Search

Jacquelyn Zera

Associate Professor

Department
Exercise Science & Sports Leadership
Contact
jzera@jcu.edu
A smiling woman with long blonde hair wearing a black top and yellow cardigan against a blue background.

Background

Jackie Zera, Ph.D., FACSM is the Associate Dean of the College of Health and a Professor of Exercise Science. She provides strategic leadership for academic programs, faculty affairs, and student success within the college while maintaining an active research agenda focused on tactical athlete health and human performance. Prior to her role as Associate Dean, Dr. Zera served as the inagural Graduate Program Director for the M.S. in Exercise Physiology. Prior to coming to John Carroll Univeristy in 2015, she completed a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology at the Univeristy of Pittsburgh in the Physical Activity and Weight Management Research Center, and then a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh's Neuromuscular Research Lab and Warrior Human Performance Research Center, where she worked on aquatic performance and injury prevention initiatives for the Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC). Dr. Zera is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (FACSM) and is the founder and director of the JCU First Responder Fitness Testing Program, which serves multiple local fire and police departments. In recognition of her contributions, she has received the Curtis Miles Faculty Service Award and the University Heights Fire Department Civilian Outstanding Excellence Award.

Areas of Expertise

  • Tactical Athlete Wellness and Occupational Readiness: Extensive experience developing and implementing comprehensive wellness programs, fitness assessments, and exercise prescriptions for firefighters and police officers.
  • Aquatic Exercise and Performance: Specialized research in the reliability and validity of pool-based performance tests and the comparative energy costs of land vs. water-based activity.
  • Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Behavior: Focus on the relationships between sleep quality, nutrition, physical activity, and chronic disease.

Research Interests

Dr. Zera’s research primarily focuses on enhancing the health and performance of tactical athletes—specifically first responders. Through the JCU First Responder Fitness Testing Program, she partners with local departments to investigate how individualized fitness interventions and monthly educational sessions impact occupational readiness and long-term health outcomes. Her current projects explore the effect of sleep environments on sleep quality in firefighters and the relationship between physical activity levels and cardiovascular disease risk markers in first responders. Additionally, Dr. Zera has an established research line in aquatic exercise physiology, exploring anaerobic power, capacity, and the metabolic costs of aquatic modalities compared to land-based exercises. As an appointed member of the national American College of Sports Medicine Exercise is Medicine On Campus (EIM-OC) committee, she also studies the barriers and facilitators to implementing physical activity programs within the university setting to improve student and faculty wellness.

Education

  • Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology, University of Pittsburgh

  • M.S. in Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University

  • B.S. in Athletic Training, Ashland University

Courses Taught

Undergraduate Courses:

  • ESC 2040- Medical Terminology
  • ESC 2050- Human Anatomy
  • ESC 2060- Human Physiology
  • ESC 2051- Human Anatomy Lab
  • ESC 2061- Human Physiology Lab
  • ESC 2080- Lifespan Physical Growth and Development
  • ESC 2229- Human Nutrition
  • ESC 3400- Lifestyle Wellness
  • ESC 4070- Exercise Physiology
  • ESC 4120- Exercise Testing and Prescription I
  • ESC 4130- Exercise Testing and Prescription II/Exericse in Special Popualtions

Graduate Courses:

  • ESC 5100- Clinical Exercise Physiology

Publications

Peer Reviewed Articles

  • Simonson AP, Zera JN, Banerjee P, Baker BM. (2024) Associations between Dietary Intake and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Firefighters. Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 9(3)132.

  • Nagle, E.F., Nagai, T., Beethe, A., Lovalekar, M., Tuite, M.S., Beckner, M.E., Zera, J.N., Sanders, M.E., Connaboy, C., Abt, J.P., Beals, K., Lephart, S.M., Robertson, R.J., Nindl, B.C. (2023), Reliability and Validity of a Flume-Based Maximal Oxygen Uptake Swimming Test, Sports, 11, 42.

