Interests & Expertise

Dr. Strath's primary research focus revolves around physical activity and public health. Specific interests include the relationship between physical activity and cardiovascular health; physical activity promotional strategies; physical activity assessment; physical activity epidemiology; community and national physical activity patterns; and environmental determinants of physical activity behavior.

Honors, Awards, & Scientific Activities

• Ambassador Award, College of Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 2012
• Fellow, Physical Activity & Public Health Postgraduate Course on Research Directions and Strategies
• Editorial Board, Journal of Aging and Physical Activity
• Ad hoc, Manuscript reviewer for 11 international journals
• Ad hoc, Grant reviewer, Kentucky Science and Engineering Foundation (KSEF)
• Ad hoc, Grant Reviewer, Medical Research Council (MRC), United Kingdom
• Ad hoc, Grant Reviewer, Active Living Research, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
• Member, NIH Improving Diet and Physical Activity Assessment Scientific Review Panel
• Scientific Advisory Board, Wisconsin Walks

Recent Publications

Strath, S.J., Parker, S.J., Grimm, E.K., Miller, N.E., Hart, T.L., & Swartz, A.M. (2011). Motivational Matched Pedometer Feedback to Increase Physical Activity in Older Adults. Journal of Physical Activity and Health. Sep;8 Supple 2: S267-74.

Ewalt, L.A., Danduran, M.J., Strath, S.J., Moerchen, V., & Swartz, A.M. (2011). Objectively assessed physical activity and sedentary behavior does not differ between children and adolescents with and without a congenital heart defect: a pilot examination. Cardiology in the Young, June 23;1-8.

Swartz, A.M., Squires, L., & Strath, S.J. (2011). Energy Expenditure of interruptions to sedentary behavior. International Journal on Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. June 27;8:69.

Hart, T.L., Swartz, A.M., & Strath, S.J. (2011). How Many Days of Monitoring are Needed to Accurately Estimate Physical Activity in Older Adults. International Journal on Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. June 16;8:62.

Serwe, K.M., Swartz, A.M., Hart, T.L., & Strath, S.J. (2011). Effects of Long-Bout versus Short-Bout Interventions on Physical Activity Behavior in Women. Journal of Women’s Health, 20(2), 247-53

Miller, N.E., Strath, S.J., & Swartz, A.M. (2010). Estimating absolute and relative physical activity intensity across age via accelerometry in adults. Journal of Physical Activity and Aging, 18(2), 158-170.

Stevenson, T.G., Rigin, K., Nagelkirk, P.R., Hargens, T.A., Strath, S.J., & Kaminsky, L. (2009). Physical activity habits of cardiac patients participating in an early outpatient rehabilitation program. Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, 29, 229-303.

Hawkins, M.S., Storti, K.L., Richardson,C.R., King, W.C., Strath, S.J., Holleman, R.G., & Kriska, A.M. (2009). Objectively measured physical activity of U.S. adults by sex, age, and racial/ethnic groups: Cross-sectional study. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 6, 31-38.

Swartz, A.M., Strath, S.J., Miller, N.E., Grimm, E.K., Ewalt, L.A., Loy, M.S., & Gennuso. K.P. (2009). Validity of physical activity monitors in assessing energy expenditure in normal, overweight, and obese adults. The Open Sports Sciences Journal, 2, 58-64.

Kang, M., Bassett, D.R., Jr., Tudor-Locke, C., Ainsworth, B.E., Reis, J.P., Strath, S.J., & Swartz, A.M. (2009). How many days are enough? A study of 365 days of pedometer monitoring. Research Quarterly in Exercise and Sport, 80, 1-9.

Strath, S.J., Swartz, A.M., & Cashin, S.E. (2009). Ambulatory profiles of the elderly. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 17(1), 46-56.

Parker, S.J., Strath, S.J., & Swartz, A.M. (2008). Physical activity measurement in older adults: impact on relationships with mental health. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 16(4), 369-380.

Strath, S.J., Holleman, R.G., Ronis, D.L., Swartz, A.M., & Richardson, C.R. (2008). Objective physical activity accumulation in bouts and non-bouts and relationships to markers of obesity in U.S. adults. Preventing Chronic Disease, 5(4), 1-11.

Janney, C.A., Richardson, C.R., Holleman, R.G., Glasheen, C., Strath, S.J., Conroy, M.B., & Kriska, A.M. (2008). Gender moderates the inverse relationship between objectively measured physical activity and mental health service use. Journal of Mental Health and Physical Activity, 1, 9-16

Tudor-Locke, C., Bassett, D.R., Jr., Rutherford, W.J., Ainsworth, B.E., Chan, C.B., Croteau, K., Giles-Corti, B., Le Masurier, G., Moreau, K., Mrozek, J., Oppert, J.-M., Raustorp, A., Strath, S.J., Thompson, D.L., Whitt, M., Wilde, B., & Wojcik, J.R. (2008). BMI-referenced cut-points for pedometer-determined steps/day in adults. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 5, (suppl 1):S126-S139.

Swartz, A.M., Strath, S.J., Parker, S.J., & Miller, N.E. (2008). The impact of BMI and accumulated ambulatory activity on blood pressure and fasting glucose in older adults. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 16(2), 188-200.

