Areas of specialization

Teaching: Exercise physiology,applied anatomy
Research: Metabolic and physiological response to physical conditioning, cardiac rehabilitation, exercise prescription and sport training.

Academic degrees

• University of Minnesota, education (physical education: exercise physiology), doctor of philosophy (1971)
• University of Minnesota, physical education, master of arts (1969)
• East Stroudsburg State College, health (physical education), bachelor of science (1962)

Professional experience

• Associate director, School of Kinesiology, 2006-present
• Associate dean for academic affairs, College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota, 1999-2006
• Head, Division of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, 1989-present
• Associate director, Laboratory of Physiological Hygiene and Exercise Science, University of Minnesota, 1992-present
• Director, Human Performance Laboratory, University of Minnesota, 1984-1992
• Associate Professor, physical education/kinesiology, University of Minnesota, 1974-present
• Lecturer, cell biology and neuroanatomy, Medical School, University of Minnesota, 1971-present
• Adjunct faculty member, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, 1971-1974
• Assistant Professor, physical education, University of Minnesota, 1971-1974
• Instructor, physical education, University of Minnesota, 1964-1971
• Teaching and research assistant, physiology, Laboratory of Physiological Hygiene, University of Minnesota, 1962-1964

Honors and awards

• Lou Keller Award, Outstanding Contributions to College and University Physical Education, Minnesota Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, 1987
• Fellow, Research Consortium, 1984-present
• Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine, 1984-present

Collegiate assignments

University of Minnesota

• Advising for Semester Conversion Task Force, 1998-99
• Committee for Performance Review of James Turman, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, 1998
• Chair, Committee for Review of Faculty Representatives to the Assembly Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics, 1998
• Search Committee for Minority Counseling Position; Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, 1993-94
• Consultant, Women's Athletics Sports Performance Group, 1993-94
• Adviser, Chinese Students Association, 1993-94
• Assembly Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics, 1991-92 to 1993-94
• Adviser, Inter-College Programs, 1989-93
• Committee on Health and Wellness Inter-College Programs, 1990-91
• Committee on Intercollegiate Programs Coordination, 1988-89
• Sports Medicine Advisory Board, 1988-89
• University Senate, 1989-90; 1990-91
• Research and Education Consultative Committee; Institute of Sports Medicine, 1989-90

College of Education and Human Development

• College of Education Semester Conversion Coordinator, 1998-99
• Ad Hoc Committee on Semester Conversion, 1997-98
• Committee on Educational Policy, 1996-97 to 1998-99
• College of Education Committee for Evaluation of M.Ed. and Continuing Education, 1995-96
• College Of Education Recognition and Awards Committee, 1995-96
• Panel on Outcome Based Education, 1993-94
• Ad Hoc Committee on Teacher Development, 1993-94
• College of Education Subcommittee on Student Issues, 1993-94
• College of Education Teacher Education Council, 1993-94
• Collaboration Council U of M/Minneapolis Public Schools, 1992-94

School of Kinesiology

• Associate director, Laboratory of Physiological Hygienic and Exercise Science, School of Kinesiology, 1992-98
• Division Head, Kinesiology, 1989-98
• Attended Big Ten Director's Meetings, Chicago, 1989-98
• Kinesiology Graduate Committee, 1974-present
• Semester Conversion Coordinator; School of Kinesiology and Divisions of Physical Education/Leisure Studies, 1996-97, 97-98
• Search Committee for Biomechanics Position, 1996-97, 97-98
• Committee for Establishment of Sports Studies Program in Kinesiology, 1995-96
• Facilities Board for Athletic, Physical Education and Recreational Sports, 1994
• Designed and served on Planning Committee for Construction of Laboratory of Physiological Hygiene and Exercise Science, Recreational Sports Center, 1990-92

Professional and academic association memberships

• American Educational Research Association
• Association for the Study of Higher Education
• American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance
• Research Consortium, American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance
• American College of Sports Medicine
• Northland Chapter, American College of Sports Medicine, cofounder and past president
• Minnesota Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance

Editorial activities

• Manuscript reviewer, Physician and Sports Medicine
• Manuscript reviewer, Preventive Medicine
• Manuscript reviewer, Topics in Geriatric Research
• Manuscript reviewer, Journal of Applied Psychology
• Manuscript reviewer, Scandinavian Journal of Sports Medicine
• Manuscript reviewer, Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise
• Manuscript reviewer, The Gerontologist
• Editorial board, Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise
• Reviewed last two editions for the publisher for: Astrand, P. O. & Rodahl, K., Textbook for Work Physiology, McGraw Hill; Fox, E. L., Bowers, R. W. & Foss, M. L., The Physiological Basis of Physical Education and Athletics, Saunders College Publishing Co.; and Williams, M. H, Nutrition for Fitness and Sport, W. C. Brown Publishing

Professional assignments and activities

Service

• Director, Sport Physiology Council ICHPERSD, 1998-99
• Planning Committee and Scientific Committees for 42nd World Congress Meeting of the International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport, and Dance, Cairo, Egypt, 1999
• Governor's Council for Physical Fitness and Sport, 1981-82 to 1998-99
• Minneapolis Public Schools City Wide Standards Advisory Committee, 1995-96
• Program Review Team for Evaluation of Master of Science Program in Exercise Science-St. Cloud State University, 1995
• Ad Hoc Committee for Establishment of an Institute for Hockey Research Consortium: U of M Twin Cities, U of M Duluth, St. Cloud State University, Institute of Sport Medicine, Minneapolis, 1993-94
• Committee on North Star Summit of Status on Physical Education and Health in Public Schools of Minnesota, Blaine, MN, 1991-92

International activities

• Egypt: Since 1994 Dr. Serfass has supervised mentoring of four Ph.D. students from Egypt in the Channel Graduate Program. Two of these were exercise physiology students who have graduated and are now teaching at Minia and Helwan Universities.
• Kuwait: Dr. Serfass traveled to Kuwait in 1997 to plan for directing Ph.D. students who want to have an extensive experience in sport coaching over and above their academic focus to enroll in University programs at the University of Minnesota. Presently there is one Ph.D. student in the program on a trial basis. Dr. Serfass also planned for the delivery of a Sport Coaching/Sport Management Institute at the University of Minnesota during intersession or summer session for coaches from the Middle East.
  • Mexico: Since 1989, Dr. Serfass has had substantial involvement in a collaborative program with faculty and students from the University of Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico.
  • Developed and participated in a three day multidisciplinary Sports Medicine Conference using faculty from the University of Minnesota's Athletic Department, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, and Kinesiology;
  • Evaluated and consulted on plans for development of a master of sports science degree at the University of Chihuahua;
  • Presented two major papers on invited visits to the University;
  • Hosted three groups of as many as 17 faculty and students from Chihuahua for as long as 10 days for the purpose of observing and interacting with teaching and research faculty and staff in the Division of Kinesiology.
• Taiwan: Dr. Serfass has made three trips to Taiwan for purposes of delivering a keynote address to their National Physical Education Association, consulting on the building of physical education and sport facilities, acting as a faculty representative for a competitive volleyball team, and planning possible academic educational exchanges and programs.

Publications

Chapters in books

Serfass, R.C. Exercise Physiology. In Wade, M. and Baker, J. (Eds.) Introduction to Kinesiology: The Science and Practice of Physical Activity. Dubuque: WCB Brown and Benchmark Publisher. 1995. pp. 24-41.

Articles in refereed journals

Chen, Y.S., Serfass, R.C., & Apple, F.S. (2000). Loss of myocardial CK-MB into circulation following 3.5 hours of swimming in a rat model. International Journal of Sports Medicine 21, 561-565.

Chen, Y., Serfass, R.C., Mackey-Bojask, S.M., Kelly, K.L., Titus, J.L., & Apple, F.S. (2000). Cardiac troponin T alterations in myocardium and serum rats after stressful, prolonged intense exercise. Journal of Applied Physiology, 88, 1749-1755.

