Mesa State students might be aware that for the past two years, Dr. William “Bill” Sands, PhD, has been the Director of the Monfort Family Human Performance Research Laboratory. What students may not know are the types of tests and studies that are performed in the lab as well as the various athletes, some world famous, who seek out Dr. Sands expertise.

Dr. Sands is described as a “biomechanist and physiologist” by writter Todd Balf in the May 2010 issue of Runner’s World magazine. Dr. Sands was part of the team that helped 2004 silver medalist, marathon runner Meb Keflezighi when returned from an injury and prepared for the Boston Marathon.

By utilizing thermal imaging, EMG, high speed video, and Normatec MVP Dr. Sands is able to diagnose muscular or neural injuries. Thermal imaging identifies soft-tissue temperatures and helps to record recovery and is the most commonly used to identify problems. EMG is when “surface electromyography records electrical activity of muscles at rest and during contraction using electrodes attached to bare skin,” according to Balf. The Normatec MVP, is described by Balf as “pressurized pants that use pneumatic compression to enhance the natural recovery mechanisms of the body’s circulatory system.”

Dr. Sands’ credentials include a Ph.D. at University of Utah in Exercise Physiology, a M.S. at University of Utah in Exercise Physiology, and a B.S. at University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh in Physical Education. He has coached men’s and women’s gymnastics. He was assistant coach of the women’s gymnastics team’s when they won seven consecutive NCCA division I national championships. Before coming to Mesa State, Dr. Sands was the Senior Physiologist at the Lake Placid Olympic Training Center, Head of Biomechanics and Engineering and Head of the Recovery Center at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center.

He is studying range of motion and flexibility. Mesa State dancers are taking part and are ideal study subjects because of how often they stretch. Other studies done by Dr. Sands include tumbling, the spring floor, the vault board, ancient Greek spear, and recovery.

After taking a probability and statistics course in high school he wanted to know what is it that makes people excel. Dr. Sands was an all-around gymnast in college and has always been interested in high performance, the science of elite athletes and what records are out there to be set. “(The) two greatest things anyone could do for their country aside from being in the military is to be an Olympic athlete or to be an astronaut,” Dr. Sands said.

Dr. Sands has been married for twenty-two years and his vice and fitness regimen is hiking. In June he plans to hike Machu Picchu in Peru. He runs an hour each day and believes exercise is medicine.