Peter Zapalo
Peter Zapalo (IG: @pz3_skating) is an exercise physiologist specializing in athlete high performance with extensive experience in sports medicine and return to sport following injury. He served as the Sports Science and Medicine Director of U.S. Figure Skating for nearly 10 years.
A veteran of five Olympic Games (four winter, one summer), he attended the past two Olympics with U.S. Figure Skating as a part of Team USA.
As an undergraduate at Johns Hopkins University, he designed video-based motion analysis software to deconstruct and teach elite figure skating jumps. In graduate school he mentored under Dr. David Smith, a world recognized expert in periodization (athlete seasonal planning).
His background encompasses athlete performance, health and safety; he has experience with a variety of sports at developmental to elite levels, including figure skating, hockey, speed skating, alpine, and rugby. He is a solicited speaker at numerous professional conferences and seminars, including the ISU Sports Medicine Commission at 2018 Worlds in Milan, Italy.
When he is not working with athletes, he is out photographing the world (IG: @pz3photography) or whipping up Chinese noodles in the kitchen.
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Photo disclaimer: All images Copyright © Peter Zapalo unless otherwise stated. Individuals including athletes appearing in these photos does not directly or indirectly imply endorsement of Peter Zapalo or Skatescience LLC unless otherwise stated. Photos used with permission.