Ryan M. Pelo
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Ryan M. Pelo, PT, DPT, NCS

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

Injury Clinic

Orthopaedic Injury Clinic
Salt Lake City
801-587-7109

  • Ryan Pelo, PT, DPT, PhD brings his experience in brain injury, vestibular impairment, and autonomic dysfunction to University of Utah Sports Medicine with the goal of providing a comprehensive evaluation to identify the physiologic factors limiting an individual’s participation in daily activities and return to sport.

    Ryan earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Northwestern University in 2010, has been a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy since 2014, received a Certificate in Vestibular Rehabilitation in 2017 from the Emory University/Duke University Program, and has been licensed in Trigger Point Dry Needling since 2024. Ryan earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Utah in 2024 with the focus of his dissertation on autonomic nervous system impairment in a post-concussion population.

    Before joining University of Utah Sports Medicine, Ryan was a physical therapist at what is now known as the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, University of Utah Health, and is currently still practicing at the Kutcher Clinic for Sports Neurology. Ryan also previously served as the Pac-12 Research Coordinator for University of Utah Athletics.

    Ryan currently is part of the medical provider pool for both US Speedskating and US Ski and Snowboard and has spoken nationally on sports concussion and autonomic nervous system impairment. Ryan is one of the original authors of the Utah Autonomic Disorders adaptive Physical Therapy (ADaPT) exercise program designed to improve exercise intolerance in individuals with autonomic nervous system impairment.

    Specialties

  • Ryan Pelo, PT, DPT, PhD brings his experience in brain injury, vestibular impairment, and autonomic dysfunction to University of Utah Sports Medicine with the goal of providing a comprehensive evaluation to identify the physiologic factors limiting an individual’s participation in daily activities and return to sport.

    Ryan earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Northwestern University in 2010, has been a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Neurologic Physical Therapy since 2014, received a Certificate in Vestibular Rehabilitation in 2017 from the Emory University/Duke University Program, and has been licensed in Trigger Point Dry Needling since 2024. Ryan earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Utah in 2024 with the focus of his dissertation on autonomic nervous system impairment in a post-concussion population.

    Before joining University of Utah Sports Medicine, Ryan was a physical therapist at what is now known as the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, University of Utah Health, and is currently still practicing at the Kutcher Clinic for Sports Neurology. Ryan also previously served as the Pac-12 Research Coordinator for University of Utah Athletics.

    Ryan currently is part of the medical provider pool for both US Speedskating and US Ski and Snowboard and has spoken nationally on sports concussion and autonomic nervous system impairment. Ryan is one of the original authors of the Utah Autonomic Disorders adaptive Physical Therapy (ADaPT) exercise program designed to improve exercise intolerance in individuals with autonomic nervous system impairment.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Divisions Physical Therapy

    Education history

    Diploma Concussion - University of Utah Ph.D.
    Neurologic Clinical Specialist - American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties Certification
    Doctoral Training Physical Therapy - Northwestern University DPT
    Biology - University of Redlands B.A.

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Johnson PK, Fino PC, Wilde EA, Hovenden ES, Russell HA, Velez C, Pelo R, Morris AJ, Kreter N, Read EN, Keleher F, Esopenko C, Lindsey HM, Newsome MR, Thayn D, McCabe C, Mullen CM, Davidson LE, Liebel SW, Carr L, Tate DF (2024). The Effect of Intranasal Plus Transcranial Photobiomodulation on Neuromuscular Control in Individuals with Repetitive Head Acceleration Events. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. (Read full article)
    2. Weightman MM, King LA, Fino PC, Dibble LE, Pelo R, Michielutti PG, Richard H, Parrington L, Lester ME, Hoppes CW (2023). Reconsidering Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening Cutoff Scores for Concussion. Mil Med, 189(3-4), e714-e720. (Read full article)
    3. Morris A, Petersell TL, Pelo R, Hill S, Cassidy B, Jameson T, Iriye T, Burke J, Dibble LE, Fino PC (2025). Use of Reactive Balance Assessments With Clinical Baseline Concussion Assessments in Collegiate Athletes. J Athl Train, 59(1), 39-48. (Read full article)
    4. Petersell TL, Quammen DL, Crofts R, Morris AJ, Fino N, Jensen CB, Hollien A, Pelo R, Roemmich BJ, Dibble LE, Fino PC (2023). Instrumented Static and Reactive Balance in Collegiate Athletes: Normative Values and Minimal Detectable Change. J Athl Train, 59(6), 608-616. (Read full article)
    5. Loyd BJ, Dibble LE, Weightman MM, Pelo R, Hoppes CW, Lester M, King LA, Fino PC (2022). Volitional Head Movement Deficits and Alterations in Gait Speed Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. J Head Trauma Rehabil, 38(3), E223-E232. (Read full article)
    6. Fino PC, Michielutti PG, Pelo R, Parrington L, Dibble LE, Hoppes CW, Lester ME, Weightman MM, King LA (2022). A Hybrid Assessment of Clinical Mobility Test Items for Evaluating Individuals With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. J Neurol Phys Ther, 47(2), 84-90. (Read full article)
    7. Morris A, Fino NF, Pelo R, Cushman DM, Monson NE, Jameson T, Dibble LE, Fino PC (2023). Reactive postural responses predict risk for acute musculoskeletal injury in collegiate athletes. J Sci Med Sport, 26(2), 114-119. (Read full article)
    8. Morris A, Cassidy B, Pelo R, Fino NF, Presson AP, Cushman DM, Monson NE, Dibble LE, Fino PC (2020). Reactive Postural Responses After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Their Association With Musculoskeletal Injury Risk in Collegiate Athletes: A Study Protocol. Front Sports Act Living, 2, 574848. (Read full article)

    Review

    1. Pelo R, Suttman E, Fino PC, McFarland MM, Dibble LE, Cortez MM (2023). Autonomic dysfunction and exercise intolerance in concussion: a scoping review. [Review]. Clin Auton Res, 33(2), 149-163. (Read full article)
    2. Morris A, Casucci T, McFarland MM, Cassidy B, Pelo R, Kreter N, Dibble LE, Fino PC (2022). Reactive Balance Responses After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Scoping Review. [Review]. J Head Trauma Rehabil, 37(5), 311-317. (Read full article)