Rebecca Lopez, PhD, ATC, CSCS, FNATA

Assistant School Director of Cultural Enrichment and Environment, School of Physical Therapy & Rehab Sciences

Professor, Athletic Training Program

Contact Info 12901 Bruce B. Downs
MDC 77
Tampa FL 33612

Academic Email: rml@usf.edu

Academic Phone:(813) 396-9078

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Education

Research Interests

• Research interests include exertional heat stroke and other exertional heat illnesses, cooling methods for hyperthermic athletes, ergogenic aids and thermoregulation, hydration and exercise performance, exercise heat tolerance issues with American football uniforms, sickle cell trait & the athlete, preventing sudden death in sport, return to activity following heat stroke, youth sports injury and prevention of sudden death in young athletes, and accessibility in athletic training.
• Her passion is educating athletic training students, athletic trainers, and other clinicians on the evidence-based prevention, recognition, treatment, and return to play of exertional heat stroke with a goal of preventing sudden death from exertional heat stroke.

Memberships

• Member (National Strength & Conditioning Association, 2009 - Present)
• Member (American College of Sports Medicine, 2008 - Present)
• Member (National Athletic Trainers' Association, 1996 - Present)

Recent Publications

• Hughes C, Hunt K, Cox B, Raybon J, Lopez RM. Sleep Dysfunction in Adolescents With Prolonged Postconcussion Symptoms: A Reciprocal Coupling of Traumatic Brain Injury and Sleep-Related Problems. Journal of sport rehabilitation. : 1-6, 2022.
• Lopez RM, Lund DC, Tritsch AJ, Liebl V. Relationship Between Pre- and Post-exercise Body Mass Changes and Pre-exercise Urine Color in Female Athletes. Frontiers in sports and active living. 4: 791699, 2022.
• Lopez RM, Ashley CD, Zinder SM, Tritsch AJ. Thermoregulation and Hydration in Female American Football Players During Practices. Journal of strength and conditioning research. 35(9) , 2021.
• Scarneo-Miller SE, Lopez RM, Miller KC, Adams WM, Kerr ZY, Casa DJ. High Schools'' Adoption of Evidence-Based Practices for the Management of Exertional Heat Stroke. Journal of athletic training. 56(10) : 1142-1153, 2021.
• Miller KC, Casa DJ, Adams WM, Hosokawa Y, Cates J, Emrich C, Fitzpatrick T, Hopper M, Jardine JF, LaBotz M, Lopez RM, O''Connor F, Smith MS. Roundtable on Preseason Heat Safety in Secondary School Athletics: Prehospital Care of Patients With Exertional Heat Stroke. Journal of athletic training. 56(4) : 372-382, 2021.
• Bazarian JJ, Elbin RJ, Casa DJ, Hotz GA, Neville C, Lopez RM, Schnyer DM, Yeargin S, Covassin T. Validation of a Machine Learning Brain Electrical Activity-Based Index to Aid in Diagnosing Concussion Among Athletes. JAMA network open. 4(2) : e2037349, 2021.
• Morrissey MC, Casa DJ, Brewer GJ, Adams WM, Hosokawa Y, Benjamin CL, Grundstein AJ, Hostler D, McDermott BP, McQuerry ML, Stearns RL, Filep EM, DeGroot DW, Fulcher J, Flouris AD, Huggins RA, Jacklitsch BL, Jardine JF, Lopez RM, McCarthy RB, Pitisladis Y, Pryor RR, Schlader ZJ, Smith CJ, Smith DL, Spector JT, Vanos JK, Williams WJ, Vargas NT, Yeargin SW. Heat Safety in the Workplace: Modified Delphi Consensus to Establish Strategies and Resources to Protect the US Workers. GeoHealth. 5(8) : e2021GH000443, 2021.
• Yeargin S, Lopez RM, Snyder Valier AR, DiStefano LJ, McKeon PO, Medina McKeon JM. Navigating Athletic Training Position Statements: The Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy System. Journal of athletic training. 55(8) : 863-868, 2020.
• Del Rossi G, Anania T, Lopez RM. Early Aerobic Exercise for the Treatment of Acute Pediatric Concussions. Journal of athletic training. 55(7) : 649-657, 2020.
