From Injury Rehabilitation to Strength and Conditioning
His interest in the exercise science field began during his undergraduate years at DePauw University. As an athlete who endured two hamstring pulls—once as a high school junior and again as a college freshman—he experienced firsthand the positive impact an athletic trainer had on his rehabilitation process.
“I initially wanted to be an athletic trainer, but when I found out the root of my problem was a muscle imbalance, I switched my focus to strength and conditioning as a way to help other athletes limit and prevent those injuries,” Dr. Linton explains.
After majoring in kinesiology in undergrad, he pursued his master’s in exercise and nutrition science before he enrolled at CSP Global to obtain his doctorate.
The Flexibility of an Online Doctorate
For Dr. Linton, the decision to pursue a terminal degree was contingent on finding a program that respected his professional and personal commitments. He needed a path that offered both academic rigor and the ability to remain present for his family.
“I chose CSP because it was a program that allowed me not to have to put my life on hold,” Dr. Linton says.
“It can be very difficult to get a degree of that magnitude while trying to start a family and take care of those who matter. CSP’s online format made it a lot easier for me to manage my courses and study, all while spending time with my loved ones.”
Pioneering Research in High School Athletics
Dr. Linton’s dissertation, titled “Evaluating the Effects of Visualization on Vertical Jump Performance in Varsity High School Athletes,” focuses on psychological skills training and vertical jump. This research was born out of his direct experience in the field, identifying a specific gap in existing sports science literature.
“I wanted to find a way to tackle that population with a research study because I was currently working in that space, and from sifting through research, you don’t see too much on high school athletes because of a variety of reasons like funding, time, etc.,” Dr. Linton notes.
Dr. David Linton performing a banded pallof press for his high school athletes.
Launching a Career in Higher Education
Dr. Linton graduated in the fall of 2025 and immediately transitioned into a full-time teaching role. At Warner University, he teaches Health and Personal Fitness, Sports Leadership, Nutrition in Exercise Science, and Theory and Practice of Coaching. He hopes to maintain a long career as a professor while still working in the private athletics sector as a sports performance coach and scientist.
“I also plan to keep taking a stab at interning with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in hopes of potentially working with them in some capacity while still teaching at a nearby university,” he says of his future goals.
Advice for Future Kinesiology Scholars
Dr. Linton’s advice for future CSP Global graduates is “never lose your focus. Stay driven to what matters to you, and always keep pushing your own personal limits!”
Explore Your Future
Are you ready to advance your career and reach the pinnacle of the exercise science field? Discover how the online EdD Kinesiology program at CSP Global provides the flexibility and research support you need to achieve your professional goals without putting your life on hold.