John Mercer

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Professor, Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences

Co-director, 51�ԹϺ�� Sports Innovation

Expertise: Biomechanics (physics of sports), Kinesiology (study of human movement), Running

Biography

John Mercer is a professor of kinesiology, which is the study of how the human body moves. A triathlete of more than 25 years, he is an expert in biomechanics (the physics of sports) and running.

A prolific researcher, Mercer recently directed kinesiology-focused studies on rehabilitation techniques like running in the water and running with body weight support, how shoe design is important to consider for children runners, and if rocker-bottom styled shoes increase muscle development in the lower legs.

His work has been published in dozens of industry publications including the Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, the Journal of Applied Biomechanics, the European Journal of Applied Physiology, and Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.

Mercer is a co-director of 51�ԹϺ�� Sports Innovation, a university-wide sports research hub. He is also chair of 51�ԹϺ��’s Biomedical Institutional Review Board, which approves, monitors, and reviews biomedical and social/behavioral research involving human subjects in order to protect their rights and welfare.

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John Mercer In The News

Women's Health

Is arch pain putting a serious damper on your running game? If so, it’s time to hit the sneaker shop (IRL or virtually!) to find the best running shoes for plantar fasciitis. To make sure we covered all the bases for those suffering from the sometimes chronic foot condition, we talked to four experts, including two podiatrists, and put some of their picks to the test ourselves.

Self

Working a desk job is a reliable way to get your bag, but not so much your steps. That is, unless you’re privy to the best under desk treadmills, which allow you to take hot girl walks while clearing your inbox or participating in Zoom calls.

If it feels like you’ve been noticing more body-weight workout content on your social feeds—the kinds of exercises your grandfather might have done in gym class—you’re not imagining things. Fitness, like fashion, is cyclical. As sure as skinny jeans will be cool again, you can bet that training styles like calisthenics will always come back around. But this isn’t about nostalgia. Whether we’re talking about bringing back your grandfather’s workout or his gym shorts, it has to hold up in the present day. And in the case of calisthenics, it totally makes sense why this is happening right now.