Mayrena Isamar Hernandez

Mayrena Isamar Hernandez, PhD, MPH, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Sam Houston State University (SHSU). She directs the Healthy Activity toward Promoting Injury Reduction (HAPIR) lab, focusing on mixed-methods research addressing socioeconomic and racial disparities in youth sports participation and injury prevention. Her work examines how low-income and minority families navigate youth sports specialization challenges, alongside athletic trainers' clinical decision-making under socioeconomic constraints.

Education:

• PhD in Kinesiology (Biomechanics Emphasis), University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2022
• MPH in Public Health (Nutrition Emphasis), Kansas State University, 2018
• BS in Athletic Training (With Honors), University of Texas-Arlington, 2016

Research Interests: Hernandez investigates how socioeconomic status and minority identities intersect with youth sports specialization, including its impacts on family dynamics and athletic trainers' clinical practices. She also explores interventions to improve physical activity accessibility for children with visual impairments and strategies to reduce overuse injuries in adolescent athletes.

Recent Trends in Publications: Her work highlights the social consequences of sport specialization (e.g., reduced social time, travel burdens) and barriers faced by low-income families in youth sports participation. Qualitative studies reveal athletic trainers' challenges in addressing socioeconomic factors during injury management.

Labs & Teams: The HAPIR lab focuses on translational research to promote equitable sports participation and injury prevention. Collaborations include the Wisconsin Injury in Sport Laboratory and University Health Services/UW RecWell programs.