Dr. Thomas S. Altena



Department

Kinesiology
Role: Faculty
Campus: Springfield

Postal mail

Missouri State University
Kinesiology
901 S. National Ave.
Springfield, MO 65897

Details

Education

  • NIH T32 Postdoctoral Fellow, Exercise Physiology Program, 2001-2003, University of Missouri
  • EdD, Exercise Science, 2001, Oklahoma State University
  • MA, Exercise Science, 1998, University of South Dakota
  • BA, Health Education, 1996, Dordt College

Professional experience

Publications

  • BH Jacboson, Cook DA, Price S, Altena TS, Gemmell HA, Hayes B (2003). Comparison of perceived comfort differences between standard and experimental load carriage systems. Ergonomics, 46: 1035-41, 2003.
  • TS Altena, Michaelson, JL, Ball SD, and Thomas TR. Single sessions of continuous and intermittent exercise and postprandial lipemia. Med Sci Sports Ex, 36(8): 1364-1371, 2004.
  • TR Thomas, BK Smith, OM Donahue, TS Altena, GY Sun, and M James-Kracke. Effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and exercise on low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein subfractions. Metabolism, 53(6): 749-754, 2004.
  • DM Huffman, TS Altena, TR Thomas, and TP Mawhinney. Effect of n-3 fatty acid supplementation on free tryptophan and fatigue during exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol, 92: 584-591, 2004.
  • SD Ball, TS Altena and PD Swan. Comparison of anthropometry to DXA: A new prediction equation for men. Eur J Clin Nurt, pp 1-7, May 2004 (no volume stated as of 09-09-2004).
  • SD Ball, & TS Altena. Comparison of the Bod Pod and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in men. Physiol Meas, 25(6): 671-678, 2004.

Research and professional interests

A lifestyle that includes daily exercise is a well-publicized preventative method for lowering incidences chronic diseases related to inactivity. A sedentary lifestyle is known to contribute to obesity and unhealthy blood profiles, which are known to promote chronic diseases. Specifically, increased triglycerides directly increase bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL-C), and decrease good cholesterol (high density lipoprotein cholesterol; HDL-C).

Dr. Altena’s most recent research focus has been the study of multiple short exercise bouts that are accumulated throughout the day. Recently, He reported that the intermittent exercise model reduced triglycerides after consuming a meal containing fat. Other research agrees that single continuous sessions and accumulated exercise are similar for lowering triglycerides. Also, he has discovered intermittent exercise training as an effective method for lowering total plasma cholesterol in normolipidemic males and females. These cholesterol changes due to accumulated exercise are another important step taken by science and research for further understanding the role of exercise in the prevention of chronic diseases related to inactivity.