Faculty and Staff Profiles

Robert Townsend MS, CSCS
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Office Location:
Office Hours: Field House 311, Office Hours by appointment 901-678-3473
Profile

 Robert Townsend has previous teaching experience at Millikin University and Benedictine University along with over 19 years of experience in the industrial rehabilitation / work injury field.  Mr. Townsend has published research on validity of effort testing during functional capacity evaluations along with many articles in the field of strength and conditioning.                

Additional Information

  Mr. Townsend has Track and Field coaching experiene at Millikin University and Benedictine University as well as coaching weightlifters with Iron Tigers Weightlifting Club registered through USA Weightlifting.                

Education
  • Bachelor of Science Biology - Millikin University - 1994
  • Masters of Science Exercise Physiology - Benedictine University - 1997

Work Experience

  • Instructor, School of Health Studies / Exercise and Sport Science - The University of Memphis - August 2012 - Present
  • Director, Research and Education - WCS Occupational Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine - 09/2000 to 07/2012
  • Adjunct Professor, Biology Department - Benedictine University - 06/2010 to 08/2012
  • Strength and Conditioning Coordinator / Adjunct Professor, Exercise Science Department - Millikin University - 07/1999 to 09/2000
  • Exercise Physiologist, Functional Capacity Evaluations / Work Conditioning - Midwest Industrial Rehabilitation - May 1997 to 7/1999
  • Staff Scientist, Environmental Testing - PDC Laboratories - 11/1994 to 9/1995
Honors/Awards
  • Excellence in Teaching Award - College of Education Health and Human Sciences - 2015
  • Outstanding Service Award - Department Health and Sport Science - 2015

Teaching Experience

  • EXSS 3700 Introduction to Exercise Physiology - University of Memphis
  • EXSS 3603 Exercise Phyiology I - University of Memphis
  • EXSS 4000 Exercise Testing and Interpretation Lab - The University of Memphis
  • EXSS 2004 Introduction to Exercise Science - The University of Memphis
  • EXSS 3703 Exercise Physiology II - The University of Memphis
  • EXSS 4015 Exercise with Speicial Populations - The University of Memphis
  • EXSS 4603 Advanced Strength and Conditioning Principles - The University of Memphis
  • EXSS 2010 Resistance Training - The University of Memphis
  • EXSS 4999 Senior Project - The University of Memphis
  • EXSS 4605 Internships - The University of Memphis
  • Exercise Physiology - Benedictine University
  • Principles of Strength and Conditioning - Millikin University
  • Health Fitness Nutrition - Millikin University
  • Evaluation and Measurement in Physical Education - Millikin University

Student Advising/Mentoring

  • Masters - Shane Bell - 2015
  • Bachelors - Ethan Healy - 2015
  • Bachelor - Eric Walker - 2013
  • Bachelor - Christian Dingeldein - 2013
  • Masters - Bradley DeForest - 2013
  • Bachelor - Ryan Murphy - 2013

