Gabby De La Cruz
Staff Writer

Fulbright Scholar Erika Zemkova discussed her current research and personal experiences involving sports medicine and sports science when she visited the Harris Art Gallery at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

To a crowd of about 40 people, Zemkova gave an open lecture titled,”Diagnostic and training methods to improve motor performance in various populations.”

A professor at Comenius University in Slovakia, Zemkova is in the process of completing her research of evaluating age-related and exercise-induced changes in postural stability properties, at the University of Boston. During her time at ULV, Zemkova visited several athletic training education classes, and also included observations on sports education and research in the Slovak Republic.

“My research activities are focused on the development of new methods for the assessment of sport performance in elite athletes using computer based diagnostic systems and training equipment originally designed by Dr. Dusan Hamar, Ph.D., head of the department of the Slovak academy,” Zemkova said.

The activities mainly include five areas: an agility test, which focuses on multiple choice reaction time and movement velocity; tethered running on the treadmill (anaerobic capabilities); a jump ergometer, which evaluates the explosive power and strength endurance of lower extremities; indirect distribution of fast twitch fibers utilization of elastic energy (stretch-shortening cycle and explosive power and strength endurance); proprioceptive stimulation devise (neuromuscular function); and posturagrophy systems (static and dynamic balance).

“My work involves verification of their reliability, standardization of protocols, elaboration of sport specific norms for children and young athletes, and their practical application such as assessment of actual sport performance in athletes of different age and specialization as well as evaluating the training effect,” Zemkova said.

Felirose Tamparong, a senior athletic training major who attended the lecture, said she tries to be present at any events that have to do with her major because it only makes her learn material in sport science from different angles.

“I found Erika’s lecture to be different from what I have seen before,” Tamparong said. “I think that the students who were present at the lecture really appreciate Erika coming out to ULV to give her presentation and share her findings with us.”

Paul Alvarez, professor of movement and sport science, along with Alfred Clark, associate vice president of academic affairs and Phil Hofer, director of the International and Study Abroad Center, made it possible for Zemkova to visit ULV by responding to her interest in presenting at the University.

During their stay, Fulbright Scholars are encouraged to interact with faculty at other institutions as part of the cultural exchange, as long as it is a minority serving institution. ULV, being a hispanic serving institution that also has a sports science program, was a perfect fit for Zemkova to visit.

Alvarez said the best part of her visit was the close interactions La Verne students and faculty had with Zemkova. She really appreciated the close relationships between, faculty and students that she saw here because it reminded her of her home campus.

“She admitted that if she had gone home without coming to La Verne, she would have reported that Americans are very focused and distant because that was her experience in Boston,” Alvarez said. “But she was very happy to report not all Americans aren’t distant, and that we have close relationships in our department as well.”

Each year almost 800 faculty members and professionals from around the world are chosen to receive Fulbright Scholar grants for advanced research and university lecturing in the United States.

Zemkova, who is very thankful to Fulbright for the opportunity said she was also extremely grateful for the hospitality offered by ULV.

“I’d like to acknowledge my colleagues at the University of La Verne for making my visit very productive,” Zemkova said. “I am grateful to Professors Alfred Clark and Paul Alvarez for inviting me to lecture at the University, and want to especially thank my professor, Dusan Hamar, for making this all possible for me.”

Gabby De La Cruz can be reached at gdelacruz@ulv.edu.