Current Students

Maria Beitzel (thesis) – Social Identity in Structured and Unstructured Physical Activity Groups

Briana Hubbard (thesis) – To Exercise or Play Sports? Examining the Relationship between Identity and Physical Activity Preferences

Past Students

Eddie Chin (thesis) – Promoting Wellness for Small Businesses

Workplace wellness interventions have shown success in improving the health of the employees. However, the majority of programs are conducted with large companies.  Smaller businesses often do not have the same resources to implement the same type of program.  The purpose of this study is to pilot a workplace wellness program developed specifically for small businesses.

Brittany Kato (thesis) – Parent Mediated Physical Activity for Children with Autism

Children with Autism are typically less active than children without autism and are faced with numerous challenges to engaging in physical activity. The purpose of this study was to pilot a parent-led physical activity intervention for children with Autism.

Brandon Keyes (thesis) – Acute Effects of Mindfulness Meditation and Physical activity on Affect

Both physical activity and meditation have been reported to have immediate positive effects on how we feel.  This study will compare the effects of these two methods as well as there is an added effect of combining them.

Sarah Gomez (thesis) – The Effect of Motherhood on Physical Activity: Comparing Different Ethnicities.

Research has shown that parents are less physically active than non-parents and different ethnicities participate in different amounts of physical activity. However, little research has explored the combined effect of parenthood and ethnicity on physical activity participation.  The purpose of this study is to explore the combined effect of ethnicity and motherhood on physical activity participation.

Anthony Villanueva (thesis) – The Relationship between Acculturation and Resistance Training Among Asian Americans

Correlates that predict participation in resistance training have received less attention than physical activity despite the health benefits of engaging in resistance training.  Little research has examined the role of ethnicity plays in attitudes and norms towards resistance training. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between the Theory of Planned Behavior constructs relate to participation in resistance training for Asian Americans.

Brittni Doty   (2017, thesis) –   Effect of a Video Narrative Modeling Social Support on Physical Activity Self-Efficacy in Breast Cancer Survivors
Using narratives that tell a story about engaging in physical activity have shown to be a promising intervention in a variety of populations.  However, the effectiveness of a video narrative has not received as much attention. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a video narrative on physical activity self-efficacy and social support among breast cancer survivors.  

Marissa McMurray   (2017, thesis) –   A Narrative Message: Targeting Parent Self-Efficacy to Promote Physical Activity to their Preschool-Aged Children
Limited research has explored how to target parents’ beliefs such as self-efficacy towards promoting physical activity for their children.  The purpose of this study was to evaluate wither parent self-efficacy, outcome expectations and intentions for promoting physical activity in their preschool children would differ when presented with a narrative (story) message, informational message or control message.

Sarah Hamamoto   (2016, thesis) –   Effect of Psychological Climate on Social Physique Anxiety and Self-Presentation in Exercise Classes
People often exercise in groups and the group environment has been shown to influence their feelings and behaviors. The purpose of this study was to examine how psychological climate (feeling safe and meaningful) influence experiences of social physical anxiety and self-presentation in exercise settings.  

Kristin Nichelini   (2016, thesis) –   Developing Walking Groups for University Employees using Group Cohesion and Team-Building Concepts
Teambuilding and fostering cohesion has been used to improve adherence to exercise classes but less research has been examined in the effects of using the same strategies in a workplace. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a group-based intervention delivered to employees via walking groups on sedentary and physical activity behavior.  

Camille Croteau   (2015, thesis) –   Menstruation & Physical Activity: A Test of the Theory of Planned Behavior and Menstrual Attitudes
The effect of menstruation on physical performance has been examined but how menstruation affects women’s attitudes towards physical activity has received less attention. The purpose of this study was to explore whether the Theory of Planned Behavior components affect the intention to be physically active during menstruation.  

Erin Blanchard   (2015, thesis) –   Stay Well at Home: A Qualitative Evaluation of the program
The Stay Well at Home is a multifactorial fall risk program that is conducted in the home of older adults using peer facilitators.   The purpose of this study is to explore both participants and facilitators experiences during the program using qualitative methodology.  

Robert Fernandez   (2015, thesis) –Exploring the Effect of Physical Activity Interventions that Utilize Relapse Prevention Strategies on Self-Efficacy
Self-efficacy is important for being able to maintain physical activity participation. However, some strategies used for promoting physical activity may actually decrease self-efficacy.  Relapse prevention techniques are one such strategy.  This experimental design is evaluating whether these strategies help or hinder the development of self-efficacy.  

Sean Pinkerton   (2014, thesis) –   From the Workplace to the Home: An Employee Wellness Program Targeting Families
Workplace wellness interventions typically focus on the health of the employee. However, the health of the employee is linked with the health of their family.  The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether a workplace physical activity intervention can reach the family members of the employee.

Melissa Parra   (2014, thesis) –   Understanding Setting Specific Physical Activity Behaviors – A Social Cognitive Theory Perspective
Why do some people choose to exercise indoors versus outdoors? Melissa is conducting a correlational study examining social cognitive predictors such as self-efficacy, outcome expectations and norms and how they relate to physical activity participation indoors and outdoors.  

Vanessa Rigsby   (2014, project) -   ACTIVE PLAYTIME: Evaluating changes in parents in response to a preschool physical activity intervention
Preschool based physical activity interventions are designed to increase the physical activity levels of the children.  However, in programs that target the whole families, changes in the parents’ perceptions also are key to their success. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Active Playtime on parents confidence to promote activity for their children and the social support they receive from others.

Rachel Viglietta   (2012, project) –   Recovering from a Physical Activity Lapse
Rachel created a motivational manual to assist young women between the ages of 20-40 years to return to being physically active. After interviewing five young women about the challenges they face in becoming more active, she created a manual based on Social Cognitive Theory to assist them in overcoming those challenges.

Erica Munoz   (2012, project) –   Fitness Assessment Feedback Program
Erica evaluated to programs designed to help maintain physical activity motivation following the return of fitness assessments.  Using Self-Determination Theoyr, she created and evaluated a 1 day program and 4 day program.  The 4 day program that promoted feelings of competence, autonomy and relatedness was showed greater physical activity levels following the program than the 1 day program or the control group.