Faculty Profile

Katie Thralls

Katie Thralls Butte

Associate Professor of Health and Human Performance

Email: kthralls@spu.edu
Phone: 206-281-2941
Office: Royal Brougham 101


Education: BS, Seattle Pacific University, 2013; Dual MS, San Diego State University; PhD, University of California, San Diego/San Diego State University

Dr. Thralls Butte earned her Dual M.S. degrees in Exercise Physiology and Nutritional Sciences from San Diego State University (SDSU). She completed her PhD in Public Health (Health Behavior & Promotion) from University of California, San Diego/SDSU. Her recent research has focused on extending independence and quality of life of older adults through physical activity and sedentary behavior.  She is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association and has experience working in many settings with a variety of populations including athletes, individuals with spinal cord injury, frail older adults.   

Outside of academia, Dr. Thralls Butte has held leadership positions in college ministry through Young Life. She was also a student-athlete at SPU where she played basketball and ran cross country and track. She continues to be a fitness enthusiast doing a wide variety of activities.   


Selected publications

  • Thralls KJ, Levy SS, Crespo N, Mahar M, LaCroix A, Hartman S. Sedentary behavior and geriatric-relevant health outcomes in older adults of moderate-to-low physical function. PhD Dissertation. University of California, San Diego, San Diego State University. June 14, 2019.
  • Thralls KJ, Godbole S, Manini TM, Johnson E, Natarajan L, Kerr J. A comparison of accelerometry analysis methods for physical activity in older adults with health outcomes over time. JSS, 2019.
  • Thralls KJ, Levy SS. The association between self-reported adherence to physical activity recommendations and criteria for maintain physical independence in older adults. J Aging Phys Act. 2018; 26,171-176.   
  • Levy SS, Thralls KJ, Kviatkovsky S. Validity and Reliability of a Portable Balance Tracking System, BTrackS, in Older Adults. J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2018; 41, 102-107.
  • Thralls KJ, Barrack M, Nichols J, Kern M, Rauh M. Body Mass-Related Predictors of the Female Athlete Triad among adolescent athletes. Int J Sport Exerc Metab, 2016; 26, 17-25.
View Katie Thralls Butte’s CV (PDF) for additional publications.

Why I Teach at SPU

Katie Thralls, Assistant Professor of Exercise Science

"I teach at SPU because the university offers an exceptional environment to prepare students to use their God-given gifts and opportunities to be leaders and change makers in the world. I am dedicated to help equip SPU students with the skills, knowledge, and motivation to contribute to solving current relevant issues in Health Science field, serving both individuals and communities."