Congratulations to EPL graduate research assistant, Thomas Wójcicki, on successfully defending his doctoral dissertation:

“A Social Cognitive Approach to Influencing Adolescent Physical Activity Behavior via Social Media”

Click here to learn more about Thomas’ research interests

Forget apples — lifting weights and doing cardio can also keep the doctors away, according a new study by researchers at the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute. The study, published today in the online journal PLOS ONE, followed 86 women, aged 70- to 80-years-old, who were randomly assigned to participate in weight training classes, outdoor walking classes, or balance and toning classes (such as yoga and pilates) for six months. All participants have mild cognitive impairment, a well-recognized risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The researchers tabulated the total costs incurred by each participant in accessing a variety of health care resources. Continue.

A new study released today from Mathematica Policy Research and the John W. Gardner Center for Youth and Their Communities at Stanford University suggests that there may be more to recess than just a break in the school day. The randomized controlled trial of Playworks, a nonprofit organization that delivers a safe, healthy recess in low-income elementary schools in 22 U.S. cities, found that the program reduced bullying, enhanced feelings of safety at school, increased vigorous physical activity during recess, and provided more time for classroom teaching. The research raises the possibility that what happens at recess can affect a school’s learning environment in important ways, and that improving recess and play may enable schools to address a number of pressing issues at the same time. Continue.

The News-Gazette | Champaign gets ‘bronze’ bike-friendly status

The city can now boast its “bicycle friendly community” status after it was one of 17 new cities listed by the League of American Bicyclists on Monday. Champaign entered the ranking as a bronze-level bicycle-friendly community. Five other Illinois cities are ranked — including Urbana, which achieved its bronze level status in 2010. Continue.

Undergraduate Research Assistants and Exercise Specialists:

Elise, Taylor, Merril, Sarah, Kelly, Jordan & Alyssa

Dr. Gothe, Dr. McAuley & Exercise Specialists Jordan and Merril

]]> http://expsychlab.com/2013/05/14/congratulations-graduates/feed/ 0 expsychlab grad2 ??????????????????????????????? http://expsychlab.com/2013/05/08/happy-summer-from-the-epl/ http://expsychlab.com/2013/05/08/happy-summer-from-the-epl/#comments Wed, 08 May 2013 19:36:41 +0000 ExPsychLab http://expsychlab.com/?p=5561 ]]> The Exercise Psychology Lab wishes everyone a happy and healthy summer!

Instant Recess® is an evidence-based model designed to improve health & productivity by incorporating 10-minute physical activity breaks into the routine daily ”conduct of business”–fighting the inactivity epidemic 10 minutes at a time. ”Instant Recess is a call to all of us to get up and move. I’m betting that she [Dr. Toni Yancey] can convince anyone that moving more is not only good for health, but easy and lots of fun to do”  - Marion Nestle, PhD, Food Politics. Learn more here.

Steriani Elavsky was granted tenure and promoted to Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Penn State University.

Congratulations Steriani!

Students who have been chosen to be members of the EPL research team have already shown themselves to be exemplary students in the Department of Kinesiology and Community Health.  The recipient of this award, presented on a regular basis throughout the academic year, has been chosen because actions demonstrated in recent weeks exemplify the EDDIE qualities that help make the EPL a success.

The EDDIE Award goes to: Adam Acheson

… for his extensive knowledge of procedures, invaluable leadership among his peers and his kind, thoughtful interactions within the EPL…

Keep up the great work, Adam!