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Department of Kinesiology Research Areas
Department of Kinesiology Research Areas
Dr. Blazo's primary research interest is family and child relationships in physical activity contexts. Specifically, studying the ways that sibling influence and shape one another’s physical activity experiences. Currently, he is investigating the role of siblings in developing perceptions of ability in sport, the correlates of sibling relationship qualities in sport, and how sibling relationships inform our peer interactions in the physical domain.
Dr. Blazo's primary research interest is family and child relationships in physical activity contexts. Specifically, studying the ways that sibling influence and shape one another’s physical activity experiences. Currently, he is investigating the role of siblings in developing perceptions of ability in sport, the correlates of sibling relationship qualities in sport, and how sibling relationships inform our peer interactions in the physical domain.
Dr. Parks’ primary research interest is in the exploration of health-related behaviors and their impact on higher-order cognitive processes during preadolescence, specifically in individuals with developmental disabilities and/or cognitive impairments. Currently, this line of research includes the application of these health-related behaviors to improve cognitive and physical health, classroom performance; and to elucidate their effect on the specific cognitive components equated with the neuroelectric and behavioral impairments associated with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Other research interests include exploration of long-term effects of sport-related concussions on brain health and performance; and examining the effects of engaging in healthy behaviors on quality of life, cognitive health, and skill retention in older adults
Dr. Parks’ primary research interest is in the exploration of health-related behaviors and their impact on higher-order cognitive processes during preadolescence, specifically in individuals with developmental disabilities and/or cognitive impairments. Currently, this line of research includes the application of these health-related behaviors to improve cognitive and physical health, classroom performance; and to elucidate their effect on the specific cognitive components equated with the neuroelectric and behavioral impairments associated with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Other research interests include exploration of long-term effects of sport-related concussions on brain health and performance; and examining the effects of engaging in healthy behaviors on quality of life, cognitive health, and skill retention in older adults
Dr. Qiao's main research interests are biomechanics and human motor control. Specifically, his research covers the area of the visual-motor control of walking, fall prevention, and sports performance.
Dr. Qiao's main research interests are biomechanics and human motor control. Specifically, his research covers the area of the visual-motor control of walking, fall prevention, and sports performance.
Dr. Reichter’s primary research interests include examining social influences on motivation in youth extracurricular activities, sport and music in particular. Specifically, she focuses on how peers, coaches, and families can promote psychosocial and physical benefits for children and adolescents. Currently, she is examining the role of peer relationships on motivation and perceptions of ability for adolescents in sport and music activities. In addition to this work, Dr. Reichter pursues research evaluating the effectiveness of health coaching interventions on physical activity motivation, participation, and health outcomes.
Dr. Reichter’s primary research interests include examining social influences on motivation in youth extracurricular activities, sport and music in particular. Specifically, she focuses on how peers, coaches, and families can promote psychosocial and physical benefits for children and adolescents. Currently, she is examining the role of peer relationships on motivation and perceptions of ability for adolescents in sport and music activities. In addition to this work, Dr. Reichter pursues research evaluating the effectiveness of health coaching interventions on physical activity motivation, participation, and health outcomes.
Dr. Szymanski's primary research interests include ways of improving sports performance, especially baseball performance. An example would be how to improve bat swing, batted-ball and throwing velocities. Other research interests are body composition, testing and evaluating fitness, and athletic performance, in addition to strength and conditioning performance. His research has included human performance studies with high school athletes, collegiate students and athletes, and professional athletes.
Dr. Szymanski's primary research interests include ways of improving sports performance, especially baseball performance. An example would be how to improve bat swing, batted-ball and throwing velocities. Other research interests are body composition, testing and evaluating fitness, and athletic performance, in addition to strength and conditioning performance. His research has included human performance studies with high school athletes, collegiate students and athletes, and professional athletes.
Dr. Xu is interested in cardiovascular response to exercises, especially resistance exercises, through testing heart rate, blood pressure, and other indexes. He also wanted to investigate the cardiovascular response to the combination of nutraceuticals and resistance exercises. Moreover, Dr. Xu is euthanasic about sports performance, so factors affecting sports performance are another research aspect.
Dr. Xu is interested in cardiovascular response to exercises, especially resistance exercises, through testing heart rate, blood pressure, and other indexes. He also wanted to investigate the cardiovascular response to the combination of nutraceuticals and resistance exercises. Moreover, Dr. Xu is euthanasic about sports performance, so factors affecting sports performance are another research aspect.
