Mario Munoz

Dr. Mario Munoz

Mario Muñoz

Assistant Professor

mam325@shsu.edu

936-294-1398

LBD 101L

Curriculum Vitae

Bio

Dr. Mario A. Muñoz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Sam Houston State University, where he serves as the Coordinator of the Human Performance and Wellness Management Program. A Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (FACSM) since 2019, Dr. Muñoz brings extensive experience in exercise science, physical education, and sports performance.

After earning his B.A. in Physical Education from the University of Puerto Rico (1994) and M.S. in Exercise Sciences from Northern Michigan University (1996), Dr. Muñoz completed his Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Sciences from Boston University (2015). His academic journey includes a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of California San Diego and over two decades of teaching experience across multiple institutions.

Dr. Muñoz's research focuses on physical activity and sedentary behaviors in diverse populations, with particular emphasis on Latino children and youth. His work examines the relationships between health-related fitness, parental perceptions, and cultural factors affecting physical activity participation. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals such as Public Health Nutrition, JMIR Public Health and Surveillance, and Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.

A recognized leader in his field, Dr. Muñoz serves on several committees for the American College of Sports Medicine, including the Diversity Action Committee and Communications and Public Information Committee. He is also an active member of the Social Justice and Cultural Diversity Committee at The National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education (NAKHE). His expertise extends beyond academia through his role as a fitness consultant for basketball referees at FIBA Americas and his previous experience as a strength and conditioning coach for the Professional Volleyball League in Puerto Rico (1991-2005).

At Sam Houston State University, Dr. Muñoz teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in exercise physiology, research methods, and exercise testing and prescription while mentoring the next generation of kinesiology professionals through various institutional committees and student research supervision.

Education

  • Ph.D., Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University

Selected Publications

      Muñoz, M., & Bunn, J. A. (2024). Season Phase Comparison of Training and Game Volume in Female High School Volleyball Athletes. Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, 32(1), wspaj.2023-0026. https://doi.org/10.1123/wspaj.2023-0026
    • Mendoza-Vasconez, A. S., Linke, S., Muñoz, M., Pekmezi, D., Ainsworth, C., Cano, M., Williams, V., Marcus, B. H., & Larsen, B. A. (2016). Promoting Physical Activity Among Underserved Populations. Current sports medicine reports, 15(4), 290–297. https://doi.org/10.1249/JSR.0000000000000276