Dr. Kelton Mehls, PhD, CSCS, began working at the University of Pittsburgh in fall 2025. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor in the Exercise Science Program with expertise in strength and conditioning. Dr. Mehls has been teaching in exercise science and health science curricula since 2016. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
In addition to his academic experience, Dr. Mehls has several years of experience as a strength and conditioning coach and track and field coach where he has worked with athletes at a wide variety of levels. While at Walsh University, he coached 17 NCAA Division II provisional qualifiers, five National Qualifiers, and two All-Americans. He strives to bring this experience into the classroom so that it may benefit his students.
Dr. Mehls is also actively engaged in research and has authored several peer-reviewed manuscripts and supervised multiple thesis and dissertations from students at various levels in their academic career. His research seeks to explore and optimize human movement through the use of electromyography technology and work to optimize resistance training programming using a variety of different measurement tools. He also serves as a reviewer for several exercise and sports science related journals.
Outside of work he is an avid lifter himself and enjoys renovating houses and spending time with his family.
- Human Physiology
- Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription
- Principles of Strength and Conditioning
- Advanced Principles of Strength and Conditioning
- Human Movement Techniques
- Strength and Power Development in Athletes
- Injury Prevention
- Exercise Prescription
- Clark, D., Martinez-Sepanski, S., Caputo, J., Mehls, K., et al. (2025). Altered tensor fasciae latae activation during functional movements in women with patellofemoral pain. Turkish Journal of Kinesiology, 11(1).
- Martinez-Sepanski, S. C., Bowman, A., & Mehls, K. (2024). The Effect of Hip Flexor Tightness on Muscle Activity during the Front Squat. International Journal of Strength and Conditioning, 4(1).
- Martinez-Sepanski, S. C., Bowman, A., & Mehls, K. (2023). The Effect of Restricted Hip Extension on Muscle Activity During Functional Movements. Journal of Motor Control and Learning, 5(4).
- Giesige, T., Martinez-Sepanski, S., & Mehls, K. (2022). The Effects of a J-Band Warm-up on Muscle Activity of Colligate Baseball Players during Pitching. International Journal of Motor Control and Learning, 4(4), 1-5.
- Martinez, S. C., Coons, J. M., & Mehls, K. D. (2022). Effect of external load on muscle activation during the barbell back squat. European Journal of Sport Science, 1-8.
- Peer Reviewer for Council on Accreditation of Strength and Conditioning Education (NSCA accreditation process)
- Selected to serve on Executive Committee of the National Strength and Conditioning Association Track and Field Special Interest Group (President)
- Reviewer for several professional journals