Faculty Friday; Meet Abigail Larson, Physical Education
Posted: December 22, 2016 | Author: Abigail Wyatt | Read Time: 2 minutes
Dr. Abigail Larson's passion for sports began early in her life. By the age of 16, she was already ski racing. Abigail raced for the Northern Michigan University Wildcats from 1997 - 2001 and was a four-time All-American. To help pay her way through graduate school, she raced the American Marathon Series circuit for the Subaru Factory Ski Team. She won the U.S. Cross Country Skiing National Championship in 2005. From 1999 - 2006 Larson participated in competitions all over the world and even competed with the 2006 U.S. Olympic Team in Torino, Italy.
Larson received a Master of Exercise Science from Northern Michigan University and a Doctorate of Exercise and Sports Science from the University of Utah. She is also a certified sports specialist dietitian, a certified strength and conditioning specialist and a registered dietitian.
This is her fifth year as a professor in the Department of Physical Education & Human Development. She has been serving campus by being a campus allies member and by participating on several boards and committees.
Larson teaches the following classes:
- PE 6020 Special Topics (Mechanisms of Exercise-induced Fatigue)
- PE 6070 Psychological Aspects of Sports and Conditioning
- PE 6100 Bioenergetics and Sports Nutrition
- PE 4030 Clinical Applications of Exercise Physiology
- PE 4035 Clinical Applications of Exercise Physiology Laboratory
- PE 4020 Research Methods and Statistics
- PE 4010 Methods of Strength and Conditioning and Sports Nutrition
- PE 4015 Methods of Conditioning and Sport Nutrition Lab
Larson has authored and co-authored to 15 publications and over 40 articles about nutrition, sports, health, therapy, and exercise. Larson has also presented her research at 14 conferences on topics ranging from rock climbing to sports medicine. Her competitive sports history and passion for healthy lifestyles brought new and unique perspectives for her research and classroom.
"I want to instill in my students the desire to learn," said Larson. "Sitting in class every day is one thing, but actually having a desire to learn changes everything. It gives students motivation and that's when the real learning takes place."
Larson even helps out in the community by teaching over 50 ski clinics for youth and adults over the past 15 years.
"You can never succeed until you try," said Larson. "If you are driven and willing to try you can accomplish anything."
Now, Larson enjoys mountain biking and hiking around the beautiful landscape that surrounds SUU. She has a passion for learning, teaching, and traveling.
This article was published more than 3 years ago and might contain outdated information or broken links. As a result, its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
Tags: Faculty College of Education and Human Development
