Aaron Piepmeier
Associate Professor of Exercise Science
Department: Exercise Science
Office and address:
Koury Center (Athletics), Office 208
2525 Campus Box
Elon, NC 27244
Email: apiepmeier@elon.edu
Phone number: (336) 278-6867
Professional Expertise
Exercise Psychology and Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment
Brief Biography
Dr. Piepmeier’s research investigates the relationship between physical activity and the brain. The studies his lab does tend to fall into one of the following areas:
- Exercise and Cognition
- Exercise & Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment
- Physical Activity Behavior, and
- Online/Remote Studies.
He is also interested in research related to Physical Activity and Human Evolution; Inclusive excellence in Exercise Science; and Sport/Performance Psychology.
News & Notes
Education
- 2015 Ph.D. Kinesiology: Sport & Exercise Psychology. University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Minor: Educational Research Methodology.
- 2011 M.S. Kinesiology: Sport & Exercise Psychology. University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
- 2003 B.S. Psychology. Tennessee Technological University. Minor: Theater.
Employment History
- Assistant Professor, Department of Exercise Science, Elon University (2019-present)
- Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology, University of Rhode Island (2018-19)
- Ryan Research Assistant Professor of Neuroscience, George & Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rhode Island (2018-19)
- T32 Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Complementary and Integrative Healthcare, Program on Integrative Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine (2015 – 2018)
Courses Taught
ESS 333
ESS 263
ESS 443
ESS 499
Current Projects
Current Indepenedent Student Projects
- Moderate Intensity Exercise for Young Adult Cancer Survivors Experiencing Cancer-Related: an online feasibility study. Ryan Mancoll
Current Team Projects
- Online focus groups to examine feasibility of conducting exercise interventions with cancer survivors in North Carolina.
- Some effects of an online acute exercise bout on quality of life (fatigue and cognition) in breast cancer survivors: a feasibility study. Kenzie Boyd (SURE)
- Some effects of an online yoga intervention on cancer-related fatigue and cognition in breast cancer survivors: a feasibility study. Hannah King (Honor's Thesis)
- Some effects of an online acute exercise bout on cognition in young adults with ADHD: a feasibility study. Emily Kibler
Grants Awarded
RESEARCH GRANTS (funded)
- Elon University Hulquist Award. "Online focus groups to examine feasibility of conducting exercise interventions with cancer survivors in North Carolina." Role: PI
- North Carolina Translational and Clinical Science Institute (NC TraCS) $2K Pilot Grant (2017). “Feasibility of an 8-week Tai Chi Chuan Intervention for Breast Cancer Survivors”. Role: PI, $2,000
- American College of Sports Medicine Foundation Doctoral Student Research Grant (2014). “A molecular approach to examining BDNF in physical activity and cognition”. Role: PI, $5,000
- North American Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity Graduate Research Award (2014). “Does pBDNF mediate the relationship between physical activity and memory? A dose-response study”. Role: PI, $2,000
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro Kinesiology Summer Assistantship Award (2014). “A molecular approach to examining BDNF in the physical activity-cognition connection”. Role: PI, $2,000
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro Kinesiology Summer Assistantship Award (2012). “The effects of maximum anaerobic and maximum aerobic exercise on cognitive function”. Role: PI, $2,000
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro Kinesiology Summer Assistantship Award (2011). “Assessing levels of peripheral brain derived neurotrophic factor (pBDNF): applied training in the process and techniques required for conducting blood assays”. Role: PI, $2,000
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro Theodore and Loretta Williams Graduate Research Award for Arts Health (2009). “Dancers and Tai Chi: a Feasibility Study to Examine the Psychological Effects of a 6-week Tai Chi Class on Dance Majors at UNCG”. Role: PI, $1,000
TRAVEL GRANTS
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Cancer Outcomes Research Program Travel Award (2017). Funding to chair the symposium “The Role of Physical Activity on Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment” at the ACSM national conference, May, 2017, $1,900
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro Graduate Student Association Professional Development Fund (2015). Funding to present “Effects of an 8-month physical activity intervention on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF): The Physical Activity and Alzheimer’s Disease (PAAD) Study” at the NASPSPA conference, June, 2015, $300
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro Graduate Student Association Professional Development Fund (2014). Funding to present “The physical activity and Alzheimer’s disease (PAAD) study: methods and feasibility” at the NASPSPA conference, June, 2014, $300
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro School of Health and Human Sciences Graduate Student Travel Award (2013). Funding to present “The physical activity and Alzheimer’s disease (PAAD) study: methods and feasibility” at the NASPSPA conference, June, 2014, $200
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro Graduate Student Association Professional Development Fund (2013). Funding to present “The Effects of Maximum Anaerobic and Maximum Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive Function” at the NASPSPA Conference, June, 2013, $300.
