Athens Campus
Dr. Jeff Russell is an associate professor of Athletic Training and Director of Science and Health in Artistic Performance (SHAPe) at Ohio University. Dr. Russell leads a community-engaged research team that studies injuries and healthcare access of performing artists, including in dance, music, theatre, film and television, and marching band. His primary research emphasis is concussions with a special focus on film and television stunt performers. Russell earned his Ph.D. in dance medicine and science from the University of Wolverhampton in England. In 2024 he founded the International Task Force on Head Impacts and Trauma in Stunts (HITS Task Force) and is the editor of "Dance Injuries: Reducing Risk and Maximizing Performance," a 2025 textbook published by Human Kinetics Publishers. He also leads the Department of Athletic Training's graduate certificate in Performing Arts Medicine and an undergraduate certificate in Performing Arts Health and Wellness .
Education
- BA, Sports Medicine, Rice University, 1981
- MS, Athletic Training, University of Arizona, 1982
- PhD, Dance Medicine and Science, University of Wolverhampton (UK), 2010
Research Interests
- Concussions in performing arts, especially film, television, and live event stunt performers
- Healthcare access for performing artists
- Anatomy and mechanics of the ankle and foot in classical ballet
- Community-engaged research
Select Publications
- Russell JA, editor. Dance Injuries: Reducing Risk and Maximizing Performance. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Publishers. 2025. ISBN 978-1-718-21186-5.
- Ojofeitimi S, McIntyre L, Barchi E, Rae S, Winnitoy B, Russell JA. Guidelines for returning to dance following concussion: adaptations from sport concussion literature. International Journal of Clinical Practice. 2024;1449433:1-14. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1155/2024/1449433
- Russell JA, Beverly EA, Stewart LJ, McMichael LP, Senn AB. Stunt performers’ reluctance to self-report head trauma: a qualitative study. Journal of Occupational Medicine & Toxicology. 2024;19(1):4, 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38297318/
- Senn AB, McMichael LP, Stewart LJ, Russell JA. Head trauma and concussions in film and television stunt performers: an exploratory study. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 65(1):e21-e27, 2023. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36608153/
- Russell JA, Mueller IF. Force attenuation properties of padded dance support socks. Journal of Dance Medicine & Science. 26(2):106-113, 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35287788/
- Russell JA, McIntyre L, Stewart L, Wang TJ. Concussions in dancers and other performing artists. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America. 32(1):155-168, 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33198893/
- Tando T, Horiuchi S, Yu HJ, Luk A, Russell JA, Sharp K, Yoshioka H. Quantitative MRI analysis of the talocrural and talonavicular joints in ballet dancers. Journal of Dance Medicine & Science. 25(1):38-45, 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33706854/
- Horiuchi S, Yu HJ, Luk A, Rudd A, Ton J, Kuoy E, Russell JA, Sharp K, Yoshioka H. T1rho and T2 mapping of ankle cartilage of female and male ballet dancers. Acta Radiologica. 61(10):1365-1376, 2020. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32028774
University Services
- CHSP Promotion and Tenure Committee
- CHSP Research Council
- CHSP Sports and Human Performance Community of Practice
- Department of Athletic Training Promotion and Tenure Committee
- Kennedy/Frontiers in Science Lecture Committee
- Global Health Initiative Task Force
- Community-engaged Scholar