David R. Bassett

Biography

 David Bassett is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, & Sport Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He teaches courses in Exercise Physiology, Fitness Testing & Exercise Prescription, Clinical Exercise Physiology, and Human Obesity. His primary research interest is in the measurement of physical activity and energy expenditure in humans, using objective methods. He and his colleagues have studied the validity and reliability of accelerometers, pedometers, and heart rate monitors, and they have developed new methods of assessing physical activity. In many of these studies, respiratory gas exchange is used to measure energy expenditure; this provides a convenient “gold standard” for comparison purposes. Dr. Bassett has explored relationships between physical activity and body weight, blood pressure, and other cardiovascular risk factors. He collaborates with researchers in the fields of public health and transportation planning to study the relationships between active transportation and health. Dr. Bassett is a fellow in the American College of Sports Medicine, a member of the National Academy of Kinesiology, and he serves on the editorial boards of Journal of Applied Physiology, Journal of Physical Activity and Public Health, and Research Digest.

Research Interest

 David Bassett is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, & Sport Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He teaches courses in Exercise Physiology, Fitness Testing & Exercise Prescription, Clinical Exercise Physiology, and Human Obesity. His primary research interest is in the measurement of physical activity and energy expenditure in humans, using objective methods. He and his colleagues have studied the validity and reliability of accelerometers, pedometers, and heart rate monitors, and they have developed new methods of assessing physical activity. In many of these studies, respiratory gas exchange is used to measure energy expenditure; this provides a convenient “gold standard” for comparison purposes. Dr. Bassett has explored relationships between physical activity and body weight, blood pressure, and other cardiovascular risk factors. He collaborates with researchers in the fields of public health and transportation planning to study the relationships between active transportation and health. Dr. Bassett is a fellow in the American College of Sports Medicine, a member of the National Academy of Kinesiology, and he serves on the editorial boards of Journal of Applied Physiology, Journal of Physical Activity and Public Health, and Research Digest.