Kinesiology & Health Education

About Dr. Kirk

Erik Kirk is an Associate Professor and full-time Department of Kinesiology and Health Education faculty member. He obtained his Ph.D. in exercise physiology with a specialization in obesity from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. Dr. Kirk completed his postdoctoral training at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine. His postdoctoral training focused on fat and carbohydrate metabolism in patients with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Dr. Kirk is a Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist® (CES) through the American College of Sports Medicine, and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists and Certified Personal Trainer through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

Dr. Kirk has research and clinical experience in the areas of exercise, metabolism, and obesity.  He is the director and founder of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Weight Management Clinic (www.siue.edu/wmc).  Dr. Kirk has over 25 national peer reviewed publications in obesity related journals and has presented over the past 12 years at national conferences that include The Obesity Society (TOS), American Diabetes Association (ADA), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), and National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Dr. Kirk teaches courses in Advanced Exercise Physiology, Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiology, Biology of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, and Pathophysiology and Treatment of Obesity.

Publication:

• Sullivan, S., Kirk, E.P., Mittendorfer, B., Paterson, B., and Klein, S. Effect of physical activity on intrahepatic triglyceride content and VLDL kinetics in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Hepatology, 2012 Jun;55(6):1738-45
  
• Heden, T., Reid, S., Lox, C., Rose, P. and Kirk, E.P. One set resistance training elevates energy expenditure for 72h similar to three sets. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2011, Mar;111(3):477-84
  
• Kirk, E.P. and Klein, S. Pathogenesis and Pathophysiology of the Cardiometabolic Syndrome. Journal of the Clinical Hypertension 2009; 11:761–765.
  
• Kirk, E.P., Donnelly, J., Smith B., Honas, J. , LeCheminant, J., Bailey, B., Jacobsen, D., and Washburn, R., Minimal resistance training improved daily energy expenditure and fat oxidation. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 2009 May;41(5):1122-9.
  
• Kirk, E.P., Reeds, D., Finck, B. and Klein, S., Dietary fat and carbohydrates differentially alter insulin sensitivity during caloric restriction. Gastroenterology, 2009 July;137(1):393.