• Abbasi IS, Lopez RM, Kuo YT, Shapiro BS. Efficacy of an Educational Intervention on the Hydration of Indoor College Athletes. Journal of athletic training. , 2020.
• McLean DR, Scarneo-Miller SE, Lopez RM. Perceptions of Secondary School Athletic Trainers in the Diagnosis of Exertional Heat Stroke. Journal of athletic training. 55(10) : 1070-1080, 2020.
• Parker KC, Shelton RR, Lopez RM. Do Alternative Cooling Methods Have Effective Cooling Rates for Hyperthermia Compared With Previously Established CWI Cooling Rates? Journal of sport rehabilitation. : 1-6, 2019.
• Lopez RM, Tanner P, Irani S, Mularoni PP. A Functional Return-to-Play Progression After Exertional Heat Stroke in a High School Football Player. Journal of athletic training. 53(3) : 230-239, 2018.
• DeMartini-Nolan JK, Martschinske JL, Casa DJ, Lopez RM, Stearns RL, Ganio MS, Coris E. Examining the Influence of Exercise Intensity and Hydration on Gastrointestinal Temperature in Collegiate Football Players. Journal of strength and conditioning research. 32(10) : 2888-2896, 2018.
• Poole J Stearns RL Lopez R. Heat Acclimatization and Exertional Heat Illness Prevention in Youth Football Programs Strength & Conditioning Journal. , 2017.
• Lopez RM, Casa DJ, Jensen KA, Stearns RL, DeMartini JK, Pagnotta KD, Roti MW, Armstrong LE, Maresh CM. Comparison of Two Fluid Replacement Protocols During a 20-km Trail Running Race in the Heat. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research / National Strength & Conditioning Association. 30(9) : 2609-16, 2016.
• Stearns RL, Casa DJ, O''Connor FG, Lopez RM. A Tale of Two Heat Strokes: A Comparative Case Study. Current Sports Medicine Reports. 15(2) : 94-7, 2016.
• Bedoya AA Miltenberger MR Lopez RM.. Plyometric training effects on athletic performance in youth soccer athletes: a systematic review. J Strength Cond Res. 29(8) : 2351-2360, 2015.
• Bedoya AA, Miltenberger MR, Lopez RM. Plyometric Training Effects on Athletic Performance in Youth Soccer Athletes: A Systematic Review. Journal of strength and conditioning research. 29(8) : 2351-60, 2015.
• Casa DJ, DeMartini JK, Bergeron MF, Csillan D, Eichner ER, Lopez RM, Ferrara MS, Miller KC, O''Connor F, Sawka MN, Yeargin SW. National Athletic Trainers'' Association Position Statement: Exertional Heat Illnesses. Journal of Athletic Training. 50(9) : 986-1000, 2015.
• Cleary MA, Toy MG, Lopez RM. Thermoregulatory, cardiovascular, and perceptual responses to intermittent cooling during exercise in a hot, humid outdoor environment J Strength Cond Res.. 28(3) : 792-806, 2014.
• Casa DJ, Anderson SA, Baker L, Bennett S, Bergeron MF, Connolly D, Courson R, Drezner JA, Eichner ER, Epley B, Fleck S, Franks R, Guskiewicz KM, Harmon KG, Hoffman J, Holschen JC, Jost J, Kinniburgh A, Klossner D, Lopez RM, Martin G, McDermott BP, Mihalik JP, Myslinski T, Pagnotta K, Poddar S, Rodgers G, Russell A, Sales L, Sandler D, Stearns RL, Stiggins C, Thompson C. The inter-association task force for preventing sudden death in collegiate conditioning sessions: best practices recommendations. Journal of Athletic Training. 47(4) : 477-80, 2012.
• Casa DJ, Almquist J, Anderson SA, Baker L, Bergeron MF, Biagioli B, Boden B, Brenner JS, Carroll M, Colgate B, Cooper L, Courson R, Csillan D, Demartini JK, Drezner JA, Erickson T, Ferrara MS, Fleck SJ, Franks R, Guskiewicz KM, Holcomb WR, Huggins RA, Lopez RM, Mayer T, McHenry P, Mihalik JP, O''Connor FG, Pagnotta KD, Pryor RR, Reynolds J, Stearns RL, Valentine V. The inter-association task force for preventing sudden death in secondary school athletics programs: best-practices recommendations. Journal of Athletic Training. 48(4) : 546-53, 2012.
