Undergraduate Research
Get Involved!
Undergraduate research is an integral part of what we do and who we are. Working with professors to solve real-world problems is a great way to build your resume, develop problem solving skills, and prepare for graduate or professional school (physical therapy, occupational therapy, chiropractic). You will gain practical experience while sharpening your comprehension and writing skills. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to publish your work for the entire world to see.
Research Teams
Dr. Mick Mack
Research interest: Sport Psychology and Coaching
Current research: Our current research team is examining the effects of different types of self-talk on a dart throwing task. Recent topics also include the development of mental toughness in sport and the relationship between psychological momentum and sport performance.
Dr. Jacob Reed
Research interest: Applied Research in Sport and Exercise
Current research: This group's objective is to take everyday questions related to sport and exercise and test them in a controlled environment. Our research group is currently collecting data on the difference in oxygen consumption when wearing a cloth mask during the biceps curl exercise.
Dr. Windee Weiss
Research interest: Predictors of Commitment and Over-Adherence to Injury Rehabilitation
Current research: Our research team is interested in answering three different research questions: 1) What is the influence of two different types of pride (authentic & hubristic) on athletes' enthusiastic-based and entrapped-based commitment to sport? 2) Does type of commitment (enthusiastic vs. entrapped) predict commitment to injury rehabilitation and rehabilitation behaviors? and 3) Does athletic identity, pride, and type of commitment predict over-adherence to injury rehabilitation? We are currently in the process of data collection for Research Questions 2 and 3, and analyzing our data for Research Question 1.
Dr. Terence Moriarty
Team 1
Research interest: The effects of a multi-modal exercise intervention on cognitive function and aerobic capacity in older patients with and without depression
Current research: This was a collaborative study with the locally based Gentle Gym (Agape Therapy). We implemented a six-week multi-modal exercise intervention (aerobic, resistance, flexibility, balance, stretching) and investigated changes in fitness and cognitive function at the following three time points - pre, post, and 3 months post. All data has been collected and is currently undergoing final analysis. Stay tuned for the final publication!!
Team 2
Research interest: The effect of 2 vs. 4 rounds of peripheral heart action training on cardiovascular fitness, muscular fitness, and cognition in previously trained lifters
Current research: The purpose of this study is to identify if consistently performing 2 rounds of a resistance training circuit confers similar effects on cardiovascular fitness, muscular fitness, and cognition when compared to consistently performing 4 rounds of the same circuit. Peripheral Heart Action Training is similar to a regular circuit training method that keeps your client moving from one exercise to another with minimal to no rest between exercises. However, with PHA training, while you are moving from one exercise to another, you are focusing on alternating upper and lower body exercises. Data collection will continue through the Summer and Fall of 2022.
Team 3
Research interest: The effect of 6 weeks of creatine monohydrate supplementation on cognitive function in college-aged individuals
Current research: The purpose of this study is to identify if supplementing with 10 grams of creatine monohydrate per day for 6 weeks confers similar effects on cognitive performance and prefrontal cortex oxygenation when compared to supplementing with 20 grams of creatine monohydrate per day. In other words, we are aiming to identify a minimum-effective dose and/or a dose-response relationship between creatine monohydrate supplementation and its effect on cognitive function and brain oxygenation. Data collection should be complete by late Spring 2022 and a manuscript will follow.
Moriarty, T., Johnson, A., Thomas, M., Evers, C., Auten, A., Cavey, K., Dorman, K., & Bourbeau, K. (2022) Acute Aerobic Exercise-Induced Motor Priming Improves Piano Performance and Alters Motor Cortex Activation. Frontiers in Psychology, 1200.
Digmann, J., Prouty, Z., Klein, A., Castro, W., Lang, A., Fontana, F., & Mack, M. (2018). Quiet eye: Practical applications in sport and physical education. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 89(9), 20-25.
Fontana, F., Bopes, J., Bendixen, S., Speed, T., George, M., & Mack, M. (2018). Discrimination against obese exercise clients: An experimental study of personal trainers. International Journal of Exercise Science, 11(5), 116-128.
