Qualifications
Peer-Reviewed Publications:
- VanSumeren, M., Weber, S., Civelek, J., Sabourin, J., Smith-Hale, V., & Hew-Butler, T. (2022). Longitudinal Changes in Fat and Lean Mass: Comparisons Between 3D-Infrared and Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Scans in Athletes. International Journal of Exercise Science, 15(4), 1587–1599. DOI: 10.70252/TUAK5231.
- Summary: This study compared a 3D-infrared body scanner to DXA scans for tracking fat percentage and lean mass in collegiate athletes across a season. Findings: the measurement tools were not interchangeable in cross‐sectional or longitudinal analyses—with significant differences seen for lean mass and fat percentage.
- Summary: This study compared a 3D-infrared body scanner to DXA scans for tracking fat percentage and lean mass in collegiate athletes across a season. Findings: the measurement tools were not interchangeable in cross‐sectional or longitudinal analyses—with significant differences seen for lean mass and fat percentage.
- Hew-Butler, T., Jurczyszyn, H., Sabourin, J., VanSumeren, M., & Smith-Hale, V. (2022). Too Tall for the DXA Scan? Contributions of the Feet and Head to Overall Body Composition. Journal of Clinical Densitometry, 25(3), 384 - 391. DOI:10.1016/j.jocd.2021.11.008.
- Summary: Investigated how the feet and head regions contribute to whole-body DXA composition totals (fat, lean, bone) particularly in tall athletes whose entire body may not fit fully within the scan table. Removing the feet reduced lean/fat/bone values by ~3–5 %; removing the head region reduced them by ~6–19%.
- Summary: Investigated how the feet and head regions contribute to whole-body DXA composition totals (fat, lean, bone) particularly in tall athletes whose entire body may not fit fully within the scan table. Removing the feet reduced lean/fat/bone values by ~3–5 %; removing the head region reduced them by ~6–19%.
- Hew-Butler, T., Aprik, C., Byrd, B., Landis-Piwowar, K., Smith-Hale, V., VanSumeren, M., … Martin, J. (2021). Paradoxical Relationships between Serum 25(OH)D and Ferritin with Body Composition and Burnout: Variation by Sex and Sports Team. Endocrines, 2(3), 320-333. DOI:10.3390/endocrines2030030.
- Summary: Prospective observational study of collegiate athletes (male and female) assessing relationships between vitamin D and ferritin status, body composition (via DXA), and athlete burnout symptoms across a season. Results included unexpected (“paradoxical”) associations: e.g., lower pre‐season vitamin D associated with greater bone mineral density gains; ferritin increases associated with decreased lean mass in female athletes.
- Summary: Prospective observational study of collegiate athletes (male and female) assessing relationships between vitamin D and ferritin status, body composition (via DXA), and athlete burnout symptoms across a season. Results included unexpected (“paradoxical”) associations: e.g., lower pre‐season vitamin D associated with greater bone mineral density gains; ferritin increases associated with decreased lean mass in female athletes.
- Hew-Butler, T., Smith-Hale, V.G., Pascoe, B., Civelek, J., VanSumeren, M., Jurczyszyn, H., … (2022). Vitamin D Supplementation and Body Composition Changes in Collegiate Basketball Players: A 12-Week Randomized Control Trial. (Published via PMC) DOI:10.3390/ijerph/
- Summary: A RCT assessing whether modest vitamin D supplementation (~4,000 IU/week) enhances lean mass, bone mineral content, fat mass, and performance in NCAA Division I basketball players during a 12-week training block. Findings: supplementation did not significantly augment favorable body composition or performance changes beyond the training stimulus.
Owner/CEO
Matt VanSumeren
Matt Van Sumeren is a strength coach and exercise science researcher who has spent the last decade helping adults train smarter, move better, and understand their bodies with clarity and confidence. He founded Xceleration Fitness with a simple mission: combine real science with real coaching so people can make measurable, meaningful progress—no matter their starting point.
Matt is a PhD(c), where he studies body composition, DXA technology, performance monitoring, and how training drives long-term change in adults and athletes. His published research—including work on DXA accuracy, longitudinal fat and lean mass changes, and biomarker responses to training—directly shapes the systems used inside Xceleration today.
In both the lab and the gym, the focus is the same: help people understand what’s happening inside their body so they can train with purpose and build strength that lasts.
Unlike most commercial gyms, Xceleration uses data-driven coaching built around accurate measurements and individualized progress tracking. Matt’s background in measurement science and human performance directly informs:
- DEXA Scan interpretation—helping members see real fat loss, muscle gain, bone health, and metabolic change, not just a number on the scale.
- Training program design—using evidence-based methods to help adults improve strength, mobility, energy, and body composition at any age.
- Long-term tracking systems—so members can see progress clearly over months, not just day to day.
- Accountability frameworks—built from research on what actually helps people stay consistent and avoid “starting over” each year.
- The Xceleration Wellness App—which reflects years of studying how habits, progression, and feedback loops influence lasting results.
Research That Supports Real People
Matt’s work has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as The Journal of Clinical Densitometry, Endocrines, and the International Journal of Exercise Science. His studies have examined:
- differences between body composition tools (DXA vs 3D scanning)
- how small measurement errors impact progress tracking
- biomarker changes related to stress, nutrition, and training
- how athletes gain lean mass or lose fat across a season
- how to accurately monitor performance and reduce injury risk
This research allows Matt and the Xceleration coaching staff to give members guidance that is not trend-based, not guesswork, and not “one-size-fits-all”—but grounded in what the science shows and what actually works.