Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine
The Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine (ISSM) is a state-of-the-art research facility with a primary focus on advancing knowledge in the realms of health, body composition, and human performance. The ISSM is the result of a collaborative partnership between the FSU Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, FSU Athletics, College of Medicine, Nike, and our esteemed founding partner, Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic. Established in 2010, the ISSM has conducted a wide array of studies, spanning from elite athletes to clinical populations. Currently, our research endeavors are structured around five distinct domains: 1) Performance Nutrition, 2) Sports Science/Athletics Research, 3) Clinical Research, 4) Sport Psychology, and 5) Orthopedic Sports Medicine.
Furthermore, the ISSM extends its services to the Tallahassee community, offering outreach testing programs that grant access to our state-of-the-art equipment and provide opportunities to consult with nutritionists and exercise physiologists. In addition, the ISSM is deeply committed to nurturing the development of FSU students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scholars through laboratory experiences and internship opportunities. Our overarching vision is to establish ourselves as the foremost authority in human performance, nutrition, sport sciences, and sports medicine.
Performance Testing and Body Composition
Are you looking to improve athletic performance or just want see where your health stands?
The Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine at Florida State University now provides a comprehensive list of services to help individuals reach their optimal health. We use the highest quality research-grade testing equipment including the Alter G Anti-Gravity treadmill – ideal for those with physical disabilities or injuries to help maintain cardiovascular endurance without bearing full body weight on their joints. Additional services include state-of-the-art body composition measurements, aerobic fitness, lactate threshold, fuel utilization assessments and more.
ISSM Lab
We have specific resources to meet the needs of our clients and research.
Our biochemistry laboratory is primarily used for measurement of blood for metabolic and hormonal changes resulting from exercise and/or nutritional interventions. Primary methods of assessment include ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and microdialysis.
A medical examination room is used for some of our more in-depth methods of assessment. These include blood draws and insertion of microdialysis probes.
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BIODEX BALANCE SYSTEMThe Biodex Balance System has many applications. It can be used to assess fall risk in the elderly or as rehabilitative tool for patients suffering from neuromuscular diseases such as Parkinson’s. At ISSM, one of our primary uses of this tool is for assessing concussion symptoms and recovery.
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DEXAThe DEXA is at the forefront of much of our research as one of our primary focuses is body composition. It’s an extremely accurate method of assessing body composition. Using X-Ray technology, DEXA gives detailed data on total and regional body composition, as well as bone density. It is unmatched as an assessment tool for body composition as it can examine different regions (or individual body parts) for fat mass, lean mass, and bone density. DEXA can also delineate and measure different kinds of abdominal fat, such as subcutaneous and visceral.
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BODPODThe Bod-Pod measures body composition using the two-compartment model. It separates the body into either fat mass or fat-free mass. The Bod-Pod has become a body composition assessment tool of choice for many laboratories due to its accuracy and ease of use.
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ALTERG Antigravity TreadmillThis treadmill was originally designed as a rehabilitative tool. Its unweighting technology reduces impact force by effectively lessening the runner’s weight, (down to 20% of their actual weight). The AlterG also has applications as a training tool. Runners can run longer and harder on the AlterG with reduced risk of injury. At ISSM, we are currently investigating the potential ways in which the AlterG may enhance running performance.
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Veletron Cycle ErgonometersThese state-of-the-art bicycles are extremely accurate and reliable tools for the measurement of human performance. The Veletrons feature fully adjustable frames and are capable of generating loads varying from 5 – 2000 watts. Equipped with Racermate’s unique software, riding courses from around the world can be downloaded or designed from scratch by the rider.
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ParvoMedics Metabolic CartThe metabolic cart is one of the most useful tools in any human performance laboratory. It can be used to measure a variety of parameters including: resting metabolic rate, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), and substrate utilization patterns. At ISSM, we use the metabolic cart to analyze the effects of a variety of nutritional interventions on resting and exercise metabolism.
Personnel
Elisa Angeles
Associate Director of Athletic Research, ISSM; Director of Olympic Strength and Conditioning, FSU Athletics
Athletic Performance
Kieran Paterson
Outreach Director & Performance Science Research Associate
kpaterson@fsu.edu
850.645.1016
Susanna Zorn, M.D.
Medical Oversight, ISSM
Primary Care Sports Medicine, Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic
Research Staff
Lauren Ormsbee, M.S. ACSM-CCEP
Mostafa Ali
Postdoctoral Scholar
Josh Murry, M.S.FSU Affiliates
Other FSU Affiliates
Meredith McQuerry, Ph.D.
