Rate My Professor Scott Swanson

Scott Swanson is an Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology at Ohio Northern University, holding a joint appointment in the Department of Biological Sciences and the Department of Human Performance and Sport Sciences. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Alma College, a Master of Science from Kent State University Main Campus, and a PhD from The Ohio State University. Swanson commenced his academic career at Ohio Northern University in 1997 and was instrumental in developing the Exercise Physiology major in the Getty College of Arts & Sciences. He served as the program coordinator for Exercise Physiology until 2020, during which time the program grew to become one of the largest majors at the university. This program emphasizes hands-on experiences in exercise physiology, preparing graduates for advanced degrees in allied health professions or careers in the fitness industry. Swanson teaches a range of courses, including Introductory Exercise Physiology, Advanced Exercise Physiology, Exercise Testing and Prescription, and Exercise Biochemistry, all conducted from his office in the King-Horn Center.

Swanson's research interests focus on exercise performance, exercise testing, and carbohydrate metabolism during exercise, with specific attention to the roles of carbohydrates and muscle glycogen in performance. He has co-authored the publication 'A 12-year Retrospective Analysis of VO2max Values in College-aged Student Athletes' with Michelle Wilson, published in 2022 in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Allied Health Sciences. Additionally, Swanson mentors undergraduate students on research projects presented at the university's Student Research Colloquium. Notable examples include 'Resting Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Measurements Are Not Influenced by the Testing Environment' in 2025, co-presented with Katie Prusnek, Nora Metcalf, Dani Widmark, and Rachel Ruggles, and 'Body Mass Index of Male and Female Athletes at ONU from 2011-2023' in 2024, with Sydney Kilgore and Hunter King. Through his extensive tenure exceeding 25 years, Swanson has made significant contributions to undergraduate education and research in exercise physiology at Ohio Northern University.