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Associate Professor and Program Director of Kinesiology Phone 816-501-3714 Email gerald.larson

TEACHER | SCHOLAR | PRACTITIONER

Dr. Gerald Larson is an Associate Professor and Program Director of Kinesiology at Avila University in Kansas City, MO.  He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Mid-America Nazarene University; a Master’s degree with a dual emphasis in Exercise Physiology and Sport Psychology from the University of Kansas; and a Doctorate degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of Kansas.  Dr. Larson teaches undergraduate and graduate classes in the areas of exercise and stress physiology, biomechanics and motor control, evidence-based nutrition and recovery, measurement and evaluation, and research. 

Dr. Larson also serves as the Kinesiology Lab Director featuring modern golf swing analysis and player development, functional capacity screening, and anaerobic performance testing.  He mentors undergraduate and graduate research projects with an emphasis on action research that reinforces learning and informs professional practice.  A lifelong scholar-practitioner, Dr. Larson’s personal and professional research interests are in the area of functional psychophysical training with an emphasis on tactical strength and conditioning.

Dr. Larson has more than 20 years of practical experience as a personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach, clinical exercise physiologist, and small business owner.  He holds specialty certifications as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP), Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA-CSCS*D), Sports Performance Coach (USAW-L1), and is TPI Golf Level 2 Certified.  Dr. Larson’s innovative KINESIO-FIT™ programming systematically integrates joint range of motion, motor patterning, and functional training to promote pain-free movement, health, and peak physical performance.