The physical therapists at Stevens Point Orthopedics are experts in human movement, trained to analyze movement and identify factors that may be causing pain or affecting your performance.
However, you need a team to help you achieve at the highest level. To help bridge the gaps between your movement, improvement and performance, SPO has created the Wisconsin Performance Institute to bring world-class movement-analysis services to Central Wisconsin … and beyond.
Human movement is complex, and can be very challenging for us to change or improve on our own. This is especially true if we get hurt performing daily activities or trying to get better at something we enjoy doing.
Whatever their cause, injuries and pain make it hard for us to perform at the highest level in life, work, or sport.
Fortunately, the Wisconsin Performance Institute is here to help, and it doesn’t matter whether you’re a weekend warrior looking to return to activity after a nagging injury, an athlete striving to improve your performance, or just someone experiencing pain with everyday activities.
The WPI uses research-grade motion-analysis software from Noraxon USA with its high-speed motion capture to help us analyze and understand how you move. This in-depth understanding helps your physical therapist prescribe corrective exercises which can help you improve your movement, and ultimately perform at the highest level.
Move. Improve. Perform.
Understand your movement with the experts at the Wisconsin Performance Institute, powered by Stevens Point Orthopedics.
How It Works
Move
With an in-depth examination of your movement using our high-speed motion-capture software, our physical therapists can identify and analyze what may be causing pain or performance issues. Through this movement- and education-centered examination, you’ll see why you’re experiencing increased pain and/or decreased performance.
Movements that can be evaluated during a WPI analysis include:
- Walking gait
- Running gait
- Throwing mechanics
- Return to sport
- Swing mechanics (golf, baseball, and other sports)
Improve
After a detailed motion analysis, your WPI physical therapist will develop a personalized home exercise program to improve your strength, mobility, and movement patterns. Our goal is to prescribe exactly what you need while teaching you why you’re experiencing problems and how you can correct faulty movements.
Patients have had these conditions addressed at the Wisconsin Performance Institute:
- Low back pain
- Hip pain
- Knee pain
- Ankle pain
- Post-surgical return to sport
Perform
Without proper movement, improving performance in your chosen sport is very challenging, if not impossible. As you address the issues identified during your initial examination, your WPI physical therapist will make your program more specific to your sport or activity. With this winning combination of improved strength, mobility, and mechanics, you’ll become less injury-prone and your performance will improve.
Individuals that have been evaluated with the Wisconsin Performance Institute:
- Walkers
- Runners
- Soccer players
- Basketball players
- Baseball/softball players
- Golfers
- Dancers
- Hockey players
- Weightlifters
See it in Action
Benefits of Our Motion Capture Software
The Noraxon system is the most advanced 3D motion-analysis system.
The system uses two high-speed cameras and 16 sensors to capture your movements for detailed analysis.
The Noraxon software produces an avatar that lets us analyze your movements from any angle.
The system also has eight EMG muscle sensors capable of analyzing muscle activation patterns.
Noraxon lets you view your movements in slow motion down to 1/10 of normal speed for motion analysis.
Meet the Team
Carter Hoffman PT, DPT, CSCS
- Physical Therapist
- Wisconsin Performance Institute Director
- VELO Program Team Lead
- ACL-PRO Specialist
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Dr. Carter Hoffman is a physical therapist and National Strength and Conditioning Association (NCSA) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.
Carter’s doctoral-level training in the human movement system and additional strength and conditioning training helps him apply principles of human anatomy, kinesiology, human performance, and throwing/hitting mechanics to effect change.
Carter has worked with baseball players of all ages and skill levels, including members of the Milwaukee Brewers, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds, and Kansas City Royals organizations.
By addressing underlying impairments that contribute to performance deficits and arm stress, some of Carter’s athletes have been able to go from recovering from Tommy John surgery to throwing a no-hitter within one calendar year.
Jesse Espe, PT, DPT, CSCS, C-PS
- Physical Therapist
- Wisconsin Performance Institute Specialist
- ACL-PRO Team Lead
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
- Certified Performance Specialist
Dr. Jesse Espe is a physical therapist, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and Certified Performance Specialist with experience in injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance training.
Jesse received his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Western Kentucky University after doing undergraduate work at Edgewood College, where he played basketball for four years.
Jesse’s post-doctoral studies include work in manual therapy, blood-flow restriction training, dry needling, muscle activation, movement and mobility training, strength and conditioning, ACL rehabilitation, pain neuroscience, and performance therapy.
He has worked with athletes at all levels from high school to the pros, and has been a performance physical therapist for CrossFit athletes, team physical therapist for Benedictine University women’s basketball, and the Team Lead for the ACL-PRO Program within the WPI.
Ryan Klapper PT, DPT
- Physical Therapist
- Wisconsin Performance Institute Specialist
- Golf PAR For The Course Team Lead
- ACL-PRO Specialist
- Titleist Performance Institute Certified
Dr. Ryan Klapper is a physical therapist and Titleist Performance Institute-certified professional with more than a decade of experience caddying for pros, working PGA tour events (including the 2015 PGA Championship and 2020 Ryder Cup), and working with tour-level players as a physical therapist.
