Dr. Gwang-Yon Hwang

Dr. Gwang-Yon Hwang
Associate Professor of Health & Human Performance

Expertise

  • Adapted Exercise
  • Exercise Program for General and Special Populations
  • Exercise Prescription
  • Disability Sport and Studies
  • Research Design & Development

Education

  • Ph.D., Texas Woman’s University, 2015
  • M.S., Korea University, 2005
  • B.S., Hallym University, 1997

Contact:

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About Dr. Gwang-Yon Hwang

Gwang-Yon Hwang is an associate professor in the Department of Health & Human Performance at Fort Lewis College. Gwang-Yon initiated his journey as one of the faculty in Exercise Science in 2017. He originally came from Seoul, South Korea, and recently came from Denton, TX. Currently, he is instructing these Exercise Science courses: Adapted Exercise, Research Design & Development, and Physical Activity & Aging. In addition, he is presently working as a research associate for Project INVEST (i.e., U.S. Paralympic Grant Program for Injured Veterans Entering Sport Training) and supervising the Adapted Exercise Lab and Special Olympic Practice sessions in local and state areas. His current research foci are the following: the benefits of land-based and water-based exercise programs on cardiorespiratory function, motor fitness, and emotional responses in general (e.g., seniors) and special populations (e.g., individuals with disabilities or diseases).

Before initiating his faculty career at Fort Lewis College, he worked as a research and statistical assistant for Project INVEST at Texas Woman’s University (TWU), Denton, TX. He also taught undergraduate and graduate courses as a TA during his Ph.D. period at TWU. Also, he worked as a coordinator of the Aquatic Exercise Program (AWAVE) and Special Olympic Swimming Team at TWU. Before pursuing his advanced degree in the U.S., he worked as a teacher at Seoul Community Rehabilitation Center for about three years. At the rehabilitation center, he was a specialist in aquatic exercise, aquatic rehabilitation exercise, and special swimming for children and adults with disabilities, pregnant women, and elderly women.
Furthermore, he served individuals with CVA (cerebrovascular accident), MS (multiple sclerosis), SCI (spinal cord injury), TBI (traumatic brain injuries), ID (intellectual disabilities), CP (cerebral palsy), Down Syndrome, autism, and Parkinson’s disease through Aquatic Therapy methods. Additionally, he served in the Korean Army as a Special Forces officer to be an exceptional officer with a sense of responsibility and leadership following completing his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. During his advanced degree, he received several scholarships, awards, and grants (e.g., Dr. Claudine Sherrill Scholarship, Outstanding Academic Achievement, travel grants, etc.). Also, he has been working as a reviewer and one of the members of domestic and international Professional Associations.


Referred publications

Hwang, G-Y., Davis, R., & Driver, S. (In progress). The effects of aquatic exercise on walking ability for adults post-stroke, targeted to Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Hwang, G-Y., Davis, R., & Driver, S. (In print). The effect of the warrior transition unit’s physical activity program on the effect of wounded military personnel accepted to PALAESTRA in 2017.

Hwang, G-Y. (2015). The effects of aquatic exercise program on cardiorespiratory function, motor fitness, and physical activity affect for post-stroke adults: Ph.D. dissertation, Texas Woman’s University.

Choi, K.H., Ahn, S.S., Hwang, G-Y., & Park, H.J. (2014). A study on emotions of sport club participants. Journal of Korean Entertainment Industry Association, 8(3), 471-478.

Singhal, K., Lee, S., Hwang, G-Y., Davis, R., & Kwon, Y-H. (2013). The effects of two starting floor hand positions on movement patterns of elite sitting volleyball players. PALAESTRA, 27(2), 22-25.

Ji, E., Ko, I., Cho, J., Davis, R., Hwang, G-Y., Jee, Y., & Lim., B. (2013). Treadmill exercise inhibits apoptotic neuronal cell death with suppressed vascular endothelial growth factor expression in the retinas of diabetic rats. Korean Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 9(3), 348-353.

Kim, M.K., Hwang, G-Y., Lee, S.K., Choi, J.W., & Jee, Y.S. (2006). The effects of ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) gene polymorphism on maximal oxygen uptake to combined training in elderly women. Korean Journal of Sport & Leisure Studies, 26, 233-243.


Selected Presentations

Poster Sessions

Hwang, G-Y., Davis, R., & Driver, S. (2016, September). Affective Experiences of Injured Military within Different Physical Activity Settings, Research Presentation at North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity Conference, Edmonton, AB, Canada.

Davis, R., Hwang, G-Y., & Driver, S. (2016, August). Physical Affect Profiles of Injured Military within Warrior Transition Units, Research Presentation at National Consortium for Physical Education for Individuals with Disabilities National Conference, Washington, DC, USA.

Hwang, G-Y., & Davis, R. (2015, April). Improved Psychological Outcomes for Injured Veterans Participating in Disability Sport, Research Presentation at Texas Woman’s University Student Research Symposium, Denton, TX, USA.

Lee, S., Hwang, G-Y., Davis, R., & Kwon, Y-H. (2012, April). Effects of Aquatic Exercise on Gait Initiation Mechanics in Stroke Patients, Research Presentation at Texas Woman’s Student Research Symposium, Denton, TX, USA.

Hwang, G-Y. & Davis, R. (2011, December). The Effects of Halliwick Teaching Method on Aquatic Readiness Skills for Children with Disabilities, Research Presentation at Texas Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, Dallas, TX, USA.

Hwang, G-Y. & Davis, R. (2011, August). Equal Status Track Competition for Paralympic and Olympic Athletes, Research Presentation at the 23rd International Sport Science Conference, Daegu, Korea.


Oral Sessions

Hwang, G-Y. & Kim, J. (2017, July). Land-based and Water-based Exercise Programs for Seniors, Grace Community Rehabilitation Center, Farmers Branch, TX.

Hwang, G-Y. (2016, August). Walking Speed and Physical Fitness Norms in Healthy Older Adults, Grace Community Rehabilitation Center, Farmers Branch, TX.

Hwang, G-Y. (2016, May). Exercise Tips and Healthy Eating for Seniors, Grace Community Rehabilitation Center, Farmers Branch, TX.

Hwang, G-Y. (2014, July). Adapted Physical Activities and Healthy Nutrition Tips for Students with Intellectual Disabilities Including Students with Down Syndrome, Grace Community Rehabilitation Center, Farmers Branch, TX.

Hwang, G-Y., Belanger, J., & Enos, M. (2013, March). Adapted Physical Activities for Individuals with Disabilities – Get Moving, Shaking, Swimming, Rolling, and Diving, Texas State Independent Living Conference, Austin, TX.

Hwang, G-Y., Lee, S., Singhal, K., Davis, R., Kwon, Y-H., & Driver, S. (2012, October). Effects of Aquatic Exercise on Affect for Adults with Stroke, Research Presentation at North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity Conference, Birmingham, AL.

Singhal, K., Lee, S., Hwang, G-Y., Davis, R., & Kwon, Y-H. (2012, October). Understanding Movement Patterns Using Different Hand Positions During Sitting Volleyball Game, Research Presentation at North American Federation of Adapted Physical Activity Conference, Birmingham, AL.

Davis, R. & Hwang, G-Y. (Interpreter and Translator; 2011, August). Teaching Disability Sport to All Students in Physical Education – Universal Sports and Equal Status, Korean Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance Conference, Daegu, Korea.