There is a steady rhythm to the movement within the physical therapy clinic where Christina Larsen (EXSC ’26) works. Each patient follows a tailored, low-impact plan focused on increasing strength, restoring movement, and minimizing pain—with Larsen gently guiding them through each step. As patient and therapist work in tandem, conversation springs up between them. “Speaking with them is a joy,” Larsen says with a smile. “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know them.” This opportunity to build relationships with patients who rely on her support represents the culmination of years of study and sacrifice. “The best part is feeling like I can make a difference,” Larsen explains. “Helping someone who can’t fully help themselves is incredibly rewarding.” That passion can be traced back to her early experiences in sports and the mentors who shaped them.
Larsen, who was heavily involved in sports as a child, recalls being fascinated by the work of the coaches and athletic trainers around her. Equally compelled by both the action of sports and the science of helping others recover, Larsen found that physical therapy seamlessly merged her two passions—a path that, as she puts it, “brought those interests together in a really natural way.”
At BYU, Larsen splits her time between the clinic and the Henderson Lab, where she studies how added weight during pregnancy affects movement and joint stress, using motion-capture sensors and force plates to analyze gait. “The participants in the study are women between the ages of 18 and 30,” Larsen clarifies. Using a weighted pregnancy simulation belly to mimic the effects of pregnancy, the team then compares how participants walked before and after wearing the vest to see how the added weight affected their movement, measuring their foot arch to see whether it collapsed or changed under the added load. “We’re still in the data processing phase,” Larsen admits, “but we’re hopeful that the results will lend insight into the pregnancy experience, helping us determine if certain changes are driven more by hormonal shifts, which can relax the joints, or simply as a result of the added weight.”
The work she does in the lab allows Larsen to make a tangible impact on women’s health while also deepening the skills she’ll carry into physical therapy school. “As I’ve prepared for PT school, I’ve also been able to seek guidance from professors and request letters of recommendation,” she says. “I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to connect with mentors, learn from their experiences, and receive advice on the next steps in my career.” For this reason, graduating from BYU in April is bittersweet for Larsen. “I know it sounds cliché,” she says fondly, “but the people are what made it so special. I’ve had the chance to work closely with professors as a TA and in a research lab, and those relationships have meant a lot to me. I truly love the sense of community at BYU.”
Though she is sad to leave, Larsen also looks to the future with excitement. She will be starting the University of Utah’s DPT program in May. “My journey in science has been so fulfilling because it has helped me learn more about God and His role in life. Studying how the body works and being able to help people improve their lives has been a huge testimony builder for me.” In reflecting on her path from a sports-obsessed child to a student, researcher, and clinician, Larsen credits both her experiences and her faith for guiding her toward this next thrilling chapter.