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Student Profile
Joseph Shoemaker
Movement Science Junior
It takes more than training sessions in workout rooms to keep Michigan student-athletes in top shape.
Movement Science junior Joseph Shoemaker discovered this first-hand when he interned with the Michigan Athletics Performance Nutrition program, which provides an evidence-based and sport-specific approach to fueling U-M student-athletes for optimal health and performance. Shoemaker assisted with stocking the fueling station, making sure there was accurate information for pre- and post-workouts, and performing body composition tests.
According to Shoemaker, clinical dieticians make sure athletes are properly fueled for training and competition and receive the correct nutrition after a practice or competition.
“Nutrition is very case-dependent. You have to figure out what works best for you to give yourself the most amount of energy,” Shoemaker said. “You also want to make sure you’re consuming all the nutrients you need every day in moderation, so it solidified and reiterated a lot of the knowledge I thought I already knew.”
Studying nutrition is one of Shoemaker’s hobbies, so this internship was a natural fit for him. He is currently a teaching assistant in MOVESCI 241, “Exercise, Nutrition, and Weight Control,” with Dr. Pete Bodary, clinical assistant professor of Applied Exercise Science and Movement Science. He also assists in MOVESCI 110, “Biological and Behavioral Bases of Human Movement,” with Dr. Melissa Gross, associate professor of Movement Science.
Kinesiology is a great place to start if you have any interest in the health profession. Movement Science has many practical applications throughout one's undergraduate experience and the community here is very willing to help you grow and advance in whatever direction you choose.
Outside of the classroom, Shoemaker serves as the vice president of Phi Epsilon Kappa (PEK), Kinesiology’s professional fraternity. This allows him to plan and oversee the organization’s activities, assist in managing department chairs and officer transitions, and serve as an available mentor for general members.
Studying Movement Science wasn’t on his radar until he took a sports health and exercise science class during his senior year of high school. Shoemaker said it was his favorite high school class and “something I’ve never seen before” He said getting into the School of Kinesiology was “the perfect decision” for him.
“I couldn’t have asked for anything better. It’s exactly the type of curriculum I was looking for; it’s very hands-on and has practical applications. That is one of my favorite parts about the program,” he said. “We’re not just learning specific mechanisms in biology. We’re learning how they apply to human movement.”
Shoemaker said his favorite part about Kinesiology is the small community feel and his ability to get to know his professors. “The faculty are involved with the students and are looking to help in any way,” he explained. “Kinesiology also has a great community aspect where you see people consistently and share these hands-on experiences with them. It was a big selling point for me.”
For now, Shoemaker has his sights set on going into orthopedics. His interest grew after shadowing a hand and shoulder specialist and seeing how ACL reconstruction surgeries were done.
“Kinesiology is a great place to start if you have any interest in the health profession,” he said. “Movement Science has many practical applications throughout one's undergraduate experience and the community here is very willing to help you grow and advance in whatever direction you choose.”