David Bell

· Professor

University of Wisconsin-Madison · Kinesiology

Active 1846–2026

h-index53

Citations9.8k

Papers25068 last 5y

Funding$250k

Academic metrics are sourced from OpenAlex and public funding records; values may differ from Google Scholar.

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About

Dr. David Bell is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Kinesiology and Orthopedics and Rehabilitation at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He earned his B.A. and Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his master’s degree from the University of Virginia. He teaches in the Athletic Training Program and serves as the director of the Wisconsin Injury in Sport Laboratory. His research focuses on identifying risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries, with a particular emphasis on sport specialization in children. His work has been funded by organizations such as the National Athletic Trainer’s Association, the American Medical Society of Sports Medicine, and the American College of Sports Medicine. Dr. Bell has received numerous awards, including the 2017 New Investigator of the Year from the NATA Research and Education Foundation and the 2017 STOP Sports Injuries Award for best research paper on youth sports injury prevention. He authored the NATA official statement supporting sport specialization recommendations for adolescent and young athletes in 2019 and served as a guest editor for a special issue of the Journal of Athletic Training on Sport Specialization. Recently, he was awarded a 2030 Impact Fellowship from the School of Education.

Research topics

Physical therapy
Medicine
Psychology
Psychiatry
Applied psychology
Political Science
Clinical psychology
Computer Science
Internal medicine
Engineering

Selected publications

Mental Health, Physical Activity, and Quality of Life of US Adolescent Athletes During COVID-19–Related School Closures and Sport Cancellations: A Study of 13 000 Athletes
Journal of Athletic Training · 2020 · 226 citations
CONTEXT: In the spring of 2020, US schools closed to in-person teaching and sports were cancelled to control the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It is critical to understand the mental and physical health of adolescent athletes during this time. OBJECTIVE: To describe the health of athletes during COVID-19-related school closures and sport cancellations. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: A national sample recruited via social media. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A to…
DOI
Consensus Definition of Sport Specialization in Youth Athletes Using a Delphi Approach
Journal of Athletic Training · 2021 · 73 citations
1st authorCorresponding
CONTEXT: A single, widely accepted definition of sport specialization does not currently exist. A consensus definition is necessary to guide youth sport stakeholders on topics associated with sport specialization. OBJECTIVE: To develop a consensus definition of youth sport specialization and identify elements that support the construct of specialization. DESIGN: Delphi study. SETTING: Directed surveys. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A consensus panel of 17 experts was created to provide a broad…
Publisher OA PDF DOI
Changes in the Health of Adolescent Athletes: A Comparison of Health Measures Collected Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Journal of Athletic Training · 2021 · 54 citations
CONTEXT: In spring 2020, schools closed to in-person teaching and sports were cancelled to control the transmission of COVID-19. The changes that affected the physical and mental health among young athletes during this time remain unknown. OBJECTIVE: To identify changes in the health (mental health, physical activity, and quality of life) of athletes that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Sample recruited via social media. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPAN…
DOI
Association of lower extremity injuries and injury mechanism with previous concussion history in adolescent athletes
Physical Therapy in Sport · 2020 · 18 citations
Senior authorCorresponding
Publisher DOI
Awareness of Concussion-Education Requirements, and -Management Plans and Concussion Knowledge in High School and Club Sport Coaches
Journal of Athletic Training · 2020 · 12 citations
Senior authorCorresponding
CONTEXT: A growing number of high-school-aged athletes participate on club sport teams. Some, but not all, state concussion laws apply to both interscholastic and private sport organizations. However, concussion education, management plans, and knowledge have not been examined in club coaches who coach high school-aged athletes. OBJECTIVE: To determine if differences in concussion education, management plans, and knowledge exist between high school coaches and coaches of club sport teams. DESIGN…
Publisher OA PDF DOI

Recent grants

Li Isotope Studies of Mantle Xenoliths From the SW USA
NSF · $250k · 2006–2010

Frequent coauthors

Eric G. Post
92 shared
Timothy A. McGuine
University of Wisconsin–Madison
71 shared
M. Alison Brooks
60 shared
Kevin M. Biese
University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh
58 shared
Stephanie M. Trigsted
University of Wisconsin–Madison
54 shared
Darin A. Padua
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
43 shared
Andrew Watson
University of Wisconsin–Madison
39 shared
Daniel A. Schaefer
32 shared

Labs

Wisconsin Injury in Sport LaboratoryPI

Awards & honors

2030 Impact Fellow, School of Education, University of Wisco…
NATA Fellow, 2022
2019 Clint Thompson Award for Clinical Practice Advancement,…
2020 National Achievement Award for Athletic Trainers, PRiSM…
Author, NATA Position Statement in Support of Sport Speciali…

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