Current Research Studies
Current Research Studies
Dr. Blazo's current research studies
Dr. Blazo's current research studies
Family Dynamics in Youth Sport.
Family Dynamics in Youth Sport.
Integrated Theory of Youth Sport.
Integrated Theory of Youth Sport.
Differential Treatment in Sport Families.
Differential Treatment in Sport Families.
Dr. Parks' current research Studies
Dr. Parks' current research Studies
Examining the effect of acute physical activity on neuroelectric underpinnings of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Examining the effect of acute physical activity on neuroelectric underpinnings of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Investigating the influence of chronic guided mindfulness meditation on aspects of attention and error-monitoring in college-age adults.
Investigating the influence of chronic guided mindfulness meditation on aspects of attention and error-monitoring in college-age adults.
The role of daily physical activity on balance, quality of life, and spatial working memory in older adults with Parkinson’s Disease.
The role of daily physical activity on balance, quality of life, and spatial working memory in older adults with Parkinson’s Disease.
Influence of familial relationships in developing healthy behaviors and engagement in physical activity for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Influence of familial relationships in developing healthy behaviors and engagement in physical activity for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Dr. Xu's current research Studies
Dr. Xu's current research Studies
Relationship of anthropometric measurements with hemodynamic parameters among college students and the indication for exercise prescription
The Relationship Between Core Strength, Static Balance and 6-Minute Walk Distance in Healthy Senior Adults
Past Researches, Presentation, & Publications
Past Researches, Presentation, & Publications
Dr. Blazo's recent research studies (graduate student projects)
Dr. Blazo's recent research studies (graduate student projects)
AnDe Ragsdale, MS – Mood state and game performance (2016)
AnDe Ragsdale, MS – Mood state and game performance (2016)
Charity Simmons, MS – Athlete perceptions of strength and conditioning coaching styles (2017)**
Charity Simmons, MS – Athlete perceptions of strength and conditioning coaching styles (2017)**
Chris Watson, MS – Endurance athlete feedback and attention (2017)
Chris Watson, MS – Endurance athlete feedback and attention (2017)
Skylar Burns, MS – Psychological well-being and group fit classes for post-pregnancy mothers (2017)
Skylar Burns, MS – Psychological well-being and group fit classes for post-pregnancy mothers (2017)
Bryn Crowder, MS – College student-athletes and changes in social support frameworks during athletic careers (2018)**
Bryn Crowder, MS – College student-athletes and changes in social support frameworks during athletic careers (2018)**
Dylan Colletti, MS – Parent passion and youth sport burnout (2018)**
Dylan Colletti, MS – Parent passion and youth sport burnout (2018)**
Kane Allen, MS - The effects of physical activity on senior adults subjective wellbeing (2018)
Kane Allen, MS - The effects of physical activity on senior adults subjective wellbeing (2018)
** - presented at national/international conferences
** - presented at national/international conferences
Dr. Brockshus' recent research studies and publications
Dr. Brockshus' recent research studies and publications
Brockshus, B. & Stegemöller, E. (Under Review). Movement sequence recall and visuospatial processing in expert stage combat practitioners.
Brockshus, B. & Stegemöller, E. (Under Review). Movement sequence recall and visuospatial processing in expert stage combat practitioners.
Brockshus, B. & Stegemöller, E. (October 28, 2025). Neurological and Cognitive Effects of Stage Combat Training. Progress in Rehabilitation Research. Chicago, IL.
Brockshus, B. & Stegemöller, E. (October 28, 2025). Neurological and Cognitive Effects of Stage Combat Training. Progress in Rehabilitation Research. Chicago, IL.
Geiman, B.N., Tiedens, A., Staton, B., Lovekin, K., Brockshus, B., & Stegemoller, E.L. (October 28, 2025). Complex Gait & Singing in People with Parkinson’s Disease. Progress in Rehabilitation Research. Chicago, IL.
Geiman, B.N., Tiedens, A., Staton, B., Lovekin, K., Brockshus, B., & Stegemoller, E.L. (October 28, 2025). Complex Gait & Singing in People with Parkinson’s Disease. Progress in Rehabilitation Research. Chicago, IL.
Dr. Parks' recent research studies
Dr. Parks' recent research studies
The effect of acute exercise on reducing cognitive alterations associated with individuals high in anxiety.
The effect of acute exercise on reducing cognitive alterations associated with individuals high in anxiety.
A primer on investigating the aftereffects of acute bouts of physical activity on cognition.
A primer on investigating the aftereffects of acute bouts of physical activity on cognition.
