Maria Kosma 

Associate Professor

Bachelor's Degree(s): Physical Education and Sport Science, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece, 1997

Master's Degree: Exercise and Sport Science/Adapted Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland, 1999

PhD: Exercise and Sport Science/Movement Studies in Disabilities, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 2003

Phone: 225-578-8016

Email: mkosma@lsu.edu

Office: 2218 HPL Field House

Curriculum Vitae

Biography

My research interests in physical activity health promotion are grounded in such philosophies as phronesis (practical wisdom or reasoning), existential phenomenology (e.g., embodied movement, body schema, and existential freedom), and the concept of habitus to facilitate understanding of physical activity, health, and well-being. Instead of relying solely on logical positivism, I use a Humanistic approach in physical activity and public health, emphasizing free will and human agency within society, culture, and socio-political systems. I have examined the embodied nature of different movement experiences (e.g., within performing arts and other recreational movement settings), and how they link to the love of movement and well-being. I have worked with various populations across the lifespan, including socio-economically and ethnically diverse older and young adults, children, and people with or without disabilities. 

Selected Publications

Kosma, M., Erickson, N., Gremillion, A. (2023). Positive psychosocial experiences of a physical theater class among college students. International Journal of Sport, Exercise and Health Research, 7 (2). (paper is currently under production). 

Kosma, M. (2023). Total freedom in physical activity via body schema: Being for itself and being in the world. Turkish Journal of Kinesiology, 9 (3), 247-258. doi:10.31459/turkjkin.1316448   

Kosma, M., Kim, M., Moon, D-H., & Fritts, S. (2023). Effects of Covid-19 mandates on college students’ exercise experiences and psychosocial health. International Journal of Sport, Exercise and Health Research, 7 (1), 9-16. doi:10.31254/sportmed.7103; https://www.sportscienceresearch.com/IJSEHR_202371_03.pdf 

Kosma, M., Erickson, N., Gremillion, A. (2023). Physical theater class experiences: Mental health, play, and the love of movement. International Journal of Applied Sports Sciences, 35 (1), 10-27.  https://doi.org/10.24985/ijass.2023.35.1.10 

Kosma, M. (2023). Phenomenological body schema as motor habit in skill acquisition – Intentionality is in action. Athens Journal of Sports, 10 (2), 83-94. https://doi.org/10.30958/ajspo.10-2-2   

Kosma, M. (2022). Breaking away from dualisms: Exercise habitus and reflexivity are embodied. International Journal of Applied Sports Sciences, 34(1), 35-49. https://doi.org/10.24985/ijass.2022.34.1.35  

Marshall, K. E., Kim, M., Kosma, M., & Frusher, S. (2022). Physical activity facilitators, barriers, and life challenges among Native American freshmen. Journal of American College Health, 70, 1040-1046. doi:10.1080/07448481.2020.1784905   

Kosma, M. (2021). Play vs exergaming: A conceptual analysis as to why exergaming is not play. Turkish Journal of Kinesiology, 7, 141-151. doi: 10.31459/turkjkin.1015139  

Kosma, M., Erickson, N., Savoie, C. J., & Gibson, M. (2021). The effectiveness of performative aerial practice on mental health and the love of movement. Research in Dance Education, 22, 210-227. doi:10.1080/14647893.2020.1784868. Featured in ArtsEdSearch on December 2020: https://www.artsedsearch.org/study/the-effectiveness-of-performative-aerial-practice-on-mental-healthand-the-love-of-movement/  

Kosma, M., Erickson, N., Savoie, C. J., & Gibson, M. (2021). Skill development vs. performativity among beginners in aerial practice: An embodied and meaningful learning experience. Community Health Equity Research & Policy, 41, 173-187. doi:10.1177/0272684X20918053 

Selected Presentations

Kosma, M. (2023, July). Phenomenological body schema as motor habit in skill acquisition – Intentionality is in action. Research presentation for the 19th Annual International Conference on Sport & Exercise Science, Athens Institute for Education and Research (ATINER), Athens, Greece.  

Erickson, N., & Kosma, M. (2023, July). Exploring the formation of the HEART (Health, Exercise, ARTS) Center: Emergence and Importance. Research presentation for the 19th Annual International Conference on Sport & Exercise Science, Athens Institute for Education and Research (ATINER), Athens, Greece.  

Kosma, M., Erickson, N., Gremillion, A. (2023, March). The embodied nature of physical theater: Expression, creativity, communication. Research presentation for the 2023 SHAPE America National Convention, Seattle, WA.  

Kosma, M., Erickson, N., Gremillion, A. (2023, March). Mental health and physical theater experiences among active college students. Research presentation for the 2023 SHAPE America National Convention, Seattle, WA.

Kosma, M., & Buchanan, D.R. (2022, July). Reconsidering the push for digitized physical activity education in lieu of the intrinsic value of embodied action. Research presentation for the 18th Annual International Conference on Sport and Exercise Science, Athens Institute for Education and Research (ATINER), Athens, Greece.  

Kosma, M., Kim, M., Moon, D.-H., & Fritts, S. (2022, April). Effects of COVID-19 mandates on exercise levels and experiences among college students. Research presentation for the SHAPE America national convention, New Orleans, LA.  

Moon, D.-H., & Kosma, M. (2021, November). Exercise frequency by disability type and gender vs. exercise perspectives. Paper presentation for the 50th Virtual National Adapted Physical Education Conference, California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.  

Kosma, M. (2021, June). “Pure” play vs exergaming: A conceptual analysis as to why exergaming is not play. Paper presentation for the 2021 Virtual International Symposium of Adapted Physical Activity (ISAPA), University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.

Kim, M., Kosma, M., & Moon, D.-H. (2021, April). Participation in different types of sports and physical activity among children with disabilities: NHANES 2013-2016. Research presentation for the SHAPE America virtual national convention. 

In The News (selected list)

Courageous Discourse™ with Dr. Peter McCullough & John Leake (October 9, 2023)
Profile in Valor: Dr. Maria Kosma on Devastating Impact of Lockdowns on College Students: Comparative Study Finds Longer Lockdowns Did More Harm (Interviewed by Dr. McCullough) 

America Out Loud News: Liberty and Justice for All (October 16, 2023)
Covid’s Silent Impact on College Life: Dr. Kosma Reveals (Interviewed by Dr. McCullough) 

Athens Institute for Education and Research (Interviewed in July 2017)