Buhrow, C., Digmann, J., Waldron, J. J., Gienau, D., Thomas, S., & Sigler, D. (2017). The relationship between sport specialization and mental toughness in college athletes. International Journal of Exercise Science, 10(1), 44-52.
Henningsen, A., Boros, P., Ingvalson, K., Fontana, F., & Matvienko, O. (2015) Should schools send BMI report to parents? A review of literature. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 86(9), 26-32.
Silva, M., Fontana, F., Callahan, E., Mazzardo, O., & Campos, W. (2015). Step-count guidelines for children and adolescents: A systematic review. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 12, 1184-1991.
Fontana, F. E., Uding, A., Cleneden, A., Cain, L., Shaddox, L. A., & Mack, M. G. (2014). A comparison of gaze behavior among elderly and younger adults during locomotor tasks. Brazilian Journal of Motor Behavior, 8 (1), 1-8.
Fulton, T., Ertz, J., Rohler, A., Fontana, F., & Mack, M. (2014). The effects of a visual distraction on Quiet Eye duration and putting performance of collegiate golfers. International Journal of Golf Science, 3, 26-34.
Hawkins, B., Kalin, J., & Waldron, J. J. (2014). Psychological needs profile, motivational orientation, and physical activity of college students. Global Journal of Health and Physical Education Pedagogy, 3, 137-149.
Weiss, W. M., & Halupnik, D. (2013). Commitment to strength and conditioning: A sport commitment model perspective. The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 27(3), 718-722.
Chananie-Hill, R. A., Waldron, J. J., & Umsted, N. K. (2012). Third wave agenda: Women’s flat track roller derby. Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, 21, 33-49.
Hatch, S. J., Thomsen, D., & Waldron, J. J. (2009). Extrinsic rewards and motivation. Retrieved January 20, 2009 from Association for Applied Sport Psychology.
Mack, M. G., Miller, C., Smith, B., Monaghan, B., & German, A. (2008). The development of momentum in a basketball shooting task. Journal of Sport Behavior, 31, 254-263.
Waldron, J. J., & Troupe, N. R. (2008). Applying the sport commitment model to strength and conditioning. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 30, 79-82.
Waldron, J. J., & White, N. (2008). Why college athletes play through pain during competition. Contemporary Athletics, 3(1), 33-40.
Kuennen, M. R., & Waldron, J. J. (2007). Relationships between specific personality traits, fat free mass indices and the muscular dysmorphia inventory. Journal of Sport Behavior, 30, 453-470.
Araki, K., Mintah, J. K., Mack, M. G., Huddleston, S., Larson, L., & Jacobs, K. (2006). Belief in self-talk and dynamic balance performance. Athletic Insight - The Online Journal of Sport Psychology, 8 (4).
Huddleston, S., Kamphoff, C. S., Suchan, T. M., Mack, M. G., Bian, W., Bush, D., Mintah, J. K., Dutler, K. E., & Wee, R. J. (2002). Mood state changes in collegiate track and field athletes. International Sports Journal, 6, 75-83.
Huddleston, S., Mack, M. G., Schelling, C., Bian, W., Bush, D., Mintah, J. K., Pacelli, J., Wee, R. J., Nelson, J. J., & Suchan, T. M. (2000). The relationship between existing mood states and performance on a novel accuracy task. Applied Research in Coaching and Athletics Annual, 15, 85-100.
Mack, M. G., Huddleston, S., Dutler, K. E., & Bian, W. (2000). Mood state changes of students enrolled in physical activity classes. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 90, 911-914.
Huddleston, S., Mintah, J. K., Thiese, K. E., & Wee, R. J. (1999). Current and prior ergogenic aid use of present and former athletes. Applied Research in Coaching and Athletics Annual, 14, 162-175.
Thiese, K. E. & Huddleston, S. (1999). The use of psychological skills by female collegiate swimmers. Journal of Sport Behavior, 22, 602-610.
Huddleston, S., Mack, M. G., Mintah, J. K., Hamilton, N. P., Wee, R. J., Sipple, K. A., & Sandvold, J. J. (1997). Effect of casual verbal messages on mood and accuracy. Applied Research in Coaching and Athletics Annual, 12, 72-84.
