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Portrait of Carlynn Alt

Carlynn A. Alt, PT, PhD

  • Clinical Associate Professor, Physical Therapy

Education

Ph D Integrative Neuromuscular Physiology Marquette University 2006
MS Human Kinetics University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee 1987
BS Physical Therapy University of Wisconsin-Madison 1983

Speaker Topics

  • Tissue Biomechanics
  • Biomechanics/Kinesiology in Physical Therapy
  • Exercise and Fatigue in Survivors of Cancer

Interests & Expertise

Carlynn Alt’s clinical background as a physical therapist is in the area of Orthopaedics. She held certification as an Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist for 13 years prior to transitioning to the academy. She has been teaching Biomechanics, Kinesiology and Tissue Biomechanics for 20 years. She joined the faculty at the College of Health Sciences in 2008 and added teaching in the health promotion/wellness area to complement her research interests in exercise and wellness in survivors of cancer.

Alt’s research interests explore the relationship between muscle performance and cancer-related fatigue. Recent publications have explored this relationship in survivors of prostate cancer. As part of the translational focus of her work, Alt is currently exploring barriers to physical activity after discharge from physical therapy services.

Selected Publications

Zalewski, K. R., Alt, C. A., & Arvinen-Barrow, M. (2014, June). Identifying Barriers to Remaining Physically Active After Rehabilitation: Differences in Perception Between Physical Therapists and Older Adult Patients. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 44(6), 415-424.
Alt, C., Gore, E., Prost, R., Heyer, E., & Ng, A. V. (2013). Muscle oxidative capacity is reduced in prostate cancer survivors undergoing curative radiotherapy. , 45(5 Supplement).
Alt, C., Gore, E. M., Montagnini, M. L., & Ng, A. V. (2011, March). Muscle endurance, cancer-related fatigue, and radiotherapy in prostate cancer survivors. Muscle & Nerve, 43(3), 415-424.
Ng, A. V., Alt, C. A., & Gore, E. (2007). Fatigue. Feuerstein, Michael (Ed.). Handbook of Cancer Survivorship, 1st, 133-150. Springer US.

Presentations

Alt, C. A., Puser, B., Karnila, E., & Vinopal, C. (October 2022). Is the 2-minute-step test valid when administered in a virtual environment?. Fall Conference American Physical Therapy Association-Wisconsin, Wisconsin Dells, WI.
Puser, B., Alt, C. A., Karnila, E., & Vinopal, C. (May 2022). Is the 2-minute-step-test reliable as a virtual test compared with face-to-face testing?. Health Research Symposium 2022 College of Nursing, virtual.
Anderson, C. A., & Alt, C. A. (February 2022). Can targeted virtual interventions support physical activity behavior change in persons living with Parkinson's Disease?. Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), San Antonio, Texas.
Anderson, C., & Alt, C. (October 2021). Can Targeted Virtual Interventions Augment Psychosocial and Physical Outcomes in Persons Living with Parkinson's Disease?. APTA Wisconsin Fall Conference, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.
McIlwraith, K., Zalewski, K., & Alt, C. (April 2021). Can Digital Interventions Provide Similar Supports for Exercise as Face-to-Face Interventions?. APTA Wisconsin Virtual Spring Conference, virtual.
Alt, C. A. (January 2021). Converting Community-based to Digital-based Learning Experiences. UWM Teaching and Learning Symposium Adapt-Persist-Connect, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Cornell, D. J., Ebersole, K. T., Zalewski, K. R., Earl-Boehm, J. E., & Alt, C. (July 2020). Influence of an online-delivered corrective exercise program on the functional movement quality of male career firefighters. National Strength and Conditioning Association National Conference, Las Vegas, NV (Virtual).
Alt, C. (January 2019). Can Retake Options Enhance Student Learning?. UWM Teaching and Learning Symposium, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.
Alt, C. A., & Kathryn, Z. R. (October 2018). Psychosocial and physical outcomes in cancer survivors following multi-year structured physical activity programming: Case series. Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association Spring Conference, Wisconsin Dells, WI.
Cornell, D., Ebersole, K., Azen, R., Earl-Boehm, J. E., Zalewski, K. R., & Alt, C. (February 2017). Criterion Validity of the Fusionetics Movement Efficiency Test In Reference to the Functional Movement Screen Among Active-Duty Firefighters. Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical Therapy Association, San Antonio, TX.
Alt, C., & Zalewski, K. R. (January 2017). Lessons learned from community engaged partnerships in healthcare. UWM Teaching and Learning Symposium, Milwaukee, WI.
Zalewski, K. R., & Alt, C. (November 2016). Health Informed Rehabilitation: Assessment and Management of Barriers to Physical Activity. American College of Rehabilitation Medicine Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.
Alt, C., & Zalewski, K. R. (September 2016). Developing a New Professional Identity for Physical Therapy: Using Community Partnerships to Explore the Origins of Health. Health Promotion Research – An International Forum “Next Society”, Trondheim, Norway.
Agen, M. J., Nance, K., Paras, F., Swanson, B., Alt, C., & Zalewski, K. R. (February 2016). Tools for Measuring Internal Barriers to Physical Activity in Adults: A Systematic Review. American Physical Therapy Association, Combined Sections Meeting, Anaheim, CA.
Alt, C. (2015). Physical activity in health and chronic disease. Cross of Life, Brookfield, WI.

Honors & Awards

Academic Staff Professional Development Award - Group Award (CHS- Equity Alliance Committee) (2022, June 10) UWM Academic Staff Awards Committee.
Byoung Kim Teaching Excellence Award (2021, May 7) College of Health Sciences.
Student Research Award 2nd place (2021, April 15) APTA Wisconsin.
Professional Development Award (2019) College of Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Pilot Award for H5P (2019, August 26) CETL.
Professional Development Award (2016) College of Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Professional Development Award (2015) College of Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Professional Development Award (2011) College of Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Byoung Kim Teaching Excellence Award (2010, May 14) College of Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
American Cancer Society Spring Luncheon Benefit (2009, May 5) Invited keynote speaker Topic: Friendship Food for the Soul: Wellness in the Cancer Survivor Milwaukee Country Club.
Winner in Research Poster Category (2006, April 7) WPTA Spring Conference.
Invited keynote speaker, pinning speech, DPT class of 2005 (2004, September 25) Marquette University.

Professional Memberships

  • American Physical Therapy Association, 1983-1999, 2001-present
  • Wisconsin Physical Therapy Association, 1983-1999, 2001-present
  • American College of Sports Medicine, 2005-2009, 2011-present

Positions

Clinical Associate Professor, Physical Therapy Program
Department of Kinesiology, College of Health Sciences
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
7/08-present

Ad Hoc Faculty, Physical Therapy Department
Spring 2008 PTTH 525 Kinesiology I: The Upper Extremity (3 credits)
(Don Neumann PhD, PT sabbatical)
Marquette University
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1/08-5/08

Associate Professor, Physical Therapy
Concordia University Wisconsin
Mequon, Wisconsin
From 2/94-12/07(Assistant Professor), 12/07-7/08 (Associate Professor)

ProBono Cancer Exercise Program
Mequon Elite Sports Clubs
2007-2008
Nancy Weiner, Carlynn Alt

Courses Taught

2008- present, UWM PT Program

  • Kinesiology/Biomechanics of Normal and Abnormal Movement KIN 527 (4 cr)
  • Scientific Principles of Interventions KIN 640 (5 cr)
  • Health Promotion/Wellness for Physical Therapy Practice KIN 745 (2 cr)