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro School of Health and Human Sciences Graduate Student Travel Award (2013). Funding to present “The Effects of Maximum Anaerobic and Maximum Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive Function” at the NASPSPA Conference, June, 2013, $200.
- University of North Carolina at Greensboro Graduate Student Association Professional Development Fund. Funding to present “For Health, Wealth, or Others: How the Purpose for Participating in a Cycling Task Affects Performance” at the NASPSPA Conference, June, 2011, $300.
Publications
- Piepmeier, A.T., Etnier, J.L., Wideman, L., Berry, N., Kincaid, Z., Weaver, M.A. (2019). The impact of cycling intensity on memory and BDNF isoform concentrations in blood serum relative to BDNF genotype. The European Journal of Sport Science
- Piepmeier, A.T., Fasczewski, K., Etnier, J.L. (2018). Beyond health messaging: A behavioral economics approach to increasing self-selected distance during an acute bout of cycling. The European Journal of Sport Science, 18:9, 1264-1270, DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2018.1500642
- Jerger, K.K., Lundegard, L., Piepmeier, A.T., Faurot, K., Ruffino, A., Belger, A. (2018).Exploratory study of neural mechanisms of Qigong Sensory Training Massage for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Global Advances in Health and Medicine, 7, 1-10, DOI:10.1177/2164956118769006
- Etnier, J.L., Karper, W.B., Labban, J.D., Piepmeier, A.T., Shih, C-H., Dudley, W.N, Henrich, V.C., & Wideman, L. (2018). The Physical Activity and Alzheimer’s Disease (PAAD) study: Cognitive outcomes. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 52, 175-185.
- Etnier, J.L., Karper, W.B., Park, S-Y., Shih, C-H., Piepmeier, A.T., & Wideman, L. (2016). Motivating mature adults to be physically active. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, Sep 6, 1-23 [Epub ahead of print]
- Etnier, J.L., Wideman, L., Labban, J.D., Piepmeier, A.T., Pendleton, D.M., Dvorak, K., & Becofsky, K. (2016). The effects of acute exercise on memory and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Jul 29, 1-33 [Epub ahead of print].
- Etnier, J.L., Labban, J.D., Karper, W.B., Wideman, L., Piepmeier, A.T., Shih, C-H., Castellano, M., Williams, L.M., Park, S-Y., Henrich, V.C., Dudley, W.N, & Rulison, K.L. (2015). Innovative research exploring the effects of physical activity and genetics on cognitive performance in community-based older adults. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 23, 559-568.
- Etnier, J.L., Shih, C-H., & Piepmeier, A.T. (2015). Behavioral interventions to benefit cognition. Retos, 27, 197-202.
- Piepmeier, A.T. & Etnier, J.L. (2015). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a potential mechanism of the effects of acute exercise on cognitive performance. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 4, 14-23. DOI: 10.1093/abm/kax035
- Piepmeier, A.T., Shih, C-H., Whedon, M., Williams, L., Davis, M., Henning, D., Park, S., Calkins, S.D., & Etnier, J.L. (2015). The effect of acute exercise on cognitive performance in children with and without ADHD. Journal of Sport and Health Science, 4, 97-104.
