts in bilateral/unilateral and horizontal/vertical variations.
• Training of athletic movements/basic motor skills (landing, cutting, accelerating/decelerating).
• Development of aerobic/anaerobic conditioning programs based on sports specific metabolic demands.
• All programs will be evidence based, scientific, and include some form of progressive overload and periodization.
• Perform the BASICS at a high level
  • Balance and Proprioception
  • Agility (change of direction, acceleration/deceleration)
  • Strength
  • Injury Prevention (neck, shoulders, core, hips, ankles, prehab, rehab)
  • Conditioning (metabolic, cardiovascular, endurance, body composition)
  • Speed (linear, acceleration, repeat sprint ability)

DUQUESNE Sports Nutrition RESOURCES

One-on-One Nutrition Consulting
Personalized nutrition counseling designed to help student-athletes optimize performance, recovery, body composition, and overall health through individualized, evidence-based strategies.
Book Individual Appointment
Food Management: Allergies & Intolerances
Guidance for managing food allergies, intolerances, and dietary restrictions while ensuring athletes meet their nutritional needs safely and confidently.

Fueling Performance Assessments
Comprehensive evaluations of fueling habits, hydration, and energy needs to identify opportunities for improved performance and recovery.

Meal Planning & Nutrition Programming
Customized meal plans and nutrition strategies tailored to each athlete's training schedule, competition demands, and performance goals.

Pre- & Post-Exercise Fueling Strategies
Education on nutrient timing, hydration, and recovery nutrition to maximize energy, enhance recovery, and support consistent performance.

Travel Nutrition
Practical nutrition strategies that help athletes maintain optimal fueling, hydration, and recovery while traveling for training and competition.

Illness, Rehabilitation & Prehabilitation Nutrition
Targeted nutrition interventions to support injury recovery, immune health, tissue healing, and injury prevention throughout the season.

Individualized High Performance Collaboration
Working alongside the High Performance team to develop coordinated, athlete-centered nutrition plans that support health, performance, and long-term success.

Cooking Demonstrations, Grocery Store Tours & Recipes
Student-athletes and teams can request interactive cooking demonstrations, guided grocery store tours, and individualized recipes to build practical nutrition skills, improve meal preparation, and support healthy fueling habits both on and off campus.
 

Did You Know? Documents

UPMC Sports Nutrition Newsletters

Wellness & Therapy Services

Caring for both the mind and body is essential to student-athlete well-being and performance. All Duquesne students have access to University Counseling Services, which offers a wide range of mental health resources, including individual therapy, group therapy, case management, triage and crisis support, as well as educational outreach and wellness workshops. These services provide students with the support they need to navigate personal, academic, and emotional challenges throughout their college experience.

In addition, Duquesne Athletics partners with UPMC Behavioral Health Services to provide specialized psychiatric and psychological care for student-athletes. Through this collaboration, student-athletes have access to comprehensive mental health support tailored to the unique demands of collegiate athletics, ensuring they receive the resources necessary to thrive both in competition and in life. Student-athletes can contact their primary athletic trainer for a referral.