Chen, Y., Serfass, R.C., & Apple, F.S. (2000). Alterations in the expression and activity of creatine kinase-M and mitochondrial creatine kinase subunits in skeletal muscle following prolonged intense exercise in rats. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 81, 114-119.

Gaskill, S.E., Serfass, R.C., Bacharach, D.W., & Kelly, J.M. (1999). Responses to training in cross-country skiers. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 31, (8), 1211-1217.

Gaskill, S.E., Serfass. R.C. and Rundell, K.W. (1999). Upper body power comparisons between cross county skiers and runners. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 20, 290-294.

Carey, D., and Serfass, R.C. (1999). Comparison and validity of two methods for assessing body composition in college football players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 13(2), 106-110.

Lunzer, M.M., Hotvedt, P.S., Dietz, Jr., C.A., Caldwell, M.D., Serfass, R.C. & Hirsch, A.T. (1997). Limb venous hermodynamic function: Relative reproducibility of standard tiptoe exercise and treadmill walking exercise techniques. The Journal of Vascular Surgery, 21(1), 31-38.

Richardson, M.T., Leon, A.S., Jacobs, D.R., Jr., Ainsworth, B.E., & Serfass, R.C. (1995). Ability of the Caltrac accelerator to assess daily physical activity levels. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation, 15, 107-113.

Santiago, M.C., Leon, A.S., & Serfass, R.C. (1995). Failure of brisk walking to alter blood lipids in normolipemic women. Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology, 20(4), 417-428.

Richardson, M.T., Leon, A.S., Jacobs Jr., D.R., Ainsworth, B.E., and Serfass, R.C. (1994). Comprehensive evaluation of the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 4, 271-281.

Rogosheski, V.M.C., Serfass, R.C., Kelley, J.M., Ainsworth, B.E. & Stull, G.A. (1994). Prediction of body fat in adult female runners. Clinical Kinesiology, 47, 90-96.

Ainsworth, B.E., Serfass, R.C., & Leon, A.S. (1993). Effects of recovery duration and blood lactate level on power output during cycling. Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology, 18, 19-30.

Kriz, J.L., Jones, D.R., Spicer, J.L. Canine, J.K., Owen, R.R. & Serfass, R.C. (1992). Cardiorespiratory responses to upper extremity aerobic training by post-polio subjects. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 73, 49-54.

Greer, N., Serfass, R., Picconatto, W., & Blatherwick, J. (1992). The effects of a hockey specific training program on performance of bantam players. Canadian Journal of Sport Sciences, 17, 65-69.

Manuscripts in press

Gaskill, S.E., Walker, A.J., Serfass, R.C., Bouchard, C., Gagnon, J., Rao, D.C., Skinner, J.S., Wilmore, J.H., & Leon, A.S. (in press). Changes in ventilatory threshold with exercise training in a sedentary population. International Journal of Sports Medicine.

Gaskill, S.E., Walker, A.J., Serfass, R.C., & Sanchez, O.A. (in press). Validity and reliability of combining three methods to determine ventilatory threshold. Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise.

Gaskill, S.E., Walker, A.J., Serfass, R.A., Bouchard, C., Gagnon, J., Rao, D.C., Skinner, J.S., Wilmore, J.H., & Leon, A.S. (in press). The age related decline in ventilatory threshold: The HERITAGE family study. Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise.

Manuscripts in preparation

Gaskill, S. A. Walker, R. Serfass, C. Bouchard, J. Gagnon, D. C. Rao, J. Skinner, J. Wilmore and A. Leon. Relationships between ratings of perceived exertion and VO2 at in the HERITAGE family study.

Gaskill, S., Serfass, R., Walker, A., Bouchard, C., Gagnon, J., Rao, D. C., Skinner, J., Wilmore, J. and Leon, A. Changes in VO2 peak and VO2 at related to initial VO2 at following HERITAGE family training in sedentary subjects.

Gaskill, S., Walker, A., Serfass, R.C., Bouchard, C., Gagnon, J., Rao, D. C., Skinner, J., Wilmore, J. and Leon, A. Relationships of VO2 peak, and VO2 at and relative fitness in sedentary HERITAGE family subjects.