  • Peterson, N.E., Zera, J.N., Tompkins, C.L., Rothermel, M.A., Davidson, C., Mandla, S., Jeffreys Heil, R., Shirazi, Z., Stuhr, R., Winters, C.S. (2022) Exercise is Medicine On Campus (EIM-OC): Current State of the Evidence 2009-2021 and Call to Action. Current Sports Medicine Reports, 1;21(8):289-302.

  • Zera, J.N., Connell, E., Marget, W., Nagle, E.F., Nagai, T., Lovalekar, M., Simonson, A.P., Abt, J.P., Lephart, S.M. (2022), Gender Differences and the Influence of Body Composition on Land and Pool-Based Assessments of Anaerobic Power and Capacity, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3): 7902.

  • Nagle Zera, J., Nagle, E.F., Nagai, T., Lovalekar, M., Abt, J.P., Lephart, S.M. (2021). Tethered Swimming Test: Reliability and the Association to Swimming Performance and Land-based Anaerobic Performance, Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 35(1); 212-220.

  • Nagle Zera, J., Nagle, E.F., Gibbs, B.B., Abt, J., Jakicic, J.M. (2019). Energy Cost of Land and Shallow Water Walking in Females who are Overweight or Obese, International Journal of Aquatics Research and Education, 12(1), 8.

  • Nagle, E.F., Nagai, T., Beethe, A.Z., Lovalekar, M.T.; Zera, J.N., Connaboy, C., Abt, J.P., Beals, K., Nindl, B.C., Robertson, R.J., Lephart, S.M. (2019). Reliability and Validity of a Pool-Based Maximal Oxygen Uptake Test to Examine High-Intensity Short-Duration Freestyle Swimming Performance, Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 33 (5); 1208-1215.

  • Nagle, E.F., Sanders, M.E., Gibbs, B.B, Franklin, B.A., Nagle, J.A., Prins, P.J., Johnson, C.D., Robertson, R.J. (2017). Reliability and Accuracy of a Standardized Shallow Water Running Test to Determine Cardiorespiratory Fitness. Journal of Strength and Conditioning, 31 (6).

  • Nagle, J.A. (2015) “Increasing Physical Activity through Non-Weight Bearing Modality” Water Immersion Works, 24-25.

  • Nagle, J.A., McMillan, J.L., Munkasy, B.A., Joyner, A.B., Rossi, S. (2015). Changes in Swim Performance and perceived Stress and Recovery in Female Collegiate Swimmers Across a Competitive Season, Journal of Swimming Research, 23 (1).

  • Nagle, J.A., McMillan, J.L., Munkasy, B.A., Joyner, A.B., Rossi, S. (2015). Changes in Swim Performance and perceived Stress and Recovery in Female Collegiate Swimmers Across a Competitive Season: Coaching Applications, Journal of Swimming Research, 23 (1).

  • Nagle, E.F., Sanders, M.E., Shafer, A., Barone Gibbs, B., Nagle, J.A., Deldin, A., Franklin, B.A., Robertson, R.J. (2013). Energy Expenditure, Cardiovascular, and Perceptual Responses to Shallow Water Aquatic Exercise in Young Adult Women. Physicians in Sports Medicine, 41 (3).

  • Marshall, E., Melton, B., Bland, H., Nagle, J.A. (2013). Physical activity and muscular strengthening in pregnancy: A comparison between rural and urban women. Online Journal of Rural Nursing & Health Care. 13 (1).
  • Bland, H. W., Melton, B. F., Marshall, E. S., & Nagle, J.A. (2013). Measuring Exercise Self-Efficacy in Pregnant Women: Psychometric Properties of the Pregnancy Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (P-ESES), Journal of Nursing Measurement, 21 (3).

Presentations

  • Leininger, L.J., Jett, K.M., Wilkinson, W.J., Elmer, S., Zera, J.N., Onagbiye, S.,
    Rayce, A. (FACSM Sponsor) Implementation Of Exercise Is Medicine® On Campus: Examining Barriers And Facilitators To Program Success. Pending poster presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, 2026.

  • Evenchik, S., Zera, J.N. (FACSM Sponsor) Association Between VO2max And CPAT Performance In Career Firefighters. Pending poster presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, 2026.

