Arnold Nelson
Professor
Bachelor's Degree(s): Physical Education, Brigham Young University, 1975
Master's Degree: Physical Education, Brigham Young University, 1977
PhD: Muscle Physiology, University of Texas, 1990
Phone: 225-578-3114
Fax: 225-578-3680
Email: anelso@lsu.edu
Office: 148B Huey P. Long Field House
Biography
Dr. Nelson's interests lie with the physiological and biochemical adaptations of skeletal muscle to acute and chronic stressors (e.g. exercise and environment), and how these adaptations can be manipulated to improve work and/or athletic performance. As a result of this interest, Dr. Nelson is also involved with research into ergogenic aids as well as new and improved methods of physical training. Dr. Nelson performs both basic and applied research. By gaining insight into basic principles, it allows him to be aware of the most efficacious application methods. For instance one of his current areas of investigation revolves around muscle stiffness. He first noted a difference between fast and slow motor units in the stiffness of the myotendinous junction in rats. Based on that observation, he has, along with several collaborators designed studies to investigate the influence of acute and chronic stretching on several performance variables in humans. Those variables influenced by acute stretching are being investigated further to establish whether or not there are any fiber type specific modulations in these variables.
Selected Publications
Nelson, A.G. and J Kokkonen. (2013). Elevated metabolic rate during passive static stretching is not a sufficient aerobic warm-up. Journal of Sport and Health Science. Journal of Sport and Health Science. 2: 109-114.
Russell, R.D., R.R. Kraemer, and A.G. Nelson. (2013). Metabolic dysfunction in diabetic offspring: deviations in metabolic flexibility. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 45(1):8-15.
Nelson, A.G., J. Kokkonen, D.A. Arnall, and L. Li. (2012). Acute stretching increases postural stability in non-balance trained individuals. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research . 26(11):3095-3100.
Nelson, A.G., J. Kokkonen, J.B. Winchester, W. Kalani, K. Peterson, M. Kenly, and D.A. Arnall. (2012). A ten-week stretching program increases strength in the contralateral muscle. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 26(3):832-836.
Nelson, A.G., J. Kokkonen, D.A. Arnall. (2011). Twenty minutes of passive stretching lowers glucose levels in an at risk population: an experimental study. Journal of Physiotherapy 57(3):173-178.
Presentations
2013 American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, IN: “A Pre-exercise Dose Of Melatonin Can Alter Substrate Use During Exercise. “
2012 American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA: “Acute Short Term Dim Light Exposure Can Lower Muscle Strength Endurance.”
2011 American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Denver, CO: “Dim Light Exposure Reduces a Type 2 Diabetic's Glucoregulatory Ability: A Case Study.”