Nick Leahy

Visiting Instructor of Exercise Science

Education

Ph.D.(c) in Exercise Physiology, University of Central Florida
M.S. in Kinesiology (Physical Activity Promotion), East Carolina University
B.A. in Health Fitness Specialist with a minor in Business Administration, East Carolina University

Research Interests

Physical activity, nutrition, and sleep patterns in young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Affiliations

American College of Sports Medicine
American College of Sports Medicine Southeast Chapter

Courses Taught

EXSC 211: Neuromuscular Assessment and Exercise Prescription
EXSC 235: Motor Skill Behavior

Selected Publications

Renziehausen, J., Rivera, P., Leahy, N., Fukuda, D., & Garcia, JM. (2022), "The Feasibility of a Community-Based Judo Program and Cortisol Collection in Children with Autism." Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 6, 100-105.
Garcia, J.M., Cathy, B., Leahy, N., Shurack, R., Brazendale, K., Lee, E., & Lawrence, S. (2022), "Feasibility and acceptability of a school-based nutrition and culinary program for adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder." Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 53(11), 987-990.
Garcia, J.M., Cathy, B.S., Garcia, A.V., Shurack, R., Brazendale, K., Leahy, N., Fukuda, D., & Lawrence, S. (2021), "The transition of a judo program from in-person to remote delivery during COVID-19 for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder." Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 5(2), 227–232.
Garcia, J.M., Lawrence, S., Brazendale, K., Leahy, N., & Fukuda, D. (2021), "Brief Report: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health behaviors in adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder." Disability and Health, 14(2), 101021.
Garcia, J.M., Leahy, N., Brazendale, K., Quelly, S., & Lawrence, S. (2021), "A school-based Fitbit program to promote physical activity in youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A feasibility study." Disability and Health, 14(2), 100990.
Garcia, J.M., Leahy, N.A., Rivera, P., Brazendale, K., & Rice, DJ. (2020), "The Association between lifestyle behaviors and sleep in youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder." Disability and Health, 13(3), 100885.
Brazendale, K., Brazendale, A., Garcia, J.M., Leahy, N., McDonald, A.A., Kenney, M., Weaver, R.G., & Beets, M.W. (2020), "Breaking Tradition: Increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary time of children with developmental disabilities." Disability and Health, 13(2), 100869.
Garcia, J.M., Leahy, N., Rivera, P., Renziehausen, J., Samuels, J., Fukuda, D., & Stout, J. (2020), "Brief report: preliminary efficacy of a judo program to promote participation in physical activity in youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder." Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50(4), 1418–1424.