Dr. Ryan Curtis

Dr. Ryan Curtis

Sports Science | Athletic Performance

San Antonio Spurs

Biography

Hi, I’m a sports scientist and performance coach interested in optimizing athlete health and performance through the integration of science, technology and analytics. I currently work in professional sport but have had the priviledge of serving in multiple domains (sports science/analytics, S&C, sports medicine) across a variety of settings (professional/collegiate sport, military special forces, academia). I’ve developed a stong passion for data science throughout my career and work regularly with several data management, visualization and web development tools such as R, Shiny, SQL, HTML, CSS, Tableau, Power BI. If you’re interested in my work, you can find my blog posts, books, book chapters, and peer-reviewed research here. Please feel free to reach out via social media or email, look forward to connecting with you.

Interests

  • Sports Science
  • Analytics
  • Strength and Conditioning
  • Sports Medicine

Education

  • PhD in Exercise Science, 2019

    University of Connecticut

  • MS in Kinesiology, 2009

    Kansas State University

  • BS in Athletic Training, 2006

    Culver-Stockton College

Skills

Sports Science

S&C

Sports Medicine

R, Shiny, Markdown

SQL

Data Analytics/Visualization

Recent Posts

Multilevel Modeling and Effects Statistics for Sports Scientists in R

Why should sports scientist be familiar with mixed effects (multi-level) modeling and effect statistics… Skill in analyzing longitudinal data is important for a number of practical reasons including; accounting for the dependencies created by repeated measures (athletes being measured over time), dealing with missing or unbalanced data (common occurrence in athlete monitoring practices), differentiating between-athlete from within-athlete variability, accounting for time-varying (e.
Last updated on Jun 22, 2021 17 min read
Multilevel Modeling and Effects Statistics for Sports Scientists in R

Intro to {combineR}

{combineR} is a small package developed to easily gather and explore over 20 years of NFL Draft Combine data from Pro Football Reference. In addition to being able to pull data, the package also currently supports benchmarking tables for all NFL combine tests by position.
Last updated on Jun 10, 2021 4 min read
Intro to {combineR}

Recent Publications

Quickly discover relevant content by filtering publications.
Benjamin, CL, Hosokawa, Y, Curtis, RM, Schaefer, DA, Bergin, RT, Abegg, MR, and Casa, DJ (2020). Environmental Conditions, Preseason Fitness Levels, and Game Workload: Analysis of a Female NCAA DI National Championship Soccer Season. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.

DOI Read

Curtis RM, Benjamin CL, Huggins RA, Casa DJ (2020). Elite Soccer Players: Maximizing Performance and Safety. Routledge.

Amazon Routledge

Huggins, RA, Fortunati, AR, Curtis, RM, Looney, DP, West, CA, Lee, EC, Fragala, MS, Hall, ML, and Casa, DJ (2019). Monitoring Blood Biomarkers and Training Load Throughout a Collegiate Soccer Season. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.

DOI Read

Sekiguchi Y, Adams WM, Curtis RM, Benjamin CL, Casa DJ (2019). Factors influencing hydration status during a National Collegiate Athletics Association division 1 soccer preseason. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport.

DOI Read

Sekiguchi Y, Adams WM, Benjamin CL, Curtis RM, Giersch GEW, Casa DJ (2019). Relationships between resting heart rate, heart rate variability and sleep characteristics among female collegiate cross-country athletes. Journal of Sleep Research.

DOI Read

See all publications

Experience

 
 
 
 
 

Sports Science Coordinator/Athletic Performance Data Manager

San Antonio Spurs

Sep 2019 – Present San Antonio, TX

Responsibilities include:

  • Manage and assist in the collection, analysis, and reporting of all data. Develop data visualization and working tools, ensure athletic performance data consistency among multiple data management platforms, gather intel, and perform advanced research and athletic performance projects (research and innovation) in the areas of technology, tracking systems, wearables, biometrics, strength profiling, human performance, recovery, injuries, nutrition, etc.
  • Assisting with logistics related to the athletic performance program (e.g., strength & conditioning sessions, warm-ups, supplements, equipment, food, etc.).
 
 
 
 
 

Director of Athlete Performance and Safety

Korey Stringer Institute, University of Connecticut

Jul 2017 – Jul 2019 Storrs, CT

Responsibilities include:

  • Manage sports science initiatives including primary oversight of a multi-site (12 teams), multi-year (3) research study funded by the NCAA investigating the effects of seasonal fixture congestion, athlete workloads, and sleep on injury and psychological well-being.
  • Elite athlete monitoring, testing and sports science services within the UConn Human Performance Lab (HPL) and Mission Heat Lab.
 
 
 
 
 

Associate Director of Athlete Performance and Safety

Korey Stringer Institute, University of Connecticut

Sep 2015 – Jul 2019 Storrs, CT

Responsibilities include:

  • Project lead for NCAA Soccer Periodization and WHOOP Sleep and Recovery research intiatives.
  • Elite athlete monitoring, testing and consultation within the UConn Human Performance and Mission Heat Labs.
 
 
 
 
 

Strength and Conditioning Coach/Athletic Trainer (Private)

ATP/WTA Professional Tennis Tour

Jul 2012 – Jul 2015 Global

Responsibilities include:

  • Privately managed athletic care and development of professional tennis athletes competing on the ATP/WTA World Tour. Coordinated and implemented a variety of sport science, performance and medicine services.
 
 
 
 
 

Strength and Conditioning Coach/Athletic Trainer

United States Tennis Association

Jun 2010 – Jun 2012 Carson, CA

Responsibilities include:

  • Designed and implementing individualized strength, conditioning, and injury prevention programs for elite professional and youth development players.
  • Coordinated USTA-West medical services and directed medical coverage for all tournaments and training camps. Coordinated emergency medical planning and response, inventory management, evaluation of athletic injuries, athlete referral, treatment and rehabilitation, and educated players and staff in the areas of sports medicine and sports science.
 
 
 
 
 

Strength and Conditioning Coach/Athletic Trainer

United States Marine Corps

Aug 2009 – May 2010 Pensacola, FL

Responsibilities include:

  • Coordinated and assisted in the implementation of the Sports Medicine and Injury Prevention (SMIP) program which serviced the medical needs of over 700 Marine Corps tactical-athletes at Naval Air Station-Pensacola.
  • Designed and implemented tactical strength, conditioning, and injury prevention programs.