Research
The Department of Kinesiology and Health Education is ranked #9 by the National Academy of Kinesiology and has consistently averaged research expenditures above $4 million per year. This success is due to the work of several research labs and facilities aimed at promoting and understanding physical activity, health promotion, movement, behavior, physical culture and sport. Research in our department is funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and many foundation and corporate funders.
Labs and Research Areas
Adaptation to Stress and Health Resilience Lab
Focus areas include diabetes self-management interventions, the role of positive emotions in reducing depressive symptoms, and the relationship between chronic psychosocial stress and metabolic health.
Autonomic Control of Circulation Laboratory
Investigates the effects of type 1 and type 2 diabetes on the neural control of circulation during exercise.
Cardiovascular Aging Research Laboratory
Investigates the influence of aging and lifestyle modifications on vascular function and disease risks.
Clinical Exercise Physiology Laboratory
Examines the cardiovascular limitations to exercise capacity in healthy individuals and clinical populations.
Exercise & Sport Psychology Laboratory
Develops interventions to increase physical activity and health eating, and seeks to understand the benefits of exercise for mental health.
Studies the organization of memory systems with the goal of developing targeted treatments for memory disorders.
Provides clinical research services for health/fitness research and conducts the popular “Get FIT” program. Outcome measures include body composition, bone density and cardio-respiratory and musculoskeletal health assessments.
Health Equity Across the Lifespan (HEAL)
The HEAL lab is dedicated to advancing research, advocacy, and education to support at-risk populations, improve access to mental health services and foster equitable, culturally informed care across the lifespan.
Health and Integrative Physiology Laboratory
Investigates the mechanisms underlying the link between lifestyle behaviors, metabolic health, and chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in at-risk populations.
This Human Locomotion Lab studies how biomechanics affect physiology and performance. Within this broad scope, we have a particular focus on how body dimensions and muscle-tendon mechanics affect endurance, balance and speed.
Focuses on better understanding how migration-related factors influence vulnerability to substance abuse and related harms among Latino communities in the U.S. and Mexico.Neural Cardiovascular Control Laboratory
Investigates the underlying mechanisms for attenuated vascular function and heightened sympathetic activation in at-risk populations such as African Americans and in clinical populations.
Neuromuscular Physiology Research Laboratory
Conducts studies specializing in the investigation of neuromuscular control patterns in healthy, clinical and aging populations with the use of intramuscular fine-wire recording and electrical stimulation.
Neurorehabilitation and Biomechanics Lab
Seeks to understand the mechanisms of biomechanical and neuromuscular control of normal and pathological movements and to apply this knowledge to design interventions that improve functional movements.
The Physical Activity Motivation Lab
Researches biological drivers of physical activity motivation to help people enjoy and sustain physically active lifestyles for lasting health benefits.
Physical Activity and Core Laboratory
Supports investigators conducting research related to physical activity and exercise interventions.
Examines how the marketing of unhealthy products impacts youth and young adults’ behaviors. Explores how risk behaviors may co-occur among adolescents and young adults.
Sensorimotor Neuroplasticity Lab
Studies the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying control of normal and abnormal human movement.
Tobacco Research and Evaluation Team
Conducts research on youth and young adult tobacco use, and develops effective tobacco prevention programs and intervention tools that are easily accessible for various populations.
Translational Osteoimmunology Lab
Uses a systems biology approach to investigate environmental and behavioral determinants of lifelong bone health.
