Richard Boergers , Ph.D., ATC
Associate Professor
Department of Athletic Training
(973) 275-2458
Email
Interprofessional Health Sciences Campus
Room 436
Richard Boergers, Ph.D., ATC
Associate Professor
Department of Athletic Training
Director – Gait/Motion Analysis Lab
Athletic trainer, rehabilitation specialist, biomechanist, exercise scientist, manual therapist, triathlete, endurance sport enthusiast, author, coach, mentor
I am a certified athletic trainer by profession with expertise in biomechanical analysis which I use to mitigate injuries and improve performance in the physically active population. My primary aim as an educator is to share my knowledge and skills in these areas with my students so they become outstanding clinicians with the ability to provide high level patient care.
I arrived at the School of Health and Medical Sciences in 2011 as an assistant professor in the Master of Science in Athletic Training program (MSAT). Prior to my arrival, I was an assistant professor/clinical coordinator at Stony Brook University in the Athletic Training Program for 8 years. Interestingly, I previously worked clinically in the Seton Hall University Department of Athletics in the office of sports medicine. During that time, the MSAT was first getting started and I served as a clinical instructor, research mentor and adjunct faculty member for the program. Currently, I teach courses that focus on developing manual therapy and therapeutic exercise treatment strategies to be used on injuries in the extremities and the spine. Additionally, I teach research courses and mentor student research projects.
My broad skillset has allowed me to teach and mentor students from a variety of levels in SHMS. I have taught courses in the PhD in Health Sciences to students in the Movement Science concentration and have served on numerous dissertation committees. More recently, I’ve taught courses in the BS- Interprofessional Health Sciences Program to students in the Exercise Science concentration. Regardless of who I am teaching and mentoring, I always strive to use my previous clinical and research experiences to enhance my message.
My research interests are broad but over the years three major areas have emerged: injury mitigation of arm injuries in the overhead athlete; pre-hospital management of emergent injuries, and injury mitigation and performance enhancement for endurance athletes.
In my personal life, I enjoy training and competing in triathlons and other endurance events. I have completed more than 20 Half IRONMAN races, four IRONMAN races and countless other triathlons and related endurance events.
Education
- Ph.D., Health Sciences/Movement Science, Seton Hall University
- M.S., Human Performance, University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
- B.S., Health Science/Athletic Training, SUNY Cortland
Scholarship
Book
- Boergers R, Gingerelli A. (2021). Finish Strong: Resistance training for endurance athletes. Bloomsbury Publishers, New York.
Manuscripts
- Monaco J, Boergers RJ, Cappaert T, Miller M, Nelson J, Schoenberger M. (2023). The Effects of a Land-Based Home Exercise Program on Surfing Performance in Recreational Surfers. Journal of Sport Sciences. 41(4):358-371.
- Rippon LA, Chen R, Kelchen RJ, Boergers RJ. (2022). A national study on the relationship between programmatic factors and athletic training education Board of Certification pass rates. Athl Train Educ J. 17(1):37–45
- Boergers R., Bowman, T., Lininger, M., Picinich, L., Bruno, P., Forlenza, C., Prata, G. (2021). Airway emergencies in lacrosse: impact of exposure procedure and device on time and ventilation quality. Athletic Training and Sports Health Care. 13(5): e271-e279.
- Bowman, T., Boergers, R., Lininger, M., Ardente, M., D’Amodio, G., Hughes, C., Murphy, M. (2020). The effect of lacrosse protective equipment on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator shock. Journal of Athletic Training. 00(00) 1-9.
- Stapleton, D., Boergers, R., Rodriguez, J., Green, G., Johnson, K., Williams, P., Leelum, N., Jackson, L., Vallorosi, J. (2020). The relationship between functional movement, dynamic stability, and athletic performance assessments in baseball and softball athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 00(00): 1-7.
- Boergers R, Bowman T, Sgherza N, Montjoy M, Lu M, O’Brien C. (2019). An investigation of athletic trainers’ emergency management practices for equipment intensive sports. International Journal of Athletic Therapy & Training. 24 (6): 235-242.
- Bowman, T., Boergers, R., Lininger, M. (2018). Airway management in athletes wearing lacrosse equipment. Journal of Athletic Training. 53 (3): 240-248.
- Boergers, R., Bowman, T., Lininger, M. (2018). The ability to provide adequate chest compressions while wearing lacrosse shoulder pads. Journal of Athletic Training. 52 (2): 122-127.
- Fairall, R., Cabell, L., Boergers, R., Battaglia, F. (2017). Acute effects of self-myofascial release and stretching in overhead athletes with GIRD. Journal of Bodywork and Manipulative Therapy. 21 (3): 648-652.
- Boergers, R., Bowman, T. (2017). The effect of lacrosse protective equipment and different airway management devices on the ability to provide CPR. Athletic Training and Sports Health Care. 9 (3): 103-107.
- Martinez, D., Bowman, T., Boergers, R. (2015). The Role of Practice on Lacrosse Helmet Facemask Removal Time. International Journal of Athletic Training & Therapy. 20, 37-43.
- Boergers, R., Zipp, G., Cabell, L., Sisto, S. (2015). Time and Head and Neck Movement Associated with Lacrosse Helmet Facemask Removal. Athletic Training and Sports Health Care. 7 (6) - 255-264.
Accomplishments
Research Support
- Boergers R. Minimair M. (2021). Application of Machine Learning Models to Discrete Human Movement Data to Identify Potential Factors for Injury Risk, and Potential Factors for Improved Performance. Seton Hall University – Opportunity Meets Innovation Grant. Funding = $15,000.
- Patel S, Grabowski C, Testa T, Boergers R. (2020). Interprofessional student research training in cognitive and mental health therapy for athletes with concussion. Seton Hall University – Undergraduate Research Support Program. Funding = $1,000.
- Bowman T, Boergers R. (2018). The Effect of Lacrosse Protective Equipment on Time to First Chest Compression and First Automated External Defibrillator Shock. US Lacrosse Sports Science & Safety Research Grant. Funding = $14,000.
- Boergers R, Bowman T (2015). Effects of lacrosse equipment and advanced airway devices in the ability to perform CPR. National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research & Education Foundation. Funding = $57,500.
Honors and Awards
- Researcher of the Year Award – School of Health and Medical Sciences – 2016
- National Athletic Trainers' Association Research and Education Foundation Grant - 2015
- Archbishop John J. Myers Outstanding Educator Award in Health Sciences Education – 2014
- Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association Graduate Student Oral Presentation Award – 2012