Leon Kugler, Ph.D.

Professor of Kinesiology, Emeritus

Dr. Leon Kugler has expertise in lower extremity function and the pathology of injury and illness. He advises applied health science majors and is the university pre-physical therapy advisor. He teaches gross anatomy of neuromusculoskeletal anatomy of the spine and extremities and provides leadership to the PLNU Kinesiology Human Anatomy Project, which promotes original research training and teaching development for undergraduate and graduate students.

Education

  • Ph.D., Exercise Science, Minor in Anatomy,  Medical College of Ohio-University of Toledo
  • M.A., Administration of Physical Education, California State University, Los Angeles
  • B.A., Physical Education, Pasadena College

Courses Taught

  • Structural Kinesiology – KIN 325 
  • Pathology of Injury and Illness – ATR 385 
  • Gross Anatomy of Musculoskeletal Systems – KIN 475/675 
  • Internship in Kinesiology

Experience in Field

  • Performs academic advising for exercise science majors (pre-professionals in physical therapy, physician assistant, chiropractic, cardiac rehabilitation, exercise physiology, and biomechanics) 
  • Chair, Institution Review Board, bringing leadership in the protections afforded subjects in PLNU research in which they are involved

Led or been a team member of the following international athletic/academic/missions trips:

  • Mexico City: Athletic Trainer for San Diego all-star soccer team versus national U-18 team
  • Far East: Athletic Training for Athletes in Action Men’s Basketball
  • Seoul, Korea: Athletic Training NAIA All-Star Baseball team
  • Tanzania, Africa: Led two PLNU LoveWorks ministry trips that included service with orphans and churches in May 2006 and 2007; co-leaders: Stasi Raines and Ann Davis
  • Liberia, Africa: Led PLNU LoveWorks ministry trip that included children’s, young adult, and church ministry in Monrovia and Zwedru in May 2008; co-leader: Liz Kalama
  • Western Europe: Led kinesiology sports medicine groups for alternate years (London, Paris, Amsterdam, Apeldoorn, Antwerp, Bruges, Munich, and Salzburg)

Awards and Honors

PLNU Honors Research Mentor:

  • 2015, Dayna A. Rinkor, "Glenohumeral Ligamentous Involvement of Anterior Instability"
  • 2015, Kari Walen, "More than Overuse: Carpel Tunnel Syndrome as a Symptom of Organic Disease and Congenital Anomalies"
  • 2014, Katie Mitchell, "The Epidemic of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in Female Athletes: Etiologies and Interventions"
  • 2014, Laura Kredit, "A Clinician's Guide to Non-Orthopedic Pathologies that Refer Pain to the Low Back"
  • 2011, Brianna Dry, "Self-Perceptions and Objective Measures of Movement Health in College-Aged Students"
  • 2010, William Westergard, "Diabetics Peripheral Neuropathy: A Literature Review to Determine Efficacious Exercise for Modulating Morbidity in Patients"
  • 2009, Maure J. McCammon, "The Influence of Fatigue on Frontal Plane Knee Angle and Force Generation of Hip Abduction in Females"
  • 2008, Megan Schutter, “The Influence of Fatigue on the Kinematics of the Subtalar Joint in Runners”
  • 2007, Julianne Toler, “A Comparative Kinematic Analysis of the Subtalar Joint Motion in Runners”
  • 2005, Chelsey Hutchinson, “The Influence of Anaerobic Exercise and Aerobic Capacity on the Perception of Acute Pain in College-Aged Females”

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