  • Simonson, A.P., Mack, C.M., Evenchik, S., Powers, L.A., Zera, J.N. (FACSM Sponsor). Associations Between Lower Extremity Injuries And Quadricep And Hamstring Strength In American Career Firefighters: A Pilot Study. Pending poster presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, 2026.

  • Clemens, N., Beerse, M., Miutz, L., Zera, J.N (FACSM Sponsor) Step Rate Manipulation to Improve Running Economy at a Performance Pace. Accepted poster presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, 2025.

  • Zera, J.N., Melton, B. Enhancing Occupational Readiness and Health Outcomes in Tactical Athletes Through University-Community Partnerships. Accepted Symposium Presentation for the Midwest Regional American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Grand Rapids, MI, 2024

  • Simonson, A.P., Paterno, S.R., Evenchik, S., Winans, V., Beiting, J.W., Zera, J.N. Associations between Sleep Behaviors and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Firefighters. Accepted Rapid Fire Presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, 2024.

  • Paterno, S., Evenchik, S., Beiting, J. Zera, J.N. The Difference in Fitness and Lower Body Power Based on Mobility Status in First Responders. Accepted Poster Presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, 2024.

  • Simonson, A.P., Zera, J.N., Beiting, J.W., Greenwolf, J.M. Dietary Intake and Predictors of Healthy Eating in Division III College Students. Accepted Poster Presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, May 2023.

  • Monnin, G., Castano, A., Caplan, O., Esper, E., Paterno, S., Snyder, A., Suhar, A., Winans, V., Simonson, A.P., Zera, J.N. Relationship Between Aerobic and Anaerobic Power and Dairy Consumption in Firefighters. Accepted Poster Presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, May 2023.

  • Castano, A., Caplan, O., Esper, E., Monnin, G., Paterno, S., Snyder, A., Suhar, A., Winans, V., Simonson, A.P., Zera, J.N. The Relationship Between Mobility and Measures of Fitness in Firefighters. Accepted Poster Presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, May 2023.

  • Esper, E. Zera, J.N., Simonson, A.P., Caplan, O., Castano, A., Monnin, G., Paterno, S., Snyder, A., Suhar, A., Winans, V. The Effect of Sleep Environment on Sleep Quality and Behavior in Firefighters. Accepted Rapid Fire Presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, May 2023.

  • Zera, J.N., Banerjee, P., Baker, B.M., Simonson, A.P. Relationship Between Fitness, Physical Activity, and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Firefighters. Accepted Poster Presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, May 2022.

  • Simonson, A.P., Banerjee, P., Baker, B.M., Zera, J.N. Associations Between Dietary Intake and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Firefighters. Accepted Poster Presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, May 2022.

  • Pitt, B., Kampert, M., Figler, R., Zhang, C., Kellner, D., Moennich, L.A., Zera, J.N., Singh, T.K. Accepted Poster for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, May 2022.

  • Talamo, O., Zera, J.N. Changes in Health Behaviors During a Global Pandemic. Accepted Poster Presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, (Virtual) May 2021.

  • Baker, B., Zera, J.N., Simonson, A.P., Dietary Intake and the Perceived Influence of Workplace Pressure on Nutrition Behaviors in First Responders. Accepted Poster Presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, (Virtual) May 2021.

  • Girardot, R., Beiting, J., Nagle, E.F., Zera, J.N. The Associations Between Physical Fitness Characteristics and The Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), Accepted Poster Presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, May 2020 (Cancelled due to COVID-19).

  • Nagle Zera, J., Connell, E., Nagle, E.F., Nagai, T., Lovalekar, M.T., Abt, J.P., Lephart, S.M., Nindal, B. The Influence of Gender and Body Composition on Pool-Based Anaerobic Power and Capacity, Accepted Poster Presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, May 2019

  • Nagle Zera, J. Starting an Exercise is Medicine Program at John Carroll University, Presentation, for the Midwestern Regional American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Grand Rapids, MI, November 2018.

