Stoffregen quoted on virtual reality sickness in women in online article

December 9, 2016

Thomas Stoffregen, Ph.D., professor in the School of Kinesiology and director of the Affordance Perception-Action Laboratory (APAL), is quoted in the online magazine NewScientist.com. The article, “Posture could explain why women get more VR sickness than men,” is based on Stoffregen’s recently published study in Experimental Brain Research.

In the research study, Stoffregen and his students Justin Munafo and Meg Diedrick found that the gaming headset Oculus Rift causes more nausea in women than in men.

Wilson Sporting Goods announces new high performance tennis racket tested in HSC lab

December 8, 2016

Global sporting goods manufacturer Wilson Sporting Goods Company introduced a new line of high-technology performance tennis rackets that were field-tested in the School of Kinesiology’s Human Sensorimotor Control Laboratory (HSCL) directed by Jürgen Konczak, Ph.D. The participants were experts recruited from the U of M varsity tennis men’s and women’s teams, and testing took place at the U of M Tennis Center.

UofM Varsity tennis player during data collection. — U of M varsity tennis player monitored by HSCL.

In tennis, the ball hitting the racket during tennis strokes induces a vibration of the racket frame, which transfers to the arm of the players. High vibration transfer may cause discomfort, induce earlier onset of fatigue and, with repeated exposure, increases injury risk. A racket design that can effectively reduce vibration transfer from the racket to the player’s arm should mitigate these negative vibration effects and aid to stabilize or improve a player’s performance.

Thus Wilson used Countervail technology, a one-of-a-kind layered carbon fiber that was originally designed for the aerospace industry to dissipate vibrational energy in airplanes. Strategic amounts of this material were incorporated into their new Blade performance tennis racket. HSCL measured the vibration in the rackets and determined how much these vibrations transferred to the arm, then compared the vibration behavior of this new design to another commercially available racket. In addition, the electrical signals from several arm muscles were recorded during the play to obtain electrophysiological markers of muscle fatigue.

A main finding of the study is that the new Countervail technology effectively reduces the vibration at the racket, which potentially can help players play longer while maintaining the precision of their strokes.

Read about the announcement on the 10sBalls.com blog.

HSCL Tennis Racquet Study – 20161209 from CEHD Academics on Vimeo.

Ji receives Grant-in-Aid for research

December 8, 2016

Li Li Ji, Ph.D., professor in the School of Kinesiology and director of the Laboratory of Physiological Hygiene and Exercise Science has received a Grant-in-Aid. The title of the study is “In vivo DNA Transfection and Sarcopenia: A Mouse Model.” This research will be supported from January 2017 until June 2018.

Administered through the Office of the Vice President for Research, the Grant-in-Aid program funds are awarded in the belief that the quality of faculty research or artistic endeavors are a major determinant of the overall vitality of the University of Minnesota.

PAEL featured in CE+HD Connect Magazine

December 8, 2016

Zan Gao, Ph.D., associate professor in the School of Kinesiology and director of the Physical Activity Epidemiology Lab (PAEL), is featured in the current issue of the College of Education and Human Develpment’s CE+HD Connect Magazine.

Gao and his research team use technology to increase health in children and adults by encouraging movement. Read the entire story titled “Motivation to Move!”

Konczak gives talk at Graduate Program in Neuroscience Colloquium

December 8, 2016

On November 30, Jürgen Konczak, Ph.D., professor in the School of Kinesiology, delivered a lecture at the Graduate Program in Neuroscience Colloquium Series in the U of M’s Department of Neuroscience. His talk, titled “Somatosensory Plasticity in Human Motor Learning,” reviewed recent research on the neural changes that occur during sensorimotor learning.

The weekly colloquium is sponsored by the Graduate Program in Neuroscience and features external and internal speakers who are experts across the spectrum of neuroscience.

China Champions visit KIN 5511 course on Sport and Gender

December 7, 2016

cc-visit-5511 — The 2016-17 China Champions with the KIN 5511 course.

On Tuesday, December 6, the 2016-17 China Champions visited Jo Ann Buysse, PhD’s KIN 5511 course on Sport and Gender. The athletes presented an overview of their careers to students, and discussed roles of gender in sport in China. Students heard presentations from both the athletes and coaches perspectives.

Gao to publish two first-authored papers in Journal of Sport and Health Science

December 7, 2016

Zan Gao, Ph.D., associate professor in the School of Kinesiology and Director of the Physical Activity Epidemiology Lab, will publish two first-authored papers in the Journal of Sport and Health Science (impact factor: 1.72).

In the first editorial paper, Dr. Gao comments on the role of active video games in promoting physical activity and health. According to this editorial, although sedentary video games present negative effects to a healthy and active lifestyle, active video games have a great possibility of facilitating physical activity promotion. Health professionals are striving to “fight fire with fire” — attempting to apply active video games to promoting physical activity and health. Notably, as a result of the work of professionals in the past decade, active video games have made marked contributions to the understanding and promotion of physical activity behaviors among various populations.

