Scott Monfort, middle, with Jim Becker, left, conducting research in MSU's Neuromuscular Biomechanics Lab. MSU photo by Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez

BOZEMAN — A Montana State University researcher whose work is focused on reducing knee injuries and improving rehabilitation was recently featured in The Washington Post.

The Feb. 27 article, “Researchers are exploring how the brain helps prevent knee injuries,” extensively quotes Scott Monfort, co-director of MSU’s Neuromuscular Biomechanics Laboratory, and cites two recent papers he co-authored.

The article summarizes recent findings about the role that cognitive processes play in the risk and incidence of knee injuries. According to the story, roughly 200,000 people in the U.S. strain or tear the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, in their knee each year, and Monfort’s research is at the forefront of understanding new ways those injuries can be prevented and recovery from them.

“It’s becoming increasingly clear that how people mentally process the environment around them can affect their risk of sustaining a musculoskeletal injury,” Monfort said in a recent interview. “Understanding that allows us to develop new and more effective screening tools and training and rehabilitation methods.”

The basic explanation that’s emerging is that when cognitive process are stressed — such as when a soccer player is processing the movement of players around them and making quick decisions about the game — the brain has added difficulty planning safe and effective movements in the split second before a ligament is strained or torn, said Monfort, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering in MSU’s Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering.

One of Monfort’s papers cited in the story and originally published in 2019 in the American Journal of Sports Medicine measured cognitive factors related to risky knee movements — in which the leg bends sideways at angles approaching the point at which a ligament strain or tear could occur — in 15 collegiate club soccer players. Monfort and his collaborators used specialized cameras to track leg movements while the players conducted movement exercises, including some that involved concentrating on the task of dribbling a soccer ball. Separate tests were used to measure the players’ cognitive abilities, including visual memory and reaction time. The researchers found that participants with the worst visual-spatial memory had the largest increase in risky knee movement when they had to move while also dribbling the ball.

In another study, published last fall, Monfort and his co-authors measured single-leg balance among athletes who were recovering from ACL injury and found distinct differences in balance control compared to the control group when a cognitive challenge was added during the balance task. That study further reiterates the potential for cognitive interventions to reveal lingering neuromuscular impairments after injury, he said.

Currently, Monfort is leading a project funded by $300,000 from the National Institutes of Health that’s aimed at refining understanding of how integrating cognitive tasks into rehabilitation exercises could improve recovery of ACL injuries. The project is co-led at MSU by Keith Hutchison, professor in the Department of Psychology in MSU’s College of Letters and Science, and James Becker, associate professor in the Department of Health and Human Development in MSU’s College of Education, Health and Human Development, who co-directs the biomechanics lab with Monfort. The study also includes Ohio University researchers Janet Simon and Dustin Grooms, who was also quoted in the story in The Washington Post.

The MSU Neuromuscular Biomechanics Laboratory is equipped with sensors in the floor and specialized cameras that can track and measure participants’ motions. The lab also has devices to measure participants’ strength and even how certain parts of the brain are activated during tasks.

“We have an interdisciplinary research group and a unique facility that allows us to explore some of these new frontiers of injury prevention and rehabilitation,” Monfort said. “This is a great place to work on this and an exciting time to be working in a growing research area.”

“Our vision is to take what we’re doing and make a positive impact on injury prevention and rehabilitation,” Monfort said.

Three Forks, Montana – No-Coast Entertainment presents - ‘Rappin The Rivers Festival”, taking place August 18th & 19th 2023 at The Bridge near Three Forks Montana, where they have held the legendary Rocking TheRivers Festival every summer for the last 23 years. This event is a two-day festival of live Rap / Hip Hop and EDM performances, as well as camping options and many of your favorite merchandising and food vendors.

List of acts includes Asher Roth w/a live band, Mac Lethal, Dirtysnatcha, Chevy Woods, Stevie Stone, The Luniz, OG Nixin, Total Devastation, Odd Squad Family, Carnage The Executioner, Stagga Lee, Statik G, Filth and Foul, and many more to be announced.

No-Coast Entertainment is proud to bring Rappin The Rivers Festival to Three Forks Montana for the first-ever Montana Rap and EDM festival. Rappin The Rivers will provide an entertaining and safe summer atmosphere for concertgoers, combining live music and the great outdoors with camping and RV spots available. Providing 2 stages with live music on Aug 18th from 5pm-3am and Aug 19th from 12pm-3am.

As well as the music, RappinThe Rivers will host numerous other awarded events within the event including MC Battle, Dance Contest, Comedy Contest, Best Moustache, Best Belt Buckle, and Beauty Pageant including awards for King & Queen of “Rappin The Rivers Festival 2023”.

All tickets for the festival are available on Eventbrite. “Early Bird” two-day concert passes are currently on sale for just $80 each, and two-day “Early Bird” camping passes are on sale for just $70. Ticket prices will go up on May 1st when No-Coast Entertainment announces the fully completed lineup.

