Department of Public Health and Exercise Science

Education

• PhD - Growth and Motor Development - Michigan State University

• MS - Exercise Physiology - Indiana University

• BS - Physical Education Studies - University of Delaware

• BS - Health Science - Lock Haven University

Teaching Specialities

• ES 5200 Exercise Science Seminar
• ES 2030 Concepts in Anatomy and Physiology
• ES 2005 Introduction to Physiological Assessment
• ES 2020 Measurement and Evaluation
• ES 3005 Advanced Physiological Assessment
• ES 3590 Interprofessional Approaches to Health and Physical Activity
• ES 3700 Professional Development in Exercise Science
• ES 4050 Practicum: Pre-Professional
• ES 4100 Advanced Topics in Exercise Science

Professional Affiliations / Organizations

• American College of Sports Medicine
• North American Association of Pediatric Exercise Science
• Council on Undergraduate Research – Health Sciences

Laboratory Affiliation

• Healthy Outdoor Play and Exercise (HOPE)

Research Interests

• Physical activity and children and youth
• Improving motor development to increase physical activity in children 
• Youth sports
• Physical characteristics of college athletes across a competitive career

Selected Publications

Manuscripts

• Battista, R.A., West, S.T., Mackenzie, S.H., and Son J. (2016).  Is this exercise?  No, it’s geocaching! Exploring factors related to aspects of geocaching participation.  Journal of Park and Recreation Administration, 34(2), 30-48. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.18666/JPRA-2016-V34-I2-6495.  
• Battista, R.A.  (2015).  Physical literacy: Teaching children the ABC’s of movement.  ACSM Fit Society, 17(3), 1-2.
• McBride, J.M., Davis, J.A., Alley, J.R., Knorr, D.P., Goodman, C.L., Snyder, J,G., and Battista, R.A. (2015)  Index of mechanical efficiency in competitive and recreational long distance runners.  Journal of Sports Sciences. 33(13), 1388-1395 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2014.990487
• Battista, R.A., Oakley, H., Weddell, M.S., Mudd, L.M., Greene, J.B., and West, S.T. (2014). Improving the physical activity and nutrition environment through self-assessment (NAP SACC) in rural area child care centers in North Carolina. Preventative Medicine, 67(1), S10-S16. DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.01.022
• Zwetsloot, K.A., John, C.S., Lawrence, M.M., Battista, R.A., and Shanely, R.A. (2014). High-intensity interval training induces a modest systemic inflammatory response in active, young men. Journal of Inflammation Research, 7, 9-17.
• Battista, R.A., Foster, C., Davis, J. And Wright, G.  (2012).  The female athlete triad in physically active college aged females.  Gazzetta Medica Italiana, 171(1), 35-43.   
• Mally, K.K., Battista, R.A. and Roberton, M.A.  (2011).  Distance as a control parameter for place kicking. Journal of Human Sport and Exercise, 6(1), 122-134.
• Fencl, M., Muras, J., Steffen, J., Battista, R., and Elfessi, A.  (2011).  Physiological effects of bouldering activities in upper elementary school students.  The Physical Educator, 68(4), 199-209.
• Pettitt, R.W., Udermann, B.E., Wright, G., Battista, R.A., Mayer, J.M., and Murray, S.R. (2010).  Time-Course of DOMS Evoked by Three Intensities of Lumbar Eccentric Exercise.  Athletic Training & Sports Health Care, accepted for publication. 
• Murry, S.R., Udermann, B.E., Reineke, D.M., and Battista, R.A.  (2009).  Energy expenditure of sport stacking.  The Physical Educator, 180-185.
• Johnson, B.D., Joseph, T., Wright, G., Battista, R.A., Dodge, C., Balweg, A., deKoning, J.J., and Foster, C.  (2009).  Rapidity of responding to a hypoxic challenge during exercise.  European Journal of Applied Physiology, 106, 493-499.
• Foster, C., Hendrickson, K..J., Peyer, K, Reiner, B., deKoning, J.J., Lucia, A., Battista, R.A., Hettinga, F.J., Porcari, J.P., and Wright, G.  (2009).  Pattern of developing the performance template.  British Journal of Sports Medicine, 43, 765-769.
• Foster, C., Porcari, J.P., Battista, R. A., Udermann, B., Wright, G., and Lucia, A.  (2008).  The risk in exercise training.  American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 2, 279-284.   
• Battista, R.A., Foster, C., Andrew, J., Wright, G., Lucia, A., and Porcari, J.P.  (2008).  Physiological response during indoor cycling.  Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 22, 1236-1241.  
• Joseph, T., Johnson, B., Battista, R.A., Wright, G., Dodge, C., Porcari, J.P., deKoning, J., and Foster, C.  (2008).  Perception of fatigue during simulated competition.  Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 40(2), 381-386.
• Foster, C., Kuffel, E., Bradley, N., Battista, R.A., Wright, G., Porcari, J.P., Lucia, A., and deKoning, J.  (2007).  VO2max during successive maximal efforts.  European Journal of Applied Physiology, 102, 67-72.  
• Foster, C., Wright, G., Battista, R.A., and Porcari, J.P.  (2007).  Training in the aging athlete.  Current Sports Medicine Reports, 6, 200-206.
• Battista, R.A., Pivarnik, J.M., Dummer, G.M., Sauer, N., and Malina, R.M.  (2007).  Comparisons of physical characteristics and performance among collegiate female rowers.  Journal of Sports Sciences, 25(6), 651-657.   
• Cumming, S.P., Battista, R.A., Standage, M, Ewing, M.E., and Malina, R.M.  (2006).  Estimated maturity status and perceptions of adult autonomy support in youth soccer players.  Journal of Sports Sciences, 24(10), 1039-1046.