Strath, S.J., Isaacs, R.F., & Greenwald, M.J. (2007). Operationalizing environmental indicators for influencing physical activity in the elderly. Journal of Physical Activity & Aging, 15(4), 412-424.

Strath, S.J., Swartz, A.M., Parker, S.J., Miller, N.E., & Ceislik, L.J. (2007). Walking and the metabolic syndrome in older adults. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 4(4), 397-410.

Ham, S.A., Reis, J.P., Strath, S.J., Dubose, K.D., & Ainsworth, B.E. (2007). Discrepancies in identifying objectively determined physical activity bouts. Medicine and Science in Sports & Exercise, 39, 52-58.

Swartz, A.M., Strath, S.J., Parker, S.J., Miller, N.E., & Cieslik, L.J. (2007). Ambulatory activity and body mass index in white and non-white older adults. Journal of Physical Activity & Health, 4(3), 294-304.

Strath, S.J., Brage, S., & Ekelund, U. (2005). Integration of Physiological and Accelerometer Data to Improve Physical Activity Assessment. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 37(11), S563-S571.

Conger, S.A., Strath, S.J., Bassett, D.R., Jr. (2005). Validity and reliability of the FitSense FS-1 Speedometer during walking and running. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 26(3), 208-13.

Strath, S.J., Bassett, D.R., Jr., & Swartz, A.M. (2004). Comparison of the college alumnus questionnaire physical activity index with objective monitoring. Annals of Epidemiology, 14(6), 409-15.

Eisenmann, J.C., Strath, S.J., Shadrick, D., Rigsby, P., Hirsch, N., Jacobson, L. (2004). Validity of uniaxial accelerometry during activities of daily living in children. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 91, 259-263.

Strath, S.J., Bassett, D.R., Jr., Ham, S.H., & Swartz, A.M. (2003). Assessment of physical activity by telephone interview versus objective monitoring. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 35(12), 2112-2118.

Swartz, A.M., Strath,S.J., Loftus, B.A., Moore, B.B., & Thompson, D.L. (2003). Increasing daily walking improves glucose tolerance in overweight women. Preventive Medicine, 37, 356-362.

Swartz, A.M., Bassett, D.R., Jr., Thompson, D.L., Moore, B.B., & Strath, S.J. (2003). Effects of body mass index on the accuracy of an electronic pedometer. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 24, 588-592.

Strath, S.J., Bassett, D.R., Jr., & Swartz, A.M. (2003). Comparison of MTI regression equations to predict time spent in physical activity. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 24, 298-303.

Bassett Jr., D.R., & Strath, S.J. (2002). The Pedometer. Physical Activity Assessments for Health-Related Research. G. Welk & D. Dale. (Eds.), Human Kinetics (pp. 163-177). Champaign , IL.

Strath, S.J., Bassett, D.R., Jr., Swartz, A.M., & Thompson, D.L. (2002). Validity of the simultaneous heart rate-motion sensor technique to predict energy expenditure. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 34, 888-894.

Strath, S.J., Bassett, D.R., Jr., Swartz, A.M., & Thompson, D.L. (2001). Simultaneous heart rate-motion sensor technique to estimate energy expenditure. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 33(12), 2118-2123.

Bassett, D.R., Jr., Howley, E.T., Thompson, D.L., King, G.A., Strath, S.J., McLaughlin, J.E., & Parr, B.B. (2001). Validation of a computerized metabolic measurement system. Journal of Applied Physiology, 91, 218-224.

King, G.A., Fitzhugh, E.C., McLaughlin, J.E., Bassett, D.R., Jr., Strath, S.J., & Swartz, A.M. (2001). Comparison of cardiovascular disease risk factor prevalence between occupational and leisure time physical activity. The International Journal of Obesity, 25, 606-612.

Ainsworth, B.E., Haskell, W.L., Whitt, M.C., Irwin, M.L., Swartz, A.M., Strath, S.J., O'Brien, W.L., Bassett, D.R., Jr., Schmitz, K.H., Emplaincourt, P.O., Jacobs, D.R., & Leon, A.S. (2000). Compendium of physical activities: an update of activity codes and MET intensities. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32(9), S498-S516.

Ainsworth, B.E., Bassett, D.R., Jr., Strath, S.J., Swartz, A.M., O'Brien, W.L., Thompson, R., Jones, D.A., Macera, C.A., & Kimsey, C.D. (2000). Comparison of three methods for measuring the time spent in physical activity. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32(9), S457-S464.

Bassett, D.R., Jr., Ainsworth, B.E., Swartz, A.M., Strath, S.J., O'Brien, W.L., & King, G.A. (2000). Validity of four motion sensors in measuring moderate intensity physical activity. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32(9), S471-480.

Strath, S.J., Swartz, A.M., Bassett, D.R., Jr., O'Brien, W.L., King, G.A., & Ainsworth, B.E. (2000). Evaluation of heart rate as a method for assessing moderate intensity physical activity. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32(9), S465-470.

Swartz, A.M., Strath, S.J., Bassett, D.R., Jr., O'Brien, W.L., King, G.A., & Ainsworth, B.E. (2000). Estimation of energy expenditure using CSA accelerometers at hip and wrist sites. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 32(9), S450-456.