Since all Exercise Science majors are required to complete a senior thesis, the Department houses a lengthy compendium of student research. Studies have ranged from the effects of physical activity on resting metabolic rate, glucose metabolism and blood flow, to racial segregation in the National Football League. In recent years, students have collaborated with faculty to present and publish research on such topics as caloric balance in college dancers, the physiological responses to physical activity in federally mandated fire-fighting gear, and the effects of caffeine and Creatine ingestion on resting metabolic rate, body composition, and blood flow in college-aged and older adults.

Senior Thesis Research

Spring 2008

“Ethnic Differences in Bone Mineral Density of College Aged Women”
 Presented by: Zhixia (Ann) Lin'08
Advisor: Dr. Paul Arciero, Dr. Patricia Fehling 

"The Acute Effect of Cycling, Running, and Sitting on Spine Length in Younger and Middle-aged Males"
Presented by: Rachel Goldberg, Chelsea Lisaius, Becky Mooar
Advisor:Dr. Patricia Fehling, Dr. Molly Winke

“The Effect of Various High Carbohydrate Diets With Different Glycemic Index Values on Sprint Exercise Performance”
Presented by: Miriam Drace, Laura Henderson, Simeon Springer
Advisor: Dr. Paul Arciero

“The Effect of Congestive Heart Failure on AMP-activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) Activity in Skeletal Muscle”
 Presented by: Jian Wen (Christy) Deng
Advisor: Dr. T.H. Reynolds

“Therapeutic Effects of Whole Body Vibration on Muscle Soreness and Plasma Creatine Kinase Activity After Eccentric Squats”
 Presented by: Shaila DeLea, Laurie Heiner, Thyra Johnson
Advisor: Dr. Patricia Fehling

“Identification of a novel anti-obesity compound: the antioxidant MnTBAP enhances insulin sensitivity and induces body weight loss in mice fed a control diet (lean) or high fat diet (obese)”
 Presented by: Jonathan Brestoff
 Advisor: Dr. T.H. Reynolds

“The Effect of Various High Carbohydrate Diets With Different Glycemic Index Values on Endurance Exercise Performance”
 Presented by: Greg Carlow, Sara Eddison, Stephanie Ferisin
Advisor: Dr. Paul Arciero 

"Disordered eating behaviors, bone health, and menstrual irregularities among college women: an assessment of the female athlete triad"
Presented by: Jessica Bergen and Abigail Lukens
Advisor: Jennifer Burden

Fall 2007

"Validity of a Commercially-Available Treadmill and Elliptical for Measuring Energy Cost in a Population of Young Adults."
Presented by:  Inga Shalmiyeva and Kaitlyn Mahoney
Advisor: Professor Patricia Fehling

"Dietary Induced Insulin Resistance is Independent of mTORC1 Activity in Skeletal Muscle"
Presented by:  Charles Phelps
Advisor: Professor T.H. Reynolds

“Acute Leucine Treatment Does Not Impair In Vivo Insulin Action”
Presented by:  Eli Zachary Berk
Advisor: Professor T.H. Reynolds

Spring 2007 

“A Comparison of Electrical Stimulation & Strength Training Using Eccentric Exercise on the Biceps Brachii Muscle”
Presented by: Kate Hugo, Joe Tynan & James Woods-Corwin
Advisor: Dr. Patricia Fehling 

 “Can a Bone Loading History Questionnaire Predict Bone Densities in Active College Females?”
Presented by: Krystal F. Coke
Advisor:Dr. Patricia Fehling

 “S6 Kinase Activity in Insulin Resistant Mouse Skeletal Muscle”
Presented by: Marcus Anthony
Advisor: Dr. T.H. Reynolds

 “The Role of the PKB/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Cardiac Cachexia”
Presented by: Robert Camacho
Advisor: Dr. T.H. Reynolds

 “Should We Stretch Our Body or Rubber Bands for Optimal Cardiometabolic Health!“
Presented by: Nicole DiMarzio, Tyson McKechnie, Amanda Mercep, Pam Brewer, Gil Rodriguez
Advisor: Dr. Paul Arciero

Fall 2006 

"A Comparison of the Muscle-Bone Unit in Female Collegiate Volleyball Players and Dancers." 
Presented by:  Karla Hawkins, Laura Ishkanian, Alexandra Lange
Advisor: Professor Patricia Fehling

Spring 2006

Other Activities Involving Students

Each year, outstanding specialists are brought to the campus to lecture and conduct clinics or workshops in an area of Exercise Science. Recent visitors have included Bob Costas (NBC Sports), Dr. Douglas Hastad (Dean, University of Wisconsin, Lacrosse), Dr. George Sage (author and scholar, University of Northern Colorado), Gail Dalsky (University of Connecticut Osteoporosis Center), Wayne Osness (University of Kansas, Olympic Education Committee) and Barbara Moore (President and CEO of C. Everett Koop's "Shape Up America"). The Department has also sponsored two nationally recognized symposia in recent years: the 1980 Olympic Symposia at Skidmore College, featuring guest speakers Sir Roger Bannister (the first athlete to break the 4 minute mile) and Harry Edwards (author, civil rights activist, and Major League Baseball consultant); and the 1984 Conference on Sport and Higher Education, featuring guest speakers Ernest Boyer (President of the Carnagie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching) and George Hanford (President of the College Board).