Physical Therapy Faculty/Staff
Patricia Fitzgerald, PT, PhD, MPT, CSCS
Executive Director, DiSepio Institute
for Rural Health and Wellness,
Interim Dean, School of Health Sciences,
Research Coordinator & Associate Professor of Physical Therapy
[Return to Faculty/Staff Listing]
| Campus Office: Stokes Building, Suite 229
phone: (814) 472-3121
fax: (814) 472-3140
email: pfitzgerald@francis.edu |  |
| Mailing Address: Saint Francis University
Department of Physical Therapy
PO Box 600
Loretto, PA 15940-0600
USA |
Education & Training:
BA, Health and Physical Education, Paterson State College
MS, Physical Education, East Stroudsburg State College
PhD, Education/Exercise Physiology, Southern Illinois University
MPT Physical Therapy, Baylor University
Research Interests:
- Metabolic Processes of Exercise
- Prolonged Exercise
- Energy Cost of Assistive Device Usage
- Body Composition Assessment
- Teaching and Learning Strategies
- Wellness and Prevention
Teaching Activities:
PHTH 410 Physical Therapy Procedures
PHTH 510 Physical Therapy Management for Select Populations
PHTH 540 Research 1
PHTH 541 Research 2
PHTH 542 Research 3
PHTH 553 Special Topics: Wellness and Prevention
Professional Activities and Memberships:
- American Physical Therapy Association
- Pennsylvania Physical Therapy Association
- American College of Sports Medicine
- National Strength and Conditioning Association
- American Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance
Background and Personal Interests:
Dr. Fitzgerald enjoys taking long rides on her 2000 Harley Davidson Heritage Softail. When she is not riding she enjoys her Siberian Husky, Shadow. She is actively involved in the Saint Bonaventure Fraternity, a Secular Franciscan organization. Dr. Fitzgerald recently received the certified strength and conditioning specialist designation from the National Strength and Conditioning Association Certification Commission.
Peer Reviewed Articles:
Knowlton, R.G., Fitzgerald, P.I., and Sedlock, D.A. The mechanical efficiency of wheelchair dependent women during wheelchair ergometry. Canadian Journal of Applied Sports Sciences, 6;187-189, 1981.
Sedlock, D.A., Knowlton, R.G., Fitzgerald. P.I. Tahamont, MV., and Schneider, D.A. The accuracy of subject palpated carotid pulse immediately following exercise. Physician and Sports Medicine, 11;106-116,1983
Sedlock, D.A., Fitzgerald, P.I., and Knowlton, R.G. Body composition and performance characteristics of collegiate women rugby players. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 59; 44-48, 1988.
Sedlock, D.A., Knowlton, R.G. and Fitzgerald, P.I. The effects of arm crank training on the physiological responses to submaximal wheelchair ergometry. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 57; 55-59, 1998.
Fitzgerald, P.I., Sedlock, D.A., and Knowlton, R.G. Circulatory and thermal adjustments to prolonged exercise in paraplegic women. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 22: 629-635, 1998.
Knapik, J.J., Daniels, W., Murphy, M., Fitzgerald, P.I., Drews, F., Vogel, J.A. Physiological factors in infantry operations. European Journal of Applied Physiological and Occupational Physiology, 60: 233-238, 1990.
Peer Reviewed Published Abstracts:
Fitzgerald, P.I., Knowlton, R.G., Sedlock, D.A., Tahamont, M.V., and Schneide, D.A. A comparison of maximal aerobic power predicted from the Canadian Home Fitness Test and a direct treadmill test. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 12:88, 1980.
Fitzgerald, P.I., Knowlton, R.G., Ackerman, K.J., Tahamont, M.V., Sedlock, D.A., and Schneider, D.A. The energy cost of beginning class orienteering among college students. Research papers 1980 AAHPERD Convention, Reston, VA: AAPHERD Press, 1980, p.11
Sedlock, D.A., Fitzgerald, P.I., Knowlton, R.G., Tahamont, M.V., an Schneider, D.A., The validity of subject palpated heart rates. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 13:124, 1981.
Fitzgerald, P.I., Sedlock, D.A., Knowlton, R.G., Schneider, D.A., and Gilbert, J. The effects of a season of training and competition on a ranked Midwest women’s rugby football union team. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 13: 94, 1981.
