J. Ty Hopkins

J. Ty Hopkins, chair of the Department of Exercise Sciences at Brigham Young University has been a professor at BYU since 2003. He uniquely blends real-world experience with scientific inquiry in his professional field. Renowned for his expertise in sports medicine, Hopkins has dedicated his career to understanding the mechanics of human movement and how it relates to injury prevention and recovery. 

After graduating from BYU with a bachelor’s degree in athletic training in 1996, Hopkins earned a master’s degree in athletic training and a PhD in life sciences, both from Indiana State University. Since then, he has conducted valuable research on biomechanics, joint injury prevention, and the nervous system’s influence on joint stability. Much of his research focuses on knee and ankle injuries, as well as optimizing rehabilitation protocols. Hopkins has been published in leading scientific journals and has presented his research across the country. Regarded equally as an educator, he leads courses in exercise science and application of rehabilitation theories and teaches an indoor cycling class. 

An outdoor enthusiast and avid cyclist, Hopkins has participated in multiple triathlons and ultra-endurance mountain bike races, including the grueling 2,725-mile Tour Divide, which he completed in just over 16 days, finishing fourth. This challenging race along the spine of the Rockies from Canada to the Mexican border allowed him to not only push his physical limits but also collect data for his research on extreme exercise and its effects on the body. His experiences and insights from these races culminated in his book, Just Ride. 

 Hopkins and his wife, Holly, have four daughters, and they spend much of their time looking for adventure in the outdoors. He strives to appreciate the beauty in life and the happiness that can be found even in hard moments, and he hopes to be able to utilize his work to improve the quality of life for both his community and society as a whole. Whether in the classroom, on a mountain trail, or with his family, his life reflects a commitment to learn and grow and to become something more.