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Three undergraduate students from the Schmidt College of Science’s Department of Exercise Science and Health Promotion (ESHP) attended the Southeast Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine (SEACSM) from Feb. 20-22, in Greenville, SC. SEACSM is a diverse group of professionals and students dedicated to the advancement of sports medicine and exercise science. ��

During the conference, junior Frances Alexandre was elected as a student representative to the SEACSM board. She also presented her research on, “Can Self-Reported Measures Predict the Functional Fitness of Seniors With and Without Parkinson’s Disease?”�� ��

“Attending my first SEACSM conference was an unforgettable experience through learning, connecting and growing with others,” stated Alexandre. “I had amazing opportunities such as being a part of the Leadership Diversity Training Program and being honored to be elected as a student representative.”�� ��

Senior Juliet Espinal has been working with the participants in her research project, for almost two semesters. During the conference, she presented her peer-reviewed abstract, “Older Adults’ Perceptions of the Student-Led �������� Well Program: A Qualitative Study.”�� ��

“Part of being human and aging is about being able to share experiences and stories with others in similar situations,” shared Espinal. “Attending this conference and meeting so many amazing people made my time and work worth it. I also received positive feedback which made me feel as if I am doing the right thing, and I am on the right track for my career.”�� ��

For junior Carmella Hack, attending the SEACSM conference was a valuable opportunity to share her research with a diverse group of professionals in the field of sports science and medicine. She also presented her peer-reviewed abstract on “Does Concern With Falling Influence Neurocognitive Performance Among Older Adults With and Without Parkinson’s Disease?”�� This topic was important to her because the neurocognitive functioning of older adults is critical for their overall health and well-being, particularly as it relates to the risk of falls. ��

“In older adults, the fear or concern of falling can lead to significant changes in behavior. Understanding how this concern interacts with neurocognitive performance, especially in populations with Parkinson’s disease, could provide valuable insights into how psychological factors like self-confidence impact cognitive function,” noted Hack.�� ��

�������� Well Program Director and ESHP Associate Professor B. Sue Graves, Ed. D., FACSM, FISSN, along with ESHP Assistant Professor Ashley Artese, Ph.D., also attended the SEACSM conference. ��