Alyssa Fenuta, PhD, CSEP-CPT

Assistant Professor of Human Kinetics

Alyssa is the rookie faculty member in the School of Human Kinetics, having joined the team in 2020. Her earlier graduate research (McMaster University, Hamilton, ON) focused on understanding the physiological demands of bodyweight supported training devices (i.e. Lokomat, ZeroG) for adults with spinal cord injuries. During this time she was also part of a research team responsible for compiling the Canadian physical activity guidelines for adults with Multiple Sclerosis (released by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology in 2013).  More recently, her doctoral work (Queen’s University, Kingston, ON) has a focus on understanding the impacts of nitrate supplementation (i.e. beetroot juice) on oxygen delivery and high intensity exercise performance.

Throughout her doctoral studies, Alyssa was part of a team responsible for initiating the design and delivery of the curriculum associated with Queen’s University’s Certificate in Disability and Physical Activity (DIPA). This certificate aims to develop future healthcare leaders in their knowledge and practical implementation of exercise prescription for individuals living with a disability/chronic disease. She’s been involved with Exercise is Medicine delivering educational workshops to healthcare professionals about the importance of engaging in physical activity pursuits themselves, and furthermore, equipping them to have conversations with their patients/clients regarding lifestyle interventions.    

Presently, Alyssa’s academic and research interests include exercise physiology, the pursuit/promotion of holistic health and wellbeing (i.e. body, mind, spirit), and “exercise is medicine” across the lifespan. She places a high value on the importance of an evidence-based, “bench to bedside” approach, with an emphasis on person-centered care. With an extensive background in varsity athletics, she’s passionate about developing leaders “on and off the field” and further understanding the unique needs of student athletes.

PhD Kinesiology (Queen’s University, Kingston, ON; 2013-2024)

MSc Kinesiology (McMaster University, Hamilton, ON; 2011-2013)

HBSc Kinesiology with minor in Psychology (McMaster University, Hamilton, ON; 2007-2011)

Expertise

Exercise physiology, Adapted physical activity

Recent Publications

  1. Williams JS, Stimpson TV, Tremblay JC, Fenuta AM, Pyke KE. 2020. No impact of acute hyperglycemia on arterial stiffness in the early and late follicular phases of the menstrual cycle in young females. Experimental Physiology. 105(1):174-183. 
  2. D’Urzo KA, McEachern BM, Johnson AM, McPhee IAC, Lau RJ, Shirazipour CH, Brennan AM, Fenuta AM, Hefnawi B, Tomasone JR. 2019. Investigating gender differences in physical activity behaviour and social cognitions among first-year medical students. MedEdPublish. https://doi.org/10.15694/mep.2019.000207.1
  3. Fenuta AM, Brennan AM, Lau RJ, Shirazipour CH, Hefnawi B, D’Urzo KA, Johnson AM, McPhee IAC, McEachern BM, Tomasone JR. 2019. Medical Student Physical Activity Education – Staying Active to Actively Help Others. MedEdPublish. https://doi.org/10.15694/mep.2019.000194.1
  4. Drouin PJ, Kohoko ZIN, Mew OK, Lynn MJT, Fenuta AM, Tschakovsky ME. 2019. Fatigue-Independent Alterations in Muscle Activation and Effort Perception During Forearm Exercise: The Role of Local Oxygen Delivery. Journal of Applied Physiology. 127(1):111-121. 
  5. Williams JS, Stimpson TV, Tremblay JC, Fenuta AM, Pyke KE. 2019. The influence of acute hyperglycemia on brachial artery flow-mediated dilation in the early and late follicular phases of the menstrual cycle. Experimental Physiology. 104(6):957-966.
  6. Bentley RF, Walsh JW, Drouin PJ, Velickovic A, Kitner S, Fenuta AM, Tschakovsky ME. 2018. Absence of compensatory vasodilation with perfusion pressure challenge in exercise: evidence for and implications of the non-compensator phenotype. Journal of Applied Physiology. 124(2):374-387. 
  7. Bentley RF, Walsh JW, Drouin PJ, Velickovic A, Kitner S, Fenuta AM, Tschakovsky ME. 2017. Dietary nitrate supplementation restores compensatory vasodilation and exercise performance in response to a compromise in oxygen delivery in the non-compensator phenotype. Journal of Applied Physiology. 123(3):594-605.
  8. Brennan AM, D’Urzo KA, Fenuta AM, Houlden RL, Tomasone JR. 2017. Integrating Exercise Counselling into the Medical School Curriculum: A Workshop-Based Approach Using Behavior Change Techniques. Patient Education and Counselling. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1559827617722754
  9. Fenuta AM, and Hicks AL. 2014. Muscle Activation With Varying Degrees of Body Weight Support During Locomotion While Using the Zero G. Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development. Vol 51(1):51-58.
  10. Fenuta AM and Hicks AL. 2014. Metabolic Demand and Muscle Activation During Different Forms of Bodyweight Supported Locomotion in Men With Incomplete SCI. BioMed Research International. DOI:10.1155/2014/632765. 
  11. Latimer-Cheung AE, Pilutti LA, Hicks AL, Martin Ginis KA, Fenuta AM, MacKibbon KA, Motl RW. 2013. Effects of exercise training on fitness, mobility, fatigue, and health related quality of life among adults with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review to inform guideline development. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 94:1800-28.

Ranked 6th of the Top 25 Hottest Articles in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Medicine & Dentistry) – July to September 2014. This list highlights the most read articles in Archives, which publishes more articles annually than any other rehabilitation journal, and is the most highly cited journal in the Rehabilitation category of the Thomson Reuters Journal Citation Reports (2015).

  1. Fenuta AM, and Phillips SM. 2013. Whey Protein Ingestion Enhances Muscle Protein Synthesis in Aging. Household and Personal Care Today Vol 8(2) and AgroFOOD Industry Hi-Tech Vol 24(2). 
  2. Fenuta, AM. "Comparison of Oxygen Demands and Muscle Activity Patterns During Different Forms of Body Weight Supported Locomotion in Individuals With Incomplete SCI" (2013). Open Access Dissertations and Theses. Paper 8323.
http://digitalcommons.mcmaster.ca/opendissertation....
  3. Fenuta AM, Hicks AL. 2011. Body Weight Supported Treadmill Training After Spinal Cord Injury: Is There An Ideal Prescription For Intervention? Critical Reviews In Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. 23(1-4): 161-74

Affiliations & Memberships

  • Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Certified Personal Trainer (2011-Present)
  • North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (2020)

  • FNDN 102  Human Flourishing: How Do I Live Well?
  • HKIN  191  Introduction to Exercise Physiology: Theory and Practice
  • HKIN  340  Psychology of Sport
  • HKIN  453  Adapted Physical Activity
  • HKIN 475 Clinical Exercise Physiology