Jim SexsmithJames Sexsmith, PhD

Contact Information:

James Sexsmith
Professor
Office Phone:  506-453-5061
Office Location:  2 Peter Kelly Drive, Room C103
E-mail:  sexs@unb.ca

BSc (Lethbridge), MSc, PhD (Alberta)



Research Interests

  • Energy balance – comparison of energy intake and expenditure
  • Exercise and attention deficit disorder
  • Maintenance resistance training
  • Hip flexor characteristics and ice hockey
  • Alterations in neuromuscular control under fatiguing conditions

Biography

Dr. Sexsmith obtained B.Sc. (PE/Biol; U. Lethbridge) and M.Sc. (PE-Exercise Physiology; U. Alberta) degrees prior to accepting a position at UNB as a lecturer and coach of the women’s volleyball team. He left UNB and was the Canadian Volleyball Assoc. Technical Coordinator through the 1984 Olympics. He then returned to UNB as a faculty member, completing his Ph.D. (Exercise Physiology; U. Alberta) in 1985. He has taught numerous activity, human/exercise physiology/biochemistry, and research methods courses as well as served in several Faculty and University administrative positions including Acting Associate Dean and Dean of Graduate Studies in the late 1990’s. His research is interdisciplinary and eclectic with the unifying theme and focus being neuromuscular control and fatigue. Exercise models are used as the stressor with both acute responses (eg. supplementation) and chronic (ie. training) adaptations being studied via biochemical, biomechanical, cardio­respiratory, electromyographic and psychologi­cal techniques. Basic and applied research is done, with applications ranging from training prescription through rehabilitation to myoelectric prosthesis control.

Publications and Conference Presentations

Sexsmith, J.R., Herbert, T., Oliver, M.L., Smith, D.J. Effects of maintenance resistance training on muscular strength and endurance. Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 31(Suppl): S77, 2006. [Presented at Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology 2006 Conference, Halifax, NS, Nov 2006]

Sexsmith, J.R., Dunbrack, A., Holbein, M., Kitzman, J., Oliver, M.L. Metabolic cart makeover: An innovative way to recycle, refurbish and reuse. Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 31(Suppl): S78, 2006. [Presented at Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology 2006 Conference, Halifax, NS, Nov 2006]

Letourneau, N., Tracy, S., Giberson, F., Landry, J., Richardson, G., Sexsmith, J. The effect of gluten-free diet on children with symptoms of ADHD. Cochrane Reviews: Registered Protocol 15p, 2006.

Neary, J.P., Roberts, A.D.W., Leavins, N.H., Harrison, M.F., Croll, J., Sexsmith, J.R. Muscle haemodynamic and oxygen saturation during exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome patients. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 38(5): S359, 2006. [Presented at American College of Sports Medicine 53rd Annual Confer­ence, Denver, CO, June 2006]

Seaman, K..A., Lohnes, C.A., Sexsmith, J.R. Lower body neuromuscular adaptations following reduced-frequency resistance training in resistance trained males. Can. J. Applied Physiol. 30(Suppl): S72, 2005. [Presented at Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology 2005 Conference, Gatineau, PQ, Nov 2005]

Harrison, M.F., Sexsmith, J.R., Albert W.J., Mureika, R.A The relationship between hip flexor characteristics and on-ice skating performance. Can. J. Applied Physiol. 30(Suppl): S35, 2005. [Presented at Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology 2005 Conference, Gatineau, PQ, Nov 2005]

Seaman, K.A., Sexsmith, J.R., Lohnes, C.A. Efficacy of a maintenance resistance training program. Proceedings of the 2005 NSCA National Conference and Exhibition; p. 821, 2005. [Presented at National Strength Coaches Assoc Conference., Las Vegas, NV, Jul 2005]

Sexsmith, J.R., Inman, J.S. Energy balance of nutrition and activity in kinesiology students. Proceedings of the CFBS 48th Annual Meeting & Conference; p. 97, 2005. [Presented at Canadian Federation of Biological Sciences 48th Annual Meeting & 2nd Northern Lights Summer Conference., Guelph, ON, Jun 2005]

Kuruganti, U., Parker, P., Rickards, J., Sexsmith, J., and Tingley, M. The Effect of Bilateral Isokinetic Training to Reduce the Bilateral Limb Deficit in Older and Younger Adults. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 94(1-2): 175-179, 2005.

Sexsmith, J.R. Teaching Bioenergetics: A Fun & Interactive PBL Approach. Invited Presentation - Teaching in Exercise Physiology Symposium. Presented at the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Annual Conference, Saskatoon, SK, Oct 2004.

