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University of Connecticut Neag School of Education Department of Kinesiology


Photo of Douglas Casa

Douglas J. Casa

  • PhD, ATC, FACSM, FNATA
  • Professor, Department of Kinesiology
  • Director, Athletic Training Education
  • Chief Operating Officer, Korey Stringer Institute
  • Research Associate, Human Performance Laboratory
My life has been shaped by an event that occurred in 1985.  While running a 10K race on the track in Buffalo, New York, on a very hot day, I collapsed on the last lap due to an exertional heat stroke.  My ambition since regaining consciouness in the hospital has been to conduct research and provide education that could enhance our understanding of this potentially deadly condition.  In April 2010 I joined forces with Kelci Stringer (the widow of Korey Stringer who died from heat stroke in 2001 while playing in the NFL for the Minnesota Vikings) to form the Korey Stringer Institute (KSI) at the University of Connecticut (ksi.uconn.edu).  The mission of the KSI is to provide education, advocacy and resources to try and prevent sudden death in sport, especially as it relates to exertional heat stroke.
  • Contact Information:
  • Office:
    • Location: Gampel 216
  • Mailing Address:
    • Department of Kinesiology
    • Neag School of Education
    • 2095 Hillside Road, U-1110
    • Storrs, CT 06269-1110
  • Areas of Expertise:
    • Exercise & Heat
    • Hydration/Dehydration
    • Thermoregulation
    • Physiology - Environmental
    • Athletic Training
    • Dietary Supplements
    • Elite Athletes
    • Heat Acclimatization
    • Fluid-Electrolyte Balance
    • Exertional Heat Illnesses
  • Currently Teaching:
    • EKIN 5512 Preventing Sudden Death in Sport
    • EKIN 292 Emergency Procedures in Athletic Training
  • Honors and Awards:
    • National Athletic Trainers' Association Service Award, 2009
    • The Medal for Distinguished Athletic Training Research, National Athletic Trainers' Association, 2008
    • Fellow-National Athletic Trainers' Association, 2008
    • The Sayers “Bud” Miller Distinguished Educator Award, National Athletic Trainers' Association, 2007
    • Fellow-American College of Sports Medicine, 2001
  • In the News:
    • The Washington Post, July 2010
    • New York Times, June 2010
    • New York Times, April 2010
    • ESPN, April 2010
    • New York Daily News, April 2010
    • Sports Illustrated, April 2010
    • Los Angeles Times, April 2010
  • Associations/Organizations/Outreach:
    • Chief Operating Officer, Korey Stringer Institute
    • Section Editor, Journal of Athletic Training
    • Editorial Board, Journal of Sport Rehabilitation
    • Editorial Board, Current Sports Medicine Reports
  • Educational Background:
    • Ph.D. University of Connecticut, 1997
    • M.S. University of Florida, 1993
    • B.S. Allegheny College, 1990
  • Selected Publications/Presentations:
    • Casa, D.J., G.P. Kenny, N.A.S. Taylor. Immersion treatment for exertional hyperthermia: cold or temperate water? Medicine and Science in Sports and Exericse. 42(7):1246-1252, 2010.
    • Casa, D.J., L.E. Armstrong, R. Carter III, R.M. Lopez, B.P. McDermott, K. Scriber. Historical perspectives on medical care for heat stroke, Part 1: Ancient times through nineteenth century. Athletic Training and Sports Health Care. 2(3):132-138, 2010.
    • Armstrong, L.E., E.C. Johnson, D.J. Casa, M.S. Ganio, B.P. McDermott, L.M. Yamamoto, R.M. Lopez, H. Emmanuel. The American football uniform: uncompensable heat stress and hyperthermic exhaustion. Journal of Athletic Training. 45(2):117-127, 2010.
    • Casa, D.J., R.L. Stearns, R.M. Lopez, M.S. Ganio, B.P. McDermott, S.W. Yeargin, L.M. Yamamoto, S.M. Mazerolle, M.W. Roti, L.E. Armstrong, C.M. Maresh. Influence of hydration on physiological function and performance during trail running in the heat. Journal of Athletic Training. 45(2):147-156, 2010.
    • Mazerolle, S.M., I.C. Scruggs, D.J. Casa, L.J. Burton, B.P. McDermott, L.E. Armstrong, C.M. Maresh. Current knowledge, attitudes, and practices, of certified athletic trainers regarding recognition and treatment of exertional heat stroke. Journal of Athletic Training. 45(2):170-180, 2010.
    • Johnson, E.C., M.S. Ganio, E.L. Lee, R.M. Lopez, B.P. McDermott, D.J. Casa, C.M. Maresh, L.E. Armstrong. Perceptual responses while wearing an American football uniform in the heat. Journal of Athletic Training. 45(2):107-116, 2010
    • Yeargin S.W., D.J. Casa, D.A. Judelson, B.P. McDermott, M.S. Ganio, E.L. Lee, R.M. Lopez, R.L. Stearns, J.A. Anderson, L.E. Armstrong, W.J. Kraemer, C.M. Maresh. Thermoregulatory responses and hydration practices in heat-acclimatized adolescents during pre-season high school football. Journal of Athletic Training. 45(2):136-146, 2010.
    • Yamamoto, L.M., J.F. Klau, D.J. Casa, W.J. Kraemer, L.E. Armstrong, C.M. Maresh. The effects of resistance training on road cycling performance among highly trained cyclists: A systematic review. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 24(2):560-566, 2010.
    • Beasley, K.N, E.C. Lee, B.P. McDermott, L.M. Yamamoto, H. Emmanuel, D.J. Casa, L.E. Armstrong, W. J. Kraemer, C.M. Maresh. The effect of oral vs. intravenous rehydration on circulating myoglobin and creatine kinase. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 24(1):60-67, 2010.
    • Armstrong, L.E., A.C. Pumerantz, K.A. Fiala, M.W. Roti, S.A. Kavouras, D.J. Casa, C.M. Maresh. Human hydration indices: acute and longitudinal reference values. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. 20:145-153, 2010.
  • Funded Research:
    • 2010- Co-principal Investigator, Thermoregulatory responses of elite football players.
    • 2010- Co-principal investigator, Influence of hyperthermia, hydration, and fatigue on balance.
    • 2010- Co-Prinicpal Investigator, Influence of mild dehydration on cognitive function
    • 2008-2011- Co-Investigator, The risk of exertional heat illness in interscholastic football.
    • 2010- Co-Principal Investigator, Body Fluid osmolality during progressive dehydration.
    • 2008/2009- Co-Investigator, Exploring Work-Family Conflict among high school athletic trainers.
    • 2008/2009- Principal Investigator, Intravenous versus oral rehydration: Medical and performance considerations.
    • 2008/2009- Principal Investigator, Appearance of D2O in sweat-oral ingestion versus intravenous administration.
    • 2007/2008- Principal Investigator, Hydration attitudes, intake, and needs of youth female soccer players.
    • 2007/2008- Co-Principal Investigator, Exercise heat tolerance with various football equipment ensembles.