UK College of Health Sciences receives $4M grant

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) – University of Kentucky researchers have won a nearly $4.2 million grant to look for ways to prevent training injuries among elite U.S. military members.

UK officials said Monday the Defense Department grant will back research meant to optimize performance among members of the U.S. Special Forces.

The award is the largest ever received by UK’s College of Health Sciences. It coincides with the establishment of the UK Sports Science Research Institute on the UK campus in Lexington. The institute will focus on ways to prevent and treat sports injuries and concussions.

UK College of Health Sciences Dean Scott Lephart says researchers will look for ways to reduce risk factors for injuries.

In working with the military, UK researchers will identify common injury patterns among Marines training for Special Forces work.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.