Doctoral Candidate: Exercise Physiology
Auburn University
David Elmer
M.Ed, CSCS
Currently, I am a graduate research assistant in the Infrared Thermography Lab at Auburn University under the mentorship of Dr. David Pascoe. While Dr. Pascoe’s background and specialty is infrared thermography, we have conducted research examining a variety of topics. I have often used infrared imaging to collect and analyze data, but I have also worked on multiple projects examining the acute responses and health and performance adaptations to high-intensity interval training, inflammatory responses to exercise, as well as studies investigating environmental physiology. This range of projects has given me the opportunity to not only develop a broad spectrum of skills, but also to cultivate a research interest that pulls together different topics into a cohesive body of research. Even with ongoing research in each of these areas, I still find myself discovering other research interests and adding techniques to my repertoire.
Research
Dissertation research
Fall 2012 - Spring 2013
Exercise results in improved HDL concentration and function, potentially through reduced chronic inflammation. However, the volume and intensity that elicits the greatest improvement in HDL concentration and function is unknown. While increasing the volume of exercise significantly improves HDL concentrations, no research that has examined different intensities has adequately controlled for exercise volume. Increasing exercise intensity has been shown to result in increased acute inflammation, which could lower chronic inflammation. Due to this gap in the literature, I am undertaking an 8-week study that will use high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to manipulate time spent at high intensity while keeping the duration and volume of exercise the same as a separate, traditional endurance training (ET) group. Variables will include both laboratory and clinical measures of changes in blood lipid profile, HDL function, resting inflammation, and blood pressure.
2013 - Principal Investigator: Effect of High-intensity Interval Training versus Traditional Endurance Training on the Blood Lipid Profile in Humans; Data collection ongoing
Environmental research
Environmental studies conducted in the Thermal Lab at Auburn University serve as a vehicle of sorts for studying gastrointestinal function and inflammation, the physiological challenges of wearing protective barrier suits, evaluating the efficacy of cooling techniques for those routinely exposed to extreme environments, and refining the methodology of accepted measurement techniques of thermal stress. The study of gastrointestinal function is an emerging focus, along with probiotic supplementation and its role in potential improvements in gastrointestinal function and attenuation of inflammation originating in the intestinal tract.
2013 – Elmer, D.J., Laird, R.H., Barberio, M.D., Lee, K.A., Pascoe, D.D. Heat Stress of Performing Light Activity in an Extreme Hot/Humid Environment Wearing Military Protective Gear. Southeast American College of Sports Medicine Regional Conference. Greenville, SC, poster.
2013 (upcoming) - Barberio, M.D., Elmer, D.J., Laird, R.H., Lee, K.A., Pascoe, D.D. Time Course of the Systemic Inflammatory Response to Consecutive Days of Exercise in the Heat. National American College of Sports Medicine, June 2013. Indianapolis, IN.
2013 (upcoming) - Laird, R.H., Elmer, D.J., Barberio, M.D., Lee, K.A., Pascoe, D.D. Accuracy Of Skin Probes Vs. Infrared Imaging For Temperature Measurements In Three Different Environments. National American College of Sports Medicine, June 2013. Indianapolis, IN.
2012 – Pascoe, D.D., Barberio, M.D., Elmer, D.J., Laird, R.H. Potential Errors in Mean Skin Temperature Calculation Due To Thermistor Placement As Determined By Infrared Thermography.
2011 – Principal Investigator: ExposureWear Contract – Impact of mechanical cooling vests (four) on mitigating heat stress when active in hot, humid environments. ($82,301)
Human performance research
Interest in maximizing human performance is what initially drew me to the field of exercise physiology. It has also been a topic of interest within the Thermal Lab at Auburn, with an emphasis on ergogenic aids and high-intensity interval training. Research in this area is actually what led me to my dissertation research idea, even though it deals more with health enhancement than human performance.
2013 - Co-investigator: Effect of Concurrent Supra-maximal Interval and Strength Training versus Strength Training Alone on Strength, Power, and Performance measures; Data collection ongoing
2012-2013 - Principal Investigator: Effect of Pickle Juice on Alpha-motorneuron Inhibition; Data collection ongoing
2012 – Principal Investigator: Core Temperature and Metabolic Response to Workload and Time Matched HIIT and ET.
2012 – Elmer, D.J., Barberio, M.D., Lee, K.A., Pascoe, D.D. Effect of Pickle and Pickle Juice Consumption on Endurance Exercise in the Heat. Southeast American College of Sports Medicine Regional Conference, Jacksonville, FL, poster.
2011 – Barberio, M.D., Elmer, D.J., Pascoe, D.D. Effect of Specific HIIT Modalities on Multi-Event Performance. Southeast American College of Sports Medicine Regional Conference, Greenville, SC, poster.