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.

Explore our degrees

 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

Joshua P. Bailey

Associate Professor

Jayme Baker

Clinical associate professor; interim director of athletic training program

Russell "Rusty" Baker

Interim Co-Director; Associate Director of Medical Research and Clinical Associate Professor of Athletic Training

Ann Frost

Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and 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

Emma Grindley

Instructor; Internship Coordinator, Exercise, Sport and Health Sciences

Erik Luvaas

Clinical Assistant Professor; Program Director, CDHD

Nickolai Martonick

Assistant Professor of Clinical Biomechanics

Melanie Meenan

Clinical Associate Professor, Dance Program Coordinator

Christopher B. Merica

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

David Paul

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.