  • Nagle Zera, J., Nagle, E.F., Nagai, T., Lovalekar, M.T., Connaboy, C., Abt, J.P., Lephart, S.M., Nindal, B. Physiological Responses to Pool and Flume Based Protocols to Measure Maximal Aerobic Power of Healthy Adults. Accepted Poster Presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, May 2018.

  • Hajek, C., Schillero, C., Nagle Zera, J. Association between Anthropometric Characteristics and Aerobic Capacity in Firefighters, Accepted Poster Presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, May 2018.

  • Nagle, E.F., Nagai, T., Beethe, A., Lovalekar, M.T., Nagle Zera, J., Connaboy, C., Abt, J.P., Robertson, R.J., Lephart, S.M., Nindl, B.D. Reliability and Validity of Swimming Flume Protocol to Measure Maximal Aerobic Power of Healthy Adults, Accepted Poster Presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, May 2018.

  • Hajek, C., Schillero, C., Nagle Zera, J. Relationship between Anthropometric Characteristics and Aerobic Capacity in Firefighters, Accepted Poster Presentation for the Midwestern Regional American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Grand rapids, MI, November 2017.

  • Nagle, J.A., Nagle E.F., Nagai, T., Lovlekar, M.T., Connoboy, C., Abt, J.P., Lephart, S.M. Gender Differences of Mean and Peak Swimming Force and the Association to Swimming Performance and Land-based Anaerobic Performance, Accepted Poster Presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, May 2017.

  • Nagle, E.F., Nagai, T., Beethe, A., Lovalekar, M.T., Nagle, J.A., Connaboy, C., Abt, J.P, Robertson, R.J, Lephart, S.M. Reliability and Validity of a Maximal Aerobic Power Swimming Pool Protocol Using Healthy Adult Males and Females, Accepted Poster Presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, May 2017.

  • Nagle, J.A., Nagle, E.F. Tethered Swimming Test: Reliability and the Association to Swimming Performance and Land-Based Anaerobic Performance. Invited Symposium Speaker for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Scientific Meeting. Harrisburg, PA, November 2016.

  • Nagle, J.A., Abt, J., Beals, K., Connoboy, C., Dever, D., Olenick, A., Nagle, E.F. Tethered Swimming Test: Reliability and the Association to Swimming Performance and Land-based Anaerobic Performance. Accepted Poster Presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, May 2016.

  • Nagle, J.A. Comparing Energy Expenditure During Land and Shallow Water Walking in Overweight and Obese Females. Accepted Slide Presentation for the International World Aquatic Health Conference Annual Meeting, Scottsdale, AZ, October 2015

  • Moody, A.M. Jakicic, J.M., McGuire, M.R., Nagle, J.A., Rogers, R.J., Goss, F.L., Barinas-Mitchell, E., Barone Gibbs, B. Effects Of Changes In Obesity, Fitness, And Physical Activity On Aortic Stiffness In Obese Adults. Accepted Thematic Poster Presentation for National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, May 2015.

  • Nagle, E.F., Barone Gibbs, B., Prins, P., Johnson, C., Sanders, M.E., Nagle, J.A., Robertson, R.J. Reliability and Validity of a Shallow Water Running Test Using Healthy Adult Women. Accepted Poster Presentation for National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, May 2015.

  • Nagle, J.A., Jakicic, J.M., Nagle, E.F., Barone Gibbs, B., Abt. J. Comparing Energy Expenditure During Land and Shallow Water Walking in Overweight and Obese Females. Accepted Poster Presentation for National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, May 2015.

  • Rogers, R.J., McGuire, M.R., Nagle, J.A. McCoy, S.T., Peluso, A.N., Rupp, K.L., Barone Gibbs, B., Jakicic, J.M. Association of Lifestyle Physical Activity Components and Sedentary Behavior with Weight Loss. Accepted Poster Presentation for The Obesity Society “Obesity Week,” Boston, MA, November 2014.

  • Nagle, J.A. & Wisneiwski, L.M. Building Your Healthy Lifestyle Toolbox: Diet, Exercise, and Sleep for a Better Academic Experience. Presentation for the Department of Applied Developmental Psychology, University of Pittsburgh School of Education, September 2013.

