Maria Kosma
Associate Professor
Bachelor's Degree(s): Physical Education and Sport Science, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece, 1997
Master's Degree: Exercise and Sport Science/Adapted Physical Activity, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland, 1999
PhD: Exercise and Sport Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 2003
Phone: 225-578-8016
Email: mkosma@lsu.edu
Office: 2218 HPL Field House
Biography
My research interests in physical activity health promotion are grounded in such philosophies as phronesis (practical wisdom or reasoning), existential phenomenology (e.g., embodied movement, body schema, and existential freedom), and the concept of habitus to facilitate understanding of physical activity, health, and well-being. Instead of relying solely on logical positivism, I use a Humanistic approach in physical activity and public health, emphasizing free will and human agency within society, culture, and socio-political systems. I have examined the embodied nature of different movement experiences (e.g., within performing arts and other exercise settings), and how they link to the love of movement and well-being. I have worked with various populations across the lifespan, including socio-economically and ethnically diverse older and young adults, children, and people with or without disabilities.
I have mentored several research projects of graduate and undergraduate students. On October 19, 2023, I was honored at halftime during the women’s soccer Faculty/Staff appreciation game between LSU and University of Arkansas. The instructor’s honor was for the unwavering support to the student-athletes and assistance in maintaining high academic standards and receiving yearly awards from the United Soccer Coaches Association.
I serve as the Head of the Sport Unit for the Athens Institute for Education and Research (ATINER-Greece), and I am one of the editors of the Athens Journal of Sports.
Select Publications
Kosma, M., Erickson, N., & Gremillion, A. (in press – 2024 published online first). Positive effects of physical theater on body schema among college students. Quest. doi:10.1080/00336297.2024.2333570
Kosma, M., Erickson, N., & Gremillion, A. (in press – 2024 published online first). The embodied nature of physical theater: Artistic expression, emotions, interactions. Research in Dance Education. doi:10.1080/14647893.2024.2331128
Kosma, M. (2024). Body as being in the world to explain the phantom limb syndrome. What does this mean for movement programming? Anatomy Physiology & Biochemistry International Journal, 7 (3), 1-4. doi:10.19080/APBIJ.2024.07.555715
Kosma, M. (2024). There is techne and phronesis in movement: A beautiful combination for health and well-being! Turkish Journal of Kinesiology, 10 (2), 124-130. doi:10.31459/turkjkin.1447811
Kosma, M. (2024). Embodied and playful movement for older adults: An important approach to health and well-being. Global Journal of Aging & Geriatric Research, 3 (1), 1-3. doi:10.33552/GJAGR.2024.02.000554
Kosma, M. (2024). Gadamer’s hermeneutic universality of play: The greatest form of human play is art and its signification to movement education. Athens Journal of Sports, 11, 9-20. Selected article to lead journal issue. doi:10.30958/ajspo.11-1-1
Kosma, M., Erickson, N., & Gremillion, A. (2023). Positive psychosocial experiences of a physical theater class among college students. International Journal of Sport, Exercise and Health Research, 7 (2), 39-45. doi:10.31254/sportmed.7203; sportscienceresearch.com/IJSEHR_202372_03.pdf
Kosma, M. (2023). Total freedom in physical activity via body schema: Being for itself and being in the world. Turkish Journal of Kinesiology, 9 (3), 247-258. doi:10.31459/turkjkin.1316448
Kosma, M., Kim, M., Moon, D-H., & Fritts, S. (2023). Effects of Covid-19 mandates on college students’ exercise experiences and psychosocial health. International Journal of Sport, Exercise and Health Research, 7 (1), 9-16. doi:10.31254/sportmed.7103; portscienceresearch.com/IJSEHR_202371_03.pdf
Kosma, M., Erickson, N., & Gremillion, A. (2023). Physical theater class experiences: Mental health, play, and the love of movement. International Journal of Applied Sports Sciences, 35 (1), 10-27. doi:10.24985/ijass.2023.35.1.10
Kosma, M. (2023). Phenomenological body schema as motor habit in skill acquisition – Intentionality is in action. Athens Journal of Sports, 10 (2), 83-94. doi:10.30958/ajspo.10-2-2
Kosma, M. (2022). Breaking away from dualisms: Exercise habitus and reflexivity are embodied. International Journal of Applied Sports Sciences, 34(1), 35-49. doi:10.24985/ijass.2022.34.1.35
Marshall, K. E., Kim, M., Kosma, M., & Frusher, S. (2022). Physical activity facilitators, barriers, and life challenges among Native American freshmen. Journal of American College Health, 70, 1040-1046. doi:10.1080/07448481.2020.1784905
Kosma, M. (2021). Play vs exergaming: A conceptual analysis as to why exergaming is not play.
