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An ongoing research project will study the benefits of yoga for mental health and the experience of those who have taught and practiced yoga. The study, led by Suzanne Vogler, graduate student, College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, needs yoga instructors and practitioners to complete an online survey and participate in a virtual interview.

"More than 80 yoga practitioners have already shared their experiences, but we want to hear from you. All participants will have the opportunity to volunteer for an additional virtual interview where we invite participants to share their own yoga story and the experiences they have had," Vogler said.

An ongoing research-focused collaboration provides current West Virginia University Sport Management graduate students with the opportunity to work directly with sports industry specialists. Students highlighted real world business challenges as identified in the marketplace and used data and problem-solving solutions to overcome market environments, financial concerns and other complex issues.

“The relationship is designed to support students entering the industry with hands-on experience they can use to further their career path. It’s amazing that these industry mavens graciously contribute their time and expertise to guide our students throughout the process. The students take ownership and have learned immensely. I credit their transformation to the mentors and their patient, direct engagement and support,” Floyd Jones, associate professor, College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, said.

College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences’ Sport and Exercise Psychology 474 Research Methods and Capstone students have established a solid foundation for future graduate studies and professional careers. During their final presentations, the students presented a broad range of projects, covering psychological impacts of injuries, influence of social media, impact of involuntary retirement, eating disorder prevalence in female sports and interventions for athletes during COVID-19.

The groups, under the guidance of Scott Barnicle, SEP program coordinator and teaching assistant professor, completed the spring 2021 semester within the classroom setting. “I’m so proud of our SEP seniors for making it up research mountain this semester. It is always wonderful to see them present their projects. Some are off to graduate school in the fall while others are heading into the working world. It was a terrific spring semester with them all,” Barnicle said.

An upcoming virtual workshop will feature the expanding partnership between West Virginia University and the Universidade Federal do Parana (UFPR) in Brazil. The April 9, 2021 one-day event, entitled “Research Across Borders,” will emphasize opportunities to expand and develop new collaborations in research, faculty development and graduate student exchanges.

The event is organized by the WVU College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences and the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources and supported by the WVU Office of Global Affairs along with the UFPR Agency for International Affairs.

Eileen Harvey will assume the director of Fitness Information Technology Publishing role, following the retirement of Barb Dalton. FiT Publishing, an international publisher in sport sciences, operates in the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences. 

FiT publishes books, peer-reviewed journals and digital products in sport psychology, sport and cultural studies, sport management and physical education. FiT Publishing’s most popular books are available in hard copy and digital formats.

A College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences staff member was honored for her superior dedication during a recent Office of Student Success Zoom meeting. Melinda Gallagher, OSS student success coordinator for online graduate students, received a 2020 WVU Values Coin for her commitment and enthusiasm in her daily role.

“Melinda has been an awesome addition to our office and the glue holding us all together during the past pandemic year. She goes above and beyond her duties, always eager to jump into a project or take on a new challenge,” Elizabeth (Betsy) Robbins, OSS student success coordinator said.

Recent transitions within the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Office of Student Success will further boost the college’s student services offerings related to recruitment and retention. Through staff expansion and reorganization, along with additional opportunities to establish new program initiatives, OSS is well positioned to enhance student services.

Melinda Gallagher and Colton Metzger have joined the team as new student success coordinators. Gallagher will work directly with online graduate students while Metzger will assist undergraduate Health and Well-being students. Cole Smith and Kimberly Cameon have joined OSS in their current roles as web/graphic designer and communications specialist, respectively. Lindsay Augustine will lead OSS initiatives as the newly named assistant dean for student and enrollment services.

A College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences faculty member has received the 2020 Diane Gill Paper of the Year award from the Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, recognizing her research on body image and weight and appearance pressures in competitive sport. 

Dana Voelker, associate professor and director of undergraduate online education, was honored for her publication, “It’s Just a Lot Different Being Male Than Female in the Sport”: An Exploration of the Gendered Culture Around Body Pressures in Competitive Figure Skating, with Dr. Justine Reel at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Sofia Espana Perez, Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology doctoral major, is one of only four recipients who was selected for the 2021 WVU Foundation Distinguished Doctoral Scholarship, as announced by the Office of Graduate Education and Life.

OGEL says that graduate students provide incredibly valuable research, teaching and services to the WVU campus and the greater Morgantown community. OGEL provides the awards to help these highly qualified students defray the costs of their education and promote the dissemination of their research to a broader audience.

An online resource that focuses on providing teachers and parents with lesson ideas integrates physical activity throughout the school day, while promoting learning, health and wellbeing. Active Academics®, an interventional program housed in the Center for ActiveWV in the West Virginia University College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, serves as a resource that teachers can use to access engaging lesson ideas across a variety of subject areas that build movement into the learning process.

“National recommendations agree that children should get at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity. Since children spend much of their day in school and learning environments, it is important for educators to integrate physical activity opportunities throughout the school day to help meet these guidelines,” Eloise Elliott, Ware Distinguished Professor with CPASS, said.