Background

I grew up in Washington State, primarily in the Federal Way area.  I am a graduate of Decatur High School.  I decided to pursue a degree in Exercise Science based on my fascination with the human body, specifically in the area of adaptation and recovery.  Part of the way through my master’s program I found that I was drawn to teaching.  I was blessed with tremendous faculty during my undergraduate and graduate experiences that had a positive impact on my life.  I was inspired to try to follow in their footsteps with the hope that I could have that kind of impact on my students.

After graduating from the University of Georgia in 2010 with a PhD in Exercise Physiology, I taught at Lander University in South Carolina from 2010-2016 in the area of Exercise Science.  During that time, I held the Program Director and Internship Coordinator titles and earned Tenure & Promotion in 2016.  I taught at the College of Idaho during the 2016-2017 academic year in the area of Health & Human Performance. I then returned to Lander for two more years (2017-2019).  I am currently in my fourth year as an Associate Professor at Northwest University and loving it.  On a personal note, I am married with two children (a daughter and a son).   

Interests

My personal interests include running, camping, and Hallmark Christmas movies.  I have completed six marathons and a couple of trail 50k runs so far.  Within Exercise Science, my current interests include barriers to vs. activators of exercise adherence, as well as the impact of non-endurance training (i.e., resistance training, rucking) on endurance performance.

Recommended Reading

• Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster

• Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes

• Cross Country: A 3,700-Mile Run To Explore Unseen America by Rickey Gates

Publications

Bond, J., Nielsen, L., Barton, G., and Kirby, K. (2020) Student Personal Trainers Boost Faculty Fitness. North Carolina Journal, Spring 2020, 22-30.

Carmichael, M., Nielsen, L., Kirby, K., LeMoine, J., and G. Barton. (2015) Efficacy of Wellness Education on Behavior and Physical Activity. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 86 (Sup2), 87-88.

Nielsen, L. & McCully, K. K. (2012). Influence of Temperature on Vascular Adaptation to Muscle Endurance Exercise. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 44 (5S), 376.

Nielsen, L., M.J. Garver, J.M. Dickinson, D.S. Campbell, and C. Papadopoulos. (2006) Physiological and metabolic responses during two self-selected cycling time trials. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 38 (5S), 491.

Garver, M.J., L. Nielsen, J.M. Dickinson, D.S. Campbell, C. Papadopoulos, and L.J. Brandon. (2006) Effect of Storage Techniques on Blood Lactate Concentration and Determination of Various Lactate Threshold Definitions. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 38 (5S), 514.

Presentations

Nielsen, L. (2018)An Overview of Novel Training Method Characteristics. SCAAHPERD, Myrtle Beach, SC.

Carmichael, M., Nielsen, L., Kirby, K., LeMoine, J., and G. Barton. (2015) Efficacy of Wellness Education on Behavior and Physical Activity. SHAPE America National Convention, Seattle, WA.

Nielsen, L. and K.K. McCully. (2012) Influence of Temperature on Vascular Adaptation to Muscle Endurance Exercise. ACSM, San Francisco, CA.

Nielsen, L. & LeMoine, J. (2012) Let's Run: How to Organize a 5K in Your Community. SCAAHPERD, Myrtle Beach, SC.

Nielsen, L. (2011)Nutritional Considerations for Endurance Sports: Before, During, and After Competition. SCAAHPERD, Myrtle Beach, SC.

Nielsen, L. and K.K. McCully. (2010) Influence of Temperature on Muscle Adaptation with Exercise. SEACSM, Greenville, SC.

Nguyen, T., K. Shipp, L. Nielsen, and K. McCully. (2009) Acute effects of exercise and compression therapy on blood flow and FMD in smokers. GSPS, Athens, GA.

Nielsen, L., M.J. Garver, J.M. Dickinson, D.S. Campbell, and C. Papadopoulos. (2006) Physiological and metabolic responses during two self-selected cycling time trials. National ACSM, Denver, CO.

Garver, M.J., L. Nielsen, J.M. Dickinson, D.S. Campbell, and C. Papadopoulos. (2006) Effect of storage techniques on blood lactate concentration and determination of various lactate threshold definitions. National ACSM,Denver, CO.

Nielsen, L., G. Hovey, and V.M. Nethery. (2006) Cross validation of auditory and visual signals as mediators of perceived exertion during exercise. SEACSM, Charlotte, NC.

Nielsen, L., K. Shipp, T. Mulcahy, T. Nguyen, J. Bruce, D. Backus, K. Tansey, and K McCully. (2010) Resistance training muscle in people after spinal cord injury. ASIA, Nashville, TN.

Shipp, K., T. Nguyen, L. Nielsen, and K. McCully. (2010) Muscle training in individuals with spinal cord injury improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. SEACSM, Greenville, SC.