Caswell, Shane

Send email to Dr. Caswell

Phone: (703) 993-4638
Fax: (703) 993-2025
Email: scaswell (@gmu.edu)

Dr. Caswell is a Professor of Athletic Training and founding Executive Director of the Sports Medicine Assessment, Research & Testing (SMART) Laboratory where he and colleagues conduct research to prevent injury and optimize human performance. His research and outreach efforts have contributed to advancements in the prevention, diagnosis and management of concussion and improved access to healthcare for children participating in sport. 

Professor Caswell initiated and leads the Advancing Healthcare Initiatives for Underserved Students (ACHIEVES) project that provides accessible athletic training health care services for middle school students. He also leads the Virginia Concussion Initiative (concussion.gmu.edu) where he and colleagues work to empower Virginia schools and their local communities to implement best practices for concussion management. 

Dr. Caswell is the recipient of the Virginia Athletic Trainers’ Association Researcher of the Year Award and the George Mason University College of Education and Human Development Scholarly Achievement Award. His publications appear in prominent scientific and medical journals and he has delivered scholarly presentations nationally and internationally. He serves as a member US Lacrosse Sport Science and Safety Committee and is on the Editorial Boards for the Journal of Athletic Training, Injury Epidemiology, and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. Dr. Caswell earned his B.S. in Physical Education Teacher Certification and Athletic Training from the State University of New York at Brockport; an M.S. in Athletic Training; and his Ph.D. from Ohio University.

Pediatric sports medicine, injury prevention, and brain health

Selected Pulications 

*Title denotes mentored student co-authors **Title denotes mentored student lead author 

Bowman, T. G., Boergers, R. J., Caswell, S. V., Conway, D., Mills, W. J., Putukian, M., Merritt, M., Vescovi, J. D., Strapp, E., Loehr, K., Monnin, J., Vozzo, R., Hatch, R., Wesley Siler, C., & Scarneo-Miller, S. E. (2025). Prehospital care of suspected spine-injured lacrosse athletes: A systematic search, evidence review, and consensus recommendations. British Journal of Sports Medicine, bjsports-2024-108951. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-108951

Caswell, S. V., Kelshaw, P. M., Hacherl, S. L., Lincoln, A. E., & Herman, D. C. (2024). *Headgear Mandates in High School Girls’ Lacrosse: Investigating Differences in Impact Rates and Game Play Behaviors. Annals of Medicine, 56(1), 2362862. https://doi.org/10.1080/07853890.2024.2362862

Kelshaw, P. M., Fine, A. C., Beidler, E., & Caswell, S. V. (2024). Language Matters: Comparisons of Concussion Assessments Among English-and Spanish-Speaking Middle School Athletes. Journal of Athletic Training, 59(5), 493–498. https://meridian.allenpress.com/jat/article/doi/10.4085/1062-6050-0362.23/497261

Wallace, K., Scarneo-Miller, S. E., Monnin, J., Lincoln, A. E., Hraky, O., Gosnell, G., Jeong, S., Skinner, W., Schaefer, E., Desai, D. K., & Caswell, S. V. (2024). **Systematic Mapping Review of Player Safety, Sport Science and Clinical Care in Lacrosse. British Journal of Sports Medicine, bjsports-2024-108298. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2024-108298

Kelshaw, P. M., Eyerly, D. R., Herman, D. C., Vincent, H. K., Hepburn, L., Lincoln, A. E., & Caswell, S. V. (2023). **Pilot Study to Explore Girls’ Lacrosse Players’ Attitudes Toward Headgear. Research in Sports Medicine, 31(6), 873–880. https://doi.org/10.1080/15438627.2022.2064222

Erdman, N. K., Kelshaw, P. M., Hacherl, S. L., & Caswell, S. V. (2022). **The Clinical Utility of the Child SCAT5 for Acute Concussion Assessment. Sports Medicine - Open, 8(1), 104. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798-022-00499-8

• School of Kinesiology
• Sports Medicine Assessment Research and Testing (S.M.A.R.T.) Laboratory
• Athletic Training Education Program
• School of Kinesiology

• Independent Study for the Doctor of Philosophy in Education (EDUC - 897)

• First Aid and Emergency Care (ATEP 120)
• Introduction to Athletic Training and Preventative Care Techniques (ATEP 150)
• Medical and Scientific Terminology (ATEP 201)
• Prevention, Recognition, and Management of Athletic and Fitness Related Injuries (ATEP 203)
• Physical Assessment of the Upper Body (ATEP 260)
• Clinical Techniques II: Physical Assessment of the Upper Body (ATEP 265)
• Functional Anatomy (ATEP 300)
• Athletic Training Clinical Techniques 2 (ATEP 354)
• Practicum III: Therapeutic Modalities (ATEP 356)
• Therapeutic Interventions 2 (ATEP 360)
• Upper Body Physical Assessment (ATEP 370)
• Athletic Training Clinical Techniques 3 (ATEP 375)
• Senior Seminar in Athletic Training (ATEP 441)
• Athletic Training Practicum 3 (ATEP 466)
• Independent Study in Athletic Training (ATEP 499)
• Upper Body Physical Assessment (ATEP 570)
• Athletic Training Clinical Techniques 3 (ATEP 575)
• Pediatric Sports Medicine (ATEP 660)
• Preseason Practicum (ATEP 667)
• Athletic Training Organization & Professional Responsibility (ATEP 680)
• Advanced Topics in Education (EDUC 797)
• Doctoral Dissertation Proposal (EDUC 998)
• Doctoral Dissertation Research (EDUC 999)
• Workshop in Exercise, Fitness, and Health Promotion (EFHP 500)
• Special Topics (EFHP 598)
• Independent Study EFHP (EFHP 599)
• Scientific Foundation of Applied Kinesiology (EFHP 612)
• Project (EFHP 798)
• Critical Perspectives in Exercise, Fitness, and Health Promotion (EFHP 860)
• Grant Writing (EFHP 880)
• Special Topics (KINE 500)
• Independent Study (KINE 501)
• Directed Inquiry (KINE 798)
• Research Experience I (KINE 890)
• Research Experience II (KINE 891)
• Independent Study (KINE 897)
• Doctoral Dissertation Proposal (KINE 998)
• Special Topics (PHED 480)
• Independent Study in Physical Education and Fitness (PHED 499)