Rappin The Rivers Festival will be the ultimate experience of the summer if you are truly a lover of live music and the outdoors. Please come and be a part of history at the inaugural ceremony that will be Rappin TheRivers Festival 2023.

Nickel Barney of No-Coast Entertainment has been booking and promoting live concerts and events across the northwest since 1998 and has worked with many of the best in the business. Now No-Coast Entertainment has teamed up with the folks at legendary Rockin The Rivers to help bring you something new this summer. We have only announced a portion of our full line up so stay tuned.

On March 11, 2023, at 3:46pm Gallatin County Dispatch received a 911 call for a cross country skier on the Highland Glen Ski Trail who had a possible broken leg.  The patients skiing partner stayed with them and provided updates to responding units but needed assistance getting the patient off the trail.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue volunteers from the Valley Section responded to the trail after Bozeman Fire personnel requested their assistance transporting the patient.Search and Rescue volunteers deployed with a tracked Side by Side to the skier’s location.  The patient was transported off the ski trail and transferred to an awaiting AMR ambulance. The patient was ultimately transported to Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center for further evaluation.

Sheriff Springer would like to remind recreationalists that accidents can happen anywhere and anytime.  Always recreating with a partner and having a communication device can greatly help emergency responders, should your adventure not go as planned.

On March 9, 2023 at 4:44 pm, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue was requested to assist Yellowstone National Park with an avalanche search in the Bacon Rind area on Gallatin Road near mile marker 23. The reporting party was concerned that the slide was recent, and someone could be trapped, so they conducted a search from a safe distance with their avalanche beacon. The skier’s beacon picked up a signal indicating a person with a beacon was possibly in the debris.

To assist Yellowstone National Park, Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) activated the Big Sky Section, West Yellowstone Section, Valley Section, Heli Team, SAR Dogs, and SAR Comms. A hasty team of National Park Service Rangers and GCSSAR volunteers responded to the avalanche debris field. The hasty team conducted a thorough beacon search and searched the area with a dog trained for avalanche victim detection. An investigation was conducted to identify vehicles in the area and check on the status of the owners. The Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center was contacted for recent avalanche history in the area. The ground search did not find any indicators of buried victims and the investigation determined there weren’t any vehicles with unaccounted for individuals. With all of these factors considered, the search was concluded.

Sheriff Dan Springer would like to thank the reporting party who saw reason for concern and brought the information to the attention of the National Park Service. With the multitude of recreational opportunities in this area, it is often a member of the public who first recognizes a potential emergency and brings those facts to our attention for investigation. Sheriff Springer would also like to thank the Search and Rescue volunteers who were ready and willing to dedicate their time and effort to conducting a detailed search, ensuring a safe conclusion to this event.

You won’t find anyone pulling a rabbit out of hat, but you will meet furry magic monsters, and experience a zany show created right before your eyes! The only offering of its kind in Montana, Random Acts of Silliness (RAS) presents a delightfully quirky performance that combines the whimsy of puppetry with the high jinks of improv comedy. Each show is hosted by one of RAS’ adorably fuzzy Silly Monster Mascots: Roxy, Boomer and GoGo, with propelled by a team of adult actors who improvise silly scenes and stories inspired by suggestions gathered from the audience.

“In a world where kids’ wacky ideas are sometimes ignored, the Magic Monster Show embraces and delights in them. “Young people love to see adults taking their suggestions seriously, and the results are hilarious,” says director Sarah Henderson.

This storytelling style is freewheeling and spontaneous, not linear — and both children and adults delight in it. In a recent Valentine’s-themed show, suggestions from the audience resulted in a grumpy monkey falling in love with a cupcake, magical dough in a bakery yielding a unicorn, and a timid daisy befriending a terrifying snake-like sprinkler in a garden.

The show regularly hits maximum capacity, demonstrating a clear need for more family-friendly theater experiences in the Gallatin Valley. RAS wants everyone to have access to the show, so tickets are free, with a suggested donation of $10/ticket for those whose budget allows. RAS is able to offer free tickets to more than half of all attendees thanks to generous support from sponsors Dino Drop In and Rialto Bozeman.

“At the Rialto, our mission is to provide a welcoming venue and event space that enhances the adventurous nature of our community. We are thrilled to be able to support Random Acts of Silliness as they make family-friendly theater and art accessible to all members of the community,” says General Manager, Kristen Neithercut. “On top of that, their shows bring lots of laughs from kids and adults alike—and let’s be real—life is better when we’re laughing.”

Each show also features live musical accompaniment by Cody Henderson, with puppeteers Wren and Michael Garverick bringing Roxy, Boomer and GoGo to life. Well-known local performers Naomi Shafer, Hannah Smith, Elizabeth Noonan, Bennett Drozic, Isabel Huston and John Townsend-Mehler make up the cast of silly improvisers.

