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College of Education and Human Development - George Mason University

Dr. Margaret T. Jones
(she/her/hers)
PhD, University of Georgia
Professor
Center for Sport Management
Sport and Recreation Studies
Sport Management

Contact Information

Send email to Dr. Jones

Phone: (703) 993-3247
Fax: (703) 993-2025
Email: mjones15 (@gmu.edu)

George Mason University
Fairfax Campus
Krug Hall 211F
4400 University Dr.
MS 4D2
Fairfax, VA 22030

Profile

Dr. Jones earned a BA from the University of Tennessee (English), an MEd from the University of Houston (Exercise Science), a PhD from the University of Georgia (Exercise Physiology), and completed an NIH Postdoctoral Fellow at Cornell University (Physiology). She holds Fellow status in the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and is an NSCA-Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. She served on the NSCA Board of Directors from 2017-2020, and was honored as the 2008 NSCA Educator of the Year. In 2014, Dr.Jones was awarded a George Mason University OSCAR Mentoring Excellence Award. She has authored publications in the area of human performance and athlete health in peer-reviewed academic journals, and has presented regionally, nationally, and internationally. Dr. Jones participates in editorial and review activities for several journals, including Associate Editor-in-Chief, Strength and Conditioning Journal, and Senior Associate Editor, Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. A Beck Foundation Faculty Fellow, Dr. Jones serves as the Director of the Patriot Performance Laboratory of the Frank Pettrone Center for Sports Performance at George Mason University.

Research Interests

Human Performance and Athlete Health

  • Athlete Load Monitoring
  • Musculoskeletal Strength and Power
  • Nutrition Practices and Dietary Habits
Recent Publications

Peer-reviewed Published Articles (2017-present):

