John Mercer
Biography
John Mercer is a professor for the department of kinesiology & nutrition sciences, which is the study of how the human body moves. He is an expert in kinesiology, biomechanics (the physics of sports), and running. Mercer has trained as a triathlete for more than 25 years.
A prolific researcher, Mercer recently directed kinesiology-focused studies on rehabilitation techniques like running in the water and running with body weight support, how shoe design is important to consider for children runners, and if rocker-bottom styled shoes increase muscle development in the lower legs.
His work has been published in dozens of industry publications including the Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, the Journal of Applied Biomechanics, the European Journal of Applied Physiology, and Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.
Mercer is also chair of UNLV’s Biomedical Institutional Review Board, which approves, monitors, and reviews biomedical and social/behavioral research involving human subjects in order to protect their rights and welfare.
John Mercer In The News

Articles Featuring John Mercer
UNLV Newsmakers 2023: Summer
News stories from the summer featuring UNLV students and faculty.

UNLV Newsmakers 2022: June
A collection of news stories highlighting UNLV experts who made headlines locally, nationally, and around the world.

The Science Below the Surface
Kinesiology professor John Mercer turned a love of triathlons into a vector for research into wetsuit technology and underwater running.

The Nexus of Sports, Research, and Community
UNLV's Sports Research and Innovation Initiative gives a home to the university's sports-related research — and is positioned as a crucial touchstone of a burgeoning sports mecca.