Movement Sciences

Rafe Richardson's assistants and participants conduct research in the movement sciences lab.

Move with purpose. Lead with impact.

Study the science of movement to improve lives through sport, exercise, performing arts or injury prevention. In the movement sciences program, you’ll build the skills to promote healthy, active lifestyles and support physical and mental well-being in individuals and communities.

Through practical learning, innovative research and meaningful collaboration, you’ll blend scientific knowledge with creativity, patient care and outreach. Whether you’re pursuing a career in health, performance or education, you’ll graduate prepared to lead with impact.

Be bold. Explore. Discover. Engage. Move the world.

Explore degrees in athletic training, dance, exercise science, kinesiology, physical education and recreation management.

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 Turn your passion for movement and wellness into a meaningful career.

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Meet our people

Learn from experts who bring practitioner-based perspectives and cutting-edge research into the classroom, so you can build the skills you’ll need for a career in health, fitness or education.

Movement Sciences faculty

  • Imran Ahmed

    Assistant Professor

  • Melody Alanis

    Assistant Professor

  • Joshua P. Bailey

    Associate Professor

  • Cate A. Egan Loiacono

    Associate Professor, Physical Education Program Coordinator, Safe Routes to School Program Director

  • Brian Fowler

    Clinical Assistant Professor and RSTM Program Coordinator

  • Ann Frost

    Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Associate Professor

  • Erik Luvaas

    Clinical Assistant Professor; ESHS Internship Coordinator; Program Director, CDHD

  • Melanie Meenan

    Clinical Associate Professor, Dance Program Coordinator

  • Christopher B. Merica

    Assistant Professor of Physical Education, Teacher Education and Health Education Teacher

  • David Paul

    Program Coordinator and Professor of Exercise Physiology

  • Philip W. Scruggs

    Department Chair and Associate Professor of Movement Sciences

  • Rhea Speights

    Clinical Assistant Professor

  • Sharon Stoll

    Professor, Movement Sciences; Director, The Center for ETHICS

  • Chantal A. Vella

    Professor; Director, Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory
Portraits and candids of Farming and Dance students.

Movement sciences teaching assistantship funding opportunities

As a graduate student, you'll have funding opportunities with movement sciences teaching assistantships.

Assistantships

For further information, download the appropriate information below:

To apply for an assistantship:

Submit materials (application forms, resume/CV, relevant certifications and a letter of application) to pwscruggs@uidaho.edu.

Explore fitness courses, Pilates instructor training and more

Idaho fitness (IFIT)

The Department of Movement Sciences offers Idaho Fitness courses: IFIT 1060, 1070, 1080, and DAN 1050. These courses are open to all U of I students and employees. The IFIT Program enhances the holistic well-being of the university community and guides everyone to discover and enjoy a sustainable, healthy and active lifestyle.

Check out the class schedule (course prefix IFIT 1060, 1070, 1080 and DAN 1050) for a full listing of IFIT classes. Most IFIT courses are offered in eight-week sessions.

IFIT program offerings include scuba, swimming, fly fishing, archery, wall climbing, ice skating, recreational trail building, mental health, healthy eating, active travel, stress management, mindfulness, yoga, Pilates, total body conditioning, personal fitness, golf, volleyball, soccer, basketball, pickleball and many other options.

For more information or to offer recommendations, contact Liddy Kang at liddy@uidaho.edu.

Pilates sessions and teacher training program

The Integrated Pilates Movement Lab (IPML) offers educational experiences and personal training sessions. Certified instructors and instructors-in-training lead sessions utilizing the full line of BASI Systems' state-of –the-art Pilates equipment. Pilates is a training modality which focuses on functional strength training, balancing mobility and stability, body awareness, posture, breath, flow and precision. Exercises are performed on mats and spring-loaded resistance equipment originally developed by Joseph Pilates.

For more information, contact Melanie Meenan at pilates@uidaho.edu.

U of I athletic trainer helping a student lift weights correctly in a weight room.

Accreditation statement

The Recreation, Sport and Tourism Program annually posts 7.0 series aggregated data and additional evidence reflecting program academic quality and student achievement on their program and/or departmental website. Such information shall be consistent with The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requirements.

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