School of Exercise, Sport, and Health Sciences

Welcome to the School of Exercise, Sport, and Health Sciences.

Our school explores the science of movement and comprises degrees in kinesiology, athletic training, adapted physical education and physical therapy.

Our faculty and degree programs were formerly part of the School of Biological and Population Health Sciences. Learn more about our college name change and restructuring.

Contacts

School head: Megan MacDonald, PhD
Assistant to the school head: Adriana Harper, EdM
School directory
Academic Program Directors

Our undergraduate program

Kinesiology, BS (Corvallis, OSU-Cascades, online)

Graduate programs in kinesiolgy

Academic courses serving all OSU students or faculty

OSU community engagement

Faculty Staff Fitness

Research

Community engagement

Other programs of study

Exercise Physiology Minor

Recent publications

(This is not an exhaustive list. We are still rebuilding our database of faculty publications. Visit individual faculty profiles for more extensive lists of their publications.)

2016

MacDonald, M, Lipscomb, S.T., McClelland, M.M., Duncan, R.J., Becker, D.R., Anderson, K., Kile, M.L. (2016) Relations of Preschoolers' Visual-Motor and Object Manipulation Skills With Executive Function and Social Behavior Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport 87(4)

2015

Logan, S.W., Webster, E.K., Getchell, N., Pfeiffer, K.A., Robinson, L.E. (2015) Relationship Between Fundamental Motor Skill Competence and Physical Activity During Childhood and Adolescence: A Systematic Review Kinesiology Review 4(4)

2013

Boyle, K.E., Newsom, S.A., Janssen, R.C., Lappas, M., Friedman, J.E. (2013) Skeletal muscle MnSOD, mitochondrial complex II, and SIRT3 enzyme activities are decreased in maternal obesity during human pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 98(10)

Newsom, S.A., Everett, A.C., Hinko, A., Horowitz, J.F. (2013) A Single Session of Low-Intensity Exercise Is Sufficient to Enhance Insulin Sensitivity Into the Next Day in Obese Adults Diabetes Care 36(9)

2022

Koh, J., Pataky, M. W., Dasari, S., Klaus, K. A., Vučković, I., Ruegsegger, G.N., Kumar, A.P., Robinson, M.M., Nair, K.S. (2022) Enhancement of anaerobic glycolysis – a role of PGC-1α4 in resistance exercise Nature Communications 13(1)

ESHS news and stories

10 Questions with Megan MacDonald, head of the School of Exercise, Sport, and Health Sciences
Kinesiology professor and school head Megan MacDonald discusses her research on physical activity and children with disabilities, the IMPACT program, and why getting kids moving starts with meeting them where they are.
OSU Dance Sport claims three national titles at USA Dance Collegiate Nationals
Three OSU Dance Sport couples were named national champions at USA Dance's Collegiate Nationals, with many competitors getting their start in PAC courses.
Why every Oregon State student should take a College of Health Core Education course
Oregon State's College of Health Core Education courses invite students from every academic path to explore connections between health, equity and the human experience—while building transferable skills like critical thinking, teamwork and problem-solving.
Lila Reid facilitates PAC Dance Showcase
Lila Reid facilitated the Winter 2026 PAC Dance Showcase, drawing hundreds of OSU students to an evening of dance and community celebration.
Kinesiology student Jordan Varneau publishes guest column in Bend Bulletin
Kinesiology senior Jordan Varneau published a guest column in the Bend Bulletin on surgical trends in youth baseball, written as part of a class assignment at OSU-Cascades.
John Schuna quoted in Washington Post article on walking pace and healthy aging
John Schuna, associate professor of kinesiology, was quoted in a Washington Post article on walking pace and healthy aging.