Maria Kosma 

Associate Professor

Bachelor's Degree(s): Physical Education and Sport Science, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece, 1997

Master's Degree: Exercise and Sport Science/Adapted Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland, 1999

PhD: Exercise and Sport Science/Movement Studies in Disabilities, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 2003

Phone: 225-578-8016

Email: mkosma@lsu.edu

Office: 2218 HPL Field House

Curriculum Vitae

Biography

Dr. Kosma’s main research interests include physical activity health promotion related to culture, arts, social justice, and personal choice. She approaches movement and public health in a humanistic way, emphasizing personal and community needs and aspirations in relation to society, physical culture, and diversity. Consistent with the mission of LSU, the college, and the school, her work is informed by and grounded in working with often-marginalized population segments, including African American older and young adults and people with disabilities.

Selected Publications

Kosma, M., & Erickson, N. (in press; published online first on 8.15.19). The embodiment of aerial practice: Body, mind, emotion. Journal of Dance Education. doi:10.1080/15290824.2019.1622706. Selected as Feature article

Kosma, M., & Buchanan, D. R. (2019). Aspects of depression among socio-economically disadvantaged African American young adults. International Quarterly of Community Health Education, 39, 199-207. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272684X19829612. Selected article to lead journal issue

Kosma, M., & Buchanan, D. R. (2018). Exercise behavior, facilitators and barriers among socio-economically disadvantaged African American young adults. International Journal of Kinesiology and Sports Science, 6, 1-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijkss.v.6n.2p.1. Selected article to lead journal issue

Kosma, M., & Buchanan, D. R. (2018). “Connect,” log it, track it, go! Techne — not technology — and embodiment to achieve phronesis in exercise promotion. Quest, 70, 100-113. doi:10.1080/00336297.2017.1355818 

Kosma, M., Buchanan, D. R., & Hondzinski, J. M. (2017). Complexity of exercise behavior among older African American women. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 25, 333-344. https://doi.org/10.1123/japa.2016-0032. Selected article to lead journal issue

Kosma, M., Hondzinski, J. M., & Buchanan, D. R. (2017). Exercise, health, and falls risks among older African American women. International Journal of Kinesiology & Sports Science, 5, 16-27. http://dx.doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijkss.v.5n.3p.16 

Kosma, M., & Cardinal, B. J. (2016). Theory-based physical activity beliefs by race and activity levels among older adults. Ethnicity & Health, 21, 181-195. doi:10.1080/13557858.2015.1047741

Kosma, M., Buchanan, D. R., & Hondzinski, J. M. (2015). The role of values in promoting physical activity. Quest, 67, 241-254. doi:10.1080/00336297.2015.1050117. Selected article to lead journal issue.

Selected Presentations

Kosma, M., Erickson, N., Savoie, C. J., & Gibson, M. (2020, April). Aerial practice performativity, joy, lifestyle, and mental health effects. Research presentation for the SHAPE America national convention, Salt Lake City, UT. 

Kosma, M., Erickson, N., Savoie, C. J., & Gibson, M. (2019, July). Skill development vs. performativity among beginners in aerial practice. Research presentation for the 15th Annual International Conference on Sport and Exercise Science, Athens Institute for Education and Research (ATINER), Athens, Greece. 

Kosma, M., & Erickson, N. (2019, April). The love of aerial dance: Art, movement, community. Research presentation for the SHAPE America national convention, Tampa, FL. 

Kosma, M., & Erickson, N. (2019, April). Body, mind, and emotion in aerial dance. Research presentation for the SHAPE America national convention, Tampa, FL. 

Kosma, M., & Buchanan, D.R. (2018, March). Exercise facilitators and barriers among African American young adults. Research presentation for the SHAPE America national convention, Nashville, TN. 

Kosma, M., & Buchanan, D.R. (2018, March). Aspects of depression among African American young adults. Research presentation for the SHAPE America national convention, Nashville, TN. 

Kosma, M., & Buchanan, D. R. (2017, July). “Connect”, log it, track it, go! Techne or practical wisdom in exercise promotion? Oral presentation for the 13th Annual International Conference on Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences, Athens Institute for Education and Research (ATINER), Athens, Greece. 

Kosma, M., Buchanan, D. R., & Hondzinski, J. (2017, March). Dilemmas in exercise behavior among older African American women. Poster presentation for the SHAPE America national convention, Boston, MA. 

Kosma, M., Hondzinski, J., & Buchanan, D. R. (2017, March). Exercise, health, and falls risks among older African American women. Poster presentation for the SHAPE America national convention, Boston, MA. 

Kosma, M., Buchanan, D. R., & Hondzinski, J. (2016, July). Practical reasoning in physical activity promotion. Oral presentation at the 12th Annual International Conference on Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences, Athens Institute for Education and Research (ATINER), Athens, Greece.