Dr. Frank Aerts PT, DScAssociate Professor of Doctor Physical Therapy Program
260-470-2675
Dr. Frank Aerts’ personal mission is to “continuously strive to attain life’s fullest potential and to help others
achieve theirs”. As an educator, his priorities are assisting students in their growth and becoming physical
therapists who strive for clinical excellence.
Education and General Information
Frank graduated from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, Physical Therapy Program in 1990. He obtained
his Doctor of Science degree from Andrews University in 2012. Frank is a board certified orthopedic clinical
specialist (OCS) and holds specialization certifications in: Certified Blood Flow Restriction Training, Clinical
Vestibular Therapist, Certified Mulligan Practitioner, Certified Manual Physical Therapist, Certified Medical Exercise
Therapist, Certified Health Care Manager, Certified Cardiac Physical Therapist.
Teaching Interests
Since 2012, Frank has taught as adjunct faculty in the Andrews University DPT and DSc programs including courses
in therapeutic exercise prescription, pathokinesiology, biomechanics, and physical therapy administration. Frank
teaches continuing education courses internationally on the Medical Exercise Therapy - Assessment and
Intervention Frameworks. A common trait throughout all the courses is the drive for an evidence-based and
patient-centered approach to clinical practice.
Work Experience
Frank has 30 years of experience in physical therapy, practicing in different clinical settings including private
practice, hospital inpatient and outpatient, skilled nursing, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities. Frank has
experience as an administrator including private practice owner, director of rehabilitation, and executive director
of the orthopedic service line.
Publication and Research Interests
He is the primary author of Inter-rater Reliability of Sustained Aberrant Movement Patterns as a Clinical
Assessment of Muscular Fatigue (2016) published in The Open Orthopedics Journal Frank co-authored the
textbook: Hand-Held Dynamometry - Guidelines for Daily Clinical Practice (2018 - ISBN: 978-164316219-5). His
main research interests include the implementation of the International Classification Framework in daily clinical
practice, including the adaptation of a biopsychosocial and aetiology-neutral assessment and intervention
approach to chronic musculoskeletal conditions. Specifically, his interest lies in the establishment of a
biopsychosocial classification, a “Functional Range of Motion Profile” and a hand-held dynamometry “Strength
Profile”.
Service
Frank is volunteer PEDRO rater for clinical trials. PEDRO is a partnership, established in 1999 by a small group of
physiotherapists, both clinicians and academics. It is now based in the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health at the
University of Sydney and Sydney Local Health District. Its mission is to maximize the effectiveness of physiotherapy
services by facilitating the clinical application of the best available evidence.