Faculty Spotlight: Jessica Alsup

Check out our Faculty Spotlight located on the Faculty Publications Bookshelf near the Library's first floor entrance!

Jessica Alsup was born and grew up in NH. She completed her undergraduate degree in Physical Education with a specialization in Exercise Science from Plymouth State University in Plymouth NH in 2009. Jess went on to earn both her MS and PhD from Springfield College in Springfield MA in 2012 and 2013 respectfully.

While all of her educational background focuses around exercise science, what she aimed to do within the field evolved over time. Like many students in the Exercise and Sport Science program here at Fitchburg State, what piqued her interest in the field was her love for sport and interest in fitness and performance. As she moved through her education, her understanding of the field expanded, and she considered clinical options within the field as well. Once at Springfield College, due to the opportunity to teach undergraduate labs, she realized her true passion for teaching.

Immediately after finishing her graduate work, Jess taught for 3 years at Fairmont State University in Fairmont WV before making her way back to New England and to Fitchburg State University. Jess is currently in her 8th year at Fitchburg State and is an Associate Professor of Exercise and Sport Science department.

She teaches a wide variety of courses within the major including Intro to Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology II, Nutrition in Exercise and Sport, Health Promotion, Exercise Response & Adaptation in Special Populations, as well as courses in the general education curriculum including Health and Fitness and FYE: Mental Toughness in Sport and Life.

Recently Jess had the opportunity to take on a new challenge, and wrote an OER textbook to be used in Health and Fitness courses. Through the book, Jess aims to instill in students the message that we all have our history and our own experiences, but one thing we all have in common is that we can start now from wherever we are and make small changes to improve our health, wellness, and fitness.

Over the years, while her interest in the field, and her passion for teaching has grown, her research interests have changed from a focus in sports performance to a focus in tactical and occupational performance. In addition to her work in the Exercise and Sport Science department she also is a PT instructor for the Fitchburg State University Police program as well as other Municipal Police Academies.

Jess currently lives in NH with her husband and two kids (6 and 9). She is busy instilling a love for athletics and physical activity, as well as supporting them in whatever else piques their interest.

Publications

Books

 Alsup, Jessica (2024). The Basics of Health, Wellness, and Fitness. Press Books. https://rotel.pressbooks.pub/health-and-fitness

Manuscripts 

Parisi, L., Alsup, J., Benoit, B., Patton, D., & DiMattia, B (2021). A Comparison of Wearable Lactate Threshold Technology to Accepted Methods of Lactate Threshold Determination. Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness.

 Refereed Abstracts

Jessica Alsup, Lindsay Parisi, Monica Maldari, Jason Brennan, Jason Shea. (2024). The Effect of a 10-week Rotator Cuff Strengthening Program on Shooting Accuracy. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 56(10S), 870. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0001060264.97114.4e

 Parisi, L., Alsup, J., Benoit, B., Patton, D., & DiMattia, B (2021). A Comparison of Wearable Lactate Threshold Technology to Accepted Methods of Lactate Threshold Determination. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 53 (8S), 6. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000759088.15005.b8 

Hartley, K., Ryan, J. M., Alsup, J., Shinich, A., Reneau, P. (2017).  Beetroot Supplementation Effects on Exercise Performance During Cycling and Oxidative Damage. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 49(5S), 939. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000519557.66861.4e

Ryan, J. M., Robinson, M., Alsup, J., Shinich, A., Reneau, P (2017). The Effect of Caffeine and Pre workout Supplementation on Exercise Repetition during Sets and Muscular Endurance. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 49(5S), 295. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000517669.07852.b5

McKee, D., Alsup, J., Reneau, P., Ryan, M. (2016). Preschoolers Increased their Heart Rate when Music is Played Halfway through a 30 Minute Play-Period. Medicine and Science in Sport Exercise. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000487307.20703.66

Ryan, M., Lego, J., Alsup, J., Reneau, P. (2016). The Effects of Music and Sensory Deprivation on Exercise Cycling Performance. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 48(5S), 132. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000485393.58209.b7

Falkenklous, J., Alsup, J., Ryan, M., & Reneau, P. (2015). Effect of Caffeine and Rest Time on Repeated Sprint Running Performance. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 47(5), S376. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000477450.99404.ff

Mertens, E., D’Eon, S., Stroiney, D., Alsup, J. Matthews, T., & Paolone, V. (2015). Skinfold Thickness as a Predictor of 5k Performance for Trained, Female Runners. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 47 (5), S116. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000476726.19363.5b

Laamann, L., Brown, J., Pollard, N., D’Eon, S., Carney, L., Matthews, T., & Paolone, V. (2014). Barefoot versus shod Versus minimalist shoe effect on performance during a maximal treadmill running test. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 46 (5), S732. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000496346.32072.5d

Mertens, E., D’Eon, S., Stroiney, D., Brown, J., & Paolone, V. (2014). Physiological parameters for the prediction of 5k performance for female endurance runners. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 46(5), S730. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000496336.27127.1d

Brown, J., Laamann, L., Ward, M., Mertens, E., Matthews, T. & Paolone, V. (2014). The effect of posture on physiological parameters in NCAA division III college field hockey Players. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 46 (5), S539. https://doi.org/10.1249/01.mss.0000495572.91605.44

Van Langen, D., Brown, J., Carmichael, R., Pollard, N., Schultz, S., Sheehan, D., Matthews, T. & Paolone, V. (2012). Menstrual cycle effect on metabolic acidosis during high intensity intermittent exercise. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise,44(5), S706

Brown, J. C., Laamann, L. R., Pollard, N. E., Shultz, S. L., Grannis, D. J., Matthews, T. D. & Paolone, V. J. (2012). The effect of wearing a cooling vest between two heated exercise bouts on core temperature. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 44(5), S322.

Pollard, N. E., Brown, J. C., Laamann, L. R, Carmichael, R. D., Matthews, T. D. & Paolone, V. J. (2012). Effects of a carbohydrate containing beverage on thermoregulatory parameters during endurance exercise in a thermoneutral environment. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 44(5), S422.