- American College of Sports Medicine- Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist
Professor of Instruction Exercise Science
Obesity and Weight Managementedit
The purpose of this exploratory study was twofold: to determine whether exercise science and medical students are aware of the Exercise is Medicine® (EIM®) program and to construct a tool that would permit assessment of EIM® variables... more
The purpose of this exploratory study was twofold: to determine whether exercise science and medical students are aware of the Exercise is Medicine® (EIM®) program and to construct a tool that would permit assessment of EIM® variables with students enrolled in both programs. The study consisted of a quantitative, cross-sectional design, using a self-report electronic questionnaire. An Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) using principal component analysis extraction method with Varimax factor rotation was employed to validate the survey instrument based on the expected constructs, which posited five (5) contending factors: Value, Familiarity, Preparedness, Curricular Perceptions, and Opinions. A pairwise comparison was then performed to compare elements of the EIM® scale identified from the factor analysis by student type (medical and exercise science student) using multiple independent sample t-tests. Based on the pairwise comparisons, there were statistically significant differences of all EIM® factors by student type with the exception of Opinions (p = 0.109). Based on the trends observed in the data, exercise science students had a more positive report for each EIM® factor compared to medical students. These findings suggest a discrepancy in the delivery, acceptance, and implementation of the EIM® initiative between exercise professionals and medical healthcare providers. Future investigation is warranted to validate this experimental instrument and study the differences in EIM® factors among current medical and exercise professionals.
Graduate student thesis
Graduate Student (Chris Ginley) Master Thesis publication. The purpose of this study was to examine the developmental experiences of former Tier III junior ice hockey players. Specifically, it is to determine if these players would... more
Graduate Student (Chris Ginley) Master Thesis publication.
The purpose of this study was to examine the developmental experiences of former Tier III junior ice hockey players. Specifically, it is to determine if these players would describe similar experiences that the higher competitive level Tier I players had such as challenges and identity. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven former players who competed at the level of Tier III. The interviews were recorded and analyzed to determine common themes related to
developmental experiences of these players. Results of the study revealed the types of developmental experiences of junior hockey players as they pursue excellence during the investment stage of their athletic career, the period where the athletes are to focus on one single sport with high amount of practice. The two most common themes found were “challenges” and “identity.” All the former junior hockey players in the present study described undergoing challenges during the course of their junior hockey career. Participants described the specific challenges they experienced which included living away from home, dealing with on-ice issues, and not being given the same opportunities which other players received. The findings of the present study also discovered that the sport of junior hockey was a central component of their participants’ identities while participating in junior hockey. Detailed discussion as to emergent themes such as life experience, relationships, passion, and athleticism were also provided. The present study found that junior hockey players at the Tier III level in the United States reported similar developmental experiences as junior hockey players participating at the higher competitive Tier I level.
The purpose of this study was to examine the developmental experiences of former Tier III junior ice hockey players. Specifically, it is to determine if these players would describe similar experiences that the higher competitive level Tier I players had such as challenges and identity. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven former players who competed at the level of Tier III. The interviews were recorded and analyzed to determine common themes related to
developmental experiences of these players. Results of the study revealed the types of developmental experiences of junior hockey players as they pursue excellence during the investment stage of their athletic career, the period where the athletes are to focus on one single sport with high amount of practice. The two most common themes found were “challenges” and “identity.” All the former junior hockey players in the present study described undergoing challenges during the course of their junior hockey career. Participants described the specific challenges they experienced which included living away from home, dealing with on-ice issues, and not being given the same opportunities which other players received. The findings of the present study also discovered that the sport of junior hockey was a central component of their participants’ identities while participating in junior hockey. Detailed discussion as to emergent themes such as life experience, relationships, passion, and athleticism were also provided. The present study found that junior hockey players at the Tier III level in the United States reported similar developmental experiences as junior hockey players participating at the higher competitive Tier I level.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Awareness of effective weight management strategies is necessary to prepare exercise science students for future work with obesity. Exercise science faculty developed a course related to exercise as a therapeutic tool and options... more
Awareness of effective weight management strategies is necessary to prepare exercise science students for future work with obesity. Exercise science faculty developed a course related to exercise as a therapeutic tool and options available for weight loss. Purpose: This study investigates students’ views of weight management and obesity which can be a difficult task utilizing traditional methods such as Likert scale surveys. Methods: To investigate students’ views relative to the course content, Q Methodology, which is a mixed method research approach, was used at the beginning and at the end of the course. Students completed a Q-sort, ranking 44 statements related to obesity in accordance to their own points of view. The pretest/posttest design enabled an opportunity to determine if course goals were accomplished and if students’ perceptions related to obesity were transformed. Results: Factor analysis of pre-course sorts revealed students possessed a naïve singular view of weight related concepts. Analysis of sorts at course completion resulted in a two-factor solution revealing changes in perspective; some students took on a health professional type of view while others demonstrated anti-fat views. Conclusion: The findings revealed key variables that should be addressed in curricula involving therapeutic obesity interventions. Improved curriculum based on these results should better encourage students to develop broad comprehension of multifactorial causes and treatment for weight management and obesity. Implementing the use of Q Methodology may serve as a valuable asset to measure and evaluate subjectivity of obesity discrimination. Anti-fat attitudes among exercise science students may influence future clients’ potential achievements.
Research Interests:
Graduate student thesis