Dr. Joe Eisenmann

Department of Kinesiology
Department of Pediatrics and Human Development(Adjunct Assistant Professor)
Center for Physical Activity and Health
Human Energy Research Laboratory
Biomarkers and Genetics Laboratory
Office: Room 27P IM Sports Circle, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: (517) 432-5105
Fax: (517) 355-1689
Email:jce@msu.edu

Degrees earned:
B.S., Mayville State University, 1993
M.S., Northern Arizona University, 1996
Ph.D., Michigan State University, 2000

Areas of expertise: Dr. Eisenmann's academic framework draws from the areas of auxology (child growth and maturation), human biology, exercise physiology, and epidemiology, focusing broadly on the growth- and maturity-related variation of body size and function, and its impact on the health and physical performance of children and adolescents. Currently the primary focus of his research is on the genetic, environmental, and clinical aspects of pediatric obesity and the metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents.

Recent teaching assignments:
KIN 861 - Growth, Maturation, and Physical Activity (every Spring)
KIN 890 - Lifecourse Exercise Physiology (Fall even years)
KIN 810 - Metabolic Aspects of Exercise (Fall odd years)
KIN 813 - Cardiorespiratory Aspects of Exercise (Fall even years)
KIN 310 - Exercise Physiology (every semester; faculty advisor; lectures on History of Exercise Physiology and Genetics and Exercise Science)
KIN 871 - Research Methods in Kinesiology (every Spring; Fall beginning in 2010)
(Link to ANGEL)

Brief academic biography: Dr. Eisenmann began graduate studies at Northern Arizona University working in a respiratory physiology laboratory and the High Altitude Training Center. At this time, he was also introduced to comparative mammalian physiology. These experiences piqued an interest in the oxygen transport system of small animals (children) and large animals (adults). He conducted thesis research on the pulmonary function of Navajo Native American children. After contemplating various fields of medicine, an interest in the growth of children and pediatric exercise science led him to work on the PhD with Professor Bob Malina. As a PhD student, Eisenmann worked in the Youth Sports Institute and the Human Energy Research Laboratory. During this time, he researched the growth and functional capacities of young distance runners and elite Portugese soccer players. Besides studying human growth (auxology), he began coursework in epidemiology which further influenced his interested in obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and led to research with the Quebec Family Study in collaboration with Peter Katzmarzyk and Claude Bouchard. His dissertation combined his interest in human growth, young athletes, CVD risk factors, and oxygen transport. In August 2000, Dr. Eisenmann began his first academic position at the University of Wyoming. Following 2 years (August 2000-May 2002), he re-located to York University (Toronto) for 1 year (July 2002-July 2003) and then onto Iowa State University where he spent 4 years (Aug 2003-July 2007). During this time, the diverse scientist continued his work in the biology of physical activity, physiological function, and health of children and adolescents.

With great enthusiasm, he returned to MSU in August 2007. The major reason for the decision to return was the departmental focus on pediatric exercise science. A major aim on his agenda is to establish MSU Kinesiology as the premier pediatric exercise science graduate program. His primary teaching duties are in the human growth and exercise physiology concentrations of the graduate programme. In the next 5-10 years, he will continue to investigate the complex genetic and environmental aspects of obesity and the metabolic syndrome during childhood and adolescence and subsequent adult health outcomes, including recent involvement with the Helen Devos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI and the Human Development Initiative at MSU. Other studies may include physiological considerations of youth sport in collaboration with the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports. Of course, these research goals cannot be accomplished without eager students. A particular enjoyment of Dr. Eisenmann’s is the mentoring of students (undergrad thru Phd) on the research process – from start (conceptualization of a project) to finish (publication) and everything in-between (e.g., searching the literature, statistical analysis, selecting a journal, etc.). Besides involvement in research, teaching, and mentoring graduate / research students, you may find him involved in service related to youth sports. For example, he has served as the strength and conditioning coordinator for the USA Hockey Central District Bantam Select Camp and currently coaches catchers for the Haslett Youth and High School Baseball Clubs.

Selected publications (for complete list see Publication link):
JC Eisenmann, MA Sarzinski, K Glenn, M Rothschild, K Heelan. ACE I/D genotype, adiposity, and blood pressure in children. Cardiovascular Diabetology in press, 2009.

JC Eisenmann and EE Wickel. The biological basis of physical activity in children: revisited. Pediatric Exercise Science in press, 2009.

JJ Carlson, JC Eisenmann, KA Pfeiffer, KB Jager, ST Sehnert, KE Yee, RA Klavinski DL Feltz. (S)Partners for Heart Health: a school-based program for enhancing physical activity and nutrition to promote cardiovascular health in 5th grade students. BMC Public Health 8:420, 2008.

C Gunderson, S Garasky, B Lohman, S Stewart, JC Eisenmann. Food insecurity, maternal stressors, and overweight among low-income US children: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2002). Pediatrics 122(3):e529-40, 2008.

JC Eisenmann. On the use of a continuous metabolic syndrome score in pediatric epidemiological research. Cardiovascular Diabetology 7:17, 2008.

ADG Baxter-Jones, JC Eisenmann, RL, Mirwald, D Bailey. The influence of physical activity on lean mass accrual during adolescence: a longitudinal analysis. Journal of Applied Physiology. 105(2):734-41, 2008.

KR Laurson, JC Eisenmann, EE Wickel, D Gentile, D Walsh. Combined influence of physical activity and screen time recommendations on childhood overweight J Pediatrics 153(2):209-14, 2008.

JC Eisenmann and K Tolfrey. Genetics and pediatric exercise science: a commentary and review. Pediatric Exercise Science 20:229-239, 2008.

K DuBose, JC Eisenmann, JE Donelly. Aerobic fitness attenuates the metabolic syndrome score in normal weight, at-risk-for-overweight, and overweight children. Pediatrics 120(5):e1262-e1268, 2007.

JC Eisenmann, P Ekkekakis, M Holmes. Sleep duration and overweight in children and adolescents. Acta Pediatrica 95:956-963, 2006.

JC Eisenmann. Insight into the causes of the recent secular trend in pediatric obesity: common sense does not always prevail for complex, multi-factorial phenotypes. Preventive Medicine 42:329-335, 2006.