Fitzgerald, P.I., Sedlock, D.A., Knowlton, R.G., Schneider, D.A., and Gilbert, J. A comparison of physiological characteristics of forwards and backs in women collegiate rugby. Research Papers 1981 AAHPERD Convention, Reston, VA: AAHPERD Press, 1981, p. 117.
Sedlock, D.A., Fitzgerald, P.I., Weber, H., and Knowlton, R.G. Residual lung volume measurement in the calculation of percent body fat in college women. Research Papers 1981 AAHPERD Convention, Reston, VA: AAHPERD Press, 1981, p. 79.
Schneider, D.A., Sedlock, D.A., Fitzgerald, P.I., and Knowlton, R.G. Fat metabolism in normal weight and moderately obese human subjects during a 90-minute treadmill walk. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 14; 166, 1982.
Fitzgerald, P.I., Sedlock, D.A., Knowlton, R.G., and Schneider, D.A. Cardiovascular responses of spinal cord injured women to prolonged submaximal wheelchair activity. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 14; 112, 1982.
Fitzgerald, P.I., Sedlock, D.A., and Knowlton, R.G. Physiological responses of disabled women to maximal wheelchair ergometry. Research Papers 1982 AAHPERD Convention, Reston, VA: AAHPERD Press, 1982, p. 93.
Sedlock, D.A., Fitzgerald, P.I., Knowlton, R.G., and Schneider, D.A. The transfer of the cardiovascular effects of arm crank training to submaximal wheelchair ergometry. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 15; 192, 1983.
Fitzgerald, P.I., Sedlock, D.A., Schneider, D.A., and Knowlton, R.G. Physiological responses of able-bodied women to maximal arm crank and wheelchair exercises. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 15; 142, 1983.
Fitzgerald, P.I., Knapik, J.J., Vogel, J.A., and Joyce, B.E. The influence of atropine on muscular strength and endurance. Federation Proceedings, 42; 34, 1983.
Teves, M.A., Vogel, J.A., Knapik, J.J., and Fitzgerald, P.I., Maximal aerobic power: Repetitive lifting versus three standard exercise testing modes. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 17; 249, 1985.
Vogel, J.A., K.E. Friedl, W.L. Daniels, and Fitzgerald, P.I. How Useful is Body Composition in the Prediction of Lift Strength and Aerobic Capacity? Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 23; 1991.
Peer Reviewed Presentations:
Fitzgerald, P.I., Knowlton, R.G., Ackerman, K.J., Tahamont, M.V., Sedlock, D.A., and Schneider, D.A. “A comparison of maximal aerobic power predicted from the Canadian Home Fitness Test and a direct treadmill test.” Presented at the national meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine Las Vegas, NV 1980
Fitzgerald, P.I., Knowlton, R.G., Ackerman, K.J., Tahamont, M.V., Sedlock, D.A. and Schneider, D.A. “The energy cost of beginning class orienteering among college students.” Presented at the national meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, Houston, TX 1980
Sedlock, D.A., Fitzgerald, P.I., Knowlton, R.G., Tahmont, M.V., and Schneider, D.A. “The validity of subject palpated heart rates.” Presented at the national meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Miami, FL 1981
Fitzgerald, P.I., Sedlock, D.A., Knowlton, R..G., Schneider, D.A., and Gilbert, J. “The effects of a season of training and competition on a ranked Midwest women’s rugby football union team.” Presented at the national meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Miami, FL 1981
Sedlock, D.A., Fitzgerald, P.I., Weber, H., and Knowlton, R.G. “Residual lung volume measurements in the calculation of percent body fat in college women.” Presented at the national meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, Boston, MA 1981
Fitzgerald, P.I., Sedlock, D.A., Knowlton, R.G., Schneider, D.A., and Gilbert, J. “A comparison of physiological characteristics of forwards and backs in women’s collegiate rugby. Presented at the national meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, Boston, MA 1981
Schneider, D.A., Sedlock, D.A., Fitzgerald, P.I., and Knowlton, R.G. “Fat metabolism in normal weight and moderately obese human subjects during a 90 minute treadmill walk.” Presented at the national meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Minneapolis, MN 1982
