07/21/25 Lawrence, KS, USA
The Central States Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine held its 50th annual conference on February 27–28 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The University of Kansas was well-represented. Two faculty members, a staff member, and 7 graduate students from the Exercise Science program in the Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences Department in the School of Education and Human Sciences delivered presentations.
Dr. Andrew Fry, Director of the Jayhawk Athletic Performance Laboratory and Professor in the Department of Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences at the University of Kansas, was the Keynote Speaker at the Central States ACSM conference. The title of his presentation was “Sport Science — What exactly is it? How do you do it?” Dr. Fry is a past President of the Central States ACSM, 2013–2014.
Dr. Dimitrije Cabarkapa, Associate Director of the Jayhawk Athletic Performance Laboratory at the University of Kansas, delivered two presentations, “Maximizing 3-Point Basketball Shooting Accuracy: Markerless Motion Capture Analysis” and “Building Better Athletes: Strength Training and Basketball Performance”. Over the last six years, he has published more than 85 peer-reviewed research articles and presented at multiple national and international conferences. Also, Dimitrije successfully established strong collaborative relationships with many well-recognized sports organizations and academic institutions across the world, including the USA, Europe, and Asia. Some of his current research projects are focused on examining biomechanical and neuromuscular performance characteristics of professional athletes, physiological responses during training and competition, and the implementation of innovative technology for athlete performance monitoring.
Dr. Quincy Johnson, Assistant Professor in the Department of Health, Sport and Exercise Sciences and Assistant Director of the Jayhawk Athletic Performance Laboratory, focused his presentation on “Practice and Experience of Dynamic Periodization and Programming for Successful MMA Athletes”.
Caleb Bean is a first-year master’s student at the University of Kansas in the Jayhawk Athletic Performance Laboratory. Additionally, he serves as a senior performance assistant within the Jayhawk Performance youth strength and conditioning program. His presentation was focused on “Competitive Season-Long Changes in Countermovement Vertical Jump Force-Time Metrics in Female Soccer Players”.
Cassandra McDonald is a first-year doctoral student under the guidance of Dr. Quincy Johnson at the University of Kansas within the Jayhawk Athletic Performance Laboratory. Her presentation was focused on “Kinematic and Neuromuscular Measures During Drop Landings in Collegiate Volleyball Athletes”.
Wanyan Su is a first-year doctoral student under the guidance of Dr. Yu Song. Her primary research interests focus on lower limb biomechanics, aiming to better understand injury risk factors associated with physical activity and to support the rehabilitation process. Her presentation centered on “The Effect of Arm Swings on Lower Limb Kinetics During Single-Leg Hopping. “
Yu Gu is a first-year doctoral student under the guidance of Dr. Yu Song. Her research focuses on preventing and treating sports-related injuries, particularly anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and patellofemoral pain. Yu’s work aims to enhance our understanding of these conditions and develop more effective management strategies. Her passion for this field stems from a desire to improve athletic performance and promote overall well-being through better injury prevention and rehabilitation techniques. Her presentation on the biomechanics of injury was titled “Single-Leg Backward Hopping Imposes Greater Knee Demands Compared to Forward Hopping in ACLR Patients”.
Patricia Garcia-Suarez is a 4th-year doctoral student and teaching assistant in the Department of Health, Sports, and Exercise Sciences under the guidance of Dr. Joseph Weir. She is also an active member of the American Research Network of Human Movement Sciences, whose main collaboration was being a guest lecturer on topics like metabolic regulation, novel data acquisition and processing of cardiovascular performance, and application of algorithm models and statistical analysis on North, Central, and South America. Her presentation was focused on Vascular Response Modulators in Healthy and Clinical Populations, “Pre-Ejection Period Detection, and Reactivity During Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Autonomic Challenges”.
Trisha Hayes is a master’s student and graduate teaching assistant at the University of Kansas in the Department of Health, Sport, and Exercise Science. She is a certified and licensed athletic trainer for the University of Kansas Health System in their youth sports medicine department. Her presentation was part of the Interventions for Healthy Aging Symposium and focused on “Evaluation of Changes in Functional Performance After a 6-Month Exercise Program for Older Adults”.
Yang Yang is a doctoral student under the guidance of Dr. Quincy Johnson. His presentation was focused on “Differences in Shooting Kinematics Between Experienced and Non-Experienced Wheelchair Basketball Athletes”.
Several students delivered poster presentations at the Central States ACSM Conference. Madi Rink, a first-year doctoral student, received a second place President’s Cup Poster award. Her presentation centered on “Characterization of internal and external load relationships in NCAA Division I American football during training camp. “
Dr. Loree Weir, an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences Department and serves as the Graduate Program Director for Exercise Physiology is also the state of Kansas representative for the Central States American College of Sports Medicine entered a group of undergraduate students in a Quiz Bowl.
The Central States Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine is dedicated to the advancement of the mission of the American College of Sports Medicine through grass roots efforts to involve students and young professionals in the organization. In addition to educational opportunities, the Central States Chapter offers students opportunities for research grants and awards which enhances their development as future professionals. Professionals in the field are able to access professional development opportunities locally and gain access to professional service and networking with colleagues through the chapter’s services.
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