Intrigued? You can catch an outer space-themed Magic Monster Show at the Rialto on March 25th , a wildlife-themed show at the Earth Day Festival on April 22nd , and an enchanted kingdom-themed show on April 29th, all at the Rialto. These shows are fun for all ages, but best suited for a K-5 audience.

For more information about the Magic Monster Show, Random Acts of Silliness, and to reserve seats, visit www.randomactsofsilliness.com 

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office would like to alert the public to a mail scam that has been reported by the Gallatin County Motor Vehicle Department.  Residents have received a mailing like the one posted, claiming to be from the “Vehicle Services Division,” that alleges a person’s vehicle coverage is about to expire and includes a “registration fee voucher” that looks similar to a check.   This is a SCAM and a sly way to get you on the phone to sell you something or gather your personal information. Do not respond to the letter! Our motor vehicle department does not send any such vouchers.

Wellness in Action (WIA) is pleased to announce the start of their building remodel to expand the counseling hub.  The demand for reliable and accessible behavioral health services continues to increase in Big Sky.  To meet this demand, WIA has undertaken a remodel project to add more in person and telehealth counseling rooms, bring the building up to ADA compliance standards and overall increase the capacity for counselors to see more clients.  

“We are so fortunate to have the support of the Big Sky Resort Tax Board to help us fund this much needed remodel as well as the building owner Jeff Helms” said WIA Board President, Michelle Kendziorski.  

Danielle Osti Chenoweth, one of the counselors on the WIA platform, says “It is very exciting to see WIA expand their vision for the overall health and wellness of Big Sky. They have been incredibly helpful and supportive for the community. This expansion will provide even more resources for Big Sky residents and members of the workforce.”

Construction, overseen by Todd Rossier of Two Bear Construction Company, started on February 23rd with an anticipated completion of summer 2023.  If you are interested in touring the site during the remodel process, please send an email to info@wiabigsky.com.

WIA is dedicated to community well-being by connecting individuals to a network of resources.

WIA is a registered 501c(3) nonprofit. If you would like to learn more about our programs please visit https://bigskywia.org.

BIG SKY — Big Sky Resort is proud to announce the opening of Levinski Lodge, the first apartment-style housing for resort team members. Levinski Lodge A is the first of three buildings in the new Levinski Lodge housing campus. Buildings B and C, a mix of dormitory and apartment-style rooms, will open for winter 2023-2024.  

The new units are walkable to the resort, making for a quick commute and easing the burden on local transportation infrastructure.  

“We want our team members to live right here in Big Sky. It enlivens the community, and it’s better for the employee, atmosphere, and climate,” said Troy Nedved, the resort’s general manager. 

Levinski Lodge is the first housing of its kind for team members at Big Sky Resort. Each apartment is fully furnished, and includes a full kitchen, common space, spacious bathrooms, storage closets, and free laundry facilities in the building.  

“Building sustainable housing is not just about location. We’ve included the best efficiency measures to further reduce our environmental impact, including low-flow water fixtures and an energy-efficient HVAC system,” said Amy Fonte, the resort’s sustainability specialist. “The complex will be partially powered by rooftop solar panels, the resort’s first net-metered solar installation, which puts clean energy directly into the grid.”  

Levinski Lodge A will house 35 team members, including some who are moving in with their families.  
“Recognizing that we need more diverse and affordable housing options is crucial to address the housing shortage in the Big Sky community,” said Nedved. “Apartment-style units address a part of the population that has not quite fit in our other housing offerings.” 

The opening of the Levinski Lodge is just one piece of Big Sky Resort’s major investment in team member housing. In the past five years, Big Sky Resort has built and opened more than 350 additional beds in Big Sky, all within walking distance of the resort.  Big Sky Resort currently offers 826 team member beds in Big Sky, more than seven times the ski industry average.  

“Ultimately, our goal is to reach 1,000 beds in Big Sky, which would house approximately half of our team in the winter season. We’re on track to reach that goal by the winter 2023-2024 season,” Nedved said. 

BOZEMAN — “Mavericks,” a documentary about Montana’s freestyle skiing legacy from Montana PBS, recently received two awards.

The film won second place in the National Press Photographers Association Best of Photojournalism awards in the documentary-long form category. In addition, “Mavericks” was named best documentary feature at the Flathead Lake International Cinemafest, which was held Feb. 24-26 in Polson.

“'Mavericks' gives us the opportunity to bring some of Montana’s most interesting untold stories to light and share them across the state and beyond,” said Scott Sterling, director of production at Montana PBS. “I am honored that the hard work and dedication of our Montana PBS production team is recognized with these prestigious awards.”