- Etnier, J.L., Labban, J.D., Piepmeier, A.T., Davis, M.E., & Henning, D.A. (2014). Effects of acute exercise on memory in 6th grade children. Pediatric Exercise Science, 26, 250-258.
BOOK CHAPTERS
- Etnier, J.L., Piepmeier, A.T., & Shih, C-H. (2016). History of Research into the Chronic Exercise-Cognition Interaction. T. McMorris (Ed), Exercise-Cognition Interaction: Neuroscience Perspectives. Elsevier Inc.
- Etnier, J.L. & Piepmeier, A.T. (2014). Psychophysiology. R. C. Eklund & G. Tenenbaum (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Sport and Exercise Psychology (pp. 568-570). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
Presentations
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
- Piepmeier, A.T., Thompson, K. Hanson, E., Frohlich, F., Muss, H.B., Weaver, M.A., Callahan, L.F., Battaglini, C.L., Gaylord, S., Asher, G. Feasibility of an 8-week Tai Chi Chuan Intervention for Breast Cancer Survivors. North American Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, Baltimore, MD, June 2019, national conference, podium.
- Piepmeier, A.T., Battaglini, C.L., Tate, D.F., Wayne, P.M., Santacroce, S.J., Valle, C.G., Asher,G.N., Weaver, M.A. Developing a mobile RCT platform and corresponding Tai Chi intervention to help young adult cancer survivors overcome barriers for participation in exercise interventions. UNC Chapel Hill Digital Health Symposium. Chapel Hill, NC, February, 2017, poster.
- Piepmeier, A.T., Thompson, K. Hanson, E., Frohlich, F., Muss, H.B., Weaver, M.A., Callahan, L.F., Battaglini, C.L., Asher, G. Feasibility of an 8-week Tai Chi Chuan Intervention for Breast Cancer Survivors. Duke University School of Medicine & Duke Institute for Brain Sciences Symposium on Exercise and the Brain. Durham, NC, December, 2017, poster.
- Piepmeier, A.T., Thompson, K. Hanson, E., Frohlich, F., Muss, H.B., Weaver, M.A., Callahan, L.F., Battaglini, C.L., Asher, G. Feasibility of an 8-week Tai Chi Chuan Intervention for Breast Cancer Survivors. Annual University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Scientific Retreat. Chapel Hill, NC, October, 2017, poster.
- Piepmeier, A.T., Lee, J., Nyrop, K., Muss, H., Battaglini, C. The Get Real & Heel Breast Cancer Program: Cognitive Outcomes. Annual University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Postdoc Faculty Day. Chapel Hill, NC, October, 2017, poster.
- Piepmeier, A.T., Wefel, J., Smith, A., Liu-Ambrose, T., Campbell, K. Symposium: The Role of Physical Activity on Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment. American College of Sports Medicine, Denver, CO, May, 2017, national conference, symposium chair.
- Piepmeier, A.T. & Etnier, J.L. The effects of acute physical activity intensity and BDNF val66met genotype on memory performance. North American Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, Montreal, Canada, June 2016, national conference, poster.
- Etnier, J.L., Labban, J.D., Dudley, W.N, Karper, W.B., Henrich, V.C., Shih, C-H., Piepmeier, A.T., Park, S. The moderating effect of the apolipoprotein (APOE) genotype on cognitive performance in response to chronic physical activity: The Physical Activity and Alzheimer’s Disease (PAAD) Study. North American Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, Portland, OR, June 2015, national conference, podium.
- Etnier, J.L., Karper, W.B., Piepmeier, A.T., Wideman, L., Castellano, M. Effects of an 8-month physical activity intervention on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF): The Physical Activity and Alzheimer’s Disease (PAAD) Study. North American Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, Portland, OR, June 2015, national conference, poster.
