Kinesiology, Recreation and Sport: Full-time Faculty - Mark Schafer

Dr. Mark Schafer, Ph.D., CES, CSCS

Assistant Professor - Exercise Science Program Coordinator

Office:  Smith Stadium East 1059
Phone:  (270) 745-5857
Email:  mark.schafer@wku.edu

Dr. Mark Schafer is Assistant Professor of Exercise Science in the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation and Sport at Western Kentucky University.  He received a Bachelor of Science in Sport Science (1996) and a Master’s degree with an emphasis in Sport Physiology and Adult Fitness (1997) from Ohio University.  He spent the next seven years working as a Clinical Exercise Specialist in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.  He worked in all phases of cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation and performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing.  During his time as a Clinical Exercise Specialist he also served as a clinical coordinator for a post stroke spasticity clinical trial and worked with a team to develop a peripheral arterial disease rehabilitation program.  Following his career in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, he attended the University of Pittsburgh to earn his Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology (2007).  Prior to arriving to Western Kentucky University, he was the Campus Fitness Coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh until 2007 and then taught at Slippery Rock University for the 2007 – 2008 academic year.  Since 2008, Dr. Schafer has taught undergraduate and graduate courses for the Western Kentucky University’s Exercise Science program that include:  Clinical Exercise Physiology, Exercise Testing and Prescription, Advanced Exercise Testing and Prescription, Critical Analysis of the Professional Literature, and Exercise Science Health-Related Fitness.  His research interest includes studying the health benefits and potential mechanisms of post exercise hypotension.  His investigations seek to determine the impact that a range of exercise durations and intensities plays in lowering the post exercise blood pressure in normotensive, prehypertensive, and hypertensive individuals.  Dr. Schafer is an ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).