Joshua Cotter

Joshua A. Cotter, PhD, FACSM, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, EIM

Dr. Joshua A. Cotter is an Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology in the Department of Kinesiology at California State University, Long Beach. Dr. Cotter specializes in the study of skeletal muscle mass regulation and its impact on muscular strength, function, and health. He has dedicated his career to interdisciplinary and collaborative research, blending biomechanics, exercise physiology, strength and conditioning, sports nutrition, and molecular biology.

Dr. Cotter's research spans both human and rodent models, utilizing various physiological and behavioral measurements to explore the mechanisms of muscle adaptation. Since joining CSULB as an Assistant Professor in 2014, he has secured over $500,000 in internal funding to establish and develop the Physiology of EXercise and Sport (PEXS) lab. 

Dr. Cotter is deeply committed to student mentorship and engagement. He has actively participated in several high-impact initiatives, including the NIH Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) program, BUILD Mentoring Community (BMC), University Honors Program, National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN), and CSU PRE-Professor Program (PREPP). He frequently serves on graduate student committees and mentors a diverse group of undergraduate and graduate students on research and creative projects. Additionally, he is the Director of the Exercise is Medicine On Campus program at CSULB, which has achieved gold-level distinction—the highest recognition.

Beyond research and mentorship, Dr. Cotter plays an integral role in curriculum development and student success initiatives at CSULB. Dr. Cotter’s teaching focuses on core exercise physiology courses, where he bridges scientific research with practical application, equipping students with a deep understanding of human movement, performance, and adaptation.

In recognition of his contributions to research, teaching, and service, Dr. Cotter received the University Early Academic Career Excellence Award in 2017. He has also been a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) since 2019.

  • NIH Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Orthopaedics/Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine
  • Ph.D. in Exercise Science, Ohio State University
  • M.A. in Exercise Science, Ohio State University
  • B.S.B.A in Management Information Systems, Fisher College of Business, Ohio State University

  1. Cotter J, Plaza-Florido A, Adams G, Haddad F, Scott J, Everett M, Ploutz-Snyder L, Radom-Aizik S (2024). Exercise training attenuates the muscle mitochondria genomic response to bed rest. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000003457
  2. Goodman W**, Flores V**, Cotter J, Graham D, Becker J (2024). Support moment distribution during barbell back squat at different depths and loads in recreationally trained females. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 27(2), 119-124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2023.11.001 
  3. Barrack MT, Domino S**, Gray VG, Cotter JA, Rauh MJ, Nichols JF (2023). Support for inadvertent undereating in female adolescent athletes with clinical indicators of low energy availability. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 26(6): 285-290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2023.04.003 
  4. Cotter JA, Stade M**, Morse B**, Schick EE (2022). Graded compression garments worn during resistance exercise: Impact on muscle damage, fatigue, and oxygenation in untrained individuals. International Journal of Kinesiology and Sport Science, 10(2), 51-59. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.ijkss.v.10n.2p.51
  5. Lee DK**, Maltz NA**, Becker J, Cotter JA (2021). Training on a lower body positive pressure treadmill with body weight support does not improve aerobic capacity. International Journal of Exercise Science, 14(7), 829-839. 
  6. Schick EE, Segura LE**, Emamjomeh S**, Cotter JA (2020). The effect of resistance exercise intensity on acute hyperglycemia in young adult males. Sports 8(9), 121. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390%2Fsports8090121
  7. Flores V**, Becker J, Burkhardt E, Cotter JA (2020). Knee kinetics during squats of varying loads and depths in recreationally trained women. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 34(7), 1945-1952. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000002509
  8. Haghverdian BA*, Patel N*, Wang L*, Cotter JA (2018). The sports ball as a fomite for transmission of Staphylococcus aureus. Journal of Environmental Health: 80(6), 8-13.
  9. Warren RV**, Cotter J, Ganesan G**, Le L*, Agustin JP*, Duarte B, Cutler K*, O’Sullivan T*, Tromberg BJ (2017). Non-invasive optical imaging of resistance training adaptations in human muscle. Journal of Biomedical Optics: 22(12), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1117/1.jbo.22.12.121611 
  10. Cotter JA, Garver MJ, Dinyer TK*, Fairman CM**, Focht BC (2017). Ratings of perceived exertion during acute resistance exercise performed at imposed and self-selected loads in recreationally trained women. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research: 31(8), 2313-2318. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000001782 
  11. Cotter JA, Jamison ST**, Schloemer SA**, Chaudhari AM (2017). Do neuromuscular dentistry-designed mouthguards enhance dynamic movement ability in competitive athletes? Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research: 31(6), 1627-1635. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0000000000001632 
  12. Owerkowicz T, Cotter JA, Haddad F, Yu AM**, Camilon ML*, Hoang T*, Jimenez DJ*, Kreitenberg A, Tesch PA, Caiozzo VJ, Adams GR (2016). Exercise responses to gravity-independent flywheel aerobic and resistance training. Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance: 87(2), 93-101. https://doi.org/10.3357/amhp.4229.2016 
  13. Ganesan G**, Cotter JA, Reuland W**, Cerussi AE, Tromberg BJ, Galassetti P (2015). Effect of blood flow restriction on tissue oxygenation during knee extension. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise: 47(1), 185-93. https://doi.org/10.1249/mss.0000000000000393 
  14. Cotter JA, Yu AM**, Haddad F, Kreitenberg A, Baker MJ, Tesch PA, Baldwin KM, Tesch PA, Baldwin KM, Caiozzo VJ, Adams GR (2015). Concurrent exercise on a gravity-independent device favorably impacts skeletal muscle structure and function during short-term simulated microgravity. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise: 47(5), 990-1000. https://dx.doi.org/10.1249%2FMSS.0000000000000483 
  15. Cotter JA, Yu A**, Kreitenberg A, Haddad FH, Baker MJ, Fox JC, Adams GR. (2013) Suction-modified needle biopsy technique for the human soleus muscle. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine: 84(10), 1066-1073. https://doi.org/10.3357/asem.3632.2013 
  16. Cotter JA, Chaudhari AM, Jamison ST**, Devor ST. (2013) Knee joint kinetics in relation to commonly prescribed squat loads and depths. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research: 27(7), 1765-1774. https://doi.org/10.1519/jsc.0b013e3182773319 

  • Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine
  • 2017 Early Academic Career Excellence University Award, CSULB

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