Faculty Research Focus
Dr. Patricia Fitzgerald
My research interests include those of the applied and translational types. Principally these areas of interest include topics that will enhance what and how I teach. The greatest reward for me results from mentoring students in the research process. My recent research adventures have included describing the effects of traveling to very high altitude on student and faculty affective responses, ratings of perceived exertion, and resting and exercise physiological parameters. Other research interests are related to areas of body composition assessment, soldier performance, and educating strength practitioners on how to prevent heat related illness and death in clients and athletes.
Dr. Kristofer Wisniewski
My research focuses on the use of different perceptual measures in exercise testing and prescription. Specifically, I am interested in the beneficial effects of using Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) to self-regulate exercise intensity over other common methods, such as using heart rate to judge intensity. The RPE scale is numbered from 0 to 10 and attempts to link a number to how hard a person feels they are exercising. The rationale is that the RPE scale is easier to use by both adults and children, and is not influenced by the factors that can alter a person's heart rate including the individual's body weight and fitness level, the environment, and various medications. I also have research experience in the effects of dietary and exercise interventions on weight loss in both adults and children. My other interests include barefoot/minimalist running, the relationship between flexibility and running performance, and muscle fat as a fuel source in athletes or a cause of Type 2 Diabetes in sedentary individuals. I am always open to other projects and ideas, and am willing to mentor students who wish to conduct their own research.
Dr. Stephen LoRusso
My research interests are broad and cover a variety of topics. Most recently, my work has focused on Exercise and Cancer. The specific areas are lifetime physical activity and cancer, and the effects of exercise on cancer biomarkers. Other areas of research include the use of exercise and its potential effects on musculoskeletal injuries and physical therapy. “Cross Education” is a paradigm whereby you strength train one limb to effect the strength in the opposite limb. This technique may be used post surgically, or following periods of immobility to augment strength loss in the involved limb.
Student Research Opportunities
Undergraduate Research Presentations. Alphabetical by year (current to 2014)
Parry, S. Qualitative analysis of patient comments promoting adherence to an exercise oncology rehabilitation program. Independent Study, Honors Thesis, 2019. LoRusso Mentor. Accepted for presentation at the 2019 Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine. Nov 2019.
Gresko, J., Ruggieri, M.G., Graham, JD., Fitzgerald, PI and Wisniewski, K.” Effects of an Eight Week Periodization Program in Adolescents.” Slide Presentation:2018 MARC-ACSM Annual Meeting, Harrisburg, PA. Abstract: International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: (2019) Vol. 9: Iss. 7, Article 37. 2018 SFU Office of Student Research Grant: $421.51
Dietrich, S., Fitzgerald., The Correlations of Weight, BMI, and Body Composition Among Young Adults.2018 Presentation ACSM Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN Travel Grant: $1500.00
Brennan, K., Fitzgerald, P., Wisniewski, K. Evaluation of the Accuracy of the ACSM Walking Metabolic Equations During the Bruce Protocol Poster:2018 ACSM Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN Abstract: Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., 50(5S):670, May 2018.
Fox, A., Kopriva, F., Fitzgerald, P. Exercise: the Brain Food Poster: 2017 SFU Student Research Day.
Arney, B., Wisniewski, K. Perceived Intensity Level During Treadmill Exercise.
Poster: 2016 MARC-ACSM Annual Meeting, Harrisburg, PA. Abstract: International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: (2017) Vol. 9: Iss. 5, Article 3.
Bennett, N., Foggia, N., Bertie, R., Wisniewski, K. Performance Measure in Female Collegiate Soccer Players According to ACL Injury.Poster:2016 MARC-ACSM Annual Meeting, Harrisburg, PA. Abstract: International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: (2017) Vol. 9: Iss. 5, Article 9.
Brennan, G., Fitzgerald, P. Cycling and Cancer: What Does Love Have to Do With It? Poster: 2016 SFU Student Research Day
Kosova, E., Wisniewski, K. Effect of different exercise types in cardiorespiratory rehabilitation in patients with heart disease.Poster: 2016 SFU Student Research Day
Smith, R., Fitzgerald, P.Stem Cell Therapy and Exercise Intervention: A Case Study. Poster: 2016 SFU Research Day
Michael, T., Wisniewski, K. Inter-rater reliability of the Overhead Squat Test Poster: 2016 SFU Student Research Day. Slide Presentation: 2017 Honor’s Thesis 2016 SFU Office of Student Research Grant: $200 2015 SFU School of Health Sciences Research Grant: $250
Nickels, R., Wisniewski, K. Does perceived aerobic exercise intensity match the prescribed physiological cutoffs? Poster: 2015 SFU Student Research Day 2015 SFU Office of Student Research Grant: $500
Wingard, L.S., Kindel H.R., Ross-Stewart L and LoRusso, SM. Urinary Incontinence: The Silent Embarrassment of Female Athletes. Accepted for presentation at the American Physical Therapy Association Annual Combined Sections Meeting (Feb. 2015)
Wilhite, K.L., Mosey S.A. and LoRusso SM. Association Between Exercise Blood Pressure, Na+ Ingestion And Cold Pressor Test: A Pilot Study. Presented at the 35th Annual Meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine, Harrisburg PA. November 2014.
Foore, C. Are Saint Francis University students meeting current physical activity recommendations? Poster: 2014 SFU Student Research Day Published: 2015 Spectrum. 6(1). pgs. 4-7.
At the 2013 MARC Conference, Seth Gray presented a poster titled "The Relationship between Aerobic Fitness, BMI, and Measures of Perception while at Very High Altitude." Co-Authors on this work include Daniel Drozdowsky and Marie Schoenenberger of the environmental engineering program, as well as Dr. Kristofer Wisniewski and Dr. Patricia Fitzgerald. This work was the result of the groups trip to Bolivia in the summer of 2013, along with the environmental engineering program lead by Dr. Bill Strosnider.
As part of his internship in the DiSepio Human Performance Lab, Exercise Physiology Student, Robert Nickels, examined the accuracy of rating exercise intensity in young adults during treadmill exercise. He presented this research as a poster titled “How do individuals perceive aerobic exercise intensity?” at the 2015 Saint Francis University Annual Student Research Day. Robert also received a $500 grant from the Saint Francis Office of Student Research to continue this research.
International Research Opportunities
In May 2013, nine Saint Francis students had the opportunity to travel with three Saint Francis professors to the South American country of Bolivia. The group was a mix of students studying environmental engineering or exercise physiology.
The main purpose of the journey to Bolivia was for students to conduct various scientific studies. Dr. Fitzgerald led the exercise physiology students in conducting research on the effects of high altitude on a person's body and oxygen saturation levels. During the trip, the participants were consistently at an elevation of 14,000 to 16,000 feet. At Saint Francis, the elevation is about 2,000 feet. Therefore, the oxygen levels in the air were much lower in Bolivia than what students were accustomed to at home. Testing was done on the participants prior to, during, and immediately following the trip to Bolivia. These tests showed the effects of living and working at high altitude as well as how the body and oxygen saturation levels change upon returning to a lower elevation after becoming accustomed to the high elevation.