Helaine Alessio

Educational Credentials

Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Johns Hopkins University and National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD
Ph.D., Exercise Physiology, University of Maryland
M.S., Exercise Physiology, Ithaca College
B.S., Health, Physical Education and Special Education, Douglass College, Rutgers University

Biography

Helaine Alessio, Ph.D., FACSM is a Professor and former Chair of the Department of Kinesiology, Nutrition, and Health at Miami University. After 17 years as Chair, she has returned to the faculty to continue her teaching and research work. She teaches Exercise Science-related courses and has received university commendations for her teaching, research, and service, including the highest award given at Miami University-the Benjamin Harrison Award. She is past President of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Midwest chapter and has served on multiple committees at the national and regional level for the ACSM as well as served on other local and national boards, including the Center of Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She has been funded by NIH, private foundations, and corporations to her support research, teaching, and service projects. She has published 2 books, over 70 journal articles and book chapters, as well as national and international peer-reviewed blogs, infographics, and NPR broadcasts. She is listed in the top 2% of Exercise Scientists cited in the world by Stanford University researchers. A recent paper on e-bikes published in the Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine received “Best paper award” in 2021. Her recent teaching appointment at the Miami University Dolibois European Center in fall of 2024 is one of the highlights of her teaching career.

Profesional Credentials or Certifications

Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine and Scripps Gerontology Fellow

Professional Organizations

American College of Sports Medicine, Board of Trustees for Regional Campus

Scholarly Interests

Helaine Alessio, Ph.D.’s research interests include investigating gene expressions and health-related phenotypes such as tumor growth, blood lipids, and oxidative stress, in animals comparing physically active and sedentary models. Her collaborative research with Ann Hagerman, Ph.D. (Chemistry and Biochemistry) has been funded by the National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, and the National Cancer Institute. She also collaborates with Kathleen Hutchinson, Ph.D. and Susan Baker-Brehm, Ph.D. on speech, hearing, and exercise research using human models. Helaine M Alessio, Ph.D., and Kathleen Hutchinson Marron, Ph.D. at the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Miami University have recently published a new book: Health and Hearing.

Courses Taught

KNH 209 Medical Terminology
KNH 402 Personal and Ecological Health Capstone
KNH 468/568 Physiological and Biophysical Aspects of Human Activity
KNH 685 Exercise, Age, and Health

Most Recent Awards and Grants

Awards

Alessio, HM. 2024. Benjamin Harrison Award - the most significant recognition Miami has to offer to faculty who exemplify the teacher-scholar model through their continuous significant contributions to teaching, research, and service.

Alessio, HM. 2022. Prodesse Quam Conspici award. The words and the award translates as "to accomplish without being conspicuous." For exceptional service to the Faculty, Staff, and Students of the University over the years.

Alessio, HM, 2009. American College of Sports Medicine Midwest Chapter Founders’ Award

Grants

Alessio, H.M. 2023. Creation of an outdoor classroom/pavillion/shelter for active learning and play. $10,000. Funded by the Greater Oxford Community Foundation and matched by a private donor $10,000, total=$20,000.

Alessio, H.M. 2022. Comparison of blood glucose and cardiometabolic responses to one week of ebike riding. $6,000. Funded by Bosch and Gazelle Companies, California.

Alessio, H.M. 2021-2022. Effect of dual task exercise on memory and cognition. $50,000. Funded by Activate Brain and Body, Cincinnati Ohio.

Alessio, H.M., Bailey-Van Kuren, M., Parkinson, and Scarborough, D. 2022. Using Augmented Reality to Influence Taste Perception of Healthy Foods from Farm to Table. $33, 832

Alessio, H.M. and Abbitt, R. 2021. Wilkes Institute for Leadership and Service to support work in Personal and Ecological Health ($1600).

Recent Publications

Books

1. Alessio, H.M. and Hutchinson-Marron, K.M. Health and Hearing. World Scientific Press, 2024.
2. Alessio, H.M and Hagerman, A.E. Oxidative stress in exercise and aging. London: Imperial College
   Press, 2006.

Book Chapters

1. Alessio, H.M. and Hutchinson-Marron, K. 2024. Lifestyle and hearing: Effects of nutrition,
   physical activity, and leisure noise. In Health and Hearing, Helaine Alessio and Kathleen
   Hutchinson Marron (Eds.) Hackensack, NJ: World Scientific Press, pp.304-343.
2. Alessio, H.M. and Hutchinson, K. 2013. Chapter 6: Fitness and Better Hearing. In The
   Consumer Handbook on Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids: A Bridge to Healing, Richard Carmen
   (Ed.), 111-132.
3. Alessio, H.M. and Hutchinson, K. 2008. Is there a relationship between exercise and better
   hearing? In The Consumer Handbook on Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids: A Bridge to Healing,
   Richard Carmen (Ed.), 133-136.
4. Alessio, H.M. 2006. Oxidative stress and muscle size, type, and action. In H.M. Alessio and A.E.
   Hagerman (eds.) Oxidative stress, exercise and aging. London: Imperial College Press, pp 34-57.
5. Alessio, H.M. 2006. Oxidative stress across the exercise continuum. In H.M. Alessio and A.E.
   Hagerman (eds.) Oxidative Stress, Exercise and Aging. London: Imperial College Press, pp
   58-84.
6. Schweitzer, N.B. and Alessio, H.M. 2006. Gene expressions: oxidative stress, exercise, and
   aging. In H.M. Alessio and A.E. Hagerman (eds.) Oxidative stress, exercise and aging. London:
   Imperial College Press, pp 145-170.

