Research from a Kinesiology student and faculty members will be highlighted in talks and panel discussions during the 2019 Exercise and Sport Science Initiative (ESSI) Symposium on Thursday, November 14.

Four professors and one PhD student from the School of Kinesiology will be presenting on topics ranging from physical activity in adults and children to inclusive recreation.

“This year, we are excited to bring together clinicians, researchers, faculty, staff, students, and external guests to discuss community health and wellness, with a focus on diverse populations, including keynote presentations and panel discussions related to inclusive recreation and sports, female athletes and gender equality, and the importance of physical activity and nutrition for middle-aged and older individuals, as well as for children and youth,” said Dr. Ron Zernicke, ESSI director. Zernicke is also a professor of Kinesiology, professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and professor of BioMedical Engineering at U-M.

“The themes of female athletes, youth sport and activity, and exercise across ages present a really exciting opportunity for the audience to take away some actionable information,” said Kinesiology PhD candidate and graduate research assistant Geoff Burns. “In so many research settings, it can feel like the findings and knowledge are so far removed from being directly impactful, but these lectures and panels should really resonate with the audience, whether they’re researchers, coaches, practitioners, parents, or athletes.”

Burns will be the symposium’s emcee.

“Two of my great loves in life are sport science and the University of Michigan. As such, it’s a huge honor to be asked to emcee the ESSI Symposium,” Burns said. “This is an event that showcases Michigan at its best: brilliant researchers, stimulating collaborations, and engaging outreach, all applied to exercise and sport science. It’s exciting to help steward the sharing and translation of this work to a diverse audience.”

Kinesiology professors lecturing or presenting include:

• Vic Katch, professor emeritus of Movement Science, will be on a panel discussing successful aging in middle-aged and older adults. 
• Natalie Colabianchi, associate professor of Applied Exercise Science, will discuss her research focusing on the roles environment and policies have in facilitating physical activity behavior in adults and children. She has completed several federally-funded studies examining the influence of parks and playgrounds, as well as school and neighborhood environments.
• Dale Ulrich, professor of Applied Exercise Science and Movement Science and director for the Center on Physical Activity and Health in Pediatric Disabilities, will be part of a panel discussion focusing on improving and increasing physical activities for people with disabilities, including Down syndrome and autism.
• Rebecca Hasson, associate professor of Movement Science and associate professor of Nutritional Sciences in the School of Public Health, will be on a panel examining improving physical activity in children, including incorporating more physical activity in school programs, teaching children the importance of physical activity and nutrition, behavioral health interventions, providing exercise opportunities for low income children, and encouraging parents to support healthy habits.

PhD candidate Tiwa Ajibewa will be speaking on how stress influences physical activity participation and the potential moderating effect of physical activity enjoyment.

To register, please visit essi.umich.edu/news-events. The event is free, but seats are limited.