Hsieh, C., Serfass, R.C., and Apple, F.S. Antioxidant enzyme activity in rat myocardium: Effects of atrophy, vitamin E and exercise. International Journal of Sports Medicine.

Other research abstracts

Sanchez, O.A., Snow, L.M., Lowe, D.A., Serfass, R.C., & Thompson, L.V. (2000, September). The effects of endurance exercise training on single skeletal muscle fiber function from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Proceedings of the American Physiological Society Meeting, Portland, ME.

Walker, A.J., Dahlstrom, V.A., Blatherwick, J., & Serfass, R.C. (in press). Comparison across four methods of body composition measurement for female hockey players. ACSM, Baltimore.

Harney, R.G., Purcell, M., Martinez-Arizola, G., Reed, J., & Serfass, R.C. (in press). Relationship between anthropometric measurements, traditional modes of testing and training, and blocking performance in college football linemen. ACSM, Baltimore.

Reed, J., Ones, D.S., & Serfass, R.C. (in press). Can the iceberg profile discriminate between levels of athletic performance? A meta-analysis. ACSM, Baltimore.

Nesser, T.W., Gaskill, S.E., Chen, S.P., Walker, A.J., & Serfass, R. (2000). Upper body power development in junior cross country skiers. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32(5), S365.

Harney, R.G., Fuchs, R., Durfee, W., Serfass, R., & Reed, J. (2000). The design and calibration of a football blocking and charging ergometer. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32(5), S308.

Reed, E.J. Walker, A.J., Serfass, R.C. (2000). Macronutrient intake during temporary withdrawl from habitual weight training. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32(5), S272.

Barrett, B., Wiese-Bjornstal, D., Foster, C. & Serfass, R. (2000). The transtheoretical model and physical activity. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32(5), S114.

Schmitz, K.H., Myers, M.J., Leon, A.S., Jacobs, D.R., Walker, A.J., Serfass, R.C., and Jeffery, R.W. Body size, activity pace, and energy expenditure in lean and obese women. ACSM, Seattle, 1999.

Northuis, M.E., Leon, A.S., Serfass, R.C., Walker, A.J., Crow, R.S., and Jacobs, D.R. High responders vs. low responders in cross country running training. ACSM, Seattle, 1999.

Reed, J., Walker, A.J., and Serfass, R.C. Psychological reactions during temporary withdrawal from habitual weight training. ACSM, Seattle, 1999.

Nesser, T.W., Gaskill, S.E., Chen, S.P., Peterson, C.M., Walker, A.J., & Serfass, R.C. The development of upper body power in junior cross-country skiers. ACSM, Seattle, 1999.

Gaskill, S. E., Walker, A.J., Serfass, R.C., Bouchard, C., Gagnon, J., Rao, D.C., Skinner, J.S., Wilmore, J.H., and Leon, A.S. The effect of exercise on perceived exertion, BP and HR at the ventilatory threshold. The HERITAGE family study. ACSM Seattle, 1999.

Serfass, R., Gaskill, S.E., Skemp, K., and Walker, A. Reproducibility of lactate and ventilatory thresholds in adult cross country skiers. American College of Sports Medicine, Orlando, June 1998.

Kaeferlein, B., Serfass, R.C., Walker, A.J., Rao, D.C., Skinner, J.S., Wilmore, J.H., Gagnon, J., Bouchard, C., & Leon, A.S. The effect of exercise training on heart rate variability and stroke volume: The HERITAGE family study. American College of Sports Medicine, Orlando, June, 1998.

Gaskill, S.E., Serfass, R.C., and Walker, A.J. Upper body power comparisons between groups of cross-country skiers and runners. American College of Sports Medicine, Orlando, June, 1998.

Bakke, B.L., Draheim, C.C., Snyder, P.V., and Serfass, R.C. Familiarization program for underwater weighing in adults with Prader-Willi Syndrome. American College of Sports Medicine, Orlando, June, 1998.

Chen, S.P., Chen, Y.J., Zhang, P., Peng, C.H., Serfass, R.C., Apple, F., Walker, A.J., and Zhang, D.T. Prolonged exercise induced thoracic aorta endothelial cell injury in rats. American College of Sports Medicine, Orlando, June, 1998.