Turkish Journal of Kinesiology, 7, 141-151. doi: 10.31459/turkjkin.1015139
Kosma, M., Erickson, N., Savoie, C. J., & Gibson, M. (2021). The effectiveness of performative aerial practice on mental health and the love of movement. Research in Dance Education, 22, 210-227. doi:10.1080/14647893.2020.1784868. Featured in ArtsEdSearch on December 2020: artsedsearch.org/study/the-effectiveness-of-performative-aerial-practice-on-mental-health-and-the-love-of-movement/
Kosma, M., Erickson, N., Savoie, C. J., & Gibson, M. (2021). Skill development vs. performativity among beginners in aerial practice: An embodied and meaningful learning experience. Community Health Equity Research & Policy, 41, 173-187. doi:10.1177/0272684X20918053
Select Presentations
Kosma, M., Erickson, N., & Gremillion, A. (2024). Effects of a physical theater class on body schema among college students. National Academy of Health and Physical Literacy National Summit Proceedings: Focused on the Future (p. 14). Baton Rouge, LA.
Kosma, M., Erickson, N., & Gremillion, A. (2024). Positive psychosocial experiences of a physical theater class among college students. National Academy of Health and Physical Literacy National Summit Proceedings: Focused on the Future (p. 15). Baton Rouge, LA.
Kosma, M. (2023). Phenomenological body schema as motor habit in skill acquisition – Intentionality is in action. In M. Kosma & O. Gkounta (Eds.). Abstract Book: 19th Annual International Conference on Sport & Exercise Science (pp. 33-34). Athens, Greece: Athens Institute for Education and Research (ATINER). Abstract Book (atiner.gr)
Erickson, N., & Kosma, M. (2023). Exploring the formation of the HEART (Health, Exercise, ARTS) Center: Emergence and importance. In M, Kosma & O. Gkounta (Eds.). Abstract Book: 19th Annual International Conference on Sport & Exercise Science (pp. 20-21). Athens, Greece: Athens Institute for Education and Research (ATINER). Abstract Book (atiner.gr)
Kosma, M., Erickson, N., & Gremillion, A. (2023). The embodied nature of physical theater: Expression, creativity, communication. Research Quarterly for Exercise & Sport, 94 (Supplement), A60-A61.
Kosma, M., Erickson, N., & Gremillion, A. (2023). Mental health and physical theater experiences among active college students. Research Quarterly for Exercise & Sport, 94 (Supplement), A48-A49.
Kosma, M., & Buchanan, D.R. (2022). Reconsidering the push for digitized physical activity education in lieu of the intrinsic value of embodied action (pp. 45-46). In M. Konstantaki & O. Gkounta (Eds.), Abstract Book: 18th Annual International Conference on Sport & Exercise Science. Athens, Greece: Athens Institute for Education and Research (ATINER). atiner.gr/abstracts/2022ABST-FIT.pdf
Kosma, M., Kim, M., Moon, D.-H., & Fritts, S. (2022). Effects of COVID-19 mandates on exercise levels and experiences among college students. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 93 (Supplement), A45-A46.
Select Grants
Kosma, M. (2022-2023). Phenomenological body spatiality in physical theater: Body schema, love of movement, health, and well-being. Provost’s Fund for Innovation in Research – Arts/Humanities Project Support Fund. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA. Amount funded on February 23, 2023: $3,000.
Kosma, M. (2019 - 2022). The effects of physical theater on the joy of movement and psychological health. Peabody Society Dean's Circle Grant Program, College of Human Sciences and Education, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA. Amount Funded on May 2019: $4,920.
Kosma, M. (2018). Art, embodiment, and phronesis in exercise promotion. Peabody Society Dean's Circle Grant Program, College of Human Sciences and Education, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA. Amount Funded in June 2018: $5,600.
Kim, M., & Kosma, M. (Co-I) (2018). The effects of a performative exercise intervention on Korean immigrant older adults’ physical function and exercise maintenance. Faculty Research Grant at Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK. Amount Funded in July 2018: $2,852.