Associate Professor of Health and Human Performance
Bio
Dr. Ryan S. Sacko is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health and Human Performance at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. Dr. Sacko completed his Ph.D., in Physical Education with an emphasis in motor development at the University of South Carolina. He also holds a Master of Science in Exercise Science from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Charleston Southern University. Dr. Sacko maintains collaborations at the regional, national, and international levels that provide significant enhancements to the fields of motor development and physical education, and the Cadet educational experience at The Citadel. Prior to his employment at The Citadel, Dr. Sacko used his experience as a Certified Athletic Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist to establish and successfully operate a personal training and sports performance business that focused on the rehabilitation and return to play of athletes of all ages. His academic training and 20+ years of experience working in the fields of; athletic training, strength and conditioning, physical therapy, personal training, physical education, corporate wellness consulting, and soccer coaching, have established a foundation of experience for effective teaching within the Health and Human Performance Department. Dr. Sacko is an avid runner, soccer player, and sports enthusiast; his free time off campus is spent with his wife and two young sons.
Degrees
- Ph.D. Physical Education (University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC)
- M.A. Exercise Science (University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC)
- B.A. Athletic Training (Charleston Southern University, Columbia, SC)
Notable Courses Taught
- CGAP 601 Intro to Human Performance and Coaching
- EXSC 200 Motor Development
- EXSC 314 Biomechanical Kinesiology
- HESS 505 Motor Development and Motor Learning
- HESS 535 History, Philosophy, Curriculum in Physical Education
- PHED 335 Advanced Performance and Athlete Development – Team Sports
- PHED 350 Advanced Performance and Athlete Development – Individual and Dual Sports
Research Interests
The overarching aim of my research is to advance the field of motor development, its assessment, and how it relates to health-enhancing behaviors across the lifespan. My research focuses on filling gaps in the literature related to; the energy expenditure of motor skill performance, motor skill assessment, and the importance of integrating and applying concepts including functional motor competence, physical activity, fitness, and motivation into the lives of children, adolescents, and young adults. Currently, my research in the field of motor development is aligned with military and Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) populations in the U.S as well as Movement ABCs 4 PE in collaboration with I-MDRC and PE researchers. My work with the ARIEM Reduction in Musculoskeletal Injury Study is focused on physical performance testing, specifically, the measurement of motor skill level, physical fitness, and injury in a representative sample of military basic combat training recruits.
Notable Publications
- Sacko, R.S., Utesch, T., Bardid, F., Stodden, D.F. (2021). The impact of motor competence on energy expenditure during object projection skill performance in children and young adults. Brazilian Journal of Motor Behavior. https://doi.org/10.20338/bjmb.v15i2.208
- Sacko, R.S., Utesch, T., Cordovil, R., De Meester, A., Ferkel, R., True, L., Gao, Z., Goodway, J., Bott. T., Stodden D.F. (2020) Developmental Sequences for Forceful Kicking. European Physical Education Review. 27(3), 493-511 DOI: 10.1177/1356336X20962134
- Bornstein, D. B., Sacko, R. S., Nelson, S. P., Grieve, G., Beets, M., Forrest, L., … & Jones, B. (2022). A state-by-state and regional analysis of the direct medical costs of treating musculoskeletal injuries among US Army trainees. Progress in cardiovascular diseases, 74, 53-59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2022.10.008