The second paper examines the effect of exergaming on children’s sedentary behavior, light physical activity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and energy expenditure over two years as compared with regular physical education classes. It was found that exergaming can have the same positive effect on children’s light physical activity, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and energy expenditure as does regular physical education.

Gao, Z. (in press). Fight fire with fire: Promoting physical activity and health through active video games. Journal of Sport and Health Science.

Gao, Z., Pope, Z., Lee, J., Stodden, D., Roncesvalles, N., Pasco, D., Huang, C., & Feng, D. (in press). Impact of exergaming on young children’s school day energy expenditure and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels. Journal of Sport and Health Science.

Online magazine ScienceNews quotes Stoffregen on virtual reality and motion sickness

December 7, 2016

Thomas Stoffregen, Ph.D., professor in the School of Kinesiology and director of the Affordance Perception-Action Laboratory (APAL), is quoted in the online magazine ScienceNews.org. The article, “Virtual reality raises real risk of motion sickness,” is based on Stoffregen’s recently published study in Experimental Brain Research.

In the research study, Stoffregen and his students Justin Munafo and Meg Diedrick found that the gaming headset Oculus Rift causes nausea moreso in women than in men.

Kinesiology’s Anna Solfest awarded UROP to perform research in LIPH lab

November 30, 2016

Anna Solfest, a undergraduate student in the School of Kinesiology, has received a U of M Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) award. Anna’s UROP project will examine body composition, bone density, and visceral adipose tissue in male and female NCAA Division I basketball players. The project is under the direction of Donald R. Dengel, Ph.D., professor in the School of Kinesiology and director of the Laboratory of Integrative Human Physiology (LIPH).

The UROP Award offers financial awards to full-time undergraduates for quality research, scholarly, or creative projects that are judged to contribute to the student’s academic development and which are undertaken in collaboration with a faculty sponsor.

Stoffregen and students publish in Experimental Brain Research

November 23, 2016

The research study “The virtual reality head-mounted display Oculus Rift induces motion sickness and is sexist in its effects,” by Justin Munafo, Meg Diedrick, and Thomas Stoffregen, Ph.D., has been published in the journal Experimental Brain Research.

Thomas Stoffregen is the director of the School of Kinesiology’s Affordance Perception-Action Laboratory (APAL) where Justin Munafo, a Kinesiology PhD student and DOVE scholar, and Meg Diedrick, an undergraduate research assistant supported by a Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) award, are advised by Dr. Stoffregen.

Richardson, Orr receive Mini Grant from the Institute on the Environment

November 22, 2016

portrait image of Tiffany Richardson taken in 2015 — Dr. Richardson

Tiffany Richardson, Ph.D., Sport Management lecturer in the School of Kinesiology, and Madeleine Orr, Ph.D. student in Kinesiology (sport management emphasis) have been awarded a $3,000 Institute on the Environment (IonE) Mini Grant. The grant will be used for their research project, “Carless Tailgating: A Safe and Sustainable Alternative to a Sporting Tradition.” Carless tailgating is a highlight of the football season at the University of Colorado-Boulder, and has been shown to result in a more environmentally responsible and safer celebratory environment. Richardson and Orr are collaborating on the grant with Shane Stennes, Director of Sustainability at the U of M, and Dave Newport, Director of the Environmental Center at the University of Colorado-Boulder.

Mitch Hoffman receives AORE’s Patsy Kott Service Award for 2016

November 22, 2016

Mitch Hoffman, M.A., adjunct instructor in Kinesiology’s Recreation, Park, and Leisure Studies undergraduate program, was awarded the Patsy Kott Service Award from the Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE) at their 2016 annual conference November 9-11.

The award is described in the association’s press release:

The Patsy Kott Service Award
This award recognizes long-term professional work or service having a lasting impact on the Association and its mission. This award is presented to an AORE member who has demonstrated behind the scenes impactful and steadfast service to the AORE. A distinguishing characteristic for this award is significant long-term service to support the Association from behind the front lines.

Mitch has been a long-time member of and advocate for AORE. He is a past AORE Board of Directors member and a two-time conference host. He is extremely active within AORE and has assisted with and led many AORE initiatives. Mitch has been a great sounding voice for Board members, committee chairs, and other members, and repeatedly puts AORE and the membership first. He takes time away from family to support the National Office and AORE volunteers, and is selfless in things he is passionate about. Mitch has been instrumental in building relationships with outdoor gear companies to support AORE events and in creating connections among members and vendors.

Mitch has carved his AORE path on dedication, leadership, and stewardship, not only with AORE, but also at the University of Minnesota and beyond.

Hoffman, who is the Outdoor Center Director for the U’s Recreation and Wellness Center, teaches REC 3321 Outdoor Recreation 3-Season Skills. He also organized this year’s AORE conference held on the U of M campus at McNamara Alumni Center and the Recreation and Wellness Center.

China Champions meet former U.S. Vice President Walter Mondale

November 15, 2016

The 2016-17 China Champions were introduced to former U.S. Vice President Walter Mondale last evening at an event hosted by Peggy Lucas, member of the U of M Board of Regents and a supporter of the China Champions program. Mr. Mondale met each athlete individually and discussed his work in opening diplomatic doors to China and his many visits to the country.

