us spine & sport foundation, inc

What us spine & sport foundation, inc does

US Spine & Sport Foundation, Inc. (legal name: The Vert Mooney Research Foundation) is a 501c3 non-profit research and education organization founded in 1993 by Vert Mooney, MD. The foundation develops, tests, and implements evidence-based strategies to improve physical function and quality of life, with a primary focus on musculoskeletal health in first responders—particularly firefighters—and clinical spine care. Its core proprietary asset is the Multidimensional Task Ability Profile (MTAP), a validated patient-reported outcome measure of physical function available in English and Spanish, with high test-retest reliability (ICC 2,1 = 0.87-0.97).

The organization's product portfolio centers on clinical research translation: evidence-based first responder wellness programs (worksite exercise interventions, back injury prevention, nutrition, sleep improvement), telehealth physical therapy services, and continuing education courses (EPIC FCE Work Conditioning, McKenzie, Tactical Athlete certification). The foundation has facilities in San Diego, California and Tampa, Florida, and has produced a substantial body of peer-reviewed publications in journals such as the Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, North American Spine Society Journal, and others.

Revenue is generated through a diversified model including competitive federal research grants (FEMA Fire Prevention & Safety, DoD CDMRP), multi-year government contracts for municipal employee wellness services (e.g., five-year contract with City of Sacramento), educational course fees, and licensing of the MTAP outcomes platform. The organization partners with academic institutions (University of South Florida, Duke), government agencies (Veterans Health Administration, NIH-DoD-VA Pain Management Collaboratory), and clinical providers (Spine & Sport Physical Therapy) to deliver programs and conduct research.

Name

us spine & sport foundation, inc

Legal name

The Vert Mooney Research Foundation

Website

https://usspineandsportfoundation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

US Spine & Sport Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit research organization that develops evidence-based musculoskeletal and physical fitness programs primarily for firefighters and first responders, offering the proprietary MTAP patient-reported outcome tool, worksite wellness interventions, telehealth physical therapy, and continuing education for healthcare professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Clinical Research and Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Physical Therapy & Return-to-Play Rehab (HSADAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sports Medicine, Athletic Training & Rehabilitation Services (EDALAIAH), Rehabilitation Return-to-Exercise Training (Non-Clinical) (HSADAAAK), Strength & Conditioning / Performance Training (EDALAIAI), Fitness & Exercise Training Education (Strength, Cardio, Mobility) (EDAAAHAB), Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA), Health Promotion, Prevention & Wellness Education (EDALAFAF)

Keywords

• Clinical research foundation
• Musculoskeletal rehabilitation
• First responder wellness
• Spine health research
• Functional capacity assessment

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal Research Grants: Primary revenue source through competitive federal grants from FEMA, Department of Defense, and NIH. Grant funding supports clinical research trials, implementation programs, and wellness initiatives. Examples include FEMA Fire Prevention & Safety grants ($1.2M for regional firefighter wellness) and DoD congressionally-directed medical research program grants.
2. Government Contract Services: Contracted services providing evidence-based physical therapy and wellness programs for municipal employees, particularly first responders with work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Examples include five-year contract with City of Sacramento for firefighter and police services.
3. Educational Programs and Continuing Education: Continuing education courses for healthcare professionals including EPIC FCE Work Conditioning, McKenzie Course, and first responder industrial athlete certification. Revenue generated through course fees.
4. MTAP Licensing and Outcomes Systems: Licensing of Multidimensional Task Ability Profile (MTAP) patient-reported outcome measure and associated outcomes reporting systems for clinical and research applications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The foundation conducts clinical research, education, and community outreach to develop, test, and implement evidence-based strategies that improve physical function and quality of life, with primary focus on spine health, musculoskeletal disorders, and first responder physical fitness. Its core commercial offerings include the Multidimensional Task Ability Profile (MTAP) outcomes licensing system, firefighter wellness and back injury prevention programs, telehealth physical therapy services, tactical athlete exercise programs, and continuing education courses for healthcare professionals.