- Etnier, J.L., Labban, J.D., Karper, W.B., Wideman, L., Piepmeier, A.T., Shih, C-H., Castellano, M., Williams, L.M., Park, S., Henrich, V.C., Dudley, W.N, & Rulison, K.L. The physical activity and Alzheimer’s disease (PAAD) study: methods and feasibility. North American Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, Minneapolis, MN, June 2014, national conference, podium.
- Shih, C-H., Piepmeier, A.T., Henning, D.H., Davis, M.E., Castellano, M., Williams, L.M., Park, S., Calkins, S.D., & Etneir, J.L. Cognitive performance after acute exercise by children with and without ADHD. North American Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, Minneapolis, MN, June 2014, national conference, poster.
- Piepmeier, A.T., & Etnier J. The Effects of Maximum Anaerobic and Maximum Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive Function. North American Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, New Orleans, LA, June 2013, national conference, podium.
- Shih, C-H., Piepmeier, A. T., Henning, D.H., Davis, M. E., Calkins, S. D., & Etnier, J.L. The effect of acute exercise on the performance of executive function tasks by children. North American Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, New Orleans, LA, June 2013, national conference, poster.
- Piepmeier, A.T., & Etnier, J.L. The Effects of Maximum Anaerobic and Maximum Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive Function. Graduate Research & Creativity Expo, Greensboro, NC, April, 2013, poster.
- Shih, C-H., Piepmeier, A. T., Henning, D.H., Davis, M. E., Calkins, S. D., & Etnier, J.L. The effect of acute exercise on the performance of executive function tasks by children. Graduate Research & Creativity Expo, Greensboro, NC, April, 2013, poster.
- Piepmeier, A.T., & Etnier, J.L. For Health, Wealth, or Others: How the Purpose for Participating in a Cycling Task Affects Performance. Graduate Research & Creativity Expo, Greensboro, NC, April, 2012, poster.
- Etnier, J. L., Piepmeier, A. T., Davis, M. E., Labban, J. D., Jackson, H., & Henning, D.A. Effects of Maximal Exercise on Memory in 6th Grade Children. Graduate Research & Creativity Expo, Greensboro, NC, 2012, podium.
- Etnier, J. L., Piepmeier, A. T., Davis, M. E., Labban, J. D., Jackson, H., & Henning, D.A. Effects of Maximal Exercise on Memory in 6th Grade Children. North Carolina Cognition Conference, Chapel Hill, NC, 2012, poster.
- Piepmeier, A.T., & Etnier, J.L. For Health, Wealth, or Others: How the Purpose for Participating in a Cycling Task Affects Performance. North American Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, Burlington, VT, June, 2011, national conference, podium.
- Etnier, J.L., Labban, J.D., Loy, B., Piepmeier, A.T., Pendleton, D., Dvorak, K., Ezell, E., & Fisher, K. Cognitive demands of moderately intense physical activity. North American Society for Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity, Tucson, AZ, June, 2010, national conference, podium.
- Wilcox, Z., Austin, A., Whitley, H., Dale, W., Piepmeier, A.T., & Winningham, S. The relationship between acute cardiovascular responsivity and general health: An examination of the allostatic model. American Psychological Association, Toronto, ON, August, 2003, national conference, poster.
Professional Development
- Transdisciplinary Research in Energetics and Cancer Research Education Program (TREC Training Workshop). 2020 Fellow.
Awards
- 2017 The UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Scientific Retreat: Research
- Poster Contest (2nd place).
- 2015 The School of Health and Human Sciences Outstanding Doctoral Student Award, UNCG.
- 2015 The School of Health and Human Sciences Dissertation Research Funding Award, from the School of Health and Human Sciences, UNCG.
- 2015 American Kinesiology Association Doctoral Scholar.
- 2015 American Kinesiology Association Graduate Writing Scholar.
- 2014 Three-Minute Thesis Competition - Finalist
- 2013 The Pearl Berlin Writing Award, from the Department of Kinesiology, UNCG.
- 2012 The Kate R. Barrett Student Professional Development Award, Department of Kinesiology, UNCG.