Samuel A. E. Headley
Samuel A. E. Headley
Professor of Exercise Science / Program Director of Exercise Physiology
- Doctor of Exercise Physiology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa., 1991
- Master of Science, Kings College, London, England, 1985
- Bachelor of Arts, Birmingham University, Birmingham, England, 1982
Samuel Headley completed his undergraduate degree in Physical Education from Birmingham University in the U.K. and then a master's in Human and Applied Physiology from the University of London in England. He then came to the United States and completed his doctorate in Exercise Physiology at Temple University. Having completed his degree, he was a sabbatical replacement at Gettysburg College for one year before coming to Springfield College in 1992. When he came to Springfield College, he developed the Sports Nutrition class and taught that class for more than 20 years. Headley also helped to develop the Clinical Exercise Physiology program. He has been involved in research studies from the time he came to Springfield College with his research initially focusing on the impact of exercise training on blood pressure in Black individuals with hypertension. He then formed a close collaboration with nephrologist within the Springfield community, notably Dr. Michael Germain. The two have been working collaboratively to use lifestyle interventions to assist patients with chronic kidney disease. God willing, Headley's goals are to continue this line of research.
Research Interests
- The impact of lifestyle interventions (dietary modification and exercise training) in persons with chronic kidney disease
- Using lifestyle changes to assist individuals with hypertension to lower their blood pressure, particularly in the Black population
- Improving muscle function in chronic disease states
Courses Taught
- AEXS 561 (ECGs)
- AEXS 602 Exercise Biochemistry
- AEXS 603 Cardiopulmonary Exercise Physiology
- AEXS 672 Medical Physiology
- AEXS 675 Graded exercise testing and ECG
Certifications and Memberships
- Board of Trustee Member for the American College of Sports Medicine
- Founding member and a past president of the Clinical Exercise Physiology Association
- Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM)
- Fellow of the ACSM
- Member of the American Society of Nephrology
- Former member of the Medical Panel of the West Indies Cricket Board. Functioned as the Sport Scientist consultant.
Selected Works
Presentations
- Can Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Benefit from Lifestyle Modifications? The Knuttgen Lecture, a keynote speaker at the NEACSM annual meeting in Springfield Massachusetts on October 17, 2024.
- The Impact of Lifestyle Modifications in Persons with Chronic Kidney Disease. Presented for National Kidney Foundation-Council on Renal Nutrition of New England October 2020.
- The Impact of Lifestyle Interventions in Persons with Chronic Kidney Disease. Presented at the NEACSM conference in November 2019.
- The effect of lifestyle interventions on cardiopulmonary function in CKD patients. Presented at the MAACVPR January meeting in 2019.
- The Relevance of Sedentary Behavior Reduction to the Clinical Exercise Physiologist. Presented at the New England American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Fall 2017 in Providence Rhode Island.
- CEPA Update. Presented with Professor Peter Ronai, at the New England American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Fall 2017 in Providence Rhode Island.
Publications
- Coker, NA, Germain, MJ, Ikizler, TA, Cornelius, A, Evans, EE, O’Neill, E., Mette, CD, Sha, F., Friedman, S., Headley, SA. Muscle Strength, Neuromuscular Function, and Functional Measures Across Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease. BMC Nephrology (In Press).
- Headley SA, Chapman D, Germain MJ, Evans EE, Madsen KL, Miele EM, Kirton K, Loseke J, Cornelius A, Martin B, Nindl B Park H, Vaziri ND, Ikizler A, Effects of high amylose resistant starch on gut microbiota and uremic toxin levels in patients with stage G3a-G4 chronic kidney disease: a randomized trial. J Ren Nutr.2025 Mar;35(2):248-258.
- Opeyemi, A., Gagnon, J., Mullin, E., Headley, S. Investigating the influence of physical activity intensity level on arterial stiffness response in hypertension: A UK Biobank participant-based study.
- Feofilaktov, VV., Smith, DM, Headley, SAE., & Myakinchenko, E.B. Aerobic-Resistance Exercise Improves Double Pole Performance and Kinematics in Harder Conditions in Junior Cross-Country Skiers. Aerobic-resistance exercise improves double pole performance and kinematics in harder conditions in junior cross-country skiers J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2025
- Vitti S, Bruneau M, Headley SAE, O’Neill, E & Miele E, Combined ketone ester and carbohydrate solution on exercise capacity in type 2 diabetics. Science & Sports 40 (2025) 338—345 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
- Opeyemi, A., Smith, D, & Headley, S (2024). Comparing the Impact of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Moderate-Intensity Interval Training (MIIT), and Isometric Training on Hypertension: A Comprehensive Study. American Journal of Hypertension Research. 2024; 9(2):15-21. Doi: 10.12691/ajhr-9-2-2.
- Opeyemi, A., & Headley, S. (2024). Prevalence of Hypertension among Black Populations: A Comprehensive Review Across Africa, the Caribbean, and North America. American Journal of Hypertension Research. 2024, 9(2), 8-14. DOI: 10.12691/ajhr-9-2-1
- Jaramillo-Morales,J, Korucu B, Pike, M, Lipworth, L Stewart, , Headley, S.A.E., Germain, M, Begue, G, Roshanravan, B, Tuttle, K, Himmelfarb, J Robinson-Cohen, Ikizler, A, Gamboa, J. Effects of caloric restriction and aerobic exercise on circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease. American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology 322: F68–F75, 2022.
- Pack QR, Shea M, Brawner CA, Headley S, Hutchinson J, Madera H, and Keteyian SJ. Exercise Prescription Methods and Attitudes in Cardiac Rehabilitation: A NATIONAL SURVEY. J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev 2022.
- Shea. M., Headley, S, Mullin, E, Brawner, CA, Schilling, P, Pack, QR. Comparison of Ratings of Perceived Exertion and Target Heart Rate Based Exercise Prescription in Cardiac Rehabilitation: Randomized Controlled Pilot Study. J. Cardiopul. Rehabil. Prev 2022, Vol 42, (5) p 352-358
