Research
Strength Training and Older Adults
Dr. Matthew Delmonico's research focuses on the effects of strength training on physical performance in older adults. Specifically, Dr. Delmonico investigates how strength training improves muscle power and velocity, which are strong determinants of physical functioning in older adults. Dr. Delmonico also examines how common gene variations influence strength training outcomes in older adults, and is a member of a multi-disciplinary team that is currently examining the effects of combined weight loss and strength training on physical performance and functioning in overweight older adults. Current Project
Behavior Change
Dr. Bryan Blissmer’s research focuses on delivering interventions to promote a healthy lifestyle as well as analysis of the psychosocial outcomes of those interventions. This research involves collaboration with faculty in Psychology and Nutrition and has included populations ranging from adolescents to older adults. His current funding by the American Cancer Society is to examine the best way to get individuals with multiple risk factors (smoking, sedentary, poor diet) to change their behaviors to promote health and reduce their risk of developing cancer.
Aging Muscle
Dr. Tom Manfredi's research focus is on the effects of exercise and nutrition on skeletal muscle of aging healthy adults with CVD and other metabolic related diseases. Most recent research focuses on an animal aging model that looks at heart and skeletal muscle mitochondria as a central focus of the aging heart.
Physical Activity and Fitness of Deaf Children and Youth
Dr. Kathleen Ellis' research focuses on levels of physical activity and fitness of children and youth who are deaf. Specifically, she investigates how factors associated with deafness may affect an individuals overall physical activity and fitness performance. Dr. Ellis also examines the impact of Deaf Sport among deaf individuals' overall healthy lifestyles, including cultural and communication influences. While her main interest has been on deafness, her research foci have been expanded to include various other disabilities.
Promoting Physical Activity
Dr. Deborah Riebe’s research focuses on promoting exercise and physical activity in various populations, including older adults, individuals who are overweight or obese, and college students. She is part of the SENIOR project (Study of Exercise and Nutrition in Older Rhode Islanders) which helps adults over the age of 65 remain active and eat a healthy diet. Dr. Riebe also develops and investigates interventions designed to prevent weight gain, lose weight, and maintain weight loss.
Physical Activity in Urban Adolescent Populations
Dr. Lori Ciccomascolo’s research focuses on examining the needs, attitudes, and perceptions of economically disadvantaged and minority girls regarding physical activity and sport. She collaborates with Rhode Island elementary and secondary public school physical education and health educators to develop and implement curricular interventions based upon the girls’ attitudes and perceptions. Dr. Ciccomascolo also investigates ways to counteract the negative mediated messages that downplay the importance of physical activity and sport in an urban adolescent population.
Cardiovascular Disease and Rehabilitation
Dr. Linda Lamont has 25 years of experience in cardiovascular rehabilitation programming. Her research interests include amino acid/protein metabolism and clinical exercise physiology. Her research has been funded by grants from the American Heart Association, the National Institutes of Health, Institute of General Medical Sciences, and the Ohio Board of Regents.
Cultural Politics of Sport and Physical Activity
Dr. Kyle Kusz’s research examines the role that various formations of sport and physical culture play in the politics of race, class, gender, generation, and nation mainly in an American context. Informed by qualitative and cultural studies methods as well as critical race, feminist, poststructuralist, and Marxist theories, his work has illuminated how sport formations like extreme sports and NASCAR; sporting celebrities like Pat Tillman, Freddy Adu, and Lance Armstrong; and sport films like Dogtown and Z Boys, Jerry Maguire, and Fight Club, among others both reflect and participate in larger social struggles over the meanings articulated with race, gender, class and American national identity at particular times in American history.
Physical Education
Dr. Furong Xu’s research focuses on physical activity (PA) participation and ways and strategies that lead to an increased PA participation in different age groups. Her research encompasses the fields of curriculum and instruction, physical activity assessment and lifetime physical activity. Dr. Xu is particularly interested in determining the impact of Taichi in older adults with respect to physical and mental characteristics, such as balance, flexibility and depression occurrence. Dr. Xu also studied the factors associated with student PA opportunities and behavioral choices of PA at middle school level.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
New PHETE in Kinesiology
-- How this will effect you
Learn about new Physical Health Education Teacher Education Program (PHETE)
WHEN: Friday 9/18 9am-10am OR Tuesday 9/22 11am-12am. WHERE Kinesiology Conference Room
New for Fall 2009!
The 2009-2010
HSS Living and Learning Community
in Butterfield Hall
is a great opportunity for Kinesiology students
to network with each other
during their first year
on campus.
