Dr. Victor Romano is a distinguished academic and practitioner specializing in kinesiology, exercise science, and sport performance. Dr. Romano serves as an Associate Professor for the PhD in Health Sciences program and Concentration Track Director for Human and Sport Performance. In this role, he mentors doctoral candidates and spearheads cutting-edge research in areas such as human performance optimization, injury prevention, and exercise science. With over 20 years of experience in academic instruction, research, and applied practice, Dr. Romano is a recognized expert in human and sport performance.
Dr. Romano holds a Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) in Kinesiology from Drexel University, a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Physical Education from Gardner-Webb University, and a Master of Science (MS) in Exercise Science and Health Promotion from Pennsylvania Western University. He also holds an array of professional certifications, including Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association and Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP) from the American College of Sports Medicine, as well as certifications in corrective exercise, Kinesio taping, fitness nutrition, and sport performance analysis.
He previously served as an Associate Professor and Program Director for Exercise Science at Catawba College, where he played a pivotal role in developing a state-of-the-art human performance laboratory and launching a master’s program in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences.
Dr. Romano’s research focuses on sport performance analysis, injury prevention, nutrition, and the integration of emerging technologies in sport science. He has contributed extensively to peer-reviewed publications and presented at numerous national and international conferences, with a particular emphasis on improving athletic performance, wearable fitness technologies, and evidence-based injury management strategies.
Beyond academia, Dr. Romano has an impressive background in applied sports performance, working with professional and Olympic athletes across disciplines such as football, basketball, track and field, and swimming. His expertise as a sport performance analyst, strength and conditioning coach, and medical team member for national track and field events highlights his commitment to elevating athlete performance at all levels. He also works with the Catawba College Athletic Department as a Sport Performance Analyst. In this role he works with Men’s and Woman’s Soccer team collecting, coordinating, analyzing, and interpreting data in relation to athlete development data. He uses this information to assist in establishing benchmark information to enable monitoring and reporting of student-athlete efforts to enhance physical preparation, injury prevention, and recovery programs.
Current Research
Investigating Respiratory Frequency as a Core Temperature Proxy in Division 1 Football
Co-Investigator
Leadership Strategies That Facilitate Data-Informed Decision-Making in Strength & Conditioning Programs
Primary Investigator
Recent Publications
Mirzae, B., Toloee, M., Malekshahi, O & Romano, V. (2025). The effect of three precooling methods on endurance performance of active men. International Journal of Exercise Science, 18(6), 1410-1421. https://doi.org/10.70252/ERZX6867
Pereira, F., Austin, J., Antonio, J., Waske, R., & Romano, V. (2025). Elite beach volleyball match analysis: Rally structure, work-to-rest patterns, and gender considerations. Journal for Sports Neuroscience, 9(2), article 24. DOI: NEUROSPORTS.1.24
Walters, E. & Romano, V. (2025). College athlete recovery starts with proteins and carbohydrates: Why post-exercise nutrition matters more than you think. Journal of Sport Science & Nutrition, 6(1), 107-110. DOI: 10.33545/27077012.2025.v6.i1b.315.
Romano, V. & D’Annibale, K. (2025). The effects of self-driving treadmill on running performance: A retrospective analysis. International Journal of Sport, Exercise & Health Research, 9(1), 1-4. DOI: 10.31254/SPORTMED.9101
Romano, V. (2025). Anaerobic power output by position group in women’s soccer players. Journal of Sport Science & Nutrition, 6(1), 54-58. DOI: 10.33545/27077012.2025.v6.i1a.308.
Sargeant, J. & Romano, V. (2025). Achilles tendinopathy prevention strategy: An evidence-based approach. Journal of Sports and Physical Activity, 1(1), 1-11. DOI: 10.64268/jospa.v1i1.3
Yus Fernandez, R & Romano, V. (2024). Evaluation of inspiratory performance factors in college swimmers. Journal of Sport Science & Medicine, 2(2), 1-7. DOI: 10.33552/AJSSM. 2024.02.000538.
Bowser, S., Cloutier, E., & Romano, V. (2024). The effect of the carnivore diet on women’s soccer performance: A case study. Journal of Exercise and Nutrition, 7(1), 1-5. DOI: 10.53520/ jen2024.103173.
Recent Presentations
Albert, B., Draper, S., Johnson, P., Romano, V., & Willis, S. (2025, October). Investigating respiratory frequency as a core temperature proxy in division 1 American football. Poster presentation at the American College of Sports Medicine Southwest Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, CA.
Pereira, F., Austin, J., Antonio, J., Wasked, R., & Romano, V. (2025, June). Elite beach volleyball match analysis: Rally structure, work-to-rest patterns, and gender considerations [Conference presentation]. International Society of Sports Nutrition Annual Conference and Expo, West Palm Beach, FL.
Sargeant, J. & Romano, V. (2025, April). Achilles tendinopathy prevention strategy: An evidence-based approach. Presentation at the American College of Sports Medicine Northwest Annual Meeting, Cheney, WA.
Romano, V. (2024, August). Utilizing TRIMP to predict player fatigue in real-time. Presentation at the 14th World Congress of Performance Analysis of Sport, London, UK.
Romano, V. & Hierholzer, K. (2024, May). Investigation of the Matrix S-Drive Treadmill on Top Sprint Speed in Female Soccer Players. Poster presentation at the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Boston, MA.
Romano, V. (2024, January). Utilizing WHOOP bands to improve student athlete health. Presentation at the 2024 National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education Conference, Phoenix, AZ.
Romano, V., Hierholzer, K., & Fairall, R. (2024, January). Incorporating posture shirts into the return-to-play rehabilitation process. Presentation at the 2024 National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education Conference, Phoenix, AZ.