Michael D. Belbis

Visiting Assistant Professor, Exercise Physiology

Department

Kinesiology and Physical Education

Research Interests

• Skeletal muscle microcirculation
• Oxygen transport and kinetics in health, disease, and performance
• Ergogenic aids for improving exercise tolerance and physical capacity

Education

• Ph.D. Purdue University, Exercise Physiology
• M.S.Ed. Northern Illinois University, Exercise Physiology
• B.S. Northern Illinois University, Kinesiology

Selected Recent Publications

• Calvo, N., Pontorno, J.M., Zeidler, B., Pejon, T.M.M., Belbis, M.D., Ferguson, S.K., Goergen, C.J., Gavin, T.P., Roseguini, B.T., Fernandes, I.A., & Hirai, D.M. (2025). Noradrenergic regulation of skeletal muscle oxygen pressures: Impact of HFpEF and Heat Therapy. Experimental Physiology, 1-16.
• Belbis, M.D., Ro, B., Schepers, L.E., Kim, K.H.,…,Hirai, D.M. (2025). Effects of heat therapy on exercise performance in a rat model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Journal of Applied Physiology, 139, 185-205.
• Belbis, M.D., Holmes, M.J., Yao, J., Kinnick, C.W., Kargl, C.K., Day, C., Noel, N.L., Gavin, T.P., Roseguini, B.T., Hirai, D.M. (2025). Effects of acute selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition on skeletal muscle microvascular oxygenation and exercise tolerance. Experimental Physiology, 1-13.
• Belbis, M.D., Yap, Z., Hobart, S.E., Ferguson, S.K., Hirai, D.M. (2024). Effects of acute phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibition on skeletal muscle interstitial PO ₂ during contractions and recovery. Nitric Oxide, 142, 16-25.
• Belbis, M.D., Camic, C.L., Howell, S.M., Zhang, S., Chomentowski III, P.J. (2022). The effects of acute caffeine supplementation on repeated-sprint performance in healthy young non-athletes. International Journal of Exercise Science, 15(2), 846-860.

Courses Taught

• KNPE 445 - Measurement and Evaluation in Exercise Science
• KNPE 462 - Clinical Exercise Physiology
• KNPE 486 - Motor Learning and Performance
• KNPE 560 - Cardiorespiratory Physiology
• KNPE 561 - Advanced Exercise Physiology