Boelk, A.G., Norton, J.P., Freeman, J.K., and Walker, A.J. Relationship of swimming power to sprint freestyle performance in females. American College of Sports Medicine, Denver, May, 1997.

Nesser, T.W., Gaskill, S.E., Bednarski, P., Walker, A.J. and Serfass, R.C. Changes in upper body economy of young cross-country skiers. American College of Sports Medicine, Denver, May, 1997.

Chen, S., Chen, Y.J., and Serfass, R.C. Exercise and induced delayed onset muscle damage, soreness and muscle functional changes following eccentric exercise. American College of Sports Medicine, Denver, May, 1997.

Bakke, Bruce L., Draheim, C., Branco, F., and Serfass, R.C. Assessing metabolic rate and hunger in people with Prader-Willi Syndrome. Gatlinburg Conference, Gatlinburg, 1996.

Mendoza, W., Carey, D.G., and Serfass, R.C. Validity of the Conconi heart rate method for determining lactate threshold in competitive cyclists. American College of Sports Medicine, Indianapolis, June, 1994.

Papers presented

Serfass, R. Establishing Academic Linkages. Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, Bangkok, Thailand, June, 2000.

Serfass, R. Current Trends in Exercise Physiology Measurements. 42nd World Congress, International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport, and Dance (ICHPER.SD) Cairo, Egypt, July, 1999.

Serfass, R. Are we prepared for aging in the new millennium? Northland Chapter meeting, American College of Sports Medicine, Grand Forks, ND, September, 1999.

Current Research Trends in Exercise Physiology. Helwan University, Giza, Egypt, July, 1996.

Exercise and the Elderly, Heritage. Genetics and Exercise, Undergraduate and Graduate Preparation in Physical Education, National Meeting of the Mexican College of Sports Medicine, Chihuahua, Mexico, October, 1994.

Exercise in the Workplace. Civil Service Association Conference, Earle Brown Center, St. Paul Campus, July, 1993.

Fundamentals of Exercise Prescription, Family Practice Review. Continuing Medical Education Conference, Radisson Hotel, Minneapolis, MN, April, 1993.

Exercise in the Elderly Population. ACSM Northland Chapter Meeting, Omaha, NE, November, 1992.

Optimal Body Composition in Wrestlers. Wrestling Coaches Workshop, Minnesota State High School League, Coon Rapids, MN, October, 1992.

Metabolic Calculations of Energy Expenditure. ACSM Fitness Instructors Workshop, United Hospital, St. Paul, MN, July, 1992.

Research

Extended grants submitted and funded

• $26,000, U. S. Olympic Committee. Development of Upper Body-Arm Power Endurance in Adolescent Cross Country Skiers (with S. Gaskill), 1998-99
• $236,054, HERITAGE Study (Phase 2) Heritage Study-Genetic Response to Exercise and Risk Factors (with A. Leon and A. Walker), 1997-2000
• $438,267, National Health, Lung and Blood Institute NIH. HERITAGE Study-Genetic Response to Exercise and Risk Factors (with A. Leon and A. Walker), 1995-96
• $100,000, Alliant Tech Systems. Alliant Tech Health Investment Program (with D. Halvorson and A. Walker), 1994-95
• $468,267, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute NIH. HERITAGE Study.-Genetic Response to Exercise and Risk Factors (with A. Leon and A. Walker), 1994-95
• $468,558, National heart, Lung and Blood Institute NIH Heritage Study. Genetic Response to Exercise and Risk Factors (with A. Leon), 1993-94
• $10,000, USDE-NIDRR . Hunger and Exercise in Prader Willi Syndrome (with B. Bakke), 1993-94

Extended grants submitted but not funded

• $64,000, Laboratory Grant Support for Testing Regional Winter Sport Development Teams. U. S. Olympic Committee (with S. Gaskill), 1998
• $1,005,000, Healthy Attitudes About Body Image Through Science (HABITS) Kellogg Foundation (with Science Museum of Minnesota staff), 1995

August 2007