  1. Merrigan, J.J., Jones, M.T., Malecek, J., Padecky, J., Omcirk, D., Xu, N., Peñailillo, L., and Tufano, J.J. (2022) Comparison of traditional and rest-redistribution sets on indirect markers of muscle damage following eccentric exercise. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 36(7), 1810-1818. PMID: 33021579
  2. Merrigan, J.J., Borth, J., Taber, C.B., Suchomel, T.J., and Jones, M.T. (2022) Application of accentuated eccentric loading to elicit acute and chronic velocity and power improvements: A narrative review. International Journal of Strength and Conditioning 2(1). doi.org/10.47206/ijsc.v2i1.80
  3. Merrigan, J.J., O’Toole, K.B., Wutzke, C.J., and Jones, M.T. (2022) A kinetic and kinematic analysis of various drop jump performances in Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 36(3), 738-746. PMID: 34132221
  4. Jagim, A.R., Fields, J., Magee, M.K., Kerksick, C.M., and Jones, M.T. (2022) Contributing factors to low energy availability in female athletes: A narrative review of energy availability, training demands, nutrition barriers, body image, and disordered eating. Nutrients 14(5), 986. PMID: 35267961
  5. Fields, J.B., Merrigan, J.J., Feit, M.K., and Jones, M.T. (2021) Practice versus game external load measures in starters and non-starters of a men’s collegiate soccer team. International Journal of Strength and Conditioning doi.org/10.47206/ijsc.v1i1.76
  6. Jagim, A.R., Wright, G.A., Camic, C.L., Kisiolek, J.N., Luedke, J., Oliver, J.M., Fischer, K.M. and Jones, M.T. (2021) Relationship between training load and recovery in collegiate American football players during pre-season training. Journal of Science and Medicine in Football 5(4), 330-338. PMID: 35077303
  7. Dabbs, N.C., Espericueta, S., Bonilla, S., and Jones, M.T. (2021) The effects of whole-body vibration on fatigue in vertical jump performance and isometric mid-thigh pull measures. Vibration 4 (4), 759-767.
  8. Fields, J.B., Merrigan, J.J., Gallo, S., White, J.B., and Jones, M.T. (2021) External and internal load measures during pre-season training in men collegiate soccer athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 35(9), 2572-2578. PMID: 34431484
  9. Guthrie, B., Fields, J.B., Thompson, B., and Jones, M.T. (2021) Physical performance assessments of strength and power in women collegiate athletes. International Journal of Exercise Science 14(6), 984-993. PMID: 34567381
  10. Jagim, A.R., Fields, J.B., Magee, M., Kerksick, C., Luedke, J., Erickson, J. and Jones, M.T. (2021) The influence of sport nutrition knowledge on body composition and perceptions of dietary requirements in collegiate athletes. Nutrients 13(7), 2239. PMID: 34209814
  11. Fields, J.B., Lockard, B.L., Magee, M.K., and Jones, M.T. (2021) Morning versus evening short-term whey protein supplementation in collegiate athletes. Journal of Exercise and Nutrition 4(3), 13.
  12. Magee, M.K., White, J.B., Merrigan, J.J., and Jones, M.T. (2021) Does the multistage 20-m shuttle run test accurately predict VO2max in NCAA Division I women collegiate field hockey athletes? Sports 9(6), 75. PMID: 34073418
  13. Luk, H.Y., Jones, M.T., and Vingren, J.L. (2021) Effect of rest period configurations on systemic inflammatory response in resistance-trained women. Journal of Sports Sciences 39(13), 1504-1511. PMID: 33634732
  14. Merrigan, J.J., Tufano, J., and Jones, M.T. (2021) Potentiating effects of accentuated eccentric loading are dependent upon relative strength. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 35(5), 1208-1216. PMID: 33651736
  15. Fields, J.B., Lameira, D.M., Short, J.L., Merrigan, J.J., Gallo, S., White, J.B., and Jones, M.T. (2021) Relationship between external load and self-reported wellness measures across a men’s collegiate soccer pre-season. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 35(5), 1182-1186. PMID: 33677459
  16. Merrigan, J.J. and Jones, M.T. (2021) Acute inflammatory, cortisol, and soreness responses to supramaximal accentuated eccentric loading. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 35, (2S), S107-S113. PMID: 33666595
  17. Merrigan, J.J., Volgenau, K.M., McKay, A., Mehlenbeck, R., Jones, M.T., and Gallo, S. (2021) Bidirectional associations between physical activity and sleep in early-elementary age Latino children with obesity. Sports 9, (26), 1-6. PMID:33670086
  18. Merrigan, J.J., Tufano, J.J., Falzone, M., and Jones, M.T. (2021) Effectiveness of accentuated eccentric loading: Contingent on concentric load. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance 16(1), 66-72. PMID: 33186894
  19. Magee, M.K., Lockard, B.L., Zabriskie, H.A., Schaefer, A.Q., Luedke, J.A., Erickson, J.L., Jones, M.T., and Jagim, A.J. (2020) Prevalence of low energy availability in collegiate women soccer athletes. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 5(96), 1-9. PMID: 33467311
  20. Merrigan, J.J., Jones, M.T., Padecky, J., Malecek, J., Omcirk, D., and Scott, B.R., and Tufano, J.J. (2020) Impact of rest-redistribution on fatigue during maximal eccentric knee extensions. Journal of Human Kinetics 74, 205-214. PMID: 33312288. 
