Local Student’s Rehabilitation Research Garners National Attention
Bronx, NY – Manhattan College kinesiology student Maria Budelman recently presented her research on teh role of mental imagery in athlete rehabilitation at the american College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) annual conference. Budelman’s work, praised for its holistic approach, is poised for further publication in the International Journal of Exercise Science.
Budelman’s research investigates how mental practice can enhance the recovery process for athletes. According to Christie Gonzalez-Toro,Ph.D, associate professor of physical education at manhattan College, Budelman’s work “provides a holistic approach to the athletes’ rehabilitation process.”
The project wasn’t without its challenges. Budelman faced a significant setback when hundreds of bot accounts flooded her online survey, compromising the initial data. Though, with guidance from her advisor, Dr. Anthony Cherubini, she was able to identify and remove the invalid responses. “He really helped me fish through all of the accounts that were not valid,and we were able to take out all the valid data and throw out the invalid data and invalid participants,” Budelman said.
Cherubini, who previously published research on mental toughness in Division I women’s basketball, assisted Budelman with navigating the publication process, aiming for both abstract and full paper publication. He will also be presenting his own research alongside Budelman at the New York State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
Budelman’s ultimate goal extends beyond academic achievement. “My research really broadened my knowledge of how the brain influences healing,” she explained. “And with this,I have a very simple goal,which is to not just help patients in the future to heal,but to help them reconnect with themselves and their lives. And that’s what I want to use this research [for] and this mental imagery tool to do in my career.”
Budelman’s dedication and motivation were key to the project’s success, according to Cherubini.”really just her interest and motivation is really what drew me to working with her.”
