Movement Sciences
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.
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, Ph.D.
Associate professor and ISMMAL coordinator of exercise, sport, and health sciences
208-885-1054
joshuabailey@uidaho.edu
Jayme Baker, DPT, LAT, ATC, PT
Clinical associate professor and interim director of athletic training
208-885-1055
jaymeb@uidaho.edu
Russell Baker, Ph.D., D.A.T., LAT, ATC
Associate director of medical research and clinical associate professor of athletic training
208-885-2065
russellb@uidaho.edu
Ann Brown, Ph.D.
Associate dean of graduate studies, associate professor and director of the human performance laboratory
208-885-7986
afbrown@uidaho.edu
Cate A. Egan Loiacono, Ph.D.
208-885-1053
Associate professor of physical education, program coordinator and director of the physical activity pedagogy laboratory
eganca@uidaho.edu
Brian Fowler, Ph.D.
Clinical assistant professor of recreation, sport, and tourism management
208-885-2165
bfowler@uidaho.edu
Emma Grindley, Ed.D.
Instructor and internship coordinator
208-885-2181
egrindle@uidaho.edu
Erik Luvaas, Ph.D.
Clinical assistant professor and program director of CDHD
eluvaas@uidaho.edu
Nickolai Martonick, Ph.D., LAT, ATC
Assistant professor of clinical biomechanics
nmartonick@uidaho.edu
Melanie Meenan, M.F.A., BASI
Clinical associate professor, program coordinator and dance studio director
208-885-2184
mmeenan@uidaho.edu
Christopher B. Merica, Ph.D.
Assistant professor of physical education teacher education and health education teacher education
cmerica@uidaho.edu
David Paul, Ph.D.
Professor of exercise, sport, and health sciences
208-885-5537
dpaul@uidaho.edu
Philip W. Scruggs, Ph.D.
Movement Sciences chair and associate professor
208-885-7921
pwscruggs@uidaho.edu
Sharon Stoll, Ph.D.
Professor, director of the center for ETHICS and recreation, sport, and tourism management
208-885-2103
sstoll@uidaho.edu
Chantal A. Vella, Ph.D.
Professor, interim program coordinator and director of the exercise physiology research laboratory
208-885-2189
cvella@uidaho.edu
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:
- Apply to a MVSC graduate program
- Download and complete a MVSC assistantship application:
Submit materials (completed forms, letters and a current resume) 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.