• Lopez RM, Eberman LE, Cleary MA. Superficial cooling does not decrease core body temperature before, during, or after exercise in an American football uniform. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research / National Strength & Conditioning Association. 26(12) : 3432-40, 2012.
• Lopez RM. Hydration for Athletes: Individualizing Fluid Replacement Guidelines. Strength and Conditioning Journal. 34(4) : 49-54, 2012.
• DeMartini JK, Martschinske JL, Casa DJ, Lopez RM, Ganio MS, Walz SM, Coris EE. Physical demands of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I football players during preseason training in the heat. Journal of strength and conditioning research / National Strength & Conditioning Association. 25(11) : 2935-43, 2011.
• Lopez RM, Casa DJ, Jensen KA, DeMartini JK, Pagnotta KD, Ruiz RC, Roti MW, Stearns RL, Armstrong LE, Maresh CM. Examining the influence of hydration status on physiological responses and running speed during trail running in the heat with controlled exercise intensity. Journal of strength and conditioning research / National Strength & Conditioning Association. 25(11) : 2944-54, 2011.
• Ganio MS, Johnson EC, Lopez RM, Stearns RL, Emmanuel H, Anderson JM, Casa DJ, Maresh CM, Volek JS, Armstrong LE. Caffeine lowers muscle pain during exercise in hot but not cool environments. Physiology & behavior. 102(3-4) : 429-35, 2011.
• DeMartini JK, Ranalli GF, Casa DJ, Lopez RM, Ganio MS, Stearns RL, McDermott BP, Armstrong LE, Maresh CM. Comparison of body cooling methods on physiological and perceptual measures of mildly hyperthermic athletes. Journal of strength and conditioning research / National Strength & Conditioning Association. 25(8) : 2065-74, 2011.
• Ganio MS, Armstrong LE, Casa DJ, McDermott BP, Lee EC, Yamamoto LM, Marzano S, Lopez RM, Jimenez L, Le Bellego L, Chevillotte E, Lieberman HR. Mild dehydration impairs cognitive performance and mood of men. The British Journal of Nutrition. 106(10) : 1535-43, 2011.
• DeMartini JK Marchschinske JL Casa DJ Stearns RL Lopez RM et a. Examining Physiological Demands in NCAA Division I Football Players During Preseason Training in the Heat. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 25(11) : 2935-2943, 2011.
• DeMartini JK Marchschinske JL Casa DJ Stearns RL Lopez RM et al. Examining Physiological Demands in NCAA Division I Football Players During Preseason Training in the Heat. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 25(11) : 2935-2943, 2011.
• Johnson EC, Ganio MS, Lee EC, Lopez RM, McDermott BP, Casa DJ, Maresh CM, Armstrong LE. Perceptual responses while wearing an American football uniform in the heat. Journal of athletic training. 45(2) : 107-16, 2010.
• Yeargin SW, Casa DJ, Judelson DA, McDermott BP, Ganio MS, Lee EC, Lopez RM, Stearns RL, Anderson JM, Armstrong LE, Kraemer WJ, Maresh CM. Thermoregulatory responses and hydration practices in heat-acclimatized adolescents during preseason high school football. Journal of athletic training. 45(2) : 136-46, 2010.
• Casa DJ, Stearns RL, Lopez RM, Ganio MS, McDermott BP, Walker Yeargin S, Yamamoto LM, Mazerolle SM, Roti MW, Armstrong LE, Maresh CM. Influence of hydration on physiological function and performance during trail running in the heat. Journal of athletic training. 45(2) : 147-56, 2010.
• Armstrong LE, Johnson EC, Casa DJ, Ganio MS, McDermott BP, Yamamoto LM, Lopez RM, Emmanuel H. The American football uniform: uncompensable heat stress and hyperthermic exhaustion. Journal of athletic training. 45(2) : 117-27, 2010.
• Casa DJ Armstrong LE Carter R Lopez RM McDermott BP Scriber K. Historical perspectives on medical care of heat stroke, part 2: 1850 through the present. Athletic Training. 2(4) : 178-190, 2010.
• Casa DJ Armstrong LE Carter R Lopez RM McDermott BP Scriber K. Historical perspectives on medical care of heat stroke, part 1: ancient times through the nineteenth century. Athletic Training and Sport Health Care,. 3(2) : 132-138, 2010.