Refereed Articles

1. Alessio, HM, Malay, NM, Jones, A, Thornburg, T, Stein, L, and Smith, DL. 2025. Cognitive and
   physical outcomes after 12 weeks of dual task vs. exercise only program for older adults.
   Physical Activity, Health, and Aging. In Press.
2. Alessio, HM, Montoye AHK, Timmerman, KL. 2024. This May actively transport yourself to
   work. ACSM Bulletin, May.
3. Alessio, HM, Timmerman, KL. 2024. Electric bicycle riding improves cardiometabolism in
   moderately active adults. Journal of Hematology Thrombology Disorders, 12:594.
4. Alessio, HM, Timmerman, KL., Ballard, K, Reidy, P, Bagg, A, Montoye, A. 2024. Health and
   environmental benefits of riding an electric bike. ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal, 28:19-25.
   (Featured journal article).
5. Alessio, HM, Timmerman, KL, Ballard, K, Reidy, P, Bagg, A, Cooley, R, Montoye, A. 2024.
   Effects of short-term electric bike use on continuous blood glucose levels in healthy adults.
   European Journal of Applied Physiology.
6. Claiborne, SA, Alessio, HM, Barth, E, Hughes, M, and Cox, RH. 2021. Heart rate variability in
   healthy college students at rest and after stress exposure. International Journal of Environmental
   Research and Public Health, 18:10069.
7. Alessio, HM, Bassett, D, Bopp, M., Parr, B, Patch, G, Rankin, J. Rohas-Rueda, D, Roti, M,
   Wojcik, J. 2021. Climate change, air pollution, and physical inactivity: Is active transportation part
   of the solution. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 53(6):1170-1178.
8. Alessio, HM and Messinger, JD. 2021. Faculty and student perceptions of academic integrity in
   technology-assisted learning and testing. Frontiers in Education, 6: article 629220
9. Alessio, HM, Reiman, T, Kemper, B, Von Carlowitz, W, Bailer, AJ, and Timmerman, KL. 2020.
   Metabolic and cardiovascular responses to a simulated commute on an e-bike. Translational
   Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, 6, 2:1-6. (Awarded paper of the year by the
   American College of Sports Medicine).
10. Alessio, HM, Hutchinson Marron, K, Cramer, I, Stephenson, S, Marciondo, K, Wagner, S, Wharton,
    T, Hughes, M. Sproat, B., Bunger, A. 2020. Effects of health factors and personal listening
    behaviors on hearing acuity in college-aged students. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol, 129(8):755-766.
11. Alessio, HM. and Maurer, K. 2018. The impact of video proctoring in online courses. Journal of
    Excellence in College Teaching, 29, 3/4: 183-192.
12. Alessio, HM, Wong, EY. 2018. Academic integrity and ethical behavior in college
    students-Experiences from universities in China (Hong Kong SAR) and the U.S.: A message
    from the guest editors. Journal of Excellence in College Teaching, 29,3/4:1-8.
13. Alessio, HM, Malay, NJ, Maurer, K, Bailer, AJ, and Rubin, B. 2018. Interaction of proctoring
    and student major on online test performance. International Review of Research in Open and
    Distributed Learning. 19:5.
14. Alessio, HM, Malay, NJ, Maurer, K, Bailer, AJ, and Rubin, B. 2017. Examining the effect of
    proctoring on online test scores. Journal of Online Learning, 21 (1).
15. Hutchinson Marron, K, Malott, L, Alessio, HM, Bunger, A and Szymczak, C. 2015. Gender
    factors that affect health and hearing acuity in personal listening device users and non-users.
    Journal of Women’s Health, Issues, and Care, 4, 4:1-7.
16. Hutchinson, KM, Marchiondo, K, Stephenson, S, Wagner, S, Cramer, I, Wharton, T, Hughes, M,
    Sproat, B, and Alessio, HM. 2015. (epub ahead of print 2014) College Students’ personal
    listening device usage and knowledge. International Journal of Audiology. 54,6:384-390.
17. Hutchinson, KM, Sproat, B, Ross, D, Wagner, S, and Alessio, HM. 2014. Music listening
    behavior, health, hearing and otoacoustic emission levels. International Journal of
    Environmental Research and Public Health, 11: 7592-7607.
18. Alessio, HM, Ansinelli, H, Threadgill, C, and Hagerman, AE. 2014. Comparison of gene and
    protein expressions in rats residing in standard cages with those having access to an exercise
    wheel. Biomedical Research International. Article ID 950516: 1-9.
19. Alessio, HM and Hutchinson-Marron, M. 2014. Fitness and Better Hearing, Part 2. Hearing
    Review.com, 18-24.
20. Alessio, HM and Hutchinson-Marron, KM. 2014. Fitness and Better Hearing, Part 1. Hearing
    Review.com, 30-36.
21. Alessio, HM, Rogers, JL, Radina, M, and Wasburn-Moses. L. 2014. Role of Ecological Literacy
    in a College of Education: Acknowledging the Intersection of Person and Place in Pursuit of
    Health and Well-being. Journal of Health, Wellness and Society, 3: 67-83.

Peer- Reviewed Blogs and Infographics:

1. Alessio, HM. and Mattews, T. (2020) Active transit. ACSM, American Fitness Index and
   Anthem Foundation.
2. Alessio, HM. 2020. Miami University (OH) commits to a sustainable future on the autumn
   equinox. Climate for Health blog.
3. Alessio, HM. 2018. Apply “active” to your lifestyle, voice, transportation and vote this November.
   American College of Sports Medicine blog.

In the News

 

EHS Peddles Public Health through Grass Roots Community Activism - with Helaine Alessio

In this podcast episode, we explore new movements to improve public health . . . literally, as kinesiology and health students get involve in civic engagement to improve the bikeability of their local community.