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University of Connecticut Neag School of Education Department of Kinesiology


Photo of Craig Denegar

Craig R. Denegar

  • Director of Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
  • Professor of Kinesiology
Craig Denegar, P.T., Ph.D., A.T.,C, FNATA is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology and the Director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. He teaches in the areas of therapeutic modalities, research methods and clinical epidemiology. Prior to moving to the University he served as an associate professor in the Departments of Orthopaedics and Kinesiology at Penn State. At Penn State his clinical practice was devoted to outpatient orthopaedic physical therapy with special interests in persistent and chronic musculoskeletal pain and disorders of the spine. Craig also taught human anatomy, therapeutic modalities and a graduate course in clinical epidemiology in the Department of Kinesiology. 

Prior to moving to Penn State in 1995 has spent 6 years on the faculty in the School of Physical Therapy at Slippery Rock University where also completed a masters degree in physical therapy. Craig completed his Ph.D. in Sports Medicine at the University of Virginia. Craig is the senior associate editor of the Journal of Athletic Training and serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and Open Access Journal of Sports Medicine. He is the lead author of the text Therapeutic Modalities for Musculoskeletal Injuries, co-author of Research Methods: A Foundation for Evidence-based Practice and has written and presented numerous papers related to musculoskeletal rehabilitation and athletic health care.
  • Contact Information:
  • Office:
    • Location: Gampel 220
  • Mailing Address:
    • Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
    • Department of Kinesiology
    • 358 Mansfield Road, U-2101
    • Storrs, CT 06269-2101
  • Areas of Expertise:
    • Orthopedic Physical Therapy
  • Currently Teaching:
    • 2007 University of Connecticut, Doctor of Physical Therapy: PT 430-Functional Neuro-Biomechanical Relationships
    • 1995 2007 Penn State University, Advanced Athletic Training, Therapeutic Modalities, Therapeutic Exercise, Clinical Epdemiology, Anatomy
  • Honors and Awards:
    • 2010 Awarded Fellowship in the National Athletic Trainers' Association
    • 2007 Journal of Athletic Training Clint Thompson Award for Clinical Advancement. Craig Denegar and Missy Fraser. How Useful are Physical Examination Procedures? Understandingand Applying Likelihood Ratios
    • 2004 Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers’ Society Distinguished Merit Award
    • 2003 William G. Clancy, Jr. Medal for Distinguished Athletic Training Research from the National Athletic Trainers Association Research and Education Foundation
  • Associations/Organizations/Outreach:
    • American Physical Therapy Association, 1990-Present
    • Connecticut Physical Therapy Association 2007- present; vice-president 2012-
    • National Athletic Trainers Association: Certified Athletic Trainer, 1978-present
    • Eastern Athletic Trainers Association, 1989-Present
    • Senior Associate Editor, Journal of Athletic Training: 2004-present
  • Educational Background:
    • Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, State University of New York College: 1978
    • Master of Education with Specialization in Athletic Training and Sports Medicine, University of Virginia: 1979
    • Master of Physical Therapy, Slippery Rock College: 1992
    • Doctor of Philosophy in Education with Specialization in Sports Medicine, University of Virginia: 1989
  • Selected Publications/Presentations:
    • Denegar CR, Cordova ML. Statistics and Diagnostic Certainty. J Athl Train 47:247-250, 2012
    • Denegar CR, Schimizzi ME, Dougherty DR, Friedman JE, Clark JE, Comstock BA, Kraemer WJ. Responses to Superficial Heating and Cooling Differ in Men and Women with Knee Osteoarthritis. Physiother Theory Pract 2011 Aug 8. [Epub ahead of print]
    • Vela L, Denegar CR. Transient Disablement in the Physically Active with Musculoskeletal Injuries, Part 1: A Descriptive Model. J Athl Train.45:615-629, 2010
    • Vela L, Denegar CR. The Disablement in the Physically Active Scale, Part II: The Psychometrics of an Outcomes Scale for Musculoskeletal Injuries. J Athl Train 45:630-641, 2010
    • Denegar CR, Dougherty DR, Friedman JE, Schmizzi ME, Clark JE, Comstock BA, Kraemer WJ. Preferences for Heat, Cold or Contrast in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis Affect Treatment Response. J Clin Interventions Aging. 5:199-206, 2010.
    • Denegar CR, Ciriani GR. Self-management of adhesive capsulitis – a case report of a novel application of whole body vibration. Athletic therapy Today 15(6):19-22 , 2010
  • Funded Research:
    • Pain management in knee osteoarthritis
    • Achilles tendinopathy and tendon mechanics