• McDermott BP, Casa DJ, Yeargin SW, Ganio MS, Lopez RM, Mooradian EA. Hydration status, sweat rates, and rehydration education of youth football campers. Journal of sport rehabilitation. 18(4) : 535-52, 2009.
• Lopez RM, Casa DJ, McDermott BP, Ganio MS, Armstrong LE, Maresh CM. Does creatine supplementation hinder exercise heat tolerance or hydration status? A systematic review with meta-analyses. Journal of athletic training. 44(2) : 215-23, 2009.
• McDermott BP, Casa DJ, O''Connor FG, Adams WB, Armstrong LE, Brennan AH, Lopez RM, Stearns RL, Troyanos C, Yeargin SW. Cold-water dousing with ice massage to treat exertional heat stroke: a case series. Aviation, space, and environmental medicine. 80(8) : 720-2, 2009.
• Lopez RM, Casa DJ. The influence of nutritional ergogenic aids on exercise heat tolerance and hydration status. Current sports medicine reports. 8(4) : 192-9, 2009.
• Casa DJ, Csillan D, Armstrong LE, Baker LB, Bergeron MF, Buchanan VM, Carroll MJ, Cleary MA, Eichner ER, Ferrara MS, Fitzpatrick TD, Hoffman JR, Kenefick RW, Klossner DA, Knight JC, Lennon SA, Lopez RM, Matava MJ, O''Connor FG, Peterson BC, Rice SG, Robinson BK, Shriner RJ, West MS, Yeargin SW. Preseason heat-acclimatization guidelines for secondary school athletics. Journal of athletic training. 44(3) : 332-3, 2009.
• Stearns RL, Casa DJ, Lopez RM, McDermott BP, Ganio MS, Decher NR, Scruggs IC, West AE, Armstrong LE, Maresh CM. Influence of hydration status on pacing during trail running in the heat. Journal of strength and conditioning research / National Strength & Conditioning Association. 23(9) : 2533-41, 2009.
• McDermott BP, Casa DJ, Ganio MS, Lopez RM, Yeargin SW, Armstrong LE, Maresh CM. Acute whole-body cooling for exercise-induced hyperthermia: a systematic review. Journal of athletic training. 44(1) : 84-93, 2009.
• Jones LC, Cleary MA, Lopez RM, Zuri RE, Lopez R. Active dehydration impairs upper and lower body anaerobic muscular power. Journal of strength and conditioning research / National Strength & Conditioning Association. 22(2) : 455-63, 2008.
• Yamamoto LM, Lopez RM, Klau JF, Casa DJ, Kraemer WJ, Maresh CM. The effects of resistance training on endurance distance running performance among highly trained runners: a systematic review. Journal of strength and conditioning research / National Strength & Conditioning Association. 22(6) : 2036-44, 2008.
• Lopez RM, Cleary MA, Jones LC, Zuri RE. Thermoregulatory influence of a cooling vest on hyperthermic athletes. Journal of athletic training. 43(1) : 55-61, 2008.
• Armstrong LE, Lopez RM. Return to exercise training after heat exhaustion. Journal of sport rehabilitation. 16(3) : 182-9, 2007.
• Scarneo-Miller S, Adams WM, Coleman KA, Lopez RM Exertional Heat Illness: Adoption of Policies and Influencing Contextual Factors as reported by Athletic Administrators. Sports Health. 16(1) : 58-69, 2024.
• Ashley CD, Lopez RM, Tritsch AJ Football practices in Hot Environments Impact Subsequent Day's Hydration Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 38(1) : 90-96, 2024.
• Bernard T, Ashley C, Wolf ST, Lopez RM, Kenney WL Distribution of upper limit of the prescriptive zone values for acclimatized and unacclimatized individuals. Journal of Applied Physiology. 135(3) : 601-608, 2023.

Awards/Honors

• NATA Fellow (National Athletic Trainers' Association Fellow - 2022)
• Service Award (National Athletic Trainers' Association - 2020)
• Alumni Award (University of Connecticut Athletic Training - 2020)
• Lifesaving Education Award (Korey Stringer Institute - 2019)
• Education/ Administration Athletic Trainer Award (SEATA - 2019)
• Service Award (ATAF - 2018)
• Rebecca Stearns Alumni Award (Korey Stringer Institute - 2023)