Kathryn Rougeau, Ph.D.

Title: Coordinator, Assistant Professor - Wellness and Health Promotion
Office: 1020 Human Health Building
Phone: (248) 364-8834
Fax: (248) 364-8657
E-mail:  rougeau@oakland.edu

Educational Background: 
PhD; Kinesiology; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
MS; Kinesiology; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
BS; Wellness, Health Promotion & Injury Prevention; Oakland University 

Teaching Interests: 
Health & Well-being
Physical Disabilities
Special Populations 

Research/Scholarship: 
Dr. Rougeau has had the pleasure of working on multiple health and exercise based research projects including: recruit firefighter fitness and the impact individual fitness had on live fire performance and cognition, as well as the impact of fitness training has on adaptive reasoning and fluid intelligence. Her doctoral thesis was a study examining affective change during passive (motor driven) cycling in individuals with spinal cord injuries. Much of the research on this topic suggests that passive exercise should be utilized as a way to slow muscle atrophy post-injury. However, Dr. Rougeau examined the use of passive exercise as a placebo for active exercise. The research Dr. Rougeau intends to pursue at Oakland University involves the exploration of the impact of health promotion and wellness in individuals with disabilities, both visible and invisible; a field that is currently lacking in information, but growing in the number of individuals who can benefit from continued findings. Dr. Rougeau’s research focuses on determining the mechanisms underlying effectiveness of exercise in improving affect/emotion, as well as inclusive wellness for individuals with disabilities.

Professional Affiliations: 
American College of Sports Medicine

Personal Interests: 
Being physically active, relaxing with friends and a good cup of coffee, reading, and her 3-legged cat, Mr. Pickles.