Meet Our Professors: Dr. Abigail Larson, Kinesiology
Posted: February 28, 2020 | Author: Kierstin Pitcher-Holloway | Read Time: 2 minutes
Dr. Abigail Larson’s career did not begin in a classroom, it began on the slopes, and the racetrack. As a two-sport collegiate athlete in cross country skiing and cross country running, Larson began her college career for the sole purpose of skiing and racing. Then she discovered exercise science.
“When I found something that I could learn about and could apply to my training it really clicked for me and took off,” said Larson. “Then I really started to have a lot of success in school as well as skiing.”
This understanding would eventually lead Larson to compete with a professional ski team, race in the 2006 Winter Olympics, and earn her Ph.D. in exercise and sports science. After completing her doctorate Larson taught in Washington before accepting a position as Southern Utah University.
“Eight years later I’m still teaching and I think that's probably what I want to do when I grow up,” said Larson.
Larson says that she is fascinated by absolutely everything in her area of study but that her favorite thing to teach her students is how to apply the science.
“I like talking about how stuff happens on a cellular level but then taking that and turning it into the big picture; figuring out how to specifically apply it to the scenario in a problem-solving way,” said Larson. “I think that is the ultimate outcome for me.”
Larson teaches the following courses at SUU:
- 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
Of all her experiences, Larson says her proudest moments at SUU are every spring when she gets to watch her students graduate. Larson wants students to know their professors are here to help them succeed and are cheering them on throughout their academic careers and beyond.
“We really do have a personal investment in our students as individuals,” said Larson. “And in helping them to meet their academic potential and their potential after they leave SUU.”
Learn more about the Department of Kinesiology and Outdoor Recreation at SUU.
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: College of Health Sciences Kinesiology and Outdoor Recreation
