James W. Navalta

Dr. James W. Navalta is an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His research focuses on physiological responses to outdoor exercise (hiking, trail running) and the validity/reliability of wearable technology. He earned his B.S. in Physical Education and Biology from Brigham Young University–Hawaii, M.S. in Kinesiology from UNLV, and Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology from Purdue University.

• Education:
  • B.S. - Physical Education & Biology, Brigham Young University–Hawaii
  • M.S. - Kinesiology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
  • Ph.D. - Exercise Physiology, Purdue University

His research portfolio includes:

• Wearable technology validation for physiological measurements
• Comparative studies of indoor vs outdoor exercise environments
• Impact of gender-inclusive approaches on sports science
• Metabolic and cardiovascular responses to unconventional workouts
• Psychological benefits of nature immersion

Recent publications demonstrate expertise in:

• Wearable device accuracy testing
• VO2max and lactate threshold validation
• Environmental influence on exercise physiology
• Methodological improvements in data collection
• Gender-inclusive research design
• Outdoor activity impact assessment

As co-founder and executive editor of the International Journal of Exercise Science, he contributes significantly to academic discourse. He also serves on editorial boards for journals related to digital health and exercise technology.