Current Faculty Projects
Running W.I.S.E. (2019-2020)
Kabiri L, Diep C, Perkins-Ball A, Rodriguez A
Running W.I.S.E. (with Interscholastic Student Engagement) is a collaborative research study pairing college students with youth in community schools through exercise. Combining elements of a walk-to-jog program with a mentor system, college students will train twice weekly with elementary students to improve their cardiorespiratory fitness during 10 weeks of training. Research objectives include: 1) Improving health-related physical fitness (body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, and muscular fitness), 2) Increasing physical activity levels, 3) Improving self-concept and/or self-efficacy and self-esteem, 4) Improving perception and enjoyment of physical activity, and 5) Improving classroom behavior and academic performance.(Data collection complete, currently analyzing and prepping for dissemination)
POWER UP: Participating Online While Exercising to Recover
Swartz M, Schadler K, Swartz M (PI). Basen-Engquist K, Fry C, Kabiri L,Lyons E, Mama S, Peterson S (Co-I)
POWER UP: Participating Online While Exercising to Recover is a collaborative research study with M.D. Anderson Cancer Center to test the effect of a 12-week remotely delivered, group-based active video game centered lifestyle physical activity intervention on function, quality of life, and potential serum biomarkers of function in 15-39 year olds who recently completed treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma or a central nervous system tumor.(Data collection disrupted due to COVID-19 pandemic, opportunity for future virtual internships TBA)
SEARCH: Schooling Effects on Activity and Resilience during Confinement atHome
Kabiri L, Ray B
In partnership with the National Home Education Research Institute, (SEARCH) aims to examine potential relationships between schooling type and physical and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public school, private school, and homeschool children and adolescents aged 10-18 years as well as their parents will complete physical activity logs and resilience surveys. Specific to the current pandemic, primary research objectives include: 1) Exploring effects of schooling type on physical activity among children and adolescents, and 2) Exploring effects of schooling type on resilience among children and adolescents. Secondary research objectives include: 1) Exploring relationships between physical activity and resilience among youth and adults, 2) Examining potential disparities between groups (socioeconomic, urban/rural, etc.) in physical activity, 3) Examining potential disparities between groups (socioeconomic, urban/rural, etc.) on resilience, and 4) Correlating child and parent/guardian activity levels and/or resilience.(Currently awaiting IRB approval)
Future Faculty Projects
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Stress Disparities among College Students
Diep C*, Kabiri L,* Perkins H, Perkins-Ball A, Rodriguez A
* Denotes co-PI
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Stress Disparities among College Students is a descriptive study of nutrition, PA, and stress among 200 college students between the ages of 18-25 who attend a college in the Gulf Coast Region during the spring of 2020. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nutrition, PA, and stress among college students in the Gulf Coast Region. It explores disparities by living situation, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and other factors. We hypothesize that the COVID-19 pandemic will have an adverse impact on nutrition, PA, and stress and that there will be disparities among college students, including poorer nutrition, decreased PA, and higher stress among racial/ethnic and low-income students.