Lawrence E. Armstrong
Professor

Presently in his 20th year as a professor in the Human Performance Laboratory. Research specialties include physiological responses to exercise; dietary intervention (i.e., sport drinks, low salt diets, glucose-electrolyte solutions); heat tolerance; uniform use; pharmacologic influences on thermoregulation and heat acclimatization as they apply to athletes, fire fighters, and military personnel.

Field studies: fluid-electrolyte balance in tennis players (Miami, FL), effects of flavoring on fluid consumption (Fort Benning, GA), heat exhaustion (Panama), heat stress monitors (Australia), heat illness (Texas), casualty rates at the Boston Marathon (Massachusetts), cooling of heatstroke patients after a summer road race (Falmouth, MA), effects of diuretic-induced dehydration on sprint running performance (Storrs, CT), observation of fluid-electrolyte and caloric turnover of cyclists during a 100-mile event in a 100F environment (Wichita Falls, TX), effects of dehydration on trail running performance (Storrs, CT).

Personal Interests: (1) Effects of mild dehydration on cognitive performance and mood state. (2) Effects of controlled dietary caffeine intake on fluid balance and physical performance in a hot environment. (3) Influence of fluid-electrolyte replacement beverages on prolonged exercise performance in a hot environment. (4) Effects of mild dehydration on physiological and psychological function. (5) Thermoregulatory and physiological strain due to athletic uniforms.

Holds joint appointments in the Department of Nutritional Sciences and in Physiology & Neurobiology.

Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine.

Editorial Board Member for the following journals: Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (ACSM), International Journal of Sports Nutrition & Exercise Metabolism, Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research (NSCA), Journal of Athletic Training (NATA).

•Ph.D., Human Bioenergetics, Ball State University, Human Performance Laboratory, 1983

•M.Ed., Science Curriculum, University of Toledo, 1976

•B.Ed., Science Curriculum (Biology), University of Toledo, 1971

« Full C.V. »

Contact Information: 

Gampel - 205

Phone: (860) 486-2647
         : (860) 486-3623
Fax: (860) 486-1123

Email: lawrence.armstrong@uconn.edu

Mailing Address:
Department of Kinesiology, Human Performance Laboratory
Neag School of Education
2095 Hillside Road, Unit 1110
Storrs, CT 06269-1110, USA

Personal Web Page

Current Courses Taught:

EKIN 5510: Exercise Metabolism; EKIN 6520: Thermal Physiology

EKIN 5530, Stressful Environments

EKIN 5515: Scientific Presentations; EKIN 4500: Physiological Systems

EKIN 4510: Mechanisms & Adaptations in Sport & Exercise

EKIN 3099/5099 & PNB 3299/5395: Independent Study

Honors/Awards:

Outstanding Research Award, Neag School of Education, May 2005

Honor Award for Exemplary Service to the N E Chapter of American College of Sports Medicine, Boxborough MA, November 1996.

Received Department of the Army Achievement Medal for Civilian Service, Heat Research Division, US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA, June 1990.

Received National Strength and Conditioning Association's Presidential Award twice. Second award, May 1993. First award, May 1989.

Aerospace Medical Association, Environmental Science Award, Nashville, TN, April 1986.

Associations/Committees/Outreach:

Appointed to the National ACSM Diversity Task Force. Purpose: to increase representation of under-represented minority members. 2004 – 2005.

Elected, National Board of Trustees Representative, American College of Sports Medicine, 2007-2009

Appointed - National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine, Committee on Military Nutrition Research, Washington D.C., 1998-2001

Appointed - Institutional Review Board for Human Studies, University of Connecticut, 2004 - 2006.

Scientific Advisory Board Member, Danone Research, France. 2008-present

In the News:

Can Athletes Drink Too Much Water?

Caffeine and Dehydration: Myth or Fact?

Soda and Milk Consumption as Obesity Factors in U.S.

Sport Drinks for Children?

Bottled Water Is Still Pure, But It's Not Simple Anymore

EXERCISE-HEAT TOLERANCE OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Areas of Expertise:

Exercise & Heat

Physiology - Environmental

Exercise & Nutrition

Heat Acclimatization

Exertional Heat Illnesses

Sport Drinks

Fluid-Electrolyte Balance

Physical Performance

Funded Research:

Effects of fluid composition on cycling performace in a warm environment

Thermoregulatory and physiological strain due to athletic uniforms.

Effects of controlled dietary caffeine intake on fluid-electrolyte balance, hydration, physiological & psychological measures during exercise-heat stress, and caffeine-withdrawal

Comparison of a fluid-electrolyte replacement beverage versus water: ergogenic properties

Assessing human hydration status

Effects of glycerol rehydration during exercise in the heat

Effects of a strong antioxidant on maximal aerobic power

NIH Minority Student Bridges Grant involving Howard University, Washington D.C. and University of Rhode Island

Effects of mild dehydration on cognitive function and mood state

Selected Publications/Presentations:

Armstrong, L.E. Assessing hydration status: The elusive gold standard. Journal American College of Nutrition 26(5):575S-584S, 2007.

Armstrong LE, Casa DJ, Maresh CM, and Ganio MS. Caffeine, Fluid-Electrolyte Balance, Temperature Regulation, and Exercise Performance. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews 35(3): 135-140, 2007.

Popkin BM, Armstrong LE, Bray GM, Cabalerro B, Frei B, Willet WC. A new proposed guidance system for beverage consumption in the United States. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 83:529-542, 2006.

Armstrong LE, Whittlesey MJ, Casa DJ, Elliott TA, Keith NR, Kavouras SA, Maresh CM. No Effect of 5% Hypohydration on Running Economy of Competitive Runners at 23°C. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, in press, 2006.

Armstrong, L.E., Boulant J.A. Neuroendocrine influences on temperature regulation in hot environments. In: Encyclopaedia of Sports Medicine. Vol. XI. The Endocrine System in Sports and Exercise, edited by W.J. Kraemer & A.D. Rogol. Blackwell Scientific, 2005, pp. 466-486.

Watson G, Judelson DA, Armstrong LE, Yeargin SW, Casa DJ, Maresh CM. Influence of Diuretic-Induced Dehydration on Competitive Sprint and Power Performance. Medicine and Science in Sports & Exercise 37(7):1168-1174, 2005.

Armstrong LE, Pumerantz AC, Roti MW, Judelson DA, Watson G, Dias JC, Sökmen B, Casa DJ, Maresh CM. Fluid-Electrolyte and Renal Indices of Hydration During Eleven Days of Controlled Caffeine Consumption. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism 15:252-265, 2005.

Book Editor and Author/Coauthor. Exertional Heat Illnesses. Human Kinetics Publishers, April 2003, 275 pages.

Kraemer W.J., Armstrong L.E., Watson G. The effects of exertional heatstroke and exercise-heat acclimation on plasma beta-endorphin concentrations. Aviation Space Environmental Medicine 74:758-762, 2003.

Book: Performing in Extreme Environments. Champaign IL: Human Kinetics Publishers, 333 pages, 2000. ISBN: 0-88011-837-7.