Phil Esposito

Associate Professor of Professional Practice and Undergraduate Program Director | Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, TX, UNITED STATES

Phil Esposito researches interventions targeting health and developmental disparities in individuals with intellectual disabilities.

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Biography

Phil Esposito is an Assistant Professor and Undergraduate Program Director of Kinesiology at Texas Christian University. Phil's areas of focus include health and physical function in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as interventions targeting health & developmental disparities in individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Areas of Expertise (3)

Interventions Targeting Health Disparities

Intellectual Disabilities

Developmental Disparities

Accomplishments (1)

Student Government Association (SGA) Faculty of the year (professional)

Harris College

Education (3)

University of Michigan: Ph.D., Kinesiology 2011

Missouri State University: M.S., Education 2007

Truman State University: B.S., Exercise Science 2005

Affiliations (3)

North American Federation for Adapted Physical Activity
American Occupational Therapy Association
American Physical Therapy Association

Links (3)

Event Appearances (3)

Adaptive Skills and School Readiness in Children with Down Syndrome

2017 American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Annual Conference & Expo Philadelphia, PA

The Effect of Hippotherapy on Balance in Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities

2017 American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Annual Conference & Expo Philadelphia, PA

Validation of Special Olympics Balance Assessment

2018 American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) New Orleans, Louisiana

Articles (6)

Lower Limb Strength & Balance in Adults with and without Down Syndrome

Combined Sections Meeting

2020-02-13

Low levels of muscular strength may contribute to poor postural control in adults with Down syndrome. Poor postural control and balance impairments have consistently been identified as predictors of fall and mobility impairments. Previous studies have demonstrated individuals with Down syndrome have poor postural control when compared to their typically developed peers and their peers with intellectual disability.

Acute and Chronic Effects of 12 Weeks of Combined Exercise Training on Plasma IL-6 in Post-Menopausal Women

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Post-menopausal women exhibit higher levels of IL-6, a pro-inflammatory cytokine and anti-inflammatory myokine, and up-regulation of cellular receptors and cofactors for IL-6. Exercise is associated with an acute elevation of IL-6, but consistent exercise training diminishes this response.

Adaptive Skills and School Readiness in Children With Down Syndrome

American Journal of Occupational Therapy

2019 The purpose of this study was to look at the relationship between adaptive skills and school readiness in preschool-age children with Down syndrome. Results show expressive communications skills and personal daily living skills were the strongest predictors of school readiness. By identifying predictors and areas of weakness, OTs can better support these individuals, maximize skill development, and ease their transition to kindergarten.

Sensory Processing Disorder and Praxis Skills in Children With Learning Disabilities

American Journal of Occupational Therapy,

2019 The purpose of this study is to explore if children with learning disabilities experience praxis deficits due to sensory processing disorder. Results suggest that individuals with learning disabilities and ADHD score much more than others on movement processing and body positioning processing. Relationships between praxis skills and sensory processing were inconclusive.

Effect of calorie or exercise labels on menus on calories and macronutrients ordered and calories from specific foods in Hispanic participants: a randomized study

Journal of Investigative Medicine

2016 The effect of menu labels on food choices is unknown in Hispanics. This study evaluated the impact of menu labels on calories and macronutrients ordered in Hispanics. 372 Hispanics (18–65 years) were randomly assigned to menus with no labels (NL) (n=127), rank-ordered calorie labels plus a statement on energy needs per meal (CL) (n=123), or rank-ordered exercise labels showing minutes of brisk walking necessary to burn the food calories (EL) (n=122). The menus had identical food choices.

The Participation Patterns of Youth with Down Syndrome

Frontiers in Public Health

The purpose of this paper was to investigate the participation patterns of children with Down syndrome (DS) using the construct of participation as defined by the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF).