Texas Tech University

Jacalyn J. Robert-McComb, Ph.D., FACSM

JMccombResearcher: Jacalyn J. Robert-McComb, Ph.D., FACSM

Title: Professor in Exercise Physiology

Laboratory: Rooms 113 & 114, Exercise Intervention & Biofeedback Laboratories

 


Personal Statement

I have two independent research labs and a shared phlebotomy and chemistry lab which are utilized for my research studies. My research has focused on the stress response (serum cortisol, heart rate variability, skin conductance, electromyography) to a standardized psychological stressor and effective ways to cope with the stressor. We have assessed a healthy population, specifically women (although I have assessed women with high blood pressure and anxiety). My train of thought was that we needed to show that both the stressor and the interventions worked in a healthy population and then we could apply the training to a diseased population.

The stressors that I have compared for similar physiological responses and as possible pre-post stressors are the Trier Social Stress Test and the Beilock Stressor. The on-going development of a paradigm would include a psychological pre-test, intervention, and a similar psychological posttest with the same arousal level as the pre-test. We have also used the International Affective Picture System. The International Affective Picture System (IAPS) provides normative ratings of emotion (pleasure, arousal, dominance) for a set of color photographs.

The interventions have included biofeedback, yoga, breathing exercises, and mindfulness movement. For my next study, I would like to use the intervention - acute high intensity interval training -specifically Tabata on a spin bike; and the effect of this acute exercise on the emotional and physiological response to IAPS picture viewing.

Application of Expertise to Health Disparity Research

My research can be applied to many clinical populations specifically individuals with heart disease or diabetes who have the inability to effectively cope with stress in their lives. The result of chronic uncontrolled stress leads to the development of risk factors such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and narrowing of the arteries through plaque buildup caused from the damage of the endothelium from the vascular pressure. In West Texas, we have a large Hispanic population who experience high blood pressure, diabetes, and have a large waist circumference (greater than 40 inches in men, and greater than 35 inches in women) known as abdominal obesity. Collectively the accumulation of these risk factors is known as the metabolic syndrome.

Laboratory Skills and Capabilities for Managing or Leading Exercise Interventions

  • American College of Sports Medicine Certified Exercise Test Technologist
  • American College of Sports Medicine Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist, American College of Sports Medicine Certified Clinical Program Director
  • American Council of Exercise Certified Group Exercise Leader (Aerobics, Step, Pilates, Yoga, Spin, Musculoskeletal Strengthening Group Exercise, Tabata)
  • Ananda Certified Yoga Instructor (200 hour)
  • Certified Phlebotomist
  • American Red Cross Certified Water Safety Instructor
  • Biofeedback (approved application and in the process of BCIA certification)

Laboratory Equipment

  • Thought Technology LTD Biofeedback with BioGraph Infiniti Software
    • Skin Conductance
    • Peripheral Temperature
    • Blood Volume Pulse
    • Surface Electromyography (SEMG)
    • Respiration
    • Photoplethysmograph equipment
    • Blood Pressure
  • CardioPro Software
    • Heart Rate Variability Time Domain Measurements
    • Heart Rate Variability Frequency Domain Measurements
  • EmWave Pro for Health Professionals (Heart Math)
    • Heart Coherence
  • Cholesterol, Glucose, Triglyceride Monitors
  • Biopac MP150 for more sophisticated measures of SEMG
  • Nnoninvasive Blood pressure (NIBP) Monitoring System
  • Upright Posture Trainer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YXj6Rr48TM.
  • Phlebotomy Supplies
  • IV's
  • Needles
  • Lines

Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management

  • Address

    Box 43011, Texas Tech University, 2500 Broadway, Lubbock, TX 79409
  • Phone

    806.742.3371