Springfield College Professor Recognized for Impactful Work with CEPA

By: Damon Markiewicz

Samuel A. E. Headley, PhD, Springfield College professor of Exercise Science and program director of Exercise Physiology, has been named the 2026 Clinical Exercise Physiology Association (CEPA) Randi Lite Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Named in honor of one of the founders and first president of CEPA, this award recognizes an individual who has significantly impacted the field of clinical exercise physiology, and has the inspiring attributes that Randi Lite brought to the profession and CEPA.

"I am honored to have been selected for this award. I believe a vibrant CEPA is critical for the field of clinical exercise physiology,” explained Headley. “With the help of the Lord Jesus, I have tried to make a meaningful contribution to the organization, and it has been a privilege to include Springfield College students and faculty along the way."

Headley is one of the most respected professionals in his field, and in 2008, he had the privilege of working with a team that included Lite to help create CEPA. Since that time, Headley has served in different capacities with CEPA, including president. Headley was involved with the creation of the annual CEPA conference in 2018. In 2020, the conference was officially adopted as the CEPA’s annual conference, and it was changed to an online format.

In February 2024, Headley was accepted as a fellow in the inaugural cohort of the CEPA, a recognition of his outstanding service to the field of clinical exercise physiology. Clinical exercise physiology is a branch of exercise physiology that focuses on the acute and chronic responses of both healthy individuals and individuals with chronic diseases to exercise. Headley is a well-known scholar in the field with more than 50 peer-reviewed publications, 30 peer-reviewed abstracts, and six book chapters on exercise physiology. His scholarship has recently focused on the impact of exercise on patients with chronic kidney disease.

"CEPA is the organization that was created to develop the profession of clinical exercise physiology. I have been honored to be involved with the creation and development of this organization since I believe it is critical for the future of our students who graduate from our CEP program," said Headley.

During his time at Springfield College, Headley has helped develop the College's nationally accredited Clinical Exercise Physiology program. Born in Barbados, Headley completed both his undergraduate (Physical Education) and master’s degrees (Human and Applied Physiology) in England. He came to the United States in 1986 and completed his PhD in Exercise Physiology at Temple University.

Headley’s main research focus has been primarily in the clinical aspects of the clinical exercise physiology field because of the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes in Barbados.

“My research focus initially was on hypertension in the Black community. Then I moved into the area of chronic kidney disease. I have been directing the Clinical Exercise Physiology program at Springfield College since 1994,” explained Headley.

Headley joined the Springfield College faculty team in 1992, and he is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and a Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist. Headley has served as a principal investigator or co-investigator on numerous grants and contracts throughout his career.

In 2018, Headley was named the inaugural recipient of the Karpovich Chair for Wellness at Springfield College. Headley led a nationwide team of 12 distinguished scholars and researchers to delve into the potential interactions of prebiotic supplementation and moderate aerobic exercise training on critical health concerns of chronic kidney disease patients. The research studied the range from inflammatory responses that predispose kidney patients to premature death due to cardiovascular disease to psychological markers of health and well-being. 

In 2023, Headley was the keynote speaker at the Springfield College School of Physical Education, Performance, and Sport Leadership (PEPSL) celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Peter V. Karpovich Lecture on campus.

“Professor Headley was the perfect selection for the 50th anniversary celebration of the Karpovich Lecture,” explained PEPSL Dean M. Susan Guyer, PhD’03. “Dr. Headley has been a part of some very impactful research work on the campus, and he emphasizes that his research is always part of a team effort. His collaboration with his peers and his students has been inspiring to witness.”