Fitzgerald, P.I, Sedlock, D. A., and Knowlton, R.G., and Schneider, D.A. “Cardiovascular responses of spinal cord injured women to prolonged submaximal wheelchair activity.” Presented at the national meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Minneapolis, MN 1982
Fitzgerald, P.I., Sedlock, D.A., and Knowlton, R.G. “Physiological responses of disable women to maximal wheelchair ergometry.” Presented at the national meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. Detroit, MI 1982
Sedlock, D.A., Fitzgerald, P.I., Knowlton, R.G., and Schneider, D.A. “The transfer of the cardiovascular effects of arm crank training to submaximal wheelchair ergometry.” Presented at the national meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Montreal, Canada 1983
Fitzgerald, P.I., Sedlock, D.A., Schneider, D.A., and Knowlton, R.G. “Physiological responses of able-bodied women to maximal arm crank and wheelchair exercise.” Presented at the national meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, Montreal, Canada, 1983
LoRusso, SM, SS Fisher, NE Hammond, CC Kindel, SM Love, TP Porter, MJ Strucko and PI Fitzgerald. A neuroanatomy dissection special topics class as a tool for teaching and creating teaching and learning modules for first year professional phase PT students. Presented at the APTA combined sections meeting in San Antonio, TX, Feb. 2001.
Brudvig, TJ and Fitzgerald, PI. Exertional rhabdomyolysis: would you be able to identify this syndrome? Presented at the APTA combined sections meeting in San Antonio, TX, Feb. 2001.
LoRusso, SM, M. Langer, M. Passanita and Fitzgerald, PI. High School students and teachers reactions to a two day cadaver anatomy workshop. The FASEB Journal, Vol 16, #4, part I. March 2002. #323.4 Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Federations of the American Society for Experimental Biology, New Orleans, LA, April 2002.
Fitzgerald, PI, and McSharry, K. Franciscan Goals of Higher Education: Linking Liberal Education and Character Building. Presented at the Association of General and Liberal Studies, Louisville, KY, 2002.
Fitzgerald, PI, McSharry, K, and Rager, L. Building Bridges through First-Year Summer Reading and Senior Capstone Experiences. Presented at the Association of General and Liberal Studies, Charlotte, NC, 2003.
SM LoRusso, P Fitzgerald, M Langer and M Passanita. Two and three year follow up of high school student and teacher participants in a two-day cadaver anatomy workshop. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the Federations of the American Society for Experimental Biology, Washington, DC, 2004.
Fitzgerald, PI and Calvert, MH. Students as change agents: planting the seeds of evidence based practice. Presented at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting, Nashville, TN, 2004.
Fitzgerald, PI. Service learning in a physical therapy course at Saint Francis University. Presented at Stepping into Service Learning: Linking Teaching and Community. Duquesne University, February 27, 2004.
Hanlon, W and Fitzgerald, PI. Radiographic Comparison of Intervertebral Joint Separation Using Two Methods of Manual Lumbar Traction. Presented at PT 2004 APTA Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.
Technical Reports:
Fitzgerald, P.I., Knapik, J.J., Daniels, W.L., Vogel, J.A., Joyce, B.E. The Influence of Atropine on Physical Performance. USARIEM Technical Report No. T16/86, 1985.
Fitzgerald, P.I., Vogel, J.A., Daniels, W.L., Dziados, J.E., Teves, M.A., Mello, R.P., Reich, P.J. The Body Composition Project: A Summary Report and Descriptive Data. USARIEM Technical Report No. T5/87, 1986.
Fitzgerald, P.I., Vogel, J.A., Miletti, J., Foster, J.M. An Improved Portable Hydrostatic Weighing System for Body Composition. USARIEM Technical Report No. T4/88, 1987.
Vogel, J.A., Kirkpatrick, J.W., Fitzgerald, P.I., Hodgdon, J.A., Harman, E.A. Derivation of Anthropometry Based Body Fat Equations of the Army’s Weight Control Program. USARIEM Technical Report No. T17/88, 1988.
Hodgdon, J.A., Fitzgerald, P.I., Vogel, J.A. Relationships Between Body Fat and Appearance Ratings of U.S. Soldiers. USNHRC Technical Report, 1990.