  21. Merrigan, J.J., Dabbs, N.C. and Jones, M.T. (2020) Isometric mid-thigh pull kinetics: Sex differences and response to whole-body vibration. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 34(9), 2407-2411. PMID: 32865941.
  22. Merrigan, J.J., Tufano, J.J., Fields, J.B., Oliver, J.M., and Jones, M.T. (2020) Rest redistribution does not alter hormone responses in resistance-trained women. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 34(7), 1867-1874. PMID: 32598121.
  23. Jagim, AR., Murphy, J., Shafer, A.Q., Askow, A.T., Luedke, J.A., Erickson, J.L., and Jones, M.T. (2020) Match demands of women’s collegiate soccer. Sports 8(6), 1-11. PMID: 32545603
  24. Calleja-Gonzalez, J., Marques-Jimenez, D., Jones, M.T., Hughes, D.T., Navarro, F., Delextrat, A., Jukic, I., Ostojic, S., Sampaio, J., Schelling, X., Alcaraz, P., Sanchez-Bañuelos, F., Leibar, X., Mielgo-Ayuso, J., Terrados, N. (2020) What are we doing wrong when athletes report higher levels of fatigue from traveling than from training or competition? Frontiers in Psychology 11, 194. PMID: 32153454
  25. Fields, J.B., Esco, M.R., Merrigan, J.J., White, J.B., and Jones, M.T. (2020) Internal training load measures during a competitive season in collegiate women lacrosse athletes. International Journal of Exercise Science 13(4), 778-788. PMID: 32509129
  26. Merrigan, J.J., Gallo, S., Fields, J.B., Mehlenbeck, R., and Jones, M.T. (2020) Relationships among metabolic-risk, body fatness, and muscular fitness in young obese Latino children. International Journal of Exercise Science 13(3), 488-500. PMID: 32509118
  27. Sekel, N., Gallo, S., Fields, J., Jagim, A.R., Wagner, T., and Jones, M.T. (2020) The effects of cholecalciferol supplementation on vitamin D status among a diverse population of collegiate basketball athletes: A quasi-experimental trial. Nutrients. 12(370), 1-13. PMID: 32023809 
  28. Fields, J.B., Gallo, S., Worswick, J.M., Busteed, D.R., and Jones, M.T. (2020) 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, vitamin D binding protein, bioavailable 25-Hydroxyvitamin D, and body composition in a diverse sample of women collegiate indoor athletes. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 5, (32), 1-9. PMID: 33467248
  29. Merrigan, J.J., Tufano, J.J., Oliver, J.M., White, J.B., Fields, J.B., and Jones, M.T. (2020) Reducing the loss of velocity and power in women athletes via rest redistribution. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance 15(2), 255-261. PMID: 31188704
  30. Gallo, S., Jones, M.T., Doig, A.C., Kogan, K., Fields, J., Wonderlich, J., Hansen, A., Lacharite, K., and Mehlenbeck, R. (2020) Feasibility of a multidisciplinary and culturally-adapted pediatric weight management program for Latino families: Results from the Vidas Activas y Familias Saludables (VALÉ) Pilot Study. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior 52(1), 55-63.  PMID: 31706793
  31. Fields, J.B., Payne, D.C., Gallo, S., Busteed, D., and Jones, M.T. (2019) Vitamin D status differs by sex, sport-season, and skin pigmentation among elite collegiate basketball players. Sports 7(239), 1-9. PMID: 31752086
  32. Merrigan, J.J., Jones, M.T., and White, J.B. (2019) A comparison of compound set and traditional set resistance training in women: Changes in muscle strength, endurance, quantity, and architecture. Journal of Science in Sport and Exercise 1(3), 264-272. doi.org/10.1007/s42978-019-00030-8
  33. Calleja-González, J., Mielgo-Ayuso, J., Ostojic, S.M., Jones, M.T., Caparros, T., and Terrados, N. (2019) Evidence-based post-exercise recovery strategies in rugby: a narrative review. The Physician and Sportsmedicine 47(2), 137-147. PMID: 30369286
  34. Stone, J.D., King, A.C., Mata, J.D., Goto, S., Hannon, J., Garrison, J.C., Bothwell, J., Jagim, A.R., Jones, M.T., and Oliver, J.M. (2019) Joint-level analyses of the back squat with and without intra-set rest. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance 14(5), 583-598. PMID: 30427251
  35. Jagim, A.R., Camic, C.L., Askow, A., Luedke, J., Erickson, J., Kerksick, C., Jones, M.T., and Oliver, J.M. (2019) Sex differences in resting metabolic rate among athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 33(11), 3008-3014. PMID: 30199450
  36. Stone, J.D., Kreutzer, A., Mata, J.D., Nystrom, M.G., Jagim, A.R., Jones, M.T., and Oliver, J.M. (2019) Changes in creatine kinase and hormones over the course of an American football season. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 33(9), 2481-2487. PMID: 28394834
  37. Jones, M.T., Oliver, J.M., Delgado, J.C., Merrigan, J.J., Jagim, A.R., and Robison, C.E. (2019) Effect of acute complex training on upper body force and power in collegiate wrestlers. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 33(4), 902-909. PMID: 29470365
  38. Askow, A.T., Merrigan, J.J., Neddo, J.M., Oliver, J.M., Stone, J.D., Jagim, A.R, and Jones, M.T. (2019) Effect of strength on velocity and power during back squat exercise in resistance-trained men and women. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 33(1), 1-7. PMID: 30431534
