Research
Research Opportunities
Research opportunities abound in the Exercise and Sport Science Department. Please see the list below for research projects going on in the department.
Dr. J. David Symons
We assess mechanisms responsible for vascular plasticity (i.e., dysfunction and improved function) in animal models of acute exercise, exercise training, nutritional alterations (e.g., polyphenolic compounds, folate depletion), and disease (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, myocardial ischemia), and also in cell-culture systems.Students have the opportunity to learn techniques used to measure arterial reactivity (myographs, constant pressure), mRNA and protein analyses (RT-PCR, Western blot), intracellular signaling mechanisms, indices of oxidative stress (DCF, ELISA, RIA, EIA), nitric oxide production and enzyme activity (DAF, amperometric electrodes), blood pressure (acute and chronic catheterization), cell culture systems.
Contact person:
Dr. J. David Symons
j.david.symons@hsc.utah.edu
(801) 581-4769
Dr. Hester Henderson
Research project to determine if children with autism spectrum disorder will pedal a stationary recumbent bicycle if pedaling is contingent on DVD viewing.
Contact person:
Dr. Hester Henderson
hester.henderson@health.utah.edu
(801) 581-7964
Dr. Maria Newton
Research: Youth, motivation, character development, positive youth development, physical activity, caring.
Contact Person:
Dr. Maria Newton
mailto:maria.newton@health.utah.edu
(801) 581-4729
Dr. Melinda Houston
Nutrition, Training, and Mental Preparation of Triathletes. (Survey given to all levels of triathletes to understand how they're training - whether they use any mental strategies, the type of nutrition they use, and some physical training methods)
Fear of Reinjury after an ACL Injury. (Interviews will be conducted with female collegiate athletes about their experience of having an ACL injury, and what it was like to return to their sport after recovering from this injury)
Children’s Experiences with a Sport-Related Injury. (Interviews were conducted with young children between the ages of 7 and 14 to gain an understanding of what an injury was like for them)
Metamotivational Dominance and Exercise Adherence. (Surveys were given to participants in the University's PEAK exercise program to examine if there is a relationship between the type of exercise they prefer and their adherence)
Contact Person:
Dr. Melinda Houston
melinda.houston@hsc.utah.edu
(801) 581-7630
Dr. Jim Martin
Recovery following eccentric muscle damage. Measures include maximal power, submaximal rating of perceived exertion, pain, mood, blood markers for muscle damage, and biomechanical measures of joint power. The work for a volunteer could be as simple or complex as the person wants and is capable of.
Contact Person:
Steve Elmer
steve.elmer@utah.edu
Joint specific fatigue during 30 second maximal cycling. A maximal test for 30 during which the cyclists will fatigue dramatically. The research question is to determine if one joint fatigue more than another. Are muscles that extend or flex the knee more fatigueable or fatigue resistant than those that extend the hip.
Contact person:
Dr. Jim Martin
jim.martin@health.utah.edu
(801) 587-7704
Joint specific power-velocity relationships. During maximal cycling, power delivered to the pedals increases as pedaling rate increased, reaches a maximum at about 120 rpm, then decreases until the cyclists reaches his/her maximum pedaling rate of about 240 rpm. The research question is:
Does each joint exhibit a similar power-velocity profile or are the different.
Contact person:
Scott Behjani
scottbehjani@msn.com
Dr. Andrea White
Fatigue in MS: Effects on Central Conduction
This study examines the effect of core temperature increases and sustained muscle activity on measures of cortical excitability in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). A technique called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is used to determine if the fatigue produced by heat and/or exercise is related to changes in motor cortex function. We use a perfusion suit to increase core body temperature by ~ 0.5 degree C and compare responses to a control condition in which body temperature is maintained at normal levels.
Contact person:
Dr. Andrea White
Andrea.white@hsc.utah.edu
(801) 573-5387
Effects of exercise on fatigue and pain in fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
This study compares neuroendocrine markers of pain and fatigue in FMS and CFS patients to controls. Blood samples are collected before and at 30 min, 8, 24, and 48 hours after a moderate exercise bout. We also measure a variety of subjective responses including somatic awareness, treatment strategies, pain, and fatigue, among others. Blood samples are processed in house using RNA extraction and PCR. We plan to test other populations with severe fatigue including those treated for breast and prostate cancer and MS patients.
Contact person:
Dr. Andrea White
Andrea.white@hsc.utah.edu
(801) 573-5387
Dr. Janet Shaw
Various research projects concerning the health and well being of women
Contact person:
Dr. Janet Shaw
Janet.shaw@health.utah.edu
(801) 585-5107
