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College of Applied Science and Technology

Samantha McDonald

Assistant Professor
Sch Kinesiology & Recreation
Office
Student Fitness Center & McCormick - SFC 182B
Office Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday from 10:00 - 12:00 or by appointment
Office Phone
(309) 438-5008office
phone
Email
smmcdo4@ilstu.eduemail
  • About
  • Education
  • Research

Biography

New to the MidWest! Outside of academia, I enjoy exercise (lifting, running, swimming etc.), cooking, building furniture, traveling back home to Washington State and playing with my son!

Current Courses

208.004Dynamics Of United States Contemporary Health Issues

307.001Exercise In Health And Disease

307.002Exercise In Health And Disease

499.017Independent Research For The Master's Thesis

313.002Exercise Programming For Neuromuscular Fitness

313.003Exercise Programming For Neuromuscular Fitness

287.017Independent Study

164.003Introduction To Exercise Science

164.004Introduction To Exercise Science

481.001Work Metabolism

Teaching Interests & Areas

Introduction to Exercise Science
Exercise Programming for Neuromuscular Fitness
Exercise Programming for Cardiometabolic Fitness
Exercise Physiology
Lifespan Exercise Physiology
Physical Activity Epidemiology

Research Interests & Areas

My research focuses on the effects of exercise during pregnancy on the health of the mom and baby. Specifically, I examine its effects on maternal and offspring metabolism, body composition and future health trajectories.

PhD Exercise Science

University of South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina

MS Nutrition and Exercise Science

Oregon State University
Corvallis, Oregon

BS Health and Physical Education

Southern Oregon University
Ashland, Oregon

Book, Chapter

Allman, B., McDonald, S., May, L., Kinsey, A., & Borsheim, E. Using Resistance Training in Women with Gestational Diabetes to Improve Glucose Regulation. Gestational Diabetes - New Developments. InTech Open (2021)

Journal Article

Murphy, S., Johnston, C., Isler, C., Newton, E., McDonald, S., Strom, C, May, L. Influence of Exercise Type on Maternal Blood Pressure Adaptation Throughout Pregnancy. AJOG Global Reports, 2021; in press.
Cai, C., Zhang, Z., McDonald, S., Strom, C., May, L., Steinback, & Davenport, M. Leisure-time physical activity before and during pregnancy is associated with improved insulin resistance in late pregnancy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18.9 (2021): 4413.
Davis, B., Johnston, C., Sarno, L., Steed, D., Strickland, D., McDonald, S., Newton, E., Isler, C., Haven, K., Yeo, S., Kuehn, D., & May, L. Influence of Light Intensity exercise During Pregnancy on Fetal Echocardiographic and Maternal Cardiovascular Measures. Journal of Clinical Cardiology and Cardiovascular Interventions 4.18 (2021)
McDonald, SM, May, LE, Hinkle, SN, Grantz, KL, Zhang, C. Maternal Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity Before and During Pregnancy and Maternal Glucose Tolerance
Ortaglia, A., McDonald, S., Wirth, M., Sui, X., & Bottai, M. Differential Age-Related Declines in Cardiorespiratory Fitness among People with and without Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Innovations, Quality & Outcomes 5.24 (2021): 743-752.

Grants & Contracts

Health Projection Project. Illinois State University. Illinois State University. (2021)
The Accuracy of Metabolic Equivalents (METs) in Estimating Energy Expenditure of Select Aerobic Activities in Pregnant Women: Is a New Compendium of Physical Activities Needed?. Illinois State University. Illinois State University. (2021)