SXU Exercise Science Professor Delivers Keynote Lecture at Pediatric Work Physiology Conference
Saint Xavier University (SXU) exercise science professor Joe Eisenmann, Ph.D., delivered the Neil Armstrong Lecture at the 34th Pediatric Work Physiology Conference in Finland on September 9, 2025.
Eisenmann's presentation, "Optimizing LTAD: What Practitioners Know and Do," summarized the research from three recent surveys published by Eisenmann and colleagues that evaluated the knowledge, adherence, practices, and challenges of practitioners who are responsible for developing motor skill competency and implementing long-term athlete development (LTAD) programs in youth.
"I have been involved with this group since my graduate study days, starting in the late 90s. This is a biennial international conference, and the North American companion --North American Pediatric Exercise Medicine (NASPEM)-- meets in the other year. The group focuses on pediatric exercise science, which is my area of specialization. For this conference, I was the invited keynote lecturer," Eisenmann said.
For Eisenmann, who has been recognized as one of the top 100 sports scientists in the world by Elsevier, an academic publishing company specializing in scientific, technical and medical content, staying active in the field of exercise science is of utmost importance to him.
"Staying active academically, particularly in research, is crucial for continuing to learn and grow as a professional. In addition, I believe that continuing to make contributions to push the field forward and sometimes thinking differently is vital for advancing knowledge and improving practice," Eisenmann said.
Eisenmann started at Saint Xavier in spring 2024, teaching Research Methods, Measurement and Evaluation in Health and Human Performance and Exercise Physiology, and he also mentors graduate students through their scholarly research projects. By being a part of groups like NASPEM, he is proudly able to share his findings with his students.
"I plan to share evidence-based strategies for designing age-appropriate exercise programs, along with the latest research on youth athletic development. This will allow our students to understand better the unique considerations of working with youth populations and how to apply this knowledge in practical settings," Eisenmann said.