  39. Lockie, R.G., Dawes, J.J., and Jones, M.T. (2018) Comparison of lower-body power, sprint acceleration, and change-of-direction speed between NCAA Division I and II male soccer players. The Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning 26(7), 47-53.
  40. Askow, A.T., Stone, J.D., Arndts, D.A., King, A.C., Goto, S., Hannon, J.P., Garrison, J.C., Bothwell, J.M., Esposito, P.E., Jagim, A.R., Jones, M.T., Jennings, W., and Oliver, J.M. (2018) Validity and reliability of a commercially-available velocity and power testing device. Sports 6(170), 1-8. PMID: 30544687
  41. Fields, J.B., Merrigan, J.J., White, J.B., and Jones, M.T. (2018) Body composition variables by sport and sport-position in elite collegiate athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 32(11), 3153-3159. PMID: 30239454
  42. Merrigan, J.J., White, J.B., Hu, Y.E, Stone, J.D., Oliver, J.M., and Jones, M.T. (2018) Differences in elbow extensor muscle characteristics between resistance-trained men and women. European Journal of Applied Physiology 118, 2359-2366. PMID: 30097710
  43. Merrigan, J.J., Gallo, S., Fields, J.B., and Jones, M.T.  (2018) Foot-to-foot bioelectrical impedence, air displacement plethysmography, and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in resistance-trained men and women. International Journal of Exercise Science 11(4), 1145-1155. 
  44. Fields, J.B., Metoyer, C.J., Casey, J.C., Esco, M.R., Jagim, A.R., and Jones, M.T. (2018) Comparison of body composition variables across a large group of NCAA women athletes from six competitive sports. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 32(9), 2452-2457. PMID: 29189580
  45. Fields, J.B., Merrigan, J.J., White, J.B., and Jones, M.T. (2018) Seasonal and longitudinal changes in body composition by sport-position in NCAA division I basketball athletes. Sports 6(85), 1-7. PMID: 30135356
  46. Jagim, A.R., Camic, C.L., Kisiolek, J., Luedke, J.L., Erickson, J., Jones, M.T., and Oliver, J.M. (2018) Accuracy of resting metabolic rate prediction equations in athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 32(7), 1875-1881. PMID: 28682934
  47. Lockie, R.G., Dawes, J.J., and Jones, M.T. (2018) Relationships between linear speed and lower-body power with change-of-direction speed in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and II women soccer athletes. Sports 6, 30, 1-12. PMID: 29910334
  48. Jagim, A.R., Dominy, T.A., Camic, C.L., Wright, G., Doberstein, S., Jones, M.T., and Oliver, J.M. (2018) Acute effects of the elevation training mask on strength performance in recreational weight lifters.  Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 32(2), 482-489. PMID: 29084093
  49. Oliver, J.M., Jones, M.T., Anzalone, A.J., Kirk, K.M., Gable, D.A., Repshas, J.T., Johnson, T.A., Höglund, K., Blennow, K., and Zetterberg, H. (2017) A season of American football is not associated with changes in plasma tau. Journal of Neurotrauma 34(23), 3295-3300. PMID: 28682934
  50. Oliver, J.M., Holt, C., Jenke, S.C., Stone, J.D., Jagim, A.R., and Jones, M.T. (2017) The effect of physical readiness training on reserve officers’ training corps freshmen cadets. Military Medicine 182(11), e1981-e1986. PMID: 29087868
  51. Hull, M.V., Neddo, J., Jagim, A.R., Oliver, J.M. Greenwood, M., and Jones, M.T. (2017) Availability of a sports dietitian may lead to improved performance and recovery of NCAA Division I baseball athletes. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 14 (29), 1-8. PMID: 28811750
  52. Jones, M.T., Martin, J.R., Jagim, A.R., and Oliver, J.M. (2017) Effect of direct whole body vibration on upper body muscular power in recreational, resistance-trained men. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 31(5), 1371–1377. PMID: 27787468
  53. Jagim, A.R., Wright, G.A., Kisiolek, J., Jones, M.T., and Oliver, J.M. (2017) Position specific changes in body composition, hydration status, and metabolism during preseason training camp and nutritional habits of Division III football players. The Open Sports Sciences Journal 10, 17-26.  DOI: 10.2174/1875399X01710010017
  54. Jagim, A.R., Rader, O., Jones, M.T., and Oliver, J.M. (2017) Physical demands of multi-modal training competitions and their relationship to measures of performance. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 31(5), 1212–1220. PMID: 28415064
  55. Anzalone, A.J., Blueitt, D., Case, T., McGuffin, T., Pollard, K.M., Garrison, J.C., Jones, M.T., Pavur, R.J., Turner, S.M., and Oliver, J.M. (2017) Positive vestibular/ocular motor screening (VOMS) increases recovery time following sports-related concussion in youth and adolescent athletes. American Journal of Sports Medicine 45(2), 474-479. PMID:27789472
  56. Merrigan, J.J., Tynan, M.N., Oliver, J.M., Jagim, A.R., and Jones, M.T. (2017) Effect of post-exercise whole body vibration with stretching on mood state, fatigue, and soreness in collegiate swimmers. Sports 5(1), 7, 1-9. PMID: 29910367