Matthew Renfrow

Dean of Natural & Applied Sciences

I Serve in...

Kinesiology Department

Education

• PhD, Human Performance/Exercise Science, Middle Tennessee State University
• MS, Exercise Science and Health Promotion, Middle Tennessee State University
• BS, Exercise Science and Health Promotion, Belmont University

Career Accomplishments

I am honored to co-direct our pediatric weight management program (PWMP), Live Well, that reaches mainly underserved families in the Marion area. It is the only PWMP of which I am aware that utilizes undergraduate students to serve as the health coaches for this population. Many regional and national presentations have come from these data, but most importantly for me has been seeing how students serve and then grow in their compassion for these children and families...and then they are accepted into excellent graduate schools, in part, due to these experiences!

Featured Publications

Renfrow, M. (2025) Do As I Say...And as I Do. Christian Scholar's Review

Renfrow, M. (2011) The relationship between sports participation and health-related physical fitness in middle school and high school students. Physical Educator 68 (3), 118-123

White, M. & Renfrow, M. (2018) A cross-training program does not alter self-reported physical activity levels in elementary school children. International Journal of Exercise Science. 11(5):308-315.

Pfeifer, D., Arvin, K., Haynes, N., Herschberger, C., & Renfrow, M. (2017) A low dose caffeine and carbohydrate supplement does not improve athletic performance during volleyball competition. International Journal of Exercise Science, 10(3): 340-353.

Renfrow, M., Caputo, J., Otto, S., Farley, R., & Eveland, B. (2011). The relationship between sports participation and health-related physical fitness in middle school and high school students. The Physical Educator, 68(3), 118-123.

About

I was a collegiate soccer player (goalie!) and specialized in pediatric exercise physiology in graduate school. And I still get to work in those areas here at TU. I play intramural soccer with students as well as volunteer coach with our varsity soccer teams. I teach a lifespan exercise physiology course and help run the pediatric weight management program. I am truly blessed to work at a Christ-centered institution that I love, with colleagues who are exceptional, and for students who are excellent!

Outside of work, I enjoy watching movies, watch-collecting, and shoe-shining.