Northey, G., Oliver, M.L., McLean, A.D., Sexsmith, J.R. A Comparison of Four Movement Specific EMG Data Normalization Techniques for the Analysis of Muscle Loads During Hydraulic Actuation Joystick Controller Use. Proceedings of the Association of Canadian Ergonomists and Institute of Industrial Engineers Joint Conference 2003 CD-ROM, 8 page paper. [Presented at ACE-AE 2003 Conference, London, ON, October 15th, 2003].

Nabuurs, N.C., Sexsmith, J.R. Effects of Diet and Diet Plus Aerobic Exercise on Weight Loss in Moderately Obese Adults: An Updated Meta-analysis. Can. J. Applied Physiol. 28(Suppl): S85, 2003. [Presented at Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Annual Scientific Conference, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, Oct 1-4, 2003].

McMorris, T., Sproule, J., Draper, S., Child, R., Sexsmith, J.R., Foster, C.D., Pattison, J. The measurement of plasma catecholamine and lactate thresholds: A comparison of methods. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 82(4): 262-267, 2000.

Sexsmith, J.R., Oliver, M.L., Larsen, B. Measuring human energy expenditure in the workplace: A critical review of current methodologies. presented at 31st Association of Canadian Ergonomists Conference, Hull, 1999.

McMorris, T., Myers, S., MacGillivary, W.W., Sexsmith, J.R., Fallowfield, J., Graydon, J. Exercise, plasma catecholamine concentrations and decision-making performance of soccer players on a soccer-specific test. J. Sports Science. 17(8): 667-676, 1999.

Woods, B.A. and Sexsmith, J.R. Effect of contraction velocity on dynamic knee extension bilateral ratios. Can. J. Applied Physiol. 23(5): 513, 1998. [presented at Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology Confer­ence, Fredericton, 1998]

Sexsmith, J.R., Woods, B.A. Effects of knee angle and randomization on dynamic knee extension bilateral ratios. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 29(5): S39, 1997. [presented at American College of Sports Medicine Confer­ence, Denver, 1997]

Woods, B.A., Sexsmith, J.R. Effects of Inertia on Pattern Recognition Ability of a NNC Based Myoelectric Prosthesis Control System. 22nd Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society Conference Proceedings. pp. 56-57, 1996. [presented at Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society Conference, Charlottetown, 1996]

Galloway, S.D.R., M.S. Tremblay, J.R. Sexsmith, C.J. Roberts. The effects of acute phosphate supplementation in subjects of different aerobic fitness levels. Eur. J. Appl. Physiol. 72(2):224-230, 1996.

Rush, K.L. and J.R. Sexsmith. Energy balance of nutrition and activity in a group of nursing students. Can. J. Nursing Res. 26(1):55-70, 1994.

Completed Graduate Theses

Seaman, K. Efficacy of Reduced Frequency Resistance Training on the Maintenance of Muscular Strength, Power, and Endurance. M.Sc.-E&SS, 2006.

Harrison, M.F. Principal Component Analysis Investigation of Relationships Between Hip Flexor Power/Endurance and Ice-Hockey Skating Performance. M.Sc.-E&SS, 2005.

Kuruganti, U. The Effects of Resistance Training, Muscle Coactivation, Age and Neuromuscular Fatigue on the Bilateral Limb Deficit Phenomenon. Ph.D.-Interdisciplin­ary (Human Factors Engineering), UNB, 2004. [co-supervisor]

Yang, P.Y. Problem-based Learning on the World Wide Web in an Undergraduate Kinesiology Class: An Integrative Approach to Education. M.Sc.-E&SS, 2001.

Hanley, C.M. Constraints to Physical Activity in Shift Workers. M.Sc.-E&SS, 1999. [co-supervisor]

Woods, B.A. Bilateral Ratios from Knee Extension During Isokinetic Contractions: An Exploratory and Methodological Study. M.Sc.-E&SS, 1997.

Christie, K.L. Development of a New Individual Incremental Cycle Ergometer Test (NICET) Providing Individualized Results. M.Sc.-E&SS, 1997.

Aubé, M.R. Influence of Load and Velocity on the Deterministic Component of the Myoelectric Signal During Cycling. M.Sc.-E&SS, 1997.

Completed Undergraduate Honours Theses and Directed Studies

Nabuurs, N.C. Effects of Diet and Diet Plus Aerobic Exercise on Weight Loss in Moderately Obese Adults: An Updated Meta-analysis. Honours Thesis, 2003.

Lohnes, C. Resistance Training and EMG Analysis. 2005.

Inman, J. Advanced Exercise Nutrition - Energy Intake vs Expenditure. 2005.

Branscombe, J. Physiology of Ice Hockey - Physiological & Biomechanical Assessment. 2005.

O’Quinn, C. Vegetarian Athletes - Is There Any Scientific Evidence?. 2004.