Scott M. Pickett, Ph.D., CBSM
Michael Sweeney, M.D., FACS
Scott Trulock
External Affiliates
Chris Bach
Director of Performance Science
Jacksonville Jaguars
Cheri Mah, M.D., MS
Sleep Physician, Sleep and Performance Advisor
Independent sports professional
Andrew McKune, Ph.D, CSCS
Associate Professor, Strength and Conditioning Sciences
University of Canberra (AU)
Phillip Worts, Ph.D., LAT, ATC, CSCS
Clinical Research Director
Tallahassee Orthopedic Clinic
Doctoral Students
Doctoral Students
Brett Cross
Doctoral Student
Brett is a doctoral student in the Exercise Physiology program working under the mentorship of Dr. Michael Ormsbee. Brett earned a B.S. degree in Rehabilitation Sciences and a M.S. degree in Sports Medicine from Georgia Southern University – Armstrong, where he conducted clinical and applied research investigating the effects of physical activity, sleep, and supplementation on measures of cardiovascular and autonomic health. After completion of his Ph.D., Brett plans to pursue post-doctoral training and a research career in academia to study the role of exercise and recovery-based indices on health and performance. His research interests include cardioautonomic indices of exercise recovery; cardiopulmonary adaptations to exercise; and performance optimization in athletic populations
Tim Griest
Doctoral Student
Tim is a doctoral student in Exercise Physiology working under the mentorship of Dr. Michael Ormsbee. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology at McDaniel College and his Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology at James Madison University. His research interests include skeletal muscle physiology, sports nutrition and supplementation, and the acute effects and chronic adaptations to resistance training. In his free time, Tim loves to eat and work out, and he is a huge sports fan. During his time at ISSM, Tim has enjoyed the opportunity to work with a variety of populations and collaborate with various labs around campus. After completion of his PhD, Tim plans on pursuing a career in academia.
Interns
Hannah Eberhardt
Master’s Student & Student Outreach Coordinator
Melissa Gorejena
Exercise Physiology Student Intern
Ph.D. Graduates
Ph.D. Graduates
Liliana Renteria-Laskin (2024)
- Postdoctoral Researcher, Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory
- Ph.D. Dissertation: Betaine Improves Chronic Physiological Stress and Acute Thermoregulatory Outcomes During a Live Burn Scenario in Firefighters.
Shiloah (Fuller) Kviatkvosky (2022)
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
- Ph.D. Dissertation: The Impact of Collagen Peptide Supplementation on Pain, Function, and Markers of Bone and Connective Tissue Turnover in Active Adults.
Chester Sokolowski (2022)
- Owner, Science of Sculpture
- Ph.D. Dissertation: The Relationship Among Binge Drinking, Musculoskeletal Health, Physical Performance, and Cognitive Wellness in Young Adult Females.
Tristan Ragland (2021)
- Assistant Professor, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation at Pittsburg State University
- Ph.D. Dissertation: Lipolytic, Hormonal, and Muscle Quality Differences of Female Endurance Athletes with Higher vs. Lower Body Fat.
Brandon Willingham (2021)
- Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, Conway Medical Center College of Health and Human Performance at Coastal Carolina University
- Ph.D. Dissertation: The effects of pre-loaded betaine supplementation on fluid balance and thermoregulation in the heat.
Patrick Saracino (2020)
- Assistant Professor, College of Education, Human Performance, and Health at the University of South Carolina Upstate
- Ph.D. Dissertation: The effect of pre-sleep milk- or plant-based protein combination consumption on muscle recovery and metabolism following damaging eccentric exercise in middle-aged men.
Brittany Allman-Tucker (2018)
- Assistant Professor of Exercise Science, University of Central Arkansas
- Ph.D. Dissertation: Resistance training and the regulation of fat metabolism in obese women.
Lt. Col. Daniel A. “Dan” Baur (2017)
- Assistant Professor of Human Performance and Wellness, Virginia Military Institute
- Ph.D. Dissertation: The effects of modified carbohydrates on adipose tissue lipolysis, metabolism, and insulin in athletes and non-athletes.
Vince Kreipke (2016)
- Owner, Kreipke Research and Consulting
- Ph.D. Dissertation: Effects of STS supplementation and concurrent training on body composition, performance, and health in collegiate-aged men.
Ann Brown (2016)
- Associate Professor of Exercise Science & Health, Department of Movement Sciences, University of Idaho
- Ph.D. Dissertation: The effect of dietary protein consumption on body composition and performance capabilities in female collegiate ballet dancers.
Chris Bach (2016)
- Director of Performance Science, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Ph.D. Dissertation: Effects of cold ambient temperature on substrate metabolism and performance.
Amber Kinsey (2015)
- Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Ph.D. Dissertation: The effect of nighttime protein intake on fat metabolism in overweight and obese men.
Get in Touch
Address: 1104 Spirit Way, Suite 140, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1493
Phone: 850.645.1016
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