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.
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.
Areas of Expertise
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.
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
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
Affiliations
- National Athletic Trainers' Association
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.
Event Appearances
Torque-Velocity Relationships and Corticospinal Excitability Following ACLR
2025 | National Athletic Trainer’s Association Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposium Orlando, FL
Data to Decision: Using Low-Cost Wearables in Sports Medicine
2025 | National Athletic Trainer’s Association Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposium Orlando, FL
Strength Recovery and Brain Driven Muscle Activation after ACL Reconstruction
2025 | Louisiana Athletic Trainer’s Association Annual Meeting Baton Rouge, LA
The Torque Velocity Relationship and Second ACL Injury Risk
2025 | American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting Atlanta, GA
Prognostic Value of Limb Loading During Early Functional Assessment For Predicting Later Jump Landing Performance Following ACLR
2024 | American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting Boston, MA
The Mechanism of Injury’s Role in Jump Landing Mechanics After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
2023 | International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Congress Boston, MA
