Research in Motion

While wrist-worn fitness trackers have become hugely popular with people interested in monitoring their health, there has been relatively little research done on their accuracy. That presented a unique opportunity for alumnus Byron Ledbetter, who for the past decade has owned and operated B-Better Performance, which provides fitness and personal training services.

As a fitness-focused business owner, Ledbetter decided to pursue a kinesiology degree at A&M-San Antonio to more effectively serve his clients. 

“I recognized that there is a group of people who are about applied knowledge, and a group of people who are about educational knowledge,” he said. “I wanted to appeal to both types of people when it came to providing physical education, training and conditioning.”

It was fortuitous for Ledbetter that one of his classes was taught by Dr. John Smith, a professor in the Department of Counseling, Health and Kinesiology, who is well-known for engaging undergraduates in research.

Together, Ledbetter and Smith worked on a research project on how skin tone affects the accuracy of wrist-worn fitness trackers. The pair recruited about 20 students as test subjects. While their findings indicated there was no relationship between wrist monitor errors and skin tone while resting, walking and jogging, there were errors during stationary cycling and circuit training.

“I’m a gym rat and was not the kind of guy to be all into the data,” said Ledbetter, who graduated in May at the age of 50. “But working with Dr. Smith on this project was eye-opening for me. It taught me to embrace the educational and scientific aspects of health and fitness. It really changed my viewpoint.” 

Smith’s own journey into academia took a pivotal turn during his second year at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, where he pursued a master's degree in kinesiology. It was then that a new professor arrived, marking a significant departure from the traditional lecture-based approach. His professor actively engaged with students, fostering a more participatory learning environment.

"Why wait until a doctorate program to provide students with hands-on experiences? My approach has always been to get students involved in research as soon as possible." ~ Dr. John Smith

“I really enjoyed it,” said Smith. “It was my first meaningful educational experience.” 

Inspired by this early mentorship, Smith was determined to adopt a similar approach when he started at A&M-San Antonio in 2008. 

“My philosophy is: I have this opportunity, why wait until a doctorate program to provide students with real hands-on experiences?” he said. “My approach has always been to get students involved in research as soon as possible.”  

Each year, Smith oversees approximately 10 collaborative research projects with undergraduates, covering a wide range of topics, such as abdominal strength, muscle soreness and the impact of leg pneumatic compression therapy on blood pressure.

“The students really like and benefit from the experience,” he said.  

Smith said that in a typical scenario, he and a student will have an initial brainstorming session to determine what research to pursue. The project is sometimes based on a student’s personal interest or an idea that Smith suggests. 

He instructs the student to research the topic to see what's already been published. From there, they decide on a specific angle or area of focus, and he trains them how to do different tests and collect data. 

“I’m with them for the first few sessions, and then when they feel confident, they're on their own,” Smith said.   

Smith shared one of the things he enjoys most when it comes to working with students is seeing their transformation over time. “When they first start a research project, most of them are really nervous. But by the end of the project, when they give a presentation, their confidence has really grown.”

Adriana Oviedo, for example, said she was a little intimidated when she started working on a research project with Smith about the effect of “unweighting” on energy expenditure during treadmill walking. Oviedo explained that she and Smith would “unweight” test subjects using different body lift straps, which are similar to bungee cords, to vary the subject’s weight or load on the treadmill.  

“We're trying to quantify how much energy expenditure is reduced by unloading, and what kind of changes in gait there are,” said Oviedo. “This kind of data may be important for people who are using treadmills for rehabilitation or injury prevention.”  

Oviedo, who graduates in May 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, plans to pursue a career in physical therapy.  

“I just love learning about the human body and how it moves and what causes movements to be hindered,” said Oviedo, who also interned with the local nonprofit Kinetic Kids, which helps enrich the lives of children with special needs through sports, fine arts and educational programs.  

Oviedo plans to present her findings next spring at the Texas Academy of Kinesiology and Nutrition Conference, which focuses on kinesiology, sports medicine and nutritional science.  

“I take so much pride in being a kinesiology major, and the research project has made it that much more meaningful,” she said. “I was so nervous at first, but Dr. Smith was so welcoming and caring. He's such a good mentor.”