Dr. Thomas K. Pellinger

Dr. Thomas Pellinger

Ph.D., ACSM CEP & EP-C, NSCA CSCS

Professor of Physiology

Bio:

Dr. Pellinger joined the Department of Physical Therapy faculty in the summer of 2020. Prior to his UMES appointment, he worked for 9 years as a Professor, then Program Chair, of the Master of Science in Applied Health Physiology program at Salisbury University. Dr. Pellinger earned his Ph.D. in Human Physiology from the University of Oregon, where his research focused on the relationship between post-exercise blood flow and metabolic regulation. In addition to his responsibilities as a Research and Teaching Fellow, he also served as the Testing Coordinator at Oregon’s Bowerman Sports Science Clinic, where he evaluated and assisted a variety of high-level athletes. Prior to starting his doctoral program, he worked as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist, then Clinical Coordinator at Beaufort Memorial Hospital, where he oversaw the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Employee Wellness, and Weight Management programs. Currently, Dr. Pellinger is exploring the impact of non-invasive interventions on leg blood flow and functional capacity in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). In addition, he and his colleagues are investigating the impact of various factors, including exercise and dietary intervention, on arterial stiffness in humans. Dr. Pellinger is a member of the American Physiological Society, American College of Sports Medicine, National Strength and Conditioning Association, and Clinical Exercise Physiology Association.  In his spare time, Dr. Pellinger enjoys spending time with his family & friends, trail running, reading, traveling, watching scary movies, and engaging in community service.

Education:

  • Ph.D., Human Physiology, University of Oregon, 2008
  • M.A., Health and Exercise Science, Furman University, 2000
  • B.S., Middle Grades Education, North Carolina State University, 1994

Credentials & Certifications:

  • Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP)
    American College of Sports Medicine
  • Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
    National Strength and Conditioning Association
  • Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C)
    American College of Sports Medicine
  • Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider
    American Heart Association

Areas of Interest:

  • Blood flow regulation
  • Integrative physiology
  • Arterial stiffness
  • Postexercise hemodynamics
  • Physical activity promotion

Primary Courses:

  • PHYT 603 Exercise Physiology
  • PHYT 611 Pharmacology and Laboratory Values for the Physical Therapist (Coordinator)
  • PHYT 633 Patient Management – Cardiac
  • PHYT 637 Patient Management – Pulmonary
  • PHYT 789 Research Project

Contributing Professor:

  • PHYT 600 Advanced Human Physiology
  • PHYT 605 Life Span Development and Embryology (Histology)
  • PHYT 612 Clinical Medicine I – Pathophysiology (Cardiac and Pulmonary Pathophysiology)
  • PHYT 621 Physical Therapy in the Acute Care Setting

Peer-Reviewed Publications (Selected):

  • Morgan, B., Mirza, A. M., Gimblet, C. J., Ortlip, A. T., Ancalmo, J., Kalita, D., Pellinger, T. K., Walter, J. M., & Werner, T. J. (2023). Effect of an 11-Week Resistance Training Program on Arterial Stiffness in Young Women. Journal of strength and conditioning research, 37(2), 315–321.
  • Pellinger, T. K., & Emhoff, C. W. (2022). Skeletal Muscle Hyperemia: A Potential Bridge Between Post-exercise Hypotension and Glucose Regulation.  Frontiers in physiology, 12, 821919.
  • Gimblet, C. J., Pellinger, T. K., LaManca, J. J, Ortlip, A. T., Vance, M. M., Shepherd, M., Moore, A. T., Staudmyer, T. B., Townsend, Z. M., and Werner, T. J. (2021). Effects of Acute Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation Arterial Stiffness and Muscle Oxygen Saturation in Young Men.  Adv Ortho and Sprts Med: AOASM-146.
  • Werner, T. J., Pellinger, T. K., Rosette, V. D., & Ortlip, A. T. (2021). Effects of a 12-Week Resistance Training Program on Arterial Stiffness: A Randomized Controlled Trial.  Journal of strength and conditioning research, 35(12), 3281-3287.
  • Pellinger, T. K., Neighbors, C. B., and Simmons, G. H. (2019). Acute lower leg heating increases exercise capacity in patients with peripheral artery disease.  Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 34(2): 130-133.
  • Pellinger, T. K., Pearce, C. B., Simmons, G. H., and Snitzer, J. L. (2017). Postexercise hemodynamics in patients with type 2 diabetes: effect of exercise intensity and duration. Journal of Clinical Exercise Physiology, 6(1), 1-8.
  • Pellinger, T. K., Dumke, B. R., & Halliwill, J. R. (2013). Effect of H1-and H2-histamine receptor blockade on postexercise insulin sensitivity.  Physiological Reports, 1(2): 1-11.
  • Pellinger, T. K., Simmons, G. H., MacLean, D. A., and Halliwill, J. R. (2010).  Local histamine H1- and H2-receptor blockade reduces postexercise skeletal muscle interstitial glucose concentrations in humans.  Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab., 35(5): 617-626.
  • McCord, J.L., Pellinger, T. K., Lynn, B. M., and Halliwill., JR. (2008).  Potential benefit from an H1-receptor antagonist on postexercise syncope in the heat.  Med Sci. Sports Exerc., 40(11): 1953-1961.
  • Pellinger, T. K. and Halliwill, J. R. (2007). Effect of propranolol on sympathetically mediated leg vasoconstriction in humans. The Journal of Physiology. 583 (Pt): 797-809.
  • Caterisano A., Moss, R. F., Pellinger, T. K., Woodruff, K., Lewis, V. CO., Booth, W., and Khadra, T. (2002).  The effect of back squat depth on the EMG activity of 4 superficial hip and thigh muscles.  J. Strength Cond. Res., 16(3): 428-432.
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