MS, Montana State University
BS, University of Southern Maine
Get in Touch
213A Alfond Center | 207-893-7667 | twhiton@sjcme.edu
Dr. Whiton is a PhD trained Sport Physiologist, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, ISSN Certified Sport Nutritionist, and ISAK Anthropometrist.
At Saint Joseph's, Tara Whiton is a professor in the Sport and Exercise Science Department with experience both as an educator and coach. She previously developed and instructed the Health Administration - Community Health BS program at the University of Maine at Presque Isle as well as taught in the Exercise Science Department.
Prior to academic work, Dr. Whiton served as an Athletic Director for two years at a college-preparatory school and has served many roles as a strength and conditioning coach, sport nutritionist, and sport physiologist to help coaches maximize performance of their athletes and help inform their coaching as well as directly serving individual athletes and teams.
Dr. Whiton is passionate about helping others achieve success using a service-centered approach to health, wellness, performance, and academics and research.
Outside of work and academia, Tara loves to "homestead" on her Fryeburg farm: gardening, growing, and procuring food, raising chickens, and spending time with her family - husband Tim, son Rhys, and daughter Rory. She is a lifelong distance runner and loves getting out on the trails in the surrounding Mount Washington Valley! Her hobbies include fitness, nutrition, and gardening.
Affiliations
American College of Sports Medicine
National Strength and Conditioning Association
International Society of Sports Nutrition
Maine Public Health Association
American Public Health Association
Publications + Presentations
“Supporting SSRI Usage in Pregnant Women” Presentation to North East American College of Sports Medicine Conference 2023
Whiton, Tara K., May, Linda. "The Influence of Exercise and BMI on Food Choices During Pregnancy" (2023). (Work in progress)
Whiton, Tara K. "Supporting SSRI Usage in Pregnant Women" (2022). (NEACSM Conference Tutorial in Progress)
Whiton, Tara; Yerxa, Kathryn; and Schattman, Rachel E., “COVID-19 Affects Coping Strategies and Food Access for Maine Adults” (2021). Food Science and Human Nutrition Faculty Scholarship.
“Public Health Approaches to Addressing Obesity” (2021). Presentation to Maine State Legislature. Maine Public Health Association Member Interest Section on Obesity. 2021
Whiton, Tara K., “The Influence of Chronic Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementation on Measures of Central and Peripheral Fatigue in Training Athletes” (2019). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2019
“Beyond statistical significance: Unifying the language between sport scientists and coaches” – conference presentation – Coaches College 2018
“Changes in stretch-shortening cycle and jump height after a competitive training season in collegiate distance runners” – conference presentation – Coaches College 2018
“Preliminary analysis: Moderating the stress perception of collegiate distance runners using branched-chain amino acids” – conference presentation – Southeast and National American College of Sports Medicine Conference 2018
“Branched-chain amino acid supplementation may produce marginal reductions in task-specific muscular soreness in collegiate distance runners” – conference presentation– Southeast and National American College of Sports Medicine Conference – Chattanooga, TN and Minneapolis, MN 2018
“The contribution of muscle cross-sectional area to jump height in collegiate athletes” – conference presentation – Southeast American College of Sports Medicine Conference – Greeneville, SC 2017
Innovative Pedagogical Methods
Service-Centered, Community-Based, Project-Based
Unique Excursions and Academic Research
Tara has traveled the country obtaining her education and attending and presenting at conferences. She spent an extensive time out West specifically Bozeman, MT, and surrounding areas Sun Valley, ID, and Jackson, WY, conducting research on Masters Skiers. Her time in Johnson City, TN, for her PhD also presented significant travel opportunities to surrounding SouthEast communities such as Asheville, NC, and Chattanooga, TN. While in Johnson City, TN, Tara served as a Sport Physiologist for two different collegiate distance running teams and had the opportunity to travel to all of their races for direct athlete support across the SouthEast and MidWest. She someday looks forward to sabbatical travel internationally!