Outreach

  • Advisor Board Member - Illinois State NSCA - 2010-2012 -  
Service
  • University of Memphis - Host CSCS Exam - January 10th, 2015
  • University of Memphis - Host USA Weightlifting Level 1 Sports Performance Certification Course - March 2015
  • University of Memphis - Faculty Adviser for Iron Tigers Weightlifting Club - Spring 2015 to Present
  • University of Memphis - Host AHA CPR/ALS Certification - November 2014
  • University of Memphis - Host Basic and Advanced Olympic Lifting Certification - July 2014
  • University of Memphis - Entrepreneurship Committee - August 2013 to present
  • University of Memphis - Host CSCS Exam - January 11, 2014
  • University of Memphis - Faculty Advisor, Pre-PT / OT Club - Fall 2013 to present
  • University of Memphis - Director of the Human Performance Assessment Instructional and Training Intervention Laboratories - Spring 2013 to present
  • The University of Memphis - HSS Undergraduate Curriculum Committee - Fall 2012 to present
  • The University of Memphis - Search Committee Member for EXSS Faculty - Fall 2012 - Sprint 2013
  • The University of Memphis - TEP Interviewer - Fall 2012 and Spring 2013
  • The Univeristy of Memphis - Volunteer for Student Welcome Week - January 2013
  • WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation - Reviewer - 2016 - present
  • University of Memphis - Director for Human Performace Assessment Instructional Labs - 2014 - Present
  • University of Memphis - Supervise Instructors EXSS 2010 and EXSS 2020 - Fall 2014 - Present
  • USA Weightlifting Level 1 Sports Performance Certification Course - Host - March 2015 - Present
Consulting
  • MedVoc, Rehabilitation LTD - 2015
  • Pekin Insurance - 2015
  • Advanced Rehab & Sports Medicine Services, Galesburg, IL - March 2014
  • E3 Work Therapy, Millenium Rehab & Consulting, Des Moines, IA - January 2014
  • Bradley, Connolly and Musuda, P.C., Chicago IL - November 2012
  • Restoration Physiotherapy Inc, Charlotte, NC - October 2012
Journal Articles
  • Waller, Gersick, Townsend, Ford. (2014)Strength and Conditioning Preparation for the Transitional Track and Field Thrower. Strength and Conditioning Journal. Volume 36. Number 6. Pages 71-78.
  • Schapmire, St. James, Townsend, Feeler. (2011) Accuracy of Visual Estimation of Effort During a Lifting Task. Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation. 40. Pages 445-457.
  • Townsend, Schapmire, St. James, Feeler. Isometric Strength Assessment II: Static Testing Does Not Accurately Classify Validity of Effort. (2010) Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation. 37. Pages 387-394. 
  • Waller, Townsend. The Front Squat and Its Variations. (2007) Strength and Conditioning Journal. Volume 29, Number 6. Pages 14-19.
  • Waller, Townsend, Gattone.  Application of the Power Snatch for Athletic Conditioning. (2007) Strength and Conditioning. Volume 29, Number 3. Pages 10-20.  
  • Waller, Piper, Townsend. Strongman Events and Strength and Conditioning Programs. (2003) Strength and Conditioning Journal. Volume 25, Number 5. Pages 44-52. 
  • Schapmire, St. James, Townsend, et.al. Simultaneous Bilateral Testing: Validation of a New Protocol to Detect Insincere Effort During Grip and Pinch Strength Testing. (2002) Journal of Hand Therapy. 15. Pages 242-250. 
  • Townsend. Waller. Progression for Teaching Weightlifting Pull Movements for a Rehabilitative Setting. (2002) Strength and Conditioning Journal. Volume 24, Number3. Pages 21-26. 
  • Townsend. Finish the Pull to Finish the Throw. (1999) Strength and Conditioning Journal Volume 21, Number 3. Pages 66-68. 
Presentations
  • "Research Based Answers to Common XRTS FCE Protocol Questions" October 9th 2015, XRTS Symposium, Orlando FL.
  • “Examining the Under Loading Method of Distraction Based Testing” Presented at Bardavon Health Innovations 2nd Annual Symposium. September 20th, 2014. Kansas City, MO.
  • "Accuracy and Legal Defensibility of the FCE:  A Review in Methodology for Determining Sincerity of Effort"  presented for the Mid-South Workers Compensation Association monthly meeting, January 27th, 2014, Memphis TN 
  • "A Review of Current Methods of Consistency of Effort Testing with Functional Capacity Evaluations" Diamond Mark, June 21st, 2012. Oak Brook, IL
  •  “Strategies for Treatment of the Injured Worker” presented at Coventry Case Management, April 14 , 2009, Downers Grove IL.
  • “Functional Capacity Evaluations: A Review of Current Research on Validity Testing” presented for SWSCIAOHN at Edward Hospital Education Center, September 20, 2007, Naperville, IL.
  • “Application of Weightlifting Movements for the Athletic Trainer” presented at Great Lakes Athletic Training Association Annual Conference, March 8, 2007, St.Charles, IL.
  • “Determining the Significance and Practical Application of Exercise Science Research” presented at NSCA State Clinic. October 23, 2010. Chicago IL.
  • “Getting Back to Business: Assessing Work Readiness” presented at Illinois Podiatric Medical Association. September 24 , 2010. Lisle, IL.
  • “Accuracy and Methodology for Determining Work Readiness” presented at RING (Rehabilitation Insurance Nurses Group) meeting. April 21 , 2010. Elmhurst IL.
  • “Accuracy and Current Methodology for Functional Capacity Evaluations” presented at Indiana Workers Compensation Institute, April 22, 2009. Merrillville IN.
  • “Identification of Contrasting Training Philosophies” presented at NSCA Illinois State Clinic, May 20, 2006, Elk Grove Village, IL.
  • “Training to Muscular Failure: Correct and Incorrect Application” presented at NSCA Illinois State Clinic, October 2, 2005, Itasca, IL.
  • “Training Considerations for the de-conditioned or in-experienced client” presented at NSCA Illinois State Clinic, January 24, 2004. Elgin, IL.
  • “Developing, Teaching and Applying Weightlifting Movements” presented at Highland Park Hospital Health and Fitness Center, February 8, 2003, Buffalo Grove, IL.
  • “Periodization for the Throwing Athletes” presented at Highland Park Hospital Health and Fitness Center, September 14, 2001, Buffalo Grove, IL.
  • Lifting for Explosive Power” presented for Advanced Rehab and Sports Medicine Services. June 3, 2000, Kewanne, IL.