John J. Durocher, Ph.D., ACSM-EP, CSCS

Nils K. Nelson Endowed Professor of Integrative Human Health

Introduction

Professor Durocher focuses on teaching, research and service in integrative human health and kinesiology. He is also the director of the multidisciplinary Integrative Physiology and Health Sciences Center.

Curriculum Vitae

Research Overview

Durocher’s research focuses on exercise and other lifestyle interventions that can improve human health and performance. Projects include focusing on how meditation, sleep quality and different types of exercise effect blood pressure, sympathetic nerve activity, arterial stiffness and anxiety.

I was a non-traditional college student with five part-time jobs. My goal is to help students to be persistent and resilient, in addition to learning content. The greatest success for me as a professor is to help students reach their career goals, and to teach valuable life skills during the process.

Select Publications

Stroiney D, Durocher JJ, Khan N, and Zenko Z. Raising the Bar: A Partial Set of Recommendations to Improve the Climate for Service in Kinesiology Programs. Kinesiology Review, 14 (4): 461-465, 2025.

Thivierge GS, Greenlund IM, Bigalke JA, Smoot CA, Carter JR, and Durocher JJ. Cardiovascular and Aortic Wave Reflection Responses to Evening Binge Alcohol Consumption. American Journal of Physiology – Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 329: H629-H635, 2025.

Ladwig MA, Mutai E, Thivierge GS, and Durocher JJ. Service-Learning for Trainees Through Health Education and Screening for Cardiometabolic Risk. Advances in Physiology Education, 49: 835-839, 2025.

Durocher JJ and Mutai E. Sleep Tight with Vitamin D’s Might. Editorial Focus in American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 328: R557-R558, 2025.

Bigalke JA, Durocher JJ, Greenlund IM, Keller-Ross A, and Carter JR. Blood Pressure and Muscle Sympathetic Nerve Activity Are Associated with Trait Anxiety in Humans. American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology, 324(4): H494-H503, 2023.

Durocher JJ, Toorongian CA, and Thivierge GS. An Experiential Learning Course for Cardiovascular and Sleep Technology. Advances in Physiology Education 46: 544-548, 2022.

PubMed Links

Teaching Focus

• Experiential Learning
• Integrative Human Health
• Human Physiology
• Occupational Safety & Health

Quote

“I was very lucky to have outstanding undergraduate and graduate teachers and advisors. I aim to provide similar opportunities for my students in the classroom, in the laboratory and with outreach projects.”

Improving Community Health

John Durocher is committed to providing his students with an enriching and engaging learning experience.

Meet Professor Durocher