Faculty Profile

What I Do and Why It’s Important

Steven J. Petruzzello (Ph.D.) is a Professor in Kinesiology. He oversees the Exercise Psychophysiology Laboratory, where research focuses on the kinds of things (e.g., personality, brain activity) that make people more or less physically active and how physical activity and exercise influences how people feel (pleasantness, enjoyment) and think. This includes working with first responders and tactical athletes (firefighters, police officers, military) to study the effects of physical activity in extreme environments. This work is important because of mental health issues associated with lack of adequate physical activity and the need to understand how to get people to engage in more physically activity lifestyles. He has co-authored or co-edited 3 books along with numerous book chapters and refereed journal articles. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Kinesiology (#578) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), member of the American Psychological Society,and Society for Psychophysiological Research.