Department

Kinesiology

Education

• Indiana University, Ph.D Health Behavior, 2022

• California University of Pennsylvania, M.S. Exercise Science, 2016

• Montana State University, B.S. Health Promotion, 2010

Background

• Project Management Professional (PMP) – Project Management Institute
• Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) – National Strength & Conditioning Association
• Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP) – American College of Sports Medicine
• Certified Health & Wellness Coach (CHWC) – Wellcoaches School of Coaching
• Research Coordinator (2021-2022), IU School of Public Health, (PI: Kawata, K., NIH-NINDS R01NS113950-01A1, 5 year $2,856,478). A longitudinal study of subconcussive head impacts and progressive neuronal dysfunction in adolescent athletes.
• Competitive Edge Program Coordinator/Supervisor (2015-2019), The Summit Medical Fitness Center, Kalispell Regional Healthcare. Adult strength training program; youth training academy; health and human performance laboratory; high school athletic training services.

Scholarly Interest

Dr. Kercher's work focuses on changing the world by bridging the gap between public health, youth sport management, and exercise science. He has three primary concentrations:

• multi-level physical activity-based interventions utilizing sport-based youth development in under-resourced middle school children,
• diversity, equity, and inclusion, and
• sport governance.

Selected Publications

Articles

Kercher, KA, Macy JT, Steinfeldt JA, Seo DC, & Kawata K (2022). Drill intensity and head impact exposure in adolescent football. Pediatrics. Nov 1;150(5):e2022057725. doi:10.1542/peds.2022-057725.

Kercher, KA, Macy JT, Seo DC, & Steinfeldt JA. (2022). Factors associated with U.S. adults' willingness to allow teenagers to play tackle football. PLoS One. Sep 7;17(9):e0273229. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0273229.

Kercher, KA, Macy JT, & Washington M (2022). An institutional examination of U.S. adults' willingness to allow teenage boys to play tackle football. Journal of Physical Education and Sport. doi:10.7752/jpes.2022.10311.

Kercher (Martinez) VM, Burton D, Pickering MA, & Kercher, KA (2022). Profiling physical activity motivation based on reasons for exercise: A cluster analysis approach. Psychological Reports. Aug 13:332941221119413. doi:10.1177/00332941221119413.

Kercher (Martinez) VM, Kercher, KA, Bennion T, Levy P, Alexander C, Amaral PC, & Romero-Cabellero A (2022). Fitness trends from around the globe. ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal, 26(1), 21-37. doi:10.1249/FIT.0000000000000737.

Macy JT, Kercher, KA, Steinfeldt JA, & Kawata K (2021). Fewer US adolescents playing football and public health: A review of measures to improve safety and an analysis of gaps in the literature. Public Health Reports. Sep-Oct;136(5):562-574. doi:10.1177/0033354920976553.

Kercher (Martinez) VM, Kercher, KA, Bennion T, Yates BA, Feito Y, Alexander C, & Miguel A (2021). Fitness trends from around the globe. ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal, 25(1), 20-31. doi:10.1249/FIT.0000000000000639.

Kercher, KA, Steinfeldt JA, Macy JT, Ejima K, & Kawata K (2020). Subconcussive head impact exposure differences between drill intensities in U.S. high school football. PLoS ONE, 15(8), e0237800. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0237800.