Also attending the event were School of Kinesiology director Li Li Ji, Ph.D., and associate director Rayla Allison, J.D.

Mr. Mondale also served as a U.S. senator representing Minnesota and was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Japan by President Bill Clinton from 1993-1996.

Led by the U of M’s School of Kinesiology in collaboration with Beijing Sport University and supported by the Chinese government’s Scholarship Council, the China Champions program is a unique, global collaboration that provides mutual benefits for Chinese athletes and University faculty, staff and students.

Dengel gives invited talks at East Carolina University

November 14, 2016

Donald R. Dengel, Ph.D., professor in the School of Kinesiology and director of the Laboratory of Integrative Human Physiology, gave two research talks at East Carolina University this month.

The first talk, “Frontiers in Body Composition Analysis From NFL Players to Infants and Beyond,” was presented to students and faculty in the Department of Kinesiology on November 8. The second talk, “The Paradox of Severe Obesity and Vascular Function,” was presented to the Surgical Research Group at the East Carolina University School of Medicine on November 10.

Dengel presents at Southeastern Pediatric Nutrition Conference

November 14, 2016

Donald R. Dengel, Ph.D., professor in the School of Kinesiology and director of the Laboratory of Integrative Human Physiology, was invited to present at the Southeastern Neonatal/Pediatric Nutrition Conference on November 11 in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. His presentation was titled “Pediatric Vascular Health: Growing Up.”

Kinesiology instructor recognized as one of ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans for 2016

November 7, 2016

Carissa Carroll, School of Kinesiology adjunct instructor, was recently recognized as one of JCI Minnesota’s Ten Outstanding Young Minnesotans in 2016.

The honor, which acknowledges the efforts of individuals and young adults who have contributed to the state through service, thought, influence, community and entrepreneurship, was awarded to Carroll for her work with founding Jack’s Basket.

Carroll founded Jack’s Basket in 2014, a year after she and her husband, Chris, had their son Jack, who was born with Down syndrome. Jack’s Basket is a welcome gift basket for families that have recently received a Down syndrome diagnosis for their child. The baskets are delivered by a parent volunteer, and are filled with gifts, resources and support for the new and expectant families. The mission of Jack’s Basket is to celebrate every child born with Down syndrome, and to congratulate their family. Along with delivering baskets to new families, Jack’s Basket strives to bridge the gap between families loving their lives raising children with Down syndrome and providers giving the Down syndrome diagnosis.

Andrew White presents at AASP conference, awarded COGS Travel Grant

November 3, 2016

School of Kinesiology Ph.D. candidate Andrew White presented his research, “An applied behavior analysis approach to reducing poor sportsmanship and injury rates in youth football,” at the 31st Annual Association for Applied Sport Psychology Conference (AASP) held Sept. 28-Oct. 1 in Phoenix, AZ. White presented and attended the conference through a travel grant award from the Council of Graduate Students (COGS). He is an advisee of Prof. Diane Wiese-Bjornstal.

Dean’s reception held for third cohort of China Champions Program

October 25, 2016

cehd-reception-cc-2016 — Regent Michael Hui (second from left, back row) attended the event as did Sr. Associate Dean, Ken Bartlett.

On Monday, October 24, the College of Education and Human Development hosted the Dean’s reception for the elite Chinese athletes and coach. Regent Michael Hui and Sr. Associate Dean Ken Bartlett welcomed the third cohort of the China Champions program.

Led by the School of Kinesiology, in collaboration with Beijing Sport University and supported by the Chinese government’s Scholarship Council, the China Champions program is a unique, global collaboration that provides mutual benefits for Chinese athletes and University faculty, staff and students.

Konczak presents at National Academy of Kinesiology annual meeting

October 25, 2016

At the annual meeting of the National Academy of Kinesiology (NAK) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, October 6-8, Juergen Konczak, Ph.D., professor in the School of Kinesiology, gave an invited presentation on the topic of exercise and brain dysfunction.

The talk summarized current research on the benefits of exercise for treating neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, cerebellar ataxia and stroke.

Magnuson to present on Freshman Seminar Course

October 24, 2016

Connie Magnuson, Ph.D., director of the School of Kinesiology’s Recreation, Park, and Leisure Studies program, will present on her innovative and successful Freshman Seminar course, Go Outside and Play, at The Association for Experiential Education International Conference from October 27-30 in Minneapolis.

Go Outside and Play is a course designed to introduce University of Minnesota freshmen to the great outdoors. Within the Twin Cities, outstanding agencies and numerous local, state, and national parks provide great resources for community engagement and enrichment right in our backyard. Through hiking, biking, standup paddle boarding and canoeing, students learn numerous ways to incorporate healthy, fun and life-long activities into their lives while understanding the importance of advocating for sustainable natural and environmental resources.

CEHD News Kinesiology

CEHD News Kinesiology