PhD '25 Alumni
(enrolled 2022-2025)
Dissertation title and PhD Research
Musculoskeletal Injury and Military Physical Fitness: A Dynamic Relationship. To investigate the effect of MSKI on performance on military physical fitness tests and evaluate the potential role of physical fitness as the key link between prior injury and risk of MSKI. We found that physical fitness performance is decreased following injury and soldiers with a prior injury are still at increased risk of recurrent injury, even after adjusting for physical fitness performance.
Following graduation, Dr. Grist attained a role as the Assistant Department Head; Physical & Occupational Therapy, Chiropractic, and Sports Medicine at the Naval Medical Center San Diego. His department includes two embedded research labs who conduct Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) and Office of Naval Research (ONR) funded projects in addition to clinical research.
His interests include evaluating physical fitness performance following orthopedic surgery in US Navy and Marine Corps populations and how physical therapists in the Military Health system (MHS) conduct Return to Duty (RTD) testing. Goals include establishing objective standards for preferred RTD tests and measures and developing active injury risk and surveillance tools to be used by clinicians and military commanders to monitor and optimize human performance as a component of warfighter readiness.
Education
- BS Exercise Science, Cedarville University 2010
- DPT Azusa Pacifica University, 2013
Publications
Grist, S.M. (2025). Musculoskeletal injury and military physical fitness: a dynamic relationship [PhD Dissertation]. MGH Institute of Health Professions.
Emberton, J. S., Adams, B. G., Hotaling, B. R., Zosel, K. L., Grist, S. M., Henderson, N., Kardouni, J., & Westrick, R. B. (2024). Prevalence of Pain With Movement in Active Duty US Army Soldiers. Military medicine, usae048. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usae048
Media & Presentations
Grist, S.M. (2024, Mar 26). Physical Fitness After Injury in the Military: A Scoping Review [Seminar presentation]. PhD Interdisciplinary Seminar in Research Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA.
Grist, S.M., Westrick, R.B., Clifton, D.R. (2023, Dec 8). Evaluation of U.S. Army Master Fitness Trainer Utilization to Mitigate Musculoskeletal Injury and Enhance Soldier Physical Readiness [Meeting presentation]. New Start Showcase, Military Operational Medicine Research Program.
Grist, S.M. (2023, Jul 25). Injury & Fitness in the Army [Seminar presentation]. PhD Interdisciplinary Seminar in Research Sciences, Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA.
McKay, J.R. (Host), Grist S.M. (2020, Sep 25). Physical Therapy in the Navy. PT Pintcast [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.ptpintcast.com/2020/09/25/physicaltherapy-in-the-us-navy/
Kuhn, K.R. (Host), Grist, S.M. (2019, Jul 26). Episode #16: LT Stephen "Stork" Grist and Physical Therapy in the Military. Athlete Factors [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://athletefactors.podbean.com/e/episode-16-lt-stephen-stork-grist-and-physicaltherapy-in-the-military/
Settles, D.M., Grist, S.M. (2018, Mar 20). Performance, Readiness, & Injury Prevention Programs: Improving the Resiliency of the Sailor & Marine Aboard Large Decks [Conference presentation]. Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Conference, Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center, Norfolk, VA.