Dr. Daniel Shackelford

Dr. Shackelford’s background and research interests explores the field of exercise-based cancer rehabilitation. Many of the detrimental side effects of chemotherapy and radiation can be offset by the effects of exercise, and he enjoys developing and implementing exercise programs to benefit cancer survivors. He currently teaches an Exercise Testing and Prescription course for the apparently healthy and clinical populations, and prepares students how to use exercise in any clinical population.

• University of Northern Colorado, Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology; Doctoral minor in Statistics and Research Methods, 2015
• University of Northern Colorado, M.S. in Exercise Physiology, 2011
• University of Northern Colorado, B.S. in Sport and Exercise Science, 2009

Exercise Physiology, Cancer Rehabilitation, Clinical Populations, Exercise Testing and Prescription

Presentations

Shackelford, D.Y.K., Brown, J.M., Rodriguez, E.R., Thomas, R.K., Ruffert, J.J., Smith, A.E., & DeGroot, K.J.  Comparing modified treadmill protocols for cancer survivors: a pilot study.  American College of Sports Medicine National Meeting, Orlando, FL., May 28 – June 1, 2019.

Peterson, B.M., Shackelford, D.Y.K., Brown, J,M., Brennecke, A.P., & Hayward, R. Anaplastic Oligodendroglioma: Impacts of Aerobic and Flexibility Training on Physiological, Psychosocial, and Cognitive Function. Oral Presentation, American College of Sports Medicine national conference, Orlando, FL, May 28-June 1, 2019.

Fiene, M., Francis, A., Galipeau, M., Kokta, M., Shackelford, D.Y.K., & Brown, J.M.  Comparison of various measures of body composition and variability among technician.  Celebrate Carroll, Waukesha, WI., April 17, 2019.

Ruffert, J.J., Rodriguez, E.R., Thomas, R.K., Smith, A.E., & DeGroot, K.J., Brown, J.M., & Shackelford, D.Y.K..  Comparing VO2peak values resulting from three treadmill protocols in cancer survivors.  Celebrate Carroll, Waukesha, WI., April 17, 2019.

Shackelford, D.Y.K., Brown, J.M., Peterson, B.M., & Hayward, R. Cancer stage does not affect fatigue or VO2peak improvements following an exercise-based rehabilitation program. American College of Sports Medicine National Meeting, Minneapolis, MN., May 29 – June 2, 2018.

Harman N., Brown, J.M., Shackelford, D.Y.K., & Hayward, R. Effects of an exercise intervention on lung cancer patients who have undergone a lobectomy. American College of Sports Medicine National Meeting, Minneapolis, MN., May 29 – June 2, 2018.

Smoak, P., Christensen, M. Harman, N., Shackelford, D.Y.K., Hayward, R., Kage, K., Brown, J.M., Stewart, L. Complementary and alternative medicine use in cancer survivors in a structured exercise program. American College of Sports Medicine National Meeting, Minneapolis, MN., May 29 – June 2, 2018.

Hackl, K., Johnson, T., Intrizai, S., & Shackelford, D.Y.K.  The effects of cancer stage on cancer related fatigue and VO2peak improvements with structured exercise.  Celebrate Carroll, Waukesha, WI., April 18, 2018.

Peterson, B.M., Johnson, C., Case, K., Shackelford, D.Y.K., Brown, J.M., Lalonde, T.L., & Hayward, R. Effects of a combined aerobic and cognitive training intervention on cognitive function in cancer survivors. Biola University Celebration of Scholarship and Research Evening, La Mirada, CA, April 18, 2018.

Peterson, B.M., Johnson, C., Case, K., Shackelford, D.Y.K., Brown, J.M., Lalonde, T.L., & Hayward, R. Effects of a combined aerobic and cognitive training intervention on cognitive function in cancer survivors. Southwest American College of Sports Medicine regional conference, Long Beach, CA, Oct 20-21, 2017.

Schumacher, A., Shackelford, D.Y.K., Elcock, D., Brown, J.M., & Hayward, R. Validity of the Six-Minute Walk Test for Predicting VO2peak in Cancer Survivors. American Indian Science and Engineering Society, Denver, CO., September 21 – 23, 2017.

