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College of Applied Science and Technology

Samantha McDonald

Associate Professor
Office
SFCM Student Fitness Center & Mccormick Hall 182e
Office Phone
(309) 438-5008office
phone
Email
smmcdo4@ilstu.eduemail
  • About
  • Education
  • Selected 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

KNR 415.001 Exercise & Cardiorespiratory Function

KNR 313.001 Exercise Programming For Neuromuscular Fitness

KNR 313.002 Exercise Programming For Neuromuscular Fitness

KNR 499.017 Independent Research For The Master's Thesis

KNR 287.001 Independent Study

KNR 488.001 Special Studies In Recreation And Tourism

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

Grants and Contracts

OSF-ISU Sport Program
Michael Torry, Marcel Lopes dos Santos, Samantha McDonald.
OSF and ISU. January 1 2025 - December 31 2025
The EMS-FIRST Initiative: Serving Those Who Serve Us
Marcel Lopes dos Santos, Michael Torry, Samantha McDonald.
OSF HealthCare. December 1 2024 - December 31 2025
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?
Samantha McDonald.
Illinois State University. June 1 2021 - January 1 2023

Abstract

Concurrent Validity And Reliability Of The Vertical Jump And Standing Broad Jump Tests In Youth
Isaac T Faamoe, Kelly R Laurson, Tyler J Kybartas, Samantha M McDonald.
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 56 (10S), 972-973, (2024), 10.1249/01.mss.0001061116.68964.68
Determining the Best Predictor Variables for CMJ Performance in NCAA Division I Athletes
Konkle, Michael Torry, Samantha McDonald, Chris Carter, Marcel Lopes dos Santos.
University Research Symposium. 451., (2024)

Book, Chapter

Using Resistance Training in Women with Gestational Diabetes to Improve Glucose Regulation
Brittany Allman, Samantha McDonald, Linda E May, Amber W Kinsey, Elisabet Borsheim.
(2021), Gestational Diabetes - New Developments, InTech Open
The Maternal Resources Hypothesis and Childhood Obesity.
Samantha McDonald.
(2017), Fetal and Early Postnatal Programming and its Influence on Adult Health, Taylor and Francis - CRC Press

Manuscript

The Metabolic Demand of Firefighting: A Systematic Review
Marcel Lopes dos Santos, Robert G Lockie, Robin Orr, Taylor Dinyer-McNeely, Doug Smith, Samantha McDonald, Jay Dawes.
Physiologia, (2025), 10.3390/physiologia5020012

Presentations

Concurrent Validity and Reliability of the Vertical Jump and Standing Broad Jump Tests in Youth
Isaac T Faamoe, Kelly R Laurson, Tyler J Kybartas, Samantha M McDonald.
American College of Sports Medicine, Boston, MA, May, 2024
Concurrent Validity and Reliability of the Vertical Jump and Standing Broad Jump Tests in Youth
Isaac T Faamoe, Kelly R Laurson, Tyler J Kybartas, Samantha M McDonald.
ISU Research Symposium, Normal, April, 2024
Determining the Best Predictor Variables for CMJ Performance in NCAA Division I Athletes
Jadon Konkel, Michael Torry, Samantha McDonald, Chris Carter, Marcel Lopes dos Santos.
University Research Symposium, Normal, April, 2024