Books

• Senior and Associate Editor, ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer, 4th edition and 5th edition

Education

• M.S. Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

• B.S. Health Promotion, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC

Teaching Specialties

• Fitness in health promotion, weight management, lifestyle disease and risk reduction, health program planning

Current Teaching

• ES 2005 Introduction to Physiological Assessment
• ES 4050 Practicum: Pre-Professional
• PH 1105 Health and Fitness

Laboratory Affiliation

• Human Performance (54 Holmes Convocation Center)

Selected Publications

• Knab AM, Shanely RA, Jin F, Austin MD, Sha W, Nieman DC. Quercetin with vitamin C and niacin does not affect body mass or composition. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 36(3):331-338, 2011.
• Nieman DC, Henson DA, Austin MD, Sha W. Upper respiratory tract infection is reduced in physically fit and active adults. Br J Sports Med 45:987-992, 2011.
• Heinz SA, Henson DA, Austin MD, Jin F, Nieman DC. Quercetin supplementation and upper respiratory tract infection: a randomized community clinical trial. Pharmacol Res 62:237-242, 2010.
• Heinz SA, Henson DA, Austin MD, Jin F, Nieman DC. Quercetin supplementation and upper respiratory tract infection: a randomized community clinical trial. Pharmacol Res 62:237-242, 2010.
• Nieman DC, Cayea EJ, Austin MD, Henson DA, McAnulty SR, Jin F. Chia seed does not promote weight loss or alter disease risk factors in overweight adults. Nutr Res 29:414-418, 2009.
• McAnulty SR, Hosick PA, McAnulty LS, Quindry JC, Still L, Hudson MB, Dibarnardi AN, Milne GL, Morrow JD, Austin MD. Effect of Pharmacological Lowering of Plasma Urate on Exercise Induced Oxidative Stress. Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 32: 1148-1155, 2007.
• Nieman, DC, Austin MD. The energy cost of using an exercise assist device during walking. Res Sports Med 11:99-107, 2003.
• Nieman DC, Nehlsen-Cannarella SL, Fagoaga OR, Henson DA, Shannon M, Davis JM, Austin MD, Hjertman JME, Bolton MR, Schilling BK, Hisey C, Holbeck J. Immune response to two hours of rowing in female elite rowers. Int J Sports Med 20:476-481, 1999.
• Cable A., Nieman DC, Austin M, Hogen E, Utter AC. Validity of leg-to-leg bioelectrical impedance measurement in males. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 41:411-414, 2001.
• Nieman DC, Austin MD, Chilcote SM, Benezra L. Validation of a new handheld device for measuring resting metabolic rate and oxygen consumption in children. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 15:186-194, 2005.
• Nieman DC, Henson DA, Austin MD, Brown VA. The immune response to a 30-minute walk. Med Sci Sports Exerc 37:57-62, 2005.

Education

• The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
  • Ph.D. Kinesiology - Sport and Exercise Psychology Concentration
  • Doctoral Minor – Educational Research Methodology
  • Post-Baccalaureate Certificate – Women and Gender Studies

• The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
  • M.S. Psychology - Research
  • Area of concentration: Sport Psychology

• The University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
  • B.A. Political Science

Teaching Specialties

• Sport and exercise psychology
• Health behaviors
• Data analysis
• Research methods

Current Teaching

• Measurement and Evaluation in Exercise Science (ES 2020)
• Data Analysis in Sport and Exercise Science (ES 5592)
• Introduction to Research Principles and Design (ES 5000)
• Introduction to Sport Psychology in Professional Practice (ES 5531)
• Sport Psychology (ES 4100 Advanced Topics in Exercise Science) 

Professional Affiliations

• American Psychological Association; Division 47
• Association of Applied Sport Psychology
• North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Psychical Activity

Laboratory Affiliation

• Human Behavior in Physical Activity (Director)

Research Interests

• Motivation for exercise, physical activity behavior, and sport participation
• Physical activity and quality of life in special populations (MS, Parkinson's) 
• Health behavior change through effective goal setting
• Underlying athlete motivation to use PEDs in sport
• Gender differences in sport and physical activity