Cynthia Allen

Cynthia Allen is an expert in public health who teaches in the Exercise and Sport Science Department at Carthage. She is an American College of Sports Medicine-certified personal trainer and a Level 1 Yogafit instructor. 

While studying human nutrition at Kansas State University, Prof. Allen was awarded a $25,000 grant from the American Egg Board to research the potential association between lutien intake and decreased incidence of age-related macular degeneration. Prior to completing her Ph.D., she spent four years working in the community as a health educator. Prof. Allen was also elected a three-year term as a Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) Councilor in the Health Sciences Division (2016-2019).

She earned her Ph.D. in human nutrition from Kansas State University, her M.S. in exercise and sport science from Colorado State University, and her B.S. in physical education from Utah State University. A native of Utah, she joined the Carthage faculty in 2004.

Media Mentions:

Connectedness to nature and improved health outcomes

Commentary by Cynthia Allen: The evolution of the Keto diet

Professor Allen writes an in-depth Op-Ed about the evolution of the Keto diet. (The Journal Times, April 12, 2019)

• Ph.D. — Human Nutrition, Kansas State University
• M.S. — Exercise & Sport Science, Colorado State University
• B.S. — Physical Education, Utah State University

• EXS 2020 Psychology of Health and Performance
• EXS 2200 Nutrition for Health and Performance
• EXS/NSG 2330 Applied Statistics for Health & Human Performance
• EXSS 3110 Personal and Community Health

• SURE — Summer 2022. An exploration of the predictors of burnout in College Athletes. Student Researcher, Hannah Koehlert ’24 
• SURE — Summer 2018. Understanding etiologies of burnout in medical residents. 
Student Researcher, Sidney Burke ’20
• CUR grant. Brummitt N, Allen C, Johnson R. (2018). The effect of physical environment on learning. $250

• Allen C. Connectedness to nature and improved health outcomes. ACSMs Health Fit J. 2022;(26)3, 11-16.
• Allen, C. “The potential health benefits of meditation.” ACSMs Health Fit J. 2020:24(6), 28-32.
• Allen, C (2020). “United States’ disease surveillance system is second to none.” Guest commentary, Kenosha News. [online]  
• Allen, C (2019). “Making your New Year’s goals stick.” Guest commentary, Kenosha News. [online]
• Allen C. “A fitness professional’s guide to recognizing and coping with job burnout.” ACSM’s Health and Fitness Journal. 2019; 23(3), 11-15.
• Allen, C. (2019). “Should Healthcare be a right or a privilege?” Opinion Kenosha News. [Online] 
• Burke S, Allen C and Anderson J. “Identifying intervention methods to mitigate stress and anxiety leading to burnout symptoms among medical residents.” Oral presentation at: National Conference of Undergraduate Research; April 11-13, 2019: Kennesaw State University, GA. 
• Allen C. “Using movement to anchor learning in health.” Oral presentation at: The Wisconsin Health and Physical Education Conference; October 25-26, 2018; Wisconsin Dells, WI. 
• Sliwa T. “An exploration of the effect of meditation on dominant-leg balance.” Poster presented at: The Celebration of Scholars, April 20, 2018; Kenosha, WI. (Faculty adviser).
• Allen C. “Health Education: A Quick Reference. The Go-To Book for Teachers.” 2nd ed. Racine: Lulu Press; 2017.
• Michuda J. “An examination of the relationship between deadlift and 60 foot sprint time in Division III softball players.” Poster presented at: The Celebration of Scholars; April 28, 2017; Kenosha, WI. (Faculty adviser)
• Hardie E, Mendillo G, Wright M, Allen C. (2015). “Sleep deprivation and the effects of short term cognitive and physical function.” Celebration of Scholars, Carthage College, Wis. (Faculty adviser)
• Doupis M, Miller C, Allen C. (2015) “Integrating Olympic lifting to increase the flexibility and power of a rugby player.” A case study at Celebration of Scholars, Carthage College, Wis. (Faculty adviser)
• Allen C. (2015). “The effect of religiosity and quality of life and stress among college students.” Poster presentation at the 25th Annual Art & Science of Health Promotion Conference, San Diego, CA.
• Shields H, and Allen C. (2014) “The relationship between college students’ connectedness to nature and quality of life.” NCUR. (Faculty adviser)
• Craigo K and Allen C. (2014) “The effect of foam rolling on the flexibility of the lower extremity.” Poster presentation at the Celebration of Scholars, Carthage College, Wis. (Faculty adviser)
• Decraene W, Kudla A, Peters B, Allen C. (2014) “Dynamic vs static stretching in the improvement of active range of motion.” Poster presentation at the Celebration of Scholars, Carthage College, Wis. (Faculty adviser)
• Grigsby A, Bialecka N, DeLaMar N, Allen C. (2014) “VO2max in collegiae sprint and long distance swimmers.” Poster presentation at the Celebration of Scholars, Carthage College, Wis. (Faculty adviser)
• Lemberger K, Mikorski R, Allen C. (2014) “Sleep deprivation and athletic performance.” Poster presentation at the Celebration of Scholars, Carthage College, Wis. (Faculty adviser)
• Allen C. “Scaffolding Undergraduate Research throughout the Curriculum.” Counc Undergrad Rex Q. 2016;37(1). Doi:10.18833/curq/37/1/13
• Allen C and Bonn M. (2013). “Prevalence of hypercholesterolemia among college-aged persons.” 23rd Annual Art & Science of Health Promotion Conference.
• Gosselin J, Allen C.  (2013) “The effect of religiosity on stress and quality of life among college students.” NCUR. (Faculty adviser)