Schumacher, A., Shackelford, D.Y.K., Elcock, D., Brown, J.M., & Hayward, R. The validity of the six-minute walk test for predicting VO2peak in cancer survivors. American College of Sports Medicine Regional Conference, Greeley, CO. 2017.
 

Recent Publications 

Brown, J.M., Shackelford, D.Y.K., Hipp, M.L., Hayward, R.  (2019).  Evaluation of an exercise-based phase program as part of a standard care model in cancer survivors.  Translational Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine, 4(7): 45-54

Schumacher, A.N., Shackelford, D.Y.K., Brown, J.M., Hayward, R. (2019).  Validation of the six-minute walk test for predicting peak VO2 in cancer survivors.  Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 51(2): 271-277.

Christensen, M., Smoak, P., Lisano, J.K., Hayward, R., Coronado, C., Kage, K., Shackelford, D.Y.K., & Stewart, L.K.  (2019).  Cardiorespiratory fitness, visceral fat, and body fat, but not dietary inflammatory index, are related to C-reactive protein in cancer survivors.  Nutrition and Health.

Peterson, B.M., Brown, J.M., Shackelford, D.Y.K., Olson, T., Lalonde, T.L., & Hayward, R. (2018). Cancer rehabilitation: impact of physical activity on initial clinical assessments. Journal of Clinical Exercise Physiology, 7(1): 1-7.

Peterson, B.M., Johnson, C., Case, K., Shackelford, D.Y.K., Brown, J.M., Lalonde, T.L., & Hayward, R. (2018). Feasibility of a combined aerobic and cognitive training intervention on cognitive function in cancer survivors: a pilot investigation. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 4:50.

Shackelford, D.Y.K., Brown, J.M., Peterson, B.M., Schaffer, J., & Hayward, R. (2017). The University of Northern Colorado Cancer Rehabilitation Institute treadmill protocol accurately measures VO2peak in cancer survivors. International Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 5(6).

InBody, USA (2015, October). How RMCRI Uses Body Composition to Heal Body and Mind. https://inbodyusa.com/blogs/case-studies/how-rmcri-uses-body-composition-to-heal-body-and-mind/

Medrano, J., Peterson, B.M., Brown, J.M., Shackelford, D.Y.K., Beebe, C.N., Brennecke, A.P., & Hayward, R. (2014). The effects of a twelve-week aerobic and cognitive training intervention on cognitive function in cancer survivors. UNC Undergraduate Research Journal, 4(2), 1-14.

Profesional Service

• Program developer and implementer of Level 1 and 2 Clinical Cancer Exercise Specialist Workshop 

• Institute Achievement Award, University of Northern Colorado Cancer Rehabilitation Institute, 2017
• 1st place at University of Northern Colorado Research Day, University of Northern Colorado, 2015

I try to make topics that I teach directly applicable to the student and to real-world situations. I believe knowing the background knowledge behind a subject is crucial, but it is just as important to know how to directly apply that newly obtained knowledge. For example, it’s great if you know the mechanisms behind diabetes mellitus, but how are you going to use that information to help a type II diabetic in regards to physical function and quality of life?

When I was a sophomore in my undergraduate degree, I was pursuing an Exercise Science degree, but I did not know what I wanted to do with it. However, I soon took an Exercise Programming for Cancer Survivors course, and this changed everything. It combined my passion of exercise and helping others. Exercise is medicine, and I love being able to use this principle to populations that benefit the most from it. For example, I had the honor of helping a cancer survivor regain his cardiorespiratory endurance so he could dance with his granddaughter at her wedding.

I am a die-hard Denver Broncos fan and I love having discussions regarding NFL football. I always look forward to September because I know it’s the start of a new season! I am also a huge Batman fan. I like how he has to outthink his adversaries by using his wits, intelligence, detective skills, and natural physical strength. I enjoy a good debate regarding who the coolest superhero is. Batman or Superman? I think the choice is obvious there.