Research in the Department of Kinesiology

*Mission
*Distinctiveness
*Scholarship highlights
*Laboratories

Mission: The Department of Kinesiology promotes health and well-being through discovery, learning, and engagement in the study of physical activity. In particular we make these contributions through our two main areas: behavioral and biological bases of physical activity. We seek to improve the lives of citizens of Iowa, the U.S., and the world by the creation and dissemination of knowledge about physical activity and its relationship to health and well-being. Essential aspects of these efforts are the preparation of scholars and professionals in the study of physical activity at the undergraduate and graduate levels. In addition we educate the public and the University community in the scientific aspects of physical activity especially exercise, sport, and the movements of daily life.

Specifically by:

Creating and disseminating basic and applied knowledge about physical
activity and its relationship to health.

Distinctiveness

The focus of research in health and human performance is on the value of physical activity to health. Clearly, the research literature shows that more physical active individuals have fewer health problems in areas such as obesity, cardiovascular risks, cancer, immune system function, diabetes, and mental function. In our laboratory and field research we obtain external funding to focus on these issues.

Scholarship Highlights

In addition to HHP research being funded by agencies such as NIH, USDA, CDC, State agencies, companies, and foundations, our scientists have produced published papers that attract considerable national/international attention. For example, a paper by King and Sharp on rehydration following exercise that appeared in Journal of Applied Physiology received attention on all the national major news channels, wire services, and newspapers. Similarly, a paper by King and colleagues on steroid use and exercise appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association and had extensive national coverage. A theoretical paper by Ekkekakis on exercise and emotional responses in Emotion and Cognition has attracted considerable national/international attention. Our scholars have also produced many books and book chapters that are widely cited and used. For example, the textbook, Research Methods in Physical Activity (5th ed., 2005) by J. Thomas and co-authors is the most widely used in the U.S. and has been translated into five other languages. K. Thomas' (2nd ed., 2003) textbook, Physical Education Methods for Elementary Teachers is widely used as is the edited book, Physical Activity Assessments for Health-Related Research (2002) by Welk.

The scholarly work of faculty can be viewed by name and vita or profile at: http://exercise.educ.iastate.edu/profiles/faculty/

Laboratories

With a renovation of about 6000 square feet on the first floor of the Forker Building, a unified set of Human Performance Laboratories has been created. The newly renovated space connects with about 4000 square feet of previous individual labs (described individually in the following sections) to create the Human Performance Laboratories that includes an undergraduate teaching lab, conference room, and office space as well as individual labs in applied motor development, exercise biochemistry, exercise physiology, exercise psychology, health promotion and exercise, hemodynamics, molecular exercise physiology, motor control/learning, and pediatric exercise science. These labs support research of faculty working with undergraduate and graduate students including projects that are supported by grants and contracts.

Exercise Physiology Lab