By Ross Balding

Does being a Kinesiology major enable you to become a better athlete? Junior Lotte Black, a member of the University of Rhode Island track and field team, who recently broke the 36-year-old timed mile record, would say yes.

At Boston University’s David Hemery Valentine Invitational on Friday, Feb. 8, Black broke a URI record that was older than she is by running a mile in 4:48.46. The previous women’s record of 4:51.94 was set in 1983 by Kristen O’Connell. This is the third women’s track record that Black has claimed this indoor season. She also holds the records for the 600 and 800-meter indoor races, the former being a Rhode Island state record as well.

“I trust the coach’s process and I’m not a big proponent of setting personal goals, but I had gotten that time before in practice so I was mostly going for the seed time my coach (Laurie Feit-Melnick) set,” Black said. “I didn’t realize I had broken the record until after the race when she came up to me and asked, ‘Did you know the record was 4:51?’”

While much about running comes second nature to Black, her kinesiology education gives her a better understanding of her body and how to help it perform at its peak level. For example, Black now understands it’s better to do static stretches before running rather than after, and that she should make changes to her regiment depending on what she’s training for.

“During the cross country season, I do more reps with smaller weights which is better for endurance, but during track season when I want to improve my fast-twitch muscles, I do heavier sets,” Black said.

Overall, Black believes majoring in kinesiology has enabled her to be more conscious of what she is doing while training and running and how certain exercises help her. Her minor in nutrition also enhances her athletic endeavors.

“A good diet is a big part of being the best athlete you can be,” she said.

Black is officially a junior but has plans to graduate a year early this August. After graduation, she plans to enroll in a graduate program at URI, although she is unsure whether she would like to pursue a master’s degree in nutrition or exercise science.

“She’s an incredibly hard-working and bright student,” Feit said.

Ross Balding is a senior journalism major and intern with the Academic Health Collaborative.