Xavier Thompson
Assistant Professor of Sports Science Louisiana State University
- Baton Rouge LA
Dr. Thompson’s research focuses on the identification of risk factors for athletic injuries and improving athletic performance.
Areas of Expertise
Biography
Xavier Thompson obtained his bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training at the Ohio State University and a post-professional master’s in Athletic Training while working as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at the University of Kentucky. He worked as a clinical research coordinator before completing his doctoral studies at the University of Virginia.
Research Focus
Biomechanical Risk Factors & Performance Optimization
Dr. Thompson’s research focuses on biomechanical risk factors for athletic injuries and performance optimization across physically active populations. He employs motion capture, neuromuscular testing, and injury-surveillance modeling to develop evidence-based training strategies that cut injury risk and enhance athletic capacity.
Answers
- Does player position in football influence risk of injury?
Player position matters. Lineman absorb many lower-speed, repeated hits, which makes them more prone to bumps and bruises, but as they get older we start to see more shoulder and knee injuries. Skill players take higher-speed open-field collisions, which raises their risk for sprains and strains. As players get older, they get bigger, stronger, and faster so the same plays carry more injury risk. Concussions can affect any position and don’t always require a direct hit to the head; force from a body blow can be transmitted upward and still cause brain injury. Concussions are among the hardest injuries to diagnose, because signs and symptoms may vary and you cannot see a concussion on traditional imaging (X-ray, CT, MRI). The consequences of another hit to the head while someone has a concussion are extremely serious so the rule of thumb is "when in doubt, sit them out."
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What is the most common injury during football season in youth sports?
In youth football the most common injuries we see are contusions or bruises (about one third of all injuries). While they often seem minor, padding the injured area and avoiding heat or massage for the first 72 hours can help recovery. Other common injuries that we worry about are joint sprains, muscle strains, and concussions. Joint sprains and muscle strains vary in severity and are usually accompanied by pain, swelling, and limited movement. Concussions have a long list of potential signs and symptoms so it is important to be seen by a qualified health care provider.
Education
University of Virginia
Ph.D.
Kinesiology
2024
University of Kentucky
M.S.
Athletic Training
2017
The Ohio State University
B.S.
Athletic Training
2015
Accomplishments
NIH National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) Clinical Research Loan Repayment Program Award
2025-2027
Edgar F Shannon Z Society Award, Z Society
2024
Gansneder Award for Outstanding Quantitative Dissertation, UVA School of Education and Human Development
2024
All-University Graduate Teaching Award, University of Virginia
2024
Articles
The Influence of Limb Dominance on Performance-Based Outcomes After ACL Reconstruction
Sports Health2025
Background
Considering limb dominance (LD) may be valuable when utilizing limb symmetry index (LSI) when assessing patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).
Hypothesis
Patients will have better performance-based outcomes when index ACLR occurred on the dominant limb (DL) compared with the nondominant limb (NDL).
Do Kinesiophobia Levels During Recovery Change After Primary Versus Secondary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction?
Journal of Sport Rehabilitation2025
Context
Thirty percent of athletes go on to sustain a secondary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury after return to sport. Those that went on to suffer a secondary injury had greater kinesiophobia levels at time of return to sport; however, these relationships have primarily been observed in patients after primary ACL reconstruction (ACLR). The purpose of this study is to compare differences in kinesiophobia 4 to 8 months after an individual’s primary versus secondary ACLR.
The Utilization of the Landing Error Scoring System in Patients’ Postanterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: An Exploratory Factor Analysis
Journal of Sport Rehabilitation2025
Context : The landing error scoring system (LESS) was developed to screen healthy individuals for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk factors using a jump landing task. The purpose of this study was to evaluate unique landing error components of a modified LESS scoring criteria to determine its clinical utility in patients following ACL reconstruction (ACLR). Design : An observational cross-sectional study design was implemented to determine if each individual error component of the modified LESS provided unique information in an ACLR patient population. Methods : Post-ACLR patients (N = 194 [47.9% female]) completed the LESS 7.91 (1.80) months after surgery.
Comparison of Patient-Reported and Objective Functional Measures during the Early Rehabilitative Phase in Patients with Primary Versus Revision ACL Reconstruction
Physical Therapy in Sport2025
Objectives
Few studies have determined how individuals who undergo a second ACL reconstruction (ACLR) perform in terms of objective and patient-reported outcomes in the early rehabilitation period compared to individuals who undergo primary ACLR. This study investigated the difference in strength and functional outcomes 3-5 months postoperatively in revision ACLR patients compared to primary ACLR patients.
A Comparison of Return to Sport Measures Following ACL Reconstruction in Patients With and Without Postoperative Complications
Journal of Orthopaedics2025
Background
Current return to sport guidelines following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) are based on studies focusing on patients with primary and isolated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. This study aims to investigate return to sport measures in a population of patients who underwent ACLR with post-operative complications and compare these outcomes to patients who underwent ACLR without complications.
Affiliations
- National Athletic Trainers' Association