Carhart, L. H., Helgeson, K. M. & Rathje, R. M. (2016). The effects of daily interactions on athlete’s self-efficacy and rehab outcome. Round table presentation at the Midwest Sport and Exercise Psychology Symposium, Chicago, IL.
Pauley, J., & Becker, B. (2016). Effects of immediate family presence on sport performance. Poster presentation at the Midwest Sport and Exercise Psychology Symposium, Chicago, IL.
Klein, A., Castro, W., Watanabe, P., Choi, S., Silva, M., Mazzardo, O., Waldron, J., Campos, W., & Fontana, F. (2016). Development and validation of the Brazilian Weight Teasing during Physical Activity Scale. North American Society for Sport Psychology and Physical Activity, Montreal, Canada.
Speed, T., Bopes, J., Bendixen, S., George, M., Strabala, C., Mack, M., & Fontana, F. (2016). Do personal trainers discriminate against overweight clients? An experimental study. North American Society for Sport Psychology and Physical Activity, Montreal, Canada.
Boros, P., Speed, T., Bopes, J., Bendixe, S., Waldron, J., & Fontana, F. (2015). The association between weight teasing and vigorous physical activity. American College of Sports Medicine, San Diego, CA.
Fulton, T., Ertz, J., Rohler, A., Fontana, F. E., & Mack, M. (2014). The effect of a visual distraction on QE duration and putting performance of college golfers. North American Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, Minneapolis, MN.
Waldron, J. J., Dreyer, C. L., McCormick, K. M., & Schlawin, B. M. (2014, April). The undergraduate research experience: Perspectives from students and faculty. Tutorial presented at the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, St. Louis, Missouri.
Henningsen, A., Fontana, F., Uding, A., Cleneden, A., Cain, L., Shaddox, L. A., & Mack, M. (2013). Differences in gaze behavior during walking tasks in younger and elderly adults. American College of Sports Medicine, Indianapolis, IN.
Fulton, T., Fontana, F., Ingvalson, K., Decker, K., Marston, R., & Finn, K. (2013). Using receiver operating characteristic curves and accelerometry to establish step-count guidelines for twelve-year-old children. American College of Sports Medicine, Indianapolis, IN.
Weiss, W. M., & Halupnik, D. (2010). Application of the sport commitment model to strength and conditioning. Paper presented at the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) annual conference in Tucson, AZ. Published abstract, Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 32, S229.
Rottink, T., & Hatch, S. J. (2009). Developing and Implementing a Mental Skills Training Program for Female Division I Tennis Players. Paper orally presented at Midwest Sport and Exercise Psychology Symposium. Bowling Green, OH.
Hatch, S. J., Clemmens, K., Thomsen, D., & Schemmel, S. (February 2008). Perceived legitimacy of aggression in sport. Paper presented at the Midwest Sport and Exercise Psychology Symposium, Champaign, IL.
Heyer, K., & Pleuger, M. (February 2008). Mental Attitude of Therapeutic Rehabilitation Inventory (MARTI). Paper presented at the Midwest Sport and Exercise Psychology Symposium, Champaign, IL.
Waldron, J. J., Coppock, T., & White, N. (March, 2007). Why collegiate athletes play through pain during competition. Poster session presented at the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance conference, Baltimore, MD.
Waldron, J. J., White, N., & Coppock, T. (October, 2006). Achievement goals, motivational climate, and pain strategies of collegiate athletes. Poster session presented at the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology conference, Miami, FL.
Weiss, W. M., & Struck, T. G. (2006, June). Social influence and fear of failure. Paper presented at the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA) annual conference, Denver, CO. Published abstract, Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 28, S192.
Schelling, C. & Huddleston, S. (1999, September). Jealousy in collegiate track and field athletes. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology, Banff, Canada.
Thiese, K. E. (1997, May). The use of psychological skills by female collegiate swimmers. Poster session presented at the 1999 Undergraduate Research Awards Session. College of Education, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA.