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Jay Williams, PhD

Professor
  • Focus area(s): Muscle physiology and biochemistry; human performance; athlete monitoring; sports science
A Virginia Tech HNFE faculty member stands inside for a photo.
301 Wallace
  • Graduate Program Track(s): Molecular & Cellular Science

Education

Ph.D., Exercise Science, Texas A&M University, 1988

M.S., Exercise Physiology, Louisiana State University, 1985

B.S., Mathematics and Physical Education, Louisiana University, 1983

Experience

2004 – present: Professor, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

2012 – present: Adjunct Professor, Coaching Education Program, Department of Recreation and Sport Pedagogy, Ohio University

1994– 2004: Associate Professor, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

1988– 1993: Assistant Professor, Division of Health and Physical Education, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

1986 – 1988: Research Associate, Department of Health and Physical Education, Texas A&M University

Program Focus

Over the past 40 years, my research has focused on skeletal muscle physiology and biochemistry.  Early in my career, I focused on exercise training and human performance.  I soon moved to working with animal models and single muscle fibers to understand the mechanisms underlying muscle fatigue.  More recently, I have resumed work in the area of human performance, specifically athlete monitoring.  I use various types of wearable technology to assess athlete training, competitive performance, injury risk, and rehabilitation.  Technologies include global positioning, accelerometry, and gyroscopic monitoring.   My current research involves studies with women’s soccer and women’s pole vault.  And I collaborate and consult with Athletic Departments at Virginia Tech  and other universities as well as professional sports teams,

Books

  • Williams, J.H. Essentials of Integrative Kinesiology, Charleston, Charleston: CreateSpace Publishing, 2019, ISBN 978-1686823329
  • Williams, J.H. The SCIENCE Behind Soccer Nutrition, 2nd Edition, Charleston: CreateSpace Publishing, 2010, ISBN: 978-1460954386
  • Williams, J.H. Questioning Research, Charleston: CreateSpace Publishing, 2011, ISBN: 978-1466460577

Refereed Journal Articles

  • Williams, J.H. Rizzuto, S.F., Dillard, B.A. Whitaker, E.J. Complementary use of wearablwe technology 4: Assessing gait assemetry and shock attenuation using multiple IMU devices. Sports Performance and Science Reports, 2022; June 169, v1.
  • Williams, J.H. Rizzuto, S.F., Dillard, B.A. Whitaker, E.J. Complementary use of wearable technology 3: Temporal alignment and similarity measures of accelerometer signals from two IMU devices. Sports Performance and Science Reports, 2022; June 168, v1.
  • Williams, J.H. Rizzuto, S.F., Whitaker, E.J., Dillard, B.A. Complementary use of wearable technology 2: A case study in gait symmetry.  Sports Performance and Science Reports, 2021; Sept 138, v1.
  • Williams, J.H. Rizzuto, S.F., Whitaker, E.J., Dillard, B.A. Complementary use of wearable technology 1: A data comparison of two platforms.  Sports Performance and Science Reports, 2021; July 173, v1.
  • Williams, J.H. Rizzuto, S., Jaskowak, D., Eaton, R. Trunk accelerations and rotations during anterior cruciate ligament injury: An illustrative case study.  Sports Performance and Science Reports, 2019; Nov 78, v1.
  • Williams, J.H. Hoffman, S., Jaskowak, D.J., Tegarden, D.P. Physical demands and physiological responses of extra time matches in collegiate women’s soccer.  Science and Medicine in Football, 2019; 1-6, DOI: 10.1080/24733938.2019.1609694.
  • Williams, J.H. Jaskowak, D.J., Tegarden D.P. The effects of match congestion on gait complexity in female collegiate soccer players. Translational Sports Medicine, 2019; 2: 130-137
  • Williams, J.H., Akogyrem E., Williams, J.R. A meta-analytic assessment of soccer injuries on natural grass and artificial turf, Journal of Sports Medicine, 2013, article ID 380523, 6 pages.