  • Jakicic, J.M., King, W.C., Garcia, D.O., Rogers, R.J., Coppock, J., Moody, A., Nagle, J.A., Wisniewski, L., Portzer, L. Physical Activity among Overweight and Obese Young Adults: Association with Fitness and BMI. Accepted Poster Presentation for The Obesity Society “Obesity Week,” Atlanta, GA, November 2013.

  • Nagle, J.A., Shafer, A.B., Nagle, E.F., Barone Gibbs, B., Goss, F.L., Deldin, A., Sanders, M.E., Robertson, R.J. Metabolic, Cardiovascular, and Perceptual Responses to a Shallow Water Running Test of Peak Aerobic Fitness. Accepted Poster Presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, IN, June 2013.

  • Moody, A.M., Barone Gibbs, B., McGuire, M.R., Nagle, J.A., Rogers, R.J., Jakicic, J.M. Effect of Sedentary Time on Physical Fitness in Overweight and Obese Adults. Accepted Poster Presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, IN, June 2013

  • Nagle, E.F., Shafer, A.B., Barone Gibbs, B., Robertson, R.J., Goss, F.L., Deldin, A., Nagle, J.A., Sanders, M.E. Energy Expenditure of Shallow Water Aquatic Exercise in Young Adult Women. Accepted Slide Presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, IN, June 2013.

  • Davis, K., Barone Gibbs, B., Rogers, R., Moody, A., Nagle, J.A., McGuire, M. Racial Differences in Sedentary Behavior in Overweight and Obese Adults. Accepted Poster Presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, IN, June 2013.

  • Nagle, J.A., Melton, B., Marshall, E., Bland, H. Associations Between Stage of Behavior Change, Physical Activity, and Self-efficacy in Prenatal Women. Accepted Poster Presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, June 2012.

  • Melton, B., Bland, H., Marshall, E., Nagle, J.A. A Technology Enhanced Physical Activity Program for Pregnant Women: A Pilot Study. Accepted Poster Presentation for the National American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, June 2012.

  • Nagle. J.A., McMillan, J., Joyner, A.B., Munkasy, B., Rossi, S. Testing Force Output Performance for a 30-sec Tethered Swim Test Across a Competitive Season. Accepted Poster Presentation for the National Strength and Conditioning Association Annual Meeting, Las Vegas, NV, July, 2011.

  • B. Melton, E.S. Marshall, J. Hiller, H. Graf, J. Nagle Do Pregnant Women Understand the Link Between Their Own Physical Activity and Their Child’s Health? Accepted Poster Presentation for the Georgia Public Health Association Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA, April 2011.

  • Nagle. J.A., McMillan, J., Joyner, A.B., Munkasy, B., Rossi, S. The Influence of Training Load On Performance and Psychological Variables in Female Collegiate Swimmers. Accepted Poster Presentation for the Georgia Southern Graduate Research Symposium, Statesboro, GA, April, 2011

  • E.S. Marshall, B. Melton, H. Graf Bland, J. Nagle, J. Hiller. Physical Activity Patterns and Intentions During Pregnancy Among a Sample of Women in a Rural Underserved Area of the Southeast United States. Accepted Presentation for the Southern Nursing Research Society Meeting, Jacksonville, FL, February 2011.

  • Nagle, J.A. A Certified Athletic Trainers’ Experience of Psychological Issues Encountered During Injury Rehabilitation: A Qualitative Assessment. Presented at the Association for Applied Sport Psychology Annual Meeting, Providence, RI, October, 2010.

  • Nagle, J.A. A Certified Athletic Trainers’ Experience of Psychological Issues Encountered During Injury Rehabilitation: A Qualitative Assessment. Presented at The Georgia Southern University Graduate Research Symposium, Statesboro, GA, March, 2010.

  • Nagle, J.A. Certified Athletic Trainers’ Perception of Psychological Issues in Injured Athletes. Presented at The National Athletic Training Association, San Antonio, TX, June, 2009.

Saved Undergraduate Programs

No programs saved yet.

Undergraduate Program Explorer

Saved Graduate Programs

No programs saved yet.

Graduate Program Explorer