Monthly Member Spotlight: Sarah Shultz, PhD, ACT - Osteoarthritis Action Alliance

August 29, 2019

Monthly Member Spotlight:

“Exercise for Life, Exercise for Everyone”
Sarah Shultz, PhD, ATC

Each month, the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance (OAAA) highlights our many member organizations working to

address osteoarthritis (OA). We would also like to recognize those individuals who volunteer their time, experience, and knowledge to advance the OAAA’s efforts and mission. This month, it is our pleasure to spotlight Sarah P. Shultz, PhD, ATC. Dr. Shultz has been a major asset to the OAAA by holding a leadership role on our weight management task force for the past few years, as well as being an advocate on our Steering Committee. With her dedication and contributions, we have increased awareness about the connection between OA and obesity and are currently working to promote education among health care providers about the importance of physical activity for the prevention and management of both conditions.

When she is not spending time with the OAAA, Dr. Shultz is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Kinesiology Department at Seattle University, where she is working to improve physical activity and musculoskeletal health in women and children, primarily. Dr. Shultz also researches orthopedic and biomechanical complications associated with pediatric obesity during exercise interventions and is examining ways to minimize injury, which may cause OA, by promoting exercise programs. We enjoy the enthusiasm and expertise she brings to the OAAA and appreciate all of her hard work.

An Interview with An Interview with Sarah Shultz

Dr. Sarah Shultz
Associate Professor at Seattle University

1. What is your interest in the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance?

Having worked with OAAA for a couple of years, I have seen firsthand how impactful the organization has been in educating the community, whether that community is academic, medical, or societal. The emphasis on educating the whole person is an important philosophy for me as an associate professor at Seattle University.

2. What do you think is the most important issue today related to osteoarthritis?

I am most passionate about functionality and really working towards improving an individual’s everyday life. For me, I have focused primarily on the role of weight as a predicating factor for OA and musculoskeletal pain, but the overarching mission has always been to preserve a person’s ability to be independent and pain-free.

3. How does your work connect to issues in osteoarthritis?

For most of my career, I have focused on the orthopedic complications related to pediatric obesity and really understanding how we can promote exercise without placing the individual at risk for injury or early onset of OA.

4. What is a headline you’d like to see about osteoarthritis in five years?

Rates of Osteoarthritis Decline with Decreased Obesity Prevalence

5. What is one interesting fact you’d like people to know you ?

I chair the Kinesiology Department at Seattle University and our motto is “exercise for life, exercise for everyone”. The motto is really about aligning with the university’s mission to empower leaders and making sure our students understand that we can impact communities through exercise and health. In that way, I really think that our organization and OAAA have a lot in common.

Sarah Shultz, PhD, ATC

Biomechanics Fair Students in the fall quarter Biomechanics class will demonstrate biomechanics principles to local high school students. December 5, 2019 Resources & Events

Coming up, National Biomechanics Day will be April 8, 2020 all over the country (and world). National Biomechanics Day is a world-wide celebration of Biomechanics in its many forms for high school students and teachers. This will be astounding in scope and educational outcomes: it will be a world-wide blast of biomechanics science, STEM and STEAM educational experiences and fun. Check back for more information!!

And make sure to connect with Sarah Shultz, PhD, ATC on social media!

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