From Dr. Jim Angel of our Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Science:
“The Southeast Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine is a society that promotes and integrates scientific research, education, and practical applications of sports medicine and exercise science. The chapter consists of 10 states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee,and Virginia). In Greenville, SC, over 900 members attended the annual meeting in early February. Samford had the privilege of submitting 6 undergraduate research projects to peer-review for consideration of being presented at the annual meeting. Dr. John Petrella, Assistant Professor in the Kinesiology and Nutrition Science Department, not only led the group to South Carolina but served as the mentor on many of the research projects. While there, he was elected to the Executive Board of the Southeast Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine as an at-large member for a 2 year appointment.
“One hundred and seventy-two posters were accepted for presentation. Of those 172 presentations, approximately 50 posters were based on undergraduate research from the 10 different states represented at the conference. The department was very proud that all 6 of the posters from the Kinesiology and Nutrition Science Dept. were accepted and eleven Samford student investigators were able to attend the 3 day meeting to present their research. Each year, the executive board of the SEACSM chapter sponsors are search competition. Of the undergraduate posters submitted, 8 were selected as finalists for the competition and presented at a special question/answer session for judging by a 3 member panel of experts. Chase Inman (sports administration, ’12 graduate) and Lexi Bauer (current sports administration major) were one of the eight selected finalists and, after judging, earned 3rd place in the undergraduate category for the project titled ‘Effects of Shod versus Barefoot Running on Lower Limb Muscle Activation.’ This was an interesting project where the students collected information on how the body recruits muscle fibers in the lower leg during different footwear conditions when running. While completing this project, Mr. Inman and Miss Bauer were able to experience and develop expertise in a sophisticated research technique based on electromyography. They collected electromyography data on five different muscles in 24 individuals. Findings from this project suggests that running barefoot may be less fatiguing to some lower leg muscles than running with shoes. These students worked very hard on their research capstone and it was very satisfying to see them recognized and rewarded for their efforts by experts in the field of sports medicine and exercise science.”
The world is better because of the engagement of Samford’s faculty and students in applied research.