Director of Research/Consultant Dr. Robert Wood serves as the director of research and a consultant for the American Musculoskeletal Research Institute (AMRI). Dr. Wood is a pioneer in the area of physical functional performance research and his achievements have been recognized both nationally and internationally. He received his doctorate and master's degrees from Louisiana State University (LSU), Baton Rouge, LA, and a Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York at Cortland. Dr. Wood is an Associate Professor of Physical Therapy at Husson College and a former director of the Healthy Aging Laboratory at the Louisiana State University Department of Kinesiology. Dr. Wood's research focuses primarily on physical functional performance and functional life span in older adults and the AMRI is extremely proud to have Dr. Wood as part their research team. Curriculum Vitae Office & Contact Information Associate Professor LSU Department of Kinesiology	Education Associate Professor, Louisiana State University, Kinesiology Department, Baton Rouge, LA 1996: Phd Kinesiology; Lousiana State University Louisiana State Board of Regents Fellowship Dissertation: The Association Between Chronic Aerobic Activity and Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease. Published in the Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Finalist: LSU Distinguished Dissertation Award 1987: MS Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; Louisiana Sate University 1984: BS Biology and Physical Education, S.U.N.Y. at Cortland Cum Laude Phi Eta Sigma Beta Beta Beta (Chapter President, 1983-84) Teaching: Dr. Wood is a member of the clinical exercise physiology faculty. He teaches in the graduate and undergraduate curricula in Exercise Physiology. At the undergraduate level he teaches Basic Exercise Physiology (KIN 3515) and is the course coordinator for the undergraduate exercise testing class (KIN 3535). His undergraduate teaching focuses on developing students' awareness of evidence in support of the relationships of physical activity and physical fitness with health, and evaluating the students abilities to assimilate the current body of knowledge with respect to the development of clinical skills and problem solving capabilities. At the graduate level, Dr. Wood teaches courses in the Physical Dimensions of Aging (KIN 7503), and in Clinical Exercise Testing (KIN 7533). His graduate teaching emphasis is related to student development of knowledge, skills, and competencies required for ACSM Exercise Specialist Certification and clinical exercise physiology. In 2000, the Tiger Athletic Foundation recognized Dr. Wood for teaching excellence. Research and Creative Activity: Dr. Wood's research emphases are along the lines of autonomic control of cardiovascular function and functional ability in the elderly. Dr. Wood is currently a member of the newly founded Louisiana State University Center on Aging (http://www.lsuagingstudies.com/), and is also involved in the execution of state and federal grants, including a large multi-center effort designed to investigate Genetic and Metabolic Determinants of Longevity and Successful Aging. Dr. Wood is co-chair of the ACSM Aging Interest Group (2001-2003) and the Successful Aging Exercise program (SAgE) at LSU is recognized as a Successful Active Aging Program by the ACSM. Dr. Wood's recent research productivity includes: RH Wood, JM Hondzinski, CM Lee (2003). Evidence of associations among age-related changes in physical, psychomotor and autonomic function. Age & Ageing, 32 (In Press) CM Lee, RH Wood, MA Welsch. (2003) Influence of Short-Term Endurance Exercise Training on Heart Rate Variability, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 35, (In Press) RH Wood, R Reyes, B Maraj, M Lee. (2002) Heart rate variability during a cognitive challenge in young and old adults. Age & Ageing, 31, 131-135. MA Welsch, M Alomari, TR Parish, RH Wood, D Kalb. (2002). Influence of Venous Function on Exercise Tolerance in Chronic Heart Failure, Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, 22: 321-326. RH Wood, R Reyes, MA Welsch, J Favaloro-Sabatier, M Sabatier, CM Lee, LG Johnson, PF Hooper. (2001). Concurrent cardiovascular and resistance training in healthy older adults. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 33(10), 1751-1758 RH Wood, S Leleux, MA Welsch, AG Nelson, H Kluess, AM Lee. (2001) Heart rate variability following 5 weeks of detraining in competitive swimmers. Medicina Sportiva,5(2), E49-E58. MA Alomari, MA Welsch, R Prisby, CM Lee & RH Wood. (2001) Modification of forearm vascular function following short-term handgrip exercise training. International Journal of Sports Medicine 22: 361-365. JD Allen, MA Welsch, N Aucoin, R Wood, M. Lee, KE Leblanc. (2001) Forearm vasoreactivity in Type I diabetic subjects. Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology 26 (1): 34-43. Education Employment History Relevant Professional Services Memberships Publications Dissertions Presentation Honors/Awards