An avid golfer himself, Ryan has worked with golfers who have suffered injuries as well as those looking to improve their play, from beginners to PGA/LPGA tour-level players.
Ryan focuses on golf-specific performance examinations and individualized programs and treatments. He emphasizes movement quality and control to optimize golfers’ swings for their bodies.
He likes to educate patients on what he’s working on, why he’s working on it, and how they can improve and get back on the golf course as soon as possible. Patients working with Ryan often see improvements in distance, accuracy and consistency, as well as decreased pain and improved scores.
Sheila Banovetz MS, PT
- Physical Therapist
- Hardware/Software Team Lead
- ACL-PRO Specialist
Sheila has been a practicing physical therapist since 1985, first working at a rehabilitation/amputee clinic before transitioning to outpatient care. Prior to moving to Stevens Point in 1996, she taught physical therapy at the University of Iowa.
While working with athletes and teaching at UW-Stevens Point, Sheila started experimenting with video analysis of sport specific movements.
When Stevens Point Orthopedics acquired the Noraxon Movement Analysis system in 2017, Sheila developed the program, managed the system, and learned more about motion-analysis technology and troubleshooting.
The Noraxon Movement Analysis system is an extremely powerful tool for identifying faulty movement. Sheila feels very fortunate to play an integral role in managing the technology and helping with the care of all WPI athletes, patients, and clients.
Wisconsin Performance Institute (WPI) FAQs
What is the WPI and how can it help me?
The WPI uses our top-notch clinicians in combination with cutting-edge motion-capture technology to help identify complex movement-related problems that contribute to pain, loss of function, and decreased performance. You’ll leave your appointment with a greater understanding of your movement dysfunction, why it’s occurring, and how you can fix it, so you can return to doing what you love at the highest level.
Where will my assessment be located?
Anywhere! This sets us apart from other motion-capture systems. Although the WPI is centrally located at Stevens Point Orthopedics’ D1 Training location, we can use our mobile capabilities to analyze movement and performance at ANY location.
How is a movement analysis performed?
After doing a thorough orthopedic assessment to identify underlying movement issues, we use the state-of-the-art Noraxon motion-capture system with its high-speed cameras and research-grade sensors to determine what’s contributing to your pain, injury, or decrease in performance. We want you to fully understand your movement-related problem, why it’s occurring, and how to address it. With this new understanding you’ll be better equipped to improve your function and performance.
What types of movements can be evaluated during a WPI analysis?
- Walking gait
- Running gait
- Throwing mechanics
- Golf-swing mechanics
- Return to sport
What types of conditions have been addressed at the WPI?
- Low back pain
- Hip pain
- Knee pain
- Ankle pain
- Post-surgical return to sport
Who has been evaluated at the WPI?
- Walkers
- Runners
- Sprinters
- Soccer players
- Basketball players
- Baseball/softball players
- Golfers
- Dancers
- Hockey players
- Weightlifters
Do I need to be an athlete to benefit from this technology?
No! The WPI team is dedicated to giving everyone access to world-class care and technology. Whether you’re a weekend warrior looking to return to activity after a nagging injury, an athlete striving to improve your performance, or you’re just experiencing pain with everyday activities, the Wisconsin Performance Institute can help you move, improve, and perform at the highest level.
Do I need to be in physical therapy at SPO in order to have an analysis done?
No. Since Wisconsin is a direct-access state, you can seek out physical therapy services without a physician’s referral. Many patients find it easier and more cost-effective to use our cash-pay option or send their insurance company their statement post-payment to determine what they’ll pay.
How will this help me become a better athlete?
Sport-specific coaches are experts at the sport they coach, but they might not be experts in sports-specific movement. The WPI helps athletes identify and correct holes in their athletic performance – strength deficits, mobility restrictions, or imprecise movement sequencing – so they can perform and achieve at the highest level. Think of us as your “movement coaches.”
I am returning to a sport after a long time off. How can the WPI help me?
No matter what you’re looking to do, we’ve designed, tested, and implemented research-based protocols to help you safely resume activity. We use data from your motion analysis to improve the way you move, so you’re at peak performance when you return to activities after pain, injury, surgery … or just a long layoff.
How long does a motion analysis take?
Our initial movement evaluation runs approximately 90 minutes, with 45-minute follow-up sessions.
What should I wear to the appointment?
We recommend you wear athletic shorts and a T-shirt that let you move freely and without hesitation. We have a supply of shorts and shirts if you forget either for your first appointment.
Will I need to schedule a re-evaluation after completing my first one?
Depending on your goals, you may want a re-evaluation after completing a care plan with your physical therapist. This would determine the amount of change that’s occurred and would likely come weeks to months after your initial assessment, to allow for improvements in mobility and strength, and changed movement patterns.
When will I get my assessment results?
Immediately after performing your analysis, our clinicians will break down the footage and data with you and give you your results. You’ll leave your initial appointment understanding why you’re dealing with pain during your activity or experiencing performance decreases in your sport. After the assessment, you’ll have the tools you need to begin improving your movement and function.