Product overview

US Spine and Sport Foundation operates as a non-profit clinical research and education organization, offering the MTAP (Multidimensional Task Ability Profile) as its core patient-reported outcome assessment tool for measuring physical function and functional capacity in patients with musculoskeletal conditions. The organization provides specialized first responder wellness programs targeting firefighter health, including worksite exercise interventions, back injury prevention initiatives, and telehealth physical therapy services. Educational offerings include professional courses in work conditioning, mechanical diagnosis (McKenzie), and tactical athlete exercise programming. The product portfolio centers on clinical research translation into practical wellness and rehabilitation programs for first responders and general musculoskeletal pain populations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MTAP (Multidimensional Task Ability Profile)
• Firefighter Wellness Initiative

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Spine & Sport Physical TherapycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 October 2023Long-standing collaboration with Spine & Sport Physical Therapy on research and implementation projects including: five-year contract with City of Sacramento for work-related injury services; telehealth initiative research published in APTA Physical Therapy Journal; joint presentation at 2024 American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting. The partnership combines clinical practice expertise with research capabilities to deliver evidence-based care.
• Duke University Center of Excellence in Manual and Manipulative TherapycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. John Mayer presented virtual Shop Talk hosted by Duke University on 'The influence of active, passive, and manual therapy interventions on escalation of health care events after physical therapy care in veterans with low back pain.' Findings from the RESOLVE Trial (DoD funded) were presented as part of this collaboration.
• City of SacramentoflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive-year contract (2023-2028) to provide early access to evidence-based physical therapy services for city employees with work-related musculoskeletal disorders, particularly firefighters and police. Foundation provides outcomes and data management services through this partnership.
• NIH-DoD-VA Pain Management CollaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation team participates in the Implementation Science Work Group representing the RESOLVE Trial team. The Collaboratory develops capacity for large-scale pragmatic clinical research in military and veteran healthcare focusing on non-pharmacological pain management approaches.
• Global Spine Care InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. John Mayer serves on the Scientific Secretariat for the Global Spine Care Initiative created by World Spine Care. Contributed to special issue publications in European Spine Journal focused on reducing spine-related disability in low- and middle-income communities.
• University of South FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partnership for multiple FEMA and DoD funded studies. Dr. Mayer served as Lincoln College Endowed Research Chair. Partnership includes Tampa facility location and collaboration on firefighter wellness research trials.
• Veterans Health AdministrationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRESOLVE Trial research collaboration using VA Corporate Data Warehouse for retrospective cohort study on 3,618 veterans with low back pain. Study examined associations between physical therapy interventions and escalation-of-care events including opioid prescriptions.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Center for Work, Health, & Well-being: Academic research center studying integrated approaches to worker health, safety, and well-being with applied program evaluation. Comparable as an academic-research entity producing evidence on workforce MSK and wellness interventions, though operating from a broader occupational health lens rather than a fire service focus.

Broad incumbents

• International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC): Professional association for fire chiefs that convenes the fire service on safety, health, and survival topics and influences FEMA grant priorities. Comparable as a fire service leadership body whose health/safety agenda overlaps with the foundation's mission.
• American Physical Therapy Association (APTA): National professional association for physical therapists that the foundation engages through Combined Sections Meeting presentations and co-authored publications. Comparable as a stakeholder setting clinical practice standards for the PT profession in which the foundation's research is translated, though not a direct competitor.
• International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF): Large national labor union for firefighters with substantial health, wellness, and behavioral health programming for members. Comparable as a steward of firefighter wellness priorities and a major stakeholder that shapes grant funding and program adoption, but with much broader scope and union-based governance.
• NIOSH: Federal agency conducting occupational safety and health research, including firefighter injury and fatality investigations through its National Firefighter Registry and other programs. Comparable as a major research body in the same fire service occupational health space, with much larger scale and statutory mandate.

Direct peers

• National Fallen Firefighters Foundation: National nonprofit supporting firefighter health, safety, and survivor resources; operates with similar grant and donor funding and works closely with FEMA and fire service leadership. Comparable as a mission-aligned nonprofit serving the same fire service community, though focused on line-of-duty fatalities rather than MSK prevention.
• Spine & Sport Physical Therapy: Clinical physical therapy provider and long-standing partner of US Spine & Sport Foundation, jointly delivering evidence-based MSK care, telehealth research, and the Sacramento city contract. Directly comparable because it operationalizes the foundation's research into PT services for the same firefighter/tactical athlete population.
• Firefighter Cancer Support Network: Nonprofit providing firefighter cancer education, prevention, and support, with similar funding sources including FEMA AFG grants. Comparable because it delivers disease-prevention programming for the same firefighter population, though focused on occupational cancer rather than MSK injury.
• First Responder Center for Excellence: Nonprofit focused on reducing physical and behavioral health issues in first responders through research, education, and program implementation. Highly comparable mission, target population, and grant-driven funding model, though with broader scope beyond musculoskeletal health.

Emerging players

• Global Spine Care Initiative: International spine research initiative on which Dr. Mayer serves, producing evidence-based models of care for spine disorders. Comparable as a research-focused spine care organization with overlapping scientific leadership, though focused on global low- and middle-income community settings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/usssf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/us-spine-and-sport-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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