Rate My Professor Greg Ruegsegger

Greg Ruegsegger is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. He directs the Exercise and Sport Science (EXSS) undergraduate program, the Clinical Exercise Physiology graduate program, and serves as Program Director for Clinical Exercise Physiology. The department prepares students for careers in health professions through rigorous coursework, field experiences, and research opportunities, emphasizing lifelong physical activity and healthy lifestyles.

Ruegsegger's research in exercise science and physiology stands out for its integration of undergraduate students, offering them hands-on experience in data collection and analysis. His contributions advance knowledge in skeletal muscle mitochondrial dynamics, endothelial function via exercise, cognitive impacts of diet, and weight bias in educational settings. Key publications include "High-intensity aerobic, but not resistance or combined exercise training, improves skeletal muscle mitochondrial dynamics in middle-aged adults" (2023, Journal of Applied Physiology), "Glucose tolerance status associates with improvements in endothelial function following exercise training" (2023, Physiology & Behavior), "A meal enriched in saturated fat acutely impairs cognitive flexibility in healthy young adults" (2022), and the review "Health benefits of exercise" (2018, Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine). With over 3,400 citations on Google Scholar, his work influences fields like insulin resistance and neuroscience. He leads clinical trials on e-bike commuting for obesity, bike fitting for power output, and exercise-obesity simulations. In 2025, he received UWRF's Excellence in Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity Award for research leadership and student involvement. Selected as a 2026-2027 Wisconsin Teaching Fellow and Scholar, Ruegsegger advances evidence-based teaching and mentors students toward professions in physical therapy, rehabilitation, and sport management.