The filmmakers call Montana freestyle skiers the mavericks of the sport, with multiple freestyle skiers from throughout the state getting their start on homemade jumps before going on to impressive careers. Freestyle skiing is a sport comprising aerials, moguls, half-pipe, slopestyle and more, with skiers often performing aerial flips and spins.

“Mavericks” follows the careers of several Montana freestyle skiers, including Olympic gold medal winner Eric Bergoust of Missoula, Bryon and Bradley Wilson of Butte, Darian Stevens of Missoula, Heather McPhie of Bozeman and Maggie Voisin of Whitefish. Using archival footage and original cinematography, the film captures “the struggles, victories, unsurpassed work ethic and unbreakable spirit of some of the state’s most renowned athletes in a sport where mere seconds determine the outcome of a career,” according to Kelly Gorham, producer and writer. Sterling is the film’s producer, director and editor, and Aaron Pruitt, Montana PBS director and general manager, is the executive producer.

Gorham, who also serves as director of visual media in MSU’s University Communications, said he was proud of both awards.

“I was honored to have ‘Mavericks’ included in such a wonderful festival and deeply humbled by the best documentary feature award considering the breadth of talent on display at the festival,” he said.

Of the NPPA award, Gorham said, “I had to re-read the Best of Photojournalism awards list a couple of times because I couldn’t believe that I was seeing our film among that list of international talent.”

In the NPPA best documentary feature award category, NBC Universal won for its project “Ukraine: The Search for Justice,” while E.W. Scripps received third place and The Washington Post received honorable mention.

The NPPA’s annual Best of Photojournalism competition recognizes the work of visual storytellers around the world. The competition is supported through a partnership with the University of Georgia’s College of Journalism and Mass Communication and presented by Sony as its primary sponsor. More information is available at bop.nppa.org/2023/.

The Flathead Lake International Cinemafest presents a broad slate of domestic and international films. The event is held annually, and this was its 11th year. More information is available at flicpolson.com/.

Last year, “Mavericks” also won the Non-Commercial Television Program of the Year award from the Montana Broadcasters Association. More information about the film is available at montanapbs.org/programs/mavericks/.

Suffering from chronic pain? Looking for a safe, natural way to manage your discomfort? An infrared heating pad might be the answer you’re looking for. Here, we take a look at how an infrared heating pad works and why it could provide you with the relief you need. 

An infrared heating pad offers many potential benefits for people of all ages. Infrared heat is the form of light energy that is found in sunlight and can penetrate 1-3 inches into the skin. This far-infrared radiation warms our bodies from within, providing us with deep tissue warmth that many find to be extremely comforting.

Infrared heating pads have been found to have several positive effects on our health, such as: 

• Improving blood circulation and reducing muscle tension by allowing heat to reach deeper tissues.
• Relief from chronic pain such as arthritis or fibromyalgia by soothing muscles and decreasing
   inflammation.
• Stimulating metabolism and improving overall health due to increased oxygenation of cells caused by
   improved circulation.   
• Helping reduce stress levels due to relaxation resulting from warm temperatures penetrating deeply into
   structures like joints, tendons & ligaments which contain nerves responding positively when heated up.

In addition, infrared heat has been clinically tested for its effectiveness in treating eczema, psoriasis, tendonitis and other medical conditions making it a great alternative healing option if traditional methods are not working well..

How Does an Infrared Heating Pad Work? 

Infrared heating pads work by emitting far infrared rays that penetrate deep into tissue to soothe your muscles and joints. This type of therapy is also known as FIR (far infrared ray) therapy or phototherapy. The heat produced by the pad is absorbed by your body and can help improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and alleviate muscle tension. It can also help speed up recovery time after a strenuous workout or injury. 

Benefits of Using an Infrared Heating Pad 

Using an infrared heating pad can provide a range of benefits. It can help relieve stiffness in your muscles, improve circulation throughout your body, reduce inflammation in your joints, relax tense muscles, and promote better sleep quality. Additionally, using an infrared heating pad is a great way to increase flexibility in your body—especially if you’re dealing with arthritis or other age-related conditions that limit mobility—and maximize range of motion during physical activities like yoga or Pilates.    

The Benefits of Infrared Heat Over Traditional Heat Sources 

Traditional heat sources such as hot water bottles or electric blankets don’t emit far-infrared rays like an infrared heating pad does. This means that traditional heat sources don’t penetrate as deeply into tissue—which reduces their effectiveness at relieving pain and promoting relaxation compared to infrared heat therapy. It also means they aren’t as effective at increasing circulation throughout the body to speed up recovery time after injury or surgery either. If you're suffering from chronic pain, stiffness in your muscles or poor sleep quality due to discomfort, exploring natural solutions like an infrared heating pad could provide the relief you need without any unpleasant side effects. By understanding how it works and what its benefits are, you can make an informed decision about whether this type of therapy will be right for you—and experience better health as a result!