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Christopher Schwartz, PhD

Assistant Professor


Dr. Schwartz teaches several core Exercise Science courses as well as introductory courses.

His specialty is in physiological function in the human body and the influence of exercise on health and performance.


Education and Training


  • PhD, Michigan Technological University, Biological Sciences
  • BS, Michigan Technological University, Exercise Science
  • BS, Michigan Technological University, Biological Sciences

I decided to study physiology and exercise science because I wanted to make a significant impact on other people's lives both from a health perspective as well as a physical performance perspective. I am passionate about improving the health and well being of all and inspiring my students to have the same passion to take to their communities.

Dr. Chris Scwartz


Research Interests


Dr. Schwartz's research background is in the area of cardiovascular physiology, mainly the impact of hypertension and hypotension on the human body. He has published multiple papers focused around the autonomic nervous system's control of blood pressure during mental stress and orthostatic stress.

His current professional interest is focused on implementing the Exercise is Medicine® - On Campus initiative here at St. Ambrose. Exercise is Medicine® is intended to increase collaboration between healthcare providers and health care allies (such as personal trainers, fitness providers, educators, etc.) in order to improve awareness and participation in physical activity in and around the campus community.

Exercise is Medicine® is the flagship initiative of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).


Publications


Fonkoue, I. T., Schwartz, C. E., Wang, M., & Carter, J. R. (2018). Sympathetic neural reactivity to mental stress differs in black and non-Hispanic white adults. Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md.: 1985), 124(1), 201-207.

Carter, J. R., Schwartz, C. E., Yang, H., & Joyner, M. J. (2013). Fish oil and neurovascular reactivity to mental stress in humans. American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 304(7), R523-R530.

Schwartz, C. E., Lambert, E., Medow, M. S., & Stewart, J. M. (2013). Disruption of phase synchronization between blood pressure and muscle sympathetic nerve activity in postural vasovagal syncope. American Journal of Physiology. Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 305(8), H1238-H1245.

Schwartz, C. E., Medow, M. S., Messer, Z., & Stewart, J. M. (2013). Spontaneous fluctuation indices of the cardiovagal baroreflex accurately measure the baroreflex sensitivity at the operating point during upright tilt. American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 304(12), R1107-R1113.

Schwartz, C. E., & Stewart, J. M. (2012). The arterial baroreflex resets with orthostasis. Frontiers in Physiology, 3, 461.

Carter, J. R., Schwartz, C. E., Yang, H., & Joyner, M. J. (2012). Fish oil and neurovascular control in humans. American Journal of Physiology. Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 303(4), H450-H456.

Schwartz, C. E., Durocher, J. J., & Carter, J. R. (2011). Neurovascular responses to mental stress in prehypertensive humans. Journal of Applied Physiology (Bethesda, Md.: 1985), 110(1), 76-82.


Courses Taught

Exercise Physiology
Exercise Testing/Prescription
Human Physiology
Nutrition
Sport Psychology
Personal Training
Foundations of Kinesiology

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