Reliability and Validity of Commercially Available Low-Cost Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis
Reliability and Validity of Commercially Available Low-Cost Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis
Preliminary Evidence for Differential Trajectories of Recovery for Cognitive Flexibility Following Sports-Related Concussion
Preliminary Evidence for Differential Trajectories of Recovery for Cognitive Flexibility Following Sports-Related Concussion
Muscular and Aerobic Fitness, Working Memory, and Academic Achievement in Children
Muscular and Aerobic Fitness, Working Memory, and Academic Achievement in Children
The association between a history of concussion and variability in behavioral and neuroelectric indices of cognition
The association between a history of concussion and variability in behavioral and neuroelectric indices of cognition
3. Dr. Qiao Recent research Studies:
3. Dr. Qiao Recent research Studies:
Dr. Qiao's recent work was on Dynamics of hopping. Specifically, how the function of the leg joints, i.e., hip, knee, and ankle, would contribute to the dynamics of the body at different hopping frequencies. The Study includes whole-body kinematics and ground reaction forces, as well as calculations for inverse kinematics and inverse dynamics. Media Gallery
Dr. Qiao's recent work was on Dynamics of hopping. Specifically, how the function of the leg joints, i.e., hip, knee, and ankle, would contribute to the dynamics of the body at different hopping frequencies. The Study includes whole-body kinematics and ground reaction forces, as well as calculations for inverse kinematics and inverse dynamics. Media Gallery
4. Dr. Szymanski's recent research studies:
4. Dr. Szymanski's recent research studies:
Effect of Vizual Edge® Performance Training (VEPT) on perceptions and attitudes of NCAA Division I baseball players.
Effect of Vizual Edge® Performance Training (VEPT) on perceptions and attitudes of NCAA Division I baseball players.
Relationships between anthropometric and physiological variables to bat velocity of collegiate baseball players.
Relationships between anthropometric and physiological variables to bat velocity of collegiate baseball players.
Effect of weighted implement training on bat velocity of high school baseball players: A pilot study.
Effect of weighted implement training on bat velocity of high school baseball players: A pilot study.
Effect of warm-up devices on bat velocity and perception of heaviness and speed of swing of collegiate baseball players.
Effect of warm-up devices on bat velocity and perception of heaviness and speed of swing of collegiate baseball players.
The relationship between arousal levels and golf putting during three conditions: A pilot study.
The relationship between arousal levels and golf putting during three conditions: A pilot study.
Effect of between-inning muscle stimulation on baseball pitchers over an entire season: A pilot study.
Effect of between-inning muscle stimulation on baseball pitchers over an entire season: A pilot study.
Effect of hip internal rotation training on range of motion and performance variables in male collegiate golfers.
Effect of hip internal rotation training on range of motion and performance variables in male collegiate golfers.
Effect of hip internal rotation training on range of motion and performance variables in collegiate baseball pitchers.
Effect of hip internal rotation training on range of motion and performance variables in collegiate baseball pitchers.
Effects of three recovery protocols on baseball pitchers during simulated games.
Effects of three recovery protocols on baseball pitchers during simulated games.
Effect of 8 weeks of over-weighted implement training on bat velocity of novice college students.
Effect of 8 weeks of over-weighted implement training on bat velocity of novice college students.
Relationships of anthropometric and performance variables to offensive statistics of college baseball players.
Relationships of anthropometric and performance variables to offensive statistics of college baseball players.
Other recent research works
Other recent research works
Mr. Motoki Sakurai Master's thesis work under direction of Dr. David Szymanski, Dr. Mu Qiao, and Dr. Ryan Crotin: Relationship between kinetics of countermovement jump and proximal mechanics of collegiate baseball pitching.” (Passcode = 5hU#$JsN)
Mr. Motoki Sakurai Master's thesis work under direction of Dr. David Szymanski, Dr. Mu Qiao, and Dr. Ryan Crotin: Relationship between kinetics of countermovement jump and proximal mechanics of collegiate baseball pitching.” (Passcode = 5hU#$JsN)
Mr. Ryan Lis Masters's thesis work under Direction of Dr. David Szymanski, Dr. Mu Qiao, and Dr. Ryan Crotin: “Relationship between jump tests and their influence on multidirectional ground-reaction forces in baseball pitchers.”
Mr. Ryan Lis Masters's thesis work under Direction of Dr. David Szymanski, Dr. Mu Qiao, and Dr. Ryan Crotin: “Relationship between jump tests and